Sunday, October 08, 2006

Books and More Books

I love to read. I could sit in my comfy chair~not to be confused with the comfy couch~and read til I have to get up and pee. I read fiction, non-fiction, "Christian" (I hate the term Christian fiction but heck, we'll use it here.), "secular" (again, bad term), the phone book, old yearbooks, and magazines of all shapes and sizes. Oh, and the church directory. Ya never know if it changed since the last time I looked up a number. So becuse I am deluded enough to think you care, here's a small list of some of my favorite reads from the last few years or so. Feel free to add your opinions and your own titles. Just no laughing at some of them. I run the gamute from cheesy to philosophical. Some I will list by series because it is easier. And it's my blog. I can do what I want. So here is my list of books I have read a zillion times and will read again soon.

The Red River of the North Series by Lauraine Snelling
This would fall into the "Christian fiction" catagory but I do love historical fiction. This is set on the Dakota prairies of 1880s. The main character does way more in her day than I do in a month. I always want to get up and plow a field or milk a cow after reading these. Great family saga that isn't too nicey-nice.

The Love Comes Softly Series by Janette Oke (some one PUH-LEEZE tell me is it "oak" or "oakie"!)
Also falls into the "Christian fiction" and lands squarely in incredibly nicey-nice. But I still love it. Such a sweet story.

Redemption Series by Karen Kingsbury
Great story. A bit over-written but I did get attached to characters and wanted to see how it worked out. Kingsbury is a gifted story-teller but not so much a great writer.

Dancing in the Dark by Big Bill Romonowski and Friends
Changed my life. Or at least my major. Love him. Love his book.

Redeeming TV by Quintein Schultze
Can I get an AMEN from all my siblings here? Will change the way you view TV completely. I am also TOTALLY showing my age as this was his NEW books when I was there.

The Girlfriends Guides by Vicki Iovine
Wet-your-pants-funny. Must read for any beginner mom.

Eve's Daughters by Lynn Austin
All of Lynn's books are great but this one is still my fave. You can tell just by reading this book that Lynn is a Calvinist! :-) I get really tired of characters in "Christian fiction" that are very one-dimensional. "Good girl goes to church, doesn't touch alcohol, never has any sin, ever. Bad boy is very, very bad. Dances to rock music, reads Harry Potter books, swears, and even has GASP non-Christian friends!" Lynn's characters are not perfect. They are real flawed people with a grasp of total depravity but no clue about grace until it whacks them upside the head. This was the first book I ever actually read in one day.

Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Wiener
Great fun read about a bored SAHM who tries to figure out who murdered her neighbor.

Can You Keep A Secret? by Sophie Kinsella
Also a fun read about a women who has too much to drink and ends up telling her life story to a handsome stranger seated next to her on a trans Atlantic flight. Turns out he's her new boss. Goes on from there. . .

Sophie's Heart by Lori Wick
Pure Velveeta. But hey, why not a little cheese with that glass of wine. . .

So whatcha all got?

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Agreed on Sophie's Heart...but it's a cute story.
LOVE Karen Kingsbury books.
Let's see...what else have I read...Anything by Julie Ann Barnhill (non-fiction) is good (like Erma Bombeck for OUR generation). Also, there's a series by Beverly LaHaye and Terri Blackstock that was a tear-jerker...4 or 5 books...good reads.
I'll think of more later, I'm sure. :)

candi said...

Thanks for the suggestions! I tend to read about a book every few days and I was needing something to read. My favorite books ever have to be The Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers with a close second being Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. The rest of her books, I did not like, but those 4 are amazing and life-changing!! The O'Malley series by Dee Henderson are also good, in a fluffy but gripping kind of way.

kkoois said...

i like to read the tv guide.

i am not said...

Lets see, what have I read in the last few years? Tipping Point, Devil in the White City, Parents magazine, American Baby magazine, the little things I get in the mail from enfamil and similac, and the back of tylenol bottles - oh and the nutrition labels on my food. Need more time to read - will do that this year.

Anonymous said...

Devil in the white city is a great book. I am lately a big fan of anything by Ted Dekker (christian) and Greg Iles(secular).

Aimee said...

You know how I feel about Karen Kingsbury. LOVE HER!! I couldn't really get into the Lynn Austin book you gave me though. Maybe I'll try again tonight.

Anonymous said...

About all I get is "Green Eggs & Ham". Let me know if you need the author. ;)

Lisa @ Heaven Sent said...

Eve's Daughters is one of my favorites. Christian fiction are great feel goods, but once in a while they get too cheesey for me.

And why don't I ever remember the names of the other books I have read or their authors? For some reason, that goes into my short-term memory bank.

For the record. I do not read US Weekly every free second I get. Really. I don't.

Frannie Farmer said...

Have you read The Red Tent by Anita Diamant? It is an exceptional book.
I read the phone book too, is that sad?
:o)