Friday Favorites- Books

I’ve always loved to read, and even as an adult; one of my favorite past times is to curl up with a book or a magazine.  One of the best parts of any month is when my Real Simple magazine arrives in the mail and I’m able to take time to read the whole magazine from cover to cover.

I don’t just read magazines, however.  My graduate coursework has me constantly reading articles from journals on education, leadership, organizations, and I try to read news articles every day.  But at the end of the day, I’m in love with books.  Here are my favorite books- those that I’ve read over time that truly pushed my thinking forward and changed my life.

1. The Bible- As a believer, this is the most important book that I own.  Reading the Bible has given me clarity, peace, comfort, and revelation.  Each time I read it, I learn something new; and I’m challenged to become better.
2. The Autobiography of Malcolm X- Perhaps in stark contrast to the book choice above, but this book truly allowed me to understand Malcolm X as a person, and what he believed in regards to civil rights and his faith.  Most importantly, I was able to see Malcolm X as he was, and not as he was taught to me or projected to me by my teachers and history books.
3. The Souls of Black Folk- I didn’t read this until college, and I was immediately struck by how relevant it was, nearly 100 years later.  As with many, DuBois’ articulation of double-consciousness resonated with me.  The idea of the “Talented Tenth” made me uncomfortable, and it forced me to reexamine the role that I, as an educated black woman, play in my community, my family, and the world.
4. Up From Slavery- I wasn’t a Booker T. Washington fan; and as a teacher, there are still parts of me that subscribe to DuBois’ belief in liberal arts education.  However, I HAD to respect the story and the hustle (if you want to call it that) of Booker T. Washington.  That, by itself, is amazing; and it increased the amount of respect that I had for Booker T. Washington.
5. A Lesson Before Dying- I’m not sure how I ended up reading this book, but I’ve read it every year for the past 5 years.  It always helps me to adjust my focus as a teacher in a rural area; as someone who graduated from college, left, and then came back to my home state; and it allows me to think about the responsibility I have to educate others- whether formally or informally.
6. Strength to Love and Why We Can’t Wait- the rhetoric of Dr. King is powerful, insightful, and expresses the need for change much better than many things that I’ve read.  These books are tied because I don’t know that I could honestly choose between them.
7. The Shack- this book was recommended to me by a friend during a difficult time, and it transformed the way that I viewed and approached my faith. I would HIGHLY recommend this for anyone who needs to view their faith in a different way.

There are MANY, MANY more books that I could list here..and perhaps I’ll revisit this list later on.  However, those are my *top top* favorites!  What are your favorite books?

 

Book Review: Max On Life

I’ve had the privilege of reading some of Max Lucado’s previous works, and until now, Fearless and Outlive Your Life were my favorites. However, I think that his latest work, Max On Life, has surpassed them.

I’ve always been a Max Lucado skeptic, because he seemed to be so mainstream. However, I’m now a believer. What I enjoy most of about his writing is that it is simple and pure, and it attempts to connect the reader with the very heart of God.

Max On Life allows the reader to engage in Lucado in a different way. The reader is allowed to sort through all of those troubling issues and questions that we have about our faith that we hesitate to mention in bible study or in our small groups because we are fearful of judgement and receive Lucado’s honest and heartfelt response; all of which direct the reader to experience God in a new way.

This book isn’t one that has to be read chronologically– there are different sections where one can sort and find the inspiration they need for where they are. I imagine that this book will be a guiding light for many as they seek to expand their faith and truly know God deeper than they’ve known before. This book is an excellent gift for anyone- a new believer or a seasoned soldier of Christ who desires to pursue God with their whole heart.

Book Review: The Final Summit

It’s been a while since I’ve been able to read a book, so I was pleased at the opportunity to read Andy Andrews latest book, “The Final Summit”. After having read his previous book, “The Noticer”, I had high expectations, but as with the last book, it did not disappoint.

In “The Final Summit”, Andrews revisits a character from his previous book, “The Traveler’s Gift”. I must admit that I had not read “The Traveler’s Gift prior to reading “The Final Summit”, and I was worried about how well I would be able to enjoy this book without any prior knowledge. However, Andrews does an excellent job of weaving the story of David Ponder into this new novel, so much so, that I didn’t feel that I had missed much.

Through weaving in the messages from “The Traveler’s Gift” as well as his usual timeless wisdom, Andrews reminds readers that we are all capable of accomplishing even the most daunting task; despite our feelings of inadequacy. Andrews’ narrative helps to guide readers on that path with wisdom, but also with biblical truths and inherent reminders of God’s love for us.

“The Final Summit”, as with other works by Andrews, does not disappoint. I highly recommend it!

Book Review- “Outlive Your Life”

I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting when I agreed to review Max Lucado’s “Outlive Your Life”. Having read and reviewed Lucado’s books before, I knew that I would be in for a treat, but this book definitely came along at the right time for me.

In “Outlive Your Life”, Lucado expresses the ability that each of us have to leave a legacy, or to have impact beyond our days on earth. Through reading fables and scripture, the reader is encouraged with ways to make their lives matter beyond the here and now,

As someone who sometimes suffers from having a short attention span, I appreciated that the chapters were short. However, the lack in length of a chapter certainly didn’t impact the meaning that was provided. Each chapter packed a punch, leaving me wondering what was I doing now to ensure that I outlive my life.

I haven’t felt so moved to be in sync with God’s plan while reading a book since I read Rick Warren’s “Purpose Driven Life”. I recommend this book to all who desire to leave a legacy.

Book Review: “The Butterfly Effect”

It’s easy to believe that there’s no consequence for our actions. In many circumstances, we can function independently of others, never knowing how our words or our actions have had an effect. However, Andy Andrews’ explains that life is much more than that in “The Butterfly Effect.”

I previously reviewed Andy Andrews’ book “The Noticer”, and I enjoyed the simple way that Andrews relates to the reader through his writing. This feeling hasn’t changed after reading “The Butterfly Effect”. While in “The Noticer”, Andrews highlights the value of paying attention to details, in “The Butterfly Effect”, he emphasizes the value of these details, particularly within our actions.

“The Butterfly Effect” is a wonderful gift book, that would be ideal for those who question their purpose in life, or those entering transitions (graduates, retirements, etc.). It is a wonderful reminder to us that God has created each of us for a purpose, and that every detail and every part of our life matters.

Book Review: Max Lucado’s Fearless

Before reading this book, I’d never picked up a single Max Lucado book. While I’d seen them in various bookstores, the titles never seemed to jump out at me.

I’m glad to say that my foray into the world of Max Lucado was a delightfully enjoyable and inspiring adventure! In Lucado’s latest book, Fearless, he encourages the reader in how to live free from fear and confident in the faith that we profess.

There are many things that I like about this book, but perhaps what immediately grabbed me was the realistic nature by which Lucado communicates with the reader. In my experience, I’ve found that many faith-based writers tend to talk AT the readers and not TO them, often in such a way that they seem preachy or either exempt from the circumstances that they write about. Lucado’s realism is refreshing and I felt as if I were having an engaging conversation with someone who had faced the same challenges that I had.

I also enjoyed the way that scripture was used in this book to affirm the reader as well as to emphasize the point that the author was trying to make. At no point could it be said that the book was based off of Lucado’s own spiritual assumptions—the use of scripture is too compelling. As I read through the chapters, I was encouraged by his use of scriptures; many of which I had read before, but I hadn’t thought to put in my scripture lineup in regards to fear. Thanks to this book, I have many more to choose from besides relying on 2 Timothy 1:7.

I would definitely recommend this book to others- new Christians, old Christians, or just those who need a refreshing take on how to handle fear as they go through life as a Christian. Additionally, the discussion guide that accompanies the book makes it pretty awesome for those who want to read it in a group. But whether you read it in a group or alone, it’s a wonderful choice!

Book Review: The Noticer

We all need to be noticed.  And there are times where we can all benefit from a different perspective.  It’s with these themes that Andy Andrews writes the awesome book, “The Noticer”.

Andrews tells the story of a man named Jones- not Mr. Jones, just Jones, who sweeps through a town changing lives by imparting a valuable change of perspective.  Jones encounters different situations that have the opportunity to truly make or break a person’s life: divorce, poverty, an unsuccessful business; and easily and gently explains how that situation can be changed if the person’s perspective is changed.

This book is an easy read, yet a profound one.  I found myself reading it very quickly, then uncovering a valuable lesson or thought, and going back to make sure that I completely understood and benefitted from the lesson.

While some books that encourage a change of perspective can be rather preachy or condescending, this one is not.  It’s light and encouraging, providing useful advice in the same manner that a grandmother might provide over cookies and milk: you don’t feel as if you must adopt the advice, but it seems extremely beneficial and worthwhile to consider.

There are some religious/spiritual undertones in this book; however, it’s not an overwhelming undertone where one may feel as if they are being beat over the head with biblical principles.  Additionally, I found a light reference to some other books that had small biblical references.

Did I enjoy this book: 100%!  Would I recommend it to others: I would absolutely, without hesitation!  I would especially recommend it to those who have struggled with overcoming some of the different situations life presents us (and I think that would be all of us).  It’s not necessarily a book for children, but I would say that a mature young adult could enjoy and benefit from the story that Andy Andrews tells.

All that said- head out to get a copy of The Noticer- and maybe grab one for Mom for Mother’s Day as well.  It won’t disappoint!