What’s on your nightstand? June ‘13
Just started
Occupy Spirituality
A Radical Vision for a New Generation
by Adam Bucko
[My review here] Hmm…I’m not sure about this one yet. It’s about “sacred activism” and has some very intriguing parts that challenge me but also some sections when I ask, “Why is this in here?” Overall, it’s more thumbs-up than thumbs-down, but I’m not finished yet.
Messy Spirituality
by Mike Yoconelli
(No relation to Occupy Spirituality above.) So far it’s spot-on about the importance of being an authentic Christian with imperfections versus one who acts as if she has it all together. I’m borrowing this small book from Jenna.
Still reading
Dancing Priest
by Glynn Young
This novel by a fellow-blogger I admire has just taken a dramatic turn (I’m about halfway finished). An enjoyable read about a young priest in Europe and his encounters with faith, friends, and a young American woman.
![understanding-jesus-a-guide-to-his-l[2]](https://lisanotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/understanding-jesus-a-guide-to-his-l2.jpg "understanding-jesus-a-guide-to-his-l[2]")
Understanding Jesus
A Guide to His Life and Times
by Stephen M. Miller
Still slowly working my way through this book about the culture that Jesus stepped into. The latest chapters have been about Jesus’ most famous sermon, fasting, and the Sabbath.
Finished from May’s nightstand
The Fault in Our Stars
by John Green
I cried. But that’s okay. I laughed an equal amount (if not more). It’s a story well-told of the lives of some teenage cancer patients. I enjoyed Green’s writing style as well as the realism he employed in this supposed work of fiction.
The Icarus Deception
How High Will You Fly?
by Seth Godin
Care about what you do. Treat your work as art. I love how Seth Godin packs so much in so few words. “Don’t worry about your stuff. Worry about making meaning instead.” – Godin
The Mercy Prayer
The One Prayer Jesus Always Answers
by Robert Gelinas
My review here. A rich walk through scripture to see how people asked God for mercy, and how he gave it, both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament through Jesus. Then how we should be asking for it as well.
“We actually desire God’s mercy more the closer we get to him, not only because we see our shortcomings in light of his perfection, but also because knowing God is knowing that he is merciful.” – Gelinas
The Gospel According to Peanuts
by Robert L. Short
Almost 50 years old, this book is still a treasure. Well-written and nicely illustrated with Peanuts cartoons, it pierces to the spiritual meanings underneath the comic strip.
“This is why all real art, though at first it may seem to be a most welcome escape from reality, will inevitably lead one into a face to face encounter with reality—but always with reality in a different light from which it was first seen.” – Short
Rumors of Another World
What on Earth Are We Missing?
by Philip Yancey
Another winner from Yancey. He reminds us to appreciate being here, but to continue longing for there.
“Live for God in the here and now. Live also in the future, storing up for yourselves eternal treasure—which you do by living in the here and now.” – Yancey
Writing to Change the World
by Mary Pipher
A sweet book. A nice blend of writing tips and ideology about why we write.
“Writers foster the growth of readers’ souls, and the best soil for growth is love. Writing can be love made visible. In the end, one of our best ways to truly change readers is to love them.” – Pipher
A Whole New Mind
Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future
by Daniel H. Pink
An excellent book! It explains the 6 aptitudes needed in this new millennium to successfully navigate the world. They are: Design, Story, Symphony, Empathy, Play, and Meaning. And as the title suggests, they involve tapping into the right side of the brain as well as the left.
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What book(s) are you reading this month?
My books on Goodreads
More nightstands
I read Fault in Our Stars this month, too! The Peanuts book looks fun. I’d also like to read so,etching by Godin.
Something!!!
You always have such challenging lists. The Peanuts one looks intriguing – I like that quote. Some of the things that are the most funny and poignant at the same time are like that – I felt that way about the Cosby show, too. He could make the most everyday things so funny, yet make us see them differently.
My to-read list always grows after seeing yours! 🙂
You have a lot of “deep” reading going on here. They all sound really great though.
Well! I wouldn’t have picked up The Fault in Our Stars on my own but you make it sound intriguing!!
I also like the sounds of A Whole New Mind.
You got in a lot of great reading! I also read The Fault in Our Stars recently and really enjoyed it – so much more than I thought I would, given the premise!
Always amazed at your amount of reading… I gotta put that Peanuts classic on my nightstand!
You’re not the first person to recommend The Fault in Our Stars. Maybe I’ll sample it from the library soon.
I’m reading the Metaxas Bonhoeffer biography that came out a few years back, the funny and touching new release A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet, Psalms and Acts, and the audiobook of Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Deibler Rose. I have two other items out from the library, but it’s not honest to mention them since one has sat neglected for 2 weeks and the other hasn’t been opened yet. So many books, so little time,…
Jennifer, my awesome 5M4B editor, has been pushing me to read John Green for a while now, and I believe it was STARS that she suggested I start with. I don’t know why I haven’t picked it up yet, but I think it’s time to remedy that this summer! 🙂
Thanks for linking up–
-Dawn, 5M4B
Understanding Jesus sounds really interesting. As does The Icarus Deception. I know Godin’s name somewhere but can’t place him. Happy reading!!
A Whole New Mind looks like an interesting book and I’m going to have to add the Seth Godin book since I keep coming across his name, but have never read anything by him.
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