3 Books I Recommend + Video Review – March 2019
Even though I spent a lot of time in hospital waiting rooms in March, I didn’t read much.
But here are 3 books that I did finish and that I can I heartily recommend, including a 1-minute video review.
Books I Recommend
NONFICTION
1. Two Fish
Discovering the God of Immeasurably More
by Adam Walker
[click here if you can’t see 1-Minute Video Review]
Here’s a glimpse into both the practical and the spiritual sides of my friend and Christian brother Adam Walker. Both sides are inspirational. Both sides are what makes House of the Harvest work so beautifully as a food pantry in our community. Read the book and you’ll also discover other sides to Adam: humility and appreciation and godliness and more.
“We know it’s the food that brings people. If there is no food, there are no families at the door. If there is no food, there are no volunteers. If there is no food, there is no opportunity for ministry to be done every Saturday morning at 9144 Wall Triana Hwy. in Harvest, Alabama.
But God continues to provide the food, and as long as He does, we will continue to model seeking Him with all of our being and loving everyone as perfectly as we are capable, even if they aren’t like us. Prayer, Love, Food…in that order. It’s what we do.”
Read my full review here on Two Fish
2. Tell Me More
Stories about the 12 Hardest Things I’m Learning to Say
by Kelly Corrigan
It wasn’t what I expected. It’s more a series of stories (I obviously didn’t read the subtitle). But once I settled in, I enjoyed the musings of Kelly Corrigan on life and death and everything in between.
“I was lucky to know Liz that well, to know anyone that well. You can’t be really loved if you can’t bear to be really known.”
The 12 hard things to say? They are:
- It’s like this.
- Tell me more.
- I don’t know.
- I know.
- No.
- Yes.
- I was wrong.
- Good enough.
- I love you.
- No words at all.
- Onward.
- This is it.
3. The Time Is Now
A Call to Uncommon Courage
by Joan D. Chittister
“Our world waits for you and me, for spiritual people everywhere—to refuse to be pawns in the destruction of a global world for the sake of national self-centeredness.”
Whew–and so it begins. This book is heavy. But hopeful. Sister Joan Chittister brings a challenging voice that she wants us to echo.
“We are here to seed the present with godliness so that others may someday reap the best of what we sowed.”
Read my full review here on The Time Is Now
READING NOW
- Blindspot
Hidden Biases of Good People
by Mahzarin R. Banaji - The Universal Christ
How a Forgotten Reality can Change Everything We See, Hope for, and Believe
by Richard Rohr - Shameless
A Sexual Reformation
by Nadia Bolz-Weber - Spiritual Rhythms for the Enneagram
A Handbook for Harmony and Transformation
by Adele and Doug Calhoun, Clare and Scott Loughrige - The Fifth Risk
by Michael Lewis - The Christian Atheist
Believing in God but Living As If He Doesn’t Exist
by Craig Groeschel
* * *
What good book have you read this month? Please share in the comments.
My books on Goodreads
More books I recommend
I am really interested in your reviews on two of the ones that you are reading now: “Spiritual Rhythms for the Enneagram” and “Blindspot”.
I’ve also added “Tell Me More” to by TBR list.
I have to say that Spiritual Rhythms has been a chore to read only because of the format of the copy I have. I got a review copy from NetGalley but instead of the usual Kindle version, this one is only in Adobe Digital Edition, which is my least favorite way to read. But the real book should be available in both Kindle and paperback editions, thankfully. I’ll let you know what I think when I finish.
Thank you for listing the hard things to say.
The list has me thinking this morning.
I’m glad the list proved thought-provoking to you too, Tammy. I like seeing the list out here in black and white for me to peruse again myself.
Now that’s quite profound “You can’t be really loved if you can’t bear to be really known.” We’ve been talking about vulnerability in our Forever Fierce FB group, and I can see how it really draws us closer to people. Not that I ever practiced it much in my past. But I’ve been opening up more lately.
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
It can be exhilarating when we find the right group of people to open up with. Sounds like your Forever Fierce group touches on some important issues!
Great list, I just started a new book by Brant Hansen titled UNOFFENDABLE. Have not read anything by this author but have heard good things about it so far.
I think I will order, The Time Is Now, the infro stirred me for it’s a phrase I have been hearing in my spirit for a while and try with God’s help to act upon those words. Thanks
You don’t know how happy this makes me to hear you mention Unoffendable! That is one of my very favorite books, Betty. I’ve read it twice already (and I rarely reread books) because I thought it has such an important message. Brant Hansen is very relatable too and very humble. Let me know what you think about it.
All these books sound really interesting. I always enjoy your recommendations! I’ve enjoyed reading a book about evangelism with the intriguing title “The Peg And The Pumice Stone!” I’ll be sharing about it on my blog tomorrow.
That definitely is an intriguing title, Lesley. Now you have my interest piqued too! 🙂 I’ll be sure to visit your blog tomorrow and learn more about it.
I always love a good book rec. And I loved the Kelly Corrigan book I read so I will have to add this one to my list. laurensparks.net
This was the first Kelly Corrigan book I’ve read, so I’ll have to go backward and find another one to read. She was very easy to follow along with.
Thanks so much for sharing, Lisa! They all seem like great recommendations. I think I’ll start with “Two Fish”. ?
Blessings to you! ???
Two Fish is a great pick, Tai. I really enjoyed the stories, and watching Adam’s faith grow from the beginning of the book to the end. There are a lot of lessons in there for me too.
love your reviews. I always discover a new book to explore. So glad you continue with the video reviews too. Fun to hear and see you!
Thank you, Jean. I am still just as reluctant to post the videos now as I was the first time. ha. It humbles me every time so I figure I need to keep doing it. 🙂
These look great, Lisa! Thanks for taking the time to share in the midst of a very full season! Praying God’s richest blessings upon you today!
Thanks, Stacey. I’m hoping things will start slowing back down to normal for a few months. There are so many good books that I want to dive into. 🙂
Lisa, Two Fish is the one I want to read and sooner rather than later. May I be faithful to give out what God provides to those around me – willingly and abundantly. I always enjoy your reviews.
Thanks, Joanne. It is encouraging to hear how others give out what they’ve been given; I need those nudges often.
Two Fish and Tell Me More look good to me! Here’s my recent reading list: http://bit.ly/2uvVEq1
I always enjoy your list, Kym. I probably need to go back and refresh myself on Downsizing the Family Home. It made an impact on me when I read it, and I’m currently in a decluttering mood again. 🙂
Lisa, you always seem to read such appealing books. I read your earlier review Of Two Fish and put that book on my list, now both of the other 2 books look good to me too. I recently completed The Overstory, which I loved and am currently reading The 9th Hour, which I am enjoying. It’s a change for me – I don’t usually read too much fiction except for my book club.
I’m not a big fiction reader either so I like to hear which novels other people recommend. I don’t want to waste my time on a book that’s not good. 🙂 I just started The Poisonwood Bible last night. It’s a thick one so I hope it will live up to its reputation.
So many books – not enough time!!! I pinned this post for future reference!
I always feel the same way, Susan. I know now that I don’t have enough time left in my lifetime to finish all the books on my to-read list. 🙂
Wow these all sound like great books!! I will have to plan these for some spring-time reading! Thank you for the recommendations! Visiting from both the #worthbeyondrubies and #rechargeWednesday linkups!
On a separate note, when I went to comment it had a previous commentor’s info in the entry boxes so for some reason it is saving the info of the last person to comment. Just wanted to let you know in case someone appears to have submitted multiple comments!
Thanks, Diane, for the comment and for the note. Ugh–I’ve been trying to fix that glitch for the longest time and am currently trying a new proposed fix this afternoon. Keeping my fingers crossed that this solution works and eliminates the problem! I’m so sorry that has been happening. 🙁
“Tell Me More” sounds like a great, thought-provoking read!
I’m reading a light novel “The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck” and it’s great! It was on the Christy Award list this year.
Thanks for sharing about the novel you’re reading, Rebecca. I always appreciate hearing about good fiction books because I don’t keep up with novels as much.
Oh my, there are so many wonderful books to read! I’m adding Two Fish to my non-fiction TBR list. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. Currently I am reading a YA contemporary novel, Love, Life, and the List by Kasie West. It’s a sweet one which is refreshing!
I’m glad to hear of the sweet YA book. So often they are dystopian, sad stories of doom and gloom.
So it sounds like you keep a non-fiction and a fiction TBR list? I haven’t thought of doing it that way; I should do that myself! Thanks, Lynn.
I can’t wait to hear what you think about The Spiritual Rhythms of the Enneagram. I just started Self to Lose Self to Find: A Biblical Approach to the Nine Enneagram Types by Marilyn Vancil. I am fascinated with the enneagram and love learning more of the spiritual side.
Self to Lose Self to Find sounds like an intriguing book! I’ll look forward to what you think about it, Mary. I’m enjoying The Spiritual Rhythms of the Enneagram, but it’s not likely to be my favorite of the Enneagram books that I’ve read. Granted, I’m reading it as an Adobe Digital Edition, which is burdensome. I hope that’s not subconsciously tainting my view of the book. ha.
Well I’m naturally partial to Two Fish. Love that these folks are the hands, feet, and heart of God.
Hands, feet, and heart. Amen to that, Floyd. Reminds me that we are to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.