In a week, we leave for six weeks of family leave which we will spend with our families in Portland, Tillamook and Seattle. Doug walked through the dining room this morning carrying two books saying: “This is my reading for the trip.” I realized I have no clue what I should try (key word, per yesterday’s post) to read in these coming weeks. I would love to hear what people consider their “must reads” right now. I have a gift certificate at Amazon I would love to use…
Everything Must Change by you know who…
Silence, by Sushaku Endo
Living prayer, by Robert Benson
The Great Giveaway, By David Fitch
just to name a few
A few others are:
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbara Kingsolver
Way of Ignorance by Wendell Berry
Star Wars, honey.
what else?
Some of my recent reads I have enjoyed:
“Shantaram” by Gregory David Roberts
“Restavec” by Jean Cadet
“Lolita” – but this one was suuuuper disturbing
“White Guilt” by Shelby Steele
and…HARRY POTTER!!!! 🙂
John,
Brian’s book is one of the two that Doug chose so I imagine I will end up taking a look. I followed Scot McKnight’s review (and have heard others), and am curious to check it out.
Thanks for the recommendations! I love Endo. I read Silence a while back but could probably enjoy reading it again as it has been many years.
Not many non-fiction writers could get away with a title like “Everything Must Change.”
I’m thinking of writing a non-fiction ‘pastoral’ book with post modern and idealistic Christian sensibilities a la McLaren called “Everyone Must Be Tall and Attractive.” :^)
the secret life of bees (best book ever if you haven’t read it.) and i read to kill a mockingbird lately. so good.
Try “Do nothing to change your life, discovering what happens when you stop”, by Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Reading. I’ve just started this.
And if you’ve not read Shane Claiborne’s “Irresistible…” then that one is a must on radical economics.
Since I’m reading (and loving) several books you’ve recommended I was feeling a little unablt to help you BUT then I remembered on of my favorites: Madelein L’Engle (of “Wrikle in Time” fame who passed last year)
“Walking on Water” & “The Rock that is Higher” are two of my favorite books. These are both memoir-ish books – alot like sitting with Grandma and letting her wisdom wash over you.
“the power of one” by bryce courtenay and “gracias!” by henri nouwen are a couple of favorites, though, as you introduced me to nouwen it wouldn’t surprise me if you’d already read it…
Probably “unChristian: What a New Generation Thinks About Christianity and Why it Matters…” You may be reading Scot McKnight’s reviews of the book.
Come be my light is the one about Mother Teresa, I’m 1/3 of the way through and I feel it is pretty awesome.
erika,
I don’t know you personally … so don’t know if this will be a miss … I love to read lots of deep, thoughtful stuff when I have a “break,” too … but I also like a good, brisk dose of practical, just to mix it up. My kids are much older than yours, but one of my all-time favorite parenting books, also happens to be a beautiful theology book at the same time. Written by a Jewish psychologist mom … it is called “The Blessing of a Skinned Knee” by Wendy Mogel. Love it in every way. You might, too.
and also, The Shattered Lantern: Rediscovering a Felt Presence of God, by Richard Rolheiser. Magnificent.
Hey Erika,
Have you read Deep River by Shusako Endo? I think I liked it better than Silence, though both are good.
One of my favorite reads is The Brothers K by David James Duncan and it’s set in the Pacific Northwest, which might be fun since you are traveling there.
I also recommend Plainsong by Kent Haruf – one of my very very favorite stories, set in the eastern plains of Colorado. A beautiful beautiful story.
Someone here mentioned they just reread To Kill a Mockingbird – I just read it again a few months ago and loved it all over again.
And Peace Like a River by Leif Enger and The Known World by Edward P. Jones and East of Eden by Steinbeck.
And if any of these sound interesting, I can send them home with Douglas and save you the Amazon dollars.
🙂
K.
Erika,
Great to hear your story at Laguna. Thank you for sharing about your current season of motherhood and writing. I hope you enjoy your trips and reading, looks like you’ve got lots of suggestions!
Jonalyn
Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger. Beautiful, harrowing, imaginative, joyful.
On another note, I drove through Tillamook for the first time a couple years ago, and thought it one of the most beautiful places on earth. What a wonderful place to rest from city life.
Wow, I sure went to the right place for recommendations! You guys are awesome. Jonalyn was even so kind as to give me a copy of her book on Saturday which looks to be an excellent read. So, I already have one ready for the suitcase!
Thanks for all the excellent feedback–probably helpful for others as well!