My reading list November ’13

These are the books I’m currently reading and have just finished from last month. Every 4th Tuesday we share our nightstands.

JUST STARTED

Mockingjay
by Suzanne Collins

Because we saw Catching Fire this weekend, I’m indulging myself this week with a re-read of Mockingjay (part 3 of The Hunger Games trilogy). I don’t recall it being my favorite book of the three, but I am enjoying it tremendously so far, especially since I have faces from the first two movies to go with the characters this time.

Kisses from Katie
A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption
by Katie J. Davis and Beth Clark

Finally reading this. I’ve heard so much about this amazing true story of a young lady who left middle-class America to go live in Uganda, and subsequently adopted girl after girl (she’s up to 13 daughters). The book chronicles her path, with many pages taken directly from a journal she kept. Her blog is here.

Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus
How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith
by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg

Since this is my year of One Word 2013: Jesus, this book is a great follow-up to Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus. It takes you back to first-century Israel, seeping you more in the culture that Jesus walked in and ministered to. Consequently, it makes stories in the New Testament more vibrant and meaningful.

Everyday Prayers
365 Days to a Gospel-Centered Faith
by Scotty Smith

This is a book of 365 short prayers centered around one scripture passage per day. They’re personal from Scotty Smith’s life, but are applicable to anybody. I’ve had this on my Kindle for awhile but decided to do the daily readings/prayings specifically for November and December.

On Becoming a Writer
What Every Blogger Needs to Know
by Denise J. Hughes

I haven’t gotten very far yet, but I’ve heard good things about this book. Denise is a writer I’ve been reading for awhile and I know she writes well and with insight. Her book is not just for bloggers, but for anybody who likes to write, whether just for yourself or also for others.

STILL READING

Transforming Grace
Living Confidently in God’s Unfailing Love
by Jerry Bridges

Bridges is a master in sharing the beauties and transforming power of grace. All his books that I’ve read have the overriding theme that grace is free–it’s not about our performance or entitlement–but we get to participate in receiving it and walking it out. I’ve been settling into this book for several months now, and I’m getting close to the end. Bridges is not an author I want to rush.

FINISHED FROM LAST MONTH’S NIGHTSTAND

Catching Fire
by Suzanne Collins

I just had to re-read this before I saw the movie. Even though a lot of it came back to me as I was re-reading, it was just as good the second time around. And the movie? Loved the adaption! They could have explained a few things more clearly for those who haven’t read the book, but overall it was great. If you’ve seen it, too, what did you think?

The Burgess Boys
by Elizabeth Strout

I admit: it was the name that got me. Being married to a Burgess boy myself, I felt I needed to read this just because. (And also because I’d seen good reviews of it.) I did like it. It was very contemporary, addressing a particular hate crime pertinent to our times. But I’m glad my personal Burgess boy is very different from these . . .

Carry On, Warrior
Thoughts on Life Unarmed
by Glennon Doyle Melton

If you don’t already read her Momastery blog, hop over there and get started. She’s brutally honest. And witty. And insightful. Her book is the same way. I was pleasantly surprised to run across it in my public library a few weeks ago and immediately snatched it up and devoured it. Good stuff here.

Here’s the Bright Side
Of Failure, Fear, Cancer, Divorce, and Other Bum Raps
by Betty Rollin

My sister loaned me this from her personal library since I was focusing on The Practice of Pain last month. This book was a a memoir of sorts from former NBC News correspondent Betty Rollins. She fought more than one round with breast cancer and other adversities in her life, and shares here what helped her keep going. She also sprinkles interesting facts throughout the book on research of how others deal with “bum raps.”

Pastrix
The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint
by Nadia Bolz-Weber

My book review here

This spiritual memoir isn’t for the easily offended. You need to know that up front. But if you can look past the differences, you’ll probably gain as much from this book as I did. I love Nadia’s frankness and her ability to humbly admit that she’s still got serious issues. Don’t we all?

Make a Difference
Growth in Leadership
by Dr. Larry Little, Melissa Hambrick-Jackson, David Rupert

My book review here

My blogging friend David Rupert at Red Letter Believers edited this leadership book. He did a great job compiling the gathered data from a variety of sources to show how anybody in any occupation can step up their game in being a more effective leader, employee, person. I recommend it whether or not you regard yourself as a “leader” type or not, because everyone does lead at some level.

A Wizard of Earthsea
by Ursula K. Le Guin

I’m not typically into the fantasy genre of fiction, but this was very good. I was slow getting hooked, but the more I read, the better I liked it. It has some great overarching spiritual lessons in it as well. And it was free online, which is always a plus. It’s been around awhile (originally published in 1968). Le Guin wrote more Earthsea novels, but I’ll probably stop while I’m happy with this one.

Glorious Ruin
How Suffering Sets You Free
by Tullian Tchividjian

This is so worth reading. Here’s a quote: “It may be unintentional, but we make a serious mistake when we reduce the good news to its results, such as patience, sobriety, and compassion, in the lives of those who have heard it. These are beautiful developments, and they should be celebrated. But they should not be confused with the gospel itself. The gospel is not a means to an end, it is an end in itself.”

You’ll Get through This
Hope and Help for Your Turbulent Times
by Max Lucado

My book review here

Whatever you’re going through–large or small–this book will help you gain a better perspective on it by giving you hope that God’s got this, he’s got you, and all will be well. Not necessarily easy. But by trusting in his faithfulness in the past, you can feel more confident about his help in your future.

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What’s a good book you are reading or want to read?

My books on Goodreads
More nightstands

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