i look for books, and books find me.

i look in bookstores, because a bookstore is not just one place, it is many.  within the walls are pages, and within the pages; places, people and practices that you can peek into and possibly take with you.  you can take your escape.  you can start your excavate.  i find this possibility promising.  i also look online, when the looking is late at night.  one click leading to another until the final one that is the promise of a package in your post.  and, then there are others who do the looking for me.  friends that recommend.  and, a mom who still seems to know what is needed to grow.  a grandmother and a father who’s shelves i never pass by.  instead, i study.  i study the shelves crowded with years upon years of wisdom through written word, calling out to me.  just the titles alone are telling.  they tell of growth, of past pain, of purpose, of  personality and of life living.

i’ve listed all the books (that i can remember) that i read last year:

 

in all of these fashions it amazes me, my findings this year.  of the ones, that although, recommended or reached for on a shelf,  are rather ones that reached for me.  in my own soul searching and growing God knew what words I needed and when.

now a good number of books, where for entertainment or relaxation, an escape.  my method is that i tend to read a few books at a time.  usually a book for growth and one for enjoyment.  however, i enjoy my growth books just as much.

 

Abiding in Christ / by Andrew Murray.  this book has changed my life.  one of my best friends recommended this book to me, saying she reads it every year.  i didn’t pick it up right away, but rather a few months later. . . which happened to be perfect timing for me.  i won’t be able to do the book justice in a short d description here. but, other than the Bible i cannot think of any other book, at this point in time, that has changed me so much.  this book, published in 1895, talks of the passage in the Bible of the vine and branches.  it taught me that the only way to live is by abiding.  not striving, but rather resting.  resting in the promise that He is keeping me and my work is to just believe + trust him.  i really cannot even beging to do it justice.  it’s broken down into daily chapters and is an easy read, but i would literally spend days one chapter.  i plan to read it yearly, now too.

The Best Yes / last year i had it on my list to be a better decision maker.  and, to find a book on decision making.  there aren’t many out there.  this book, for me, had great answers on how to make decisions.  it focuses on learning what, first to “say yes” to, so that your “no” isn’t so hard.  giving your “yes” to the best things for you.  i wrote a little more about it here.

One Thousand Gifts / more here.

Restless / more here.

Big Little Lies / one of my fave fictions authors for easy reading stories to escape in.

The Alchemist  / this had been on my list for awhile.  i took time to read it at the end of the year and really enjoyed it.  its an allegory of sorts and a magical story that really gets you thinking about life, the heart and following your dreams.

Z / this fiction based on fact book about the life of Zelda Fitzgerald (married to F. Scott). is a good one.  i was obsessed with the Paris Wife and the Hemingways last year so naturally i moved onto the Fitzgeralds.  this certainly messed with my love of the Hemingways.  what i found, si si similarly hough was such talent and such tragedy.  i’m so drawn to this area and these artists.  loved this book.

The Goldfinch / i read this at the beginning of last year and just didn’t fall for it like everyone else.  i wanted to quit, but refused.  i wrote more about it here.

Come Back / i didn’t think i’d be able to emotionally handle this mother daughter memoir when i read the description, after it was recommended to me.  i decided to download the sample and just read a little further.  well, i couldn’t put it down.  it was tragic, beautiful and redemptive.  love that never gives up on a person.

and the books, i admit, i didn’t finish:

This is Where You Leave / woops.  sometimes it’s just like that and i can’t go any further.  i know many that loved this one.

Outlander / i don’t know why i couldn’t quite get into this series.  i watched the tv series over christmas and seemed to connect with the characters better on screen.  who knows maybe i’ll try the second book?

Peter Pan / i vow to finish this.  too much magic to pass up.

A Farewell to Arms / this one goes back on the list again this year.  although i got annoyed with Hemingway after reading Z, i’m still drawn to his writing.

Brain on Fire / i’ve heard this is so good.  i just sometimes get weird about medical things.  so i put it down.  maybe i’ll pick it up again.

here are some more books, i’ve read and recommend.

i’ve started this one,  am finishing up this one, and just started another old book i found on a bookshelf.  i’m also reading the entire new testament over the next 6 weeks.  i’ve never done that before and the version we are reading is in the original order and without chapter or verse….so it feels very story based.  i’m seeing things in such a different light.

tell me what books have you read this past year, reading now or are on your list for the coming year?