…how about sharing your thoughts with us now?
I was originally tagged by Chris (aka Desert Pastor), and now consider this YOUR tag!
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading others share their thoughts on this meme, and when I saw the Carnival theme, I thought I’d bring it out again since there are so many NEW bloggers added to the blogroll since last summer.
Don’t get overwhelmed (I dragged my feet on it because it’s so difficult to choose “one” for each category; my answers vary depending on my mood, circumstances or day of the week. Evidently these are my choices for “this” moment in time (except “this” moment in time was August, lol, my answers would differ slightly if I was doing this now) :). (I’ve read the “rules” of this tag…you can’t reference the Bible as a choice….). Just share whatever comes to mind when you read the category.
Let me know in comments if you did it and I’ll pay you a visit :). Thanks!!
1. One book that changed your life: The Dick and Jane series, the late 60s years. It’s where it all started, I suppose.
2. One book that you’ve read more than once twice: To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee.
(Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I LOVE this book, it’s worthy of an annual read.)
3. One book you’d want on a desert island: The Complete Calvin and Hobbes, Bill Watterson. I’m stuck on a desert island? I need something to make me laugh! Brilliantly written, it wasn’t the most expensive book to make the New York Times best-seller list because of its singular appeal to children, I can promise you that.
4. One book that made you laugh: Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind, Ann B. Ross.
I chose this one because it’s probably not as well known as others I could’ve mentioned. A fun ride with a Southern lady who’s always sure to tell you what she thinks. Her eighth in the series is forthcoming, I’ve snorted out loud at some point in every one of ’em.
Honorable mention. At least pick up and read Jerry Seinfeld’s Halloween sometime this fall when you’re tooling around your favorite bookstore. Oh, my, it’s funny! He takes those of us “mid-lifers” right back to how Halloween was when we were kids–James Bennett’s illustrations capture the essence of this less-than-10-minute read.
5. One book Two books that made you cry: Father Joe, Tony Hendra. A beautiful telling of one whose life made a difference in each of those with whom he came into contact. The tears caught me off guard, I knew before I started how the book would end.
A MUST-READ for everyone who knows anyone suffering from Alzheimer’s, Lewy Bodies Disease or any form of dementia! Read this for the introduction, then A Partial View to see and hear Henderson’s inside perspective. It broke my heart.
6. One book you wish had been written: The Photographic Journal, from Genesis to Jude. I’d love to see the faces and places of those about whom I’ve spent a lifetime of hearing, and as an adult, studying and building a relationship.
7. One book you wish had never been written: Night, by Elie Wiesel. Because it NEVER should have happened. A haunting and affecting perspective of one who survived the brutality and indignity of the Holocaust.
8. One book you’re currently reading: One? lol…how about Jesus Mean and Wild, Mark Galli. (When I missed the online reader-responsive interview over at Paradoxology, my heels cooled on finishing this one (not that it’s not GOOD, I’ve just got others going, too 😉 ).
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: As the Crow Flies, Jeffrey Archer
Postscript~ This is an interesting summary of stats taken from a survey of bloggers who had participated in this meme a few weeks ago (no idea where things stand now). I picked it up from Carrie.
Also, who am I tagging? Blogging Chicks and anyone else who’s a bibliophile :).
Wow, I just looked over my list and it’s hard to believe I didn’t include something, anything, from John Piper or C.S. Lewis, two who have inspired, challenged and provoked me. Speaking of provocation, I gotta add Brian McLaren, too. He, like few others, has challenged and provoked me to know God more intimately, beyond the confines of traditional Christianity. Oh, yeah, Donald Miller deserves a mention, and NOT for “Blue Like Jazz”. The opening pages of “Searching for God Knows What”, a lesser known work of his, had me blowing snot in Barnes and Noble (yep, I bought it). Nope, it’s not comedy, but if you know Miller, you know his humor.
PostPOSTscript ~ I PROMISE, my LAST comments on this (sheesh! It’s not supposed to be an editorial!). All I wanna say is my husband will attest to the fact I . CANNOT . MAKE . A . CHOICE! 😀 Note: originally posted 8/22/06
okay, Brat! (That’s what Camy Tang called me the last time I tagged her–practically challenged me to a slap fight 🙂
Give me a day, ‘kay?
Oh, Lawd, chile, it took me almost a week to get to it…I just didn’t want to have to “pick and choose”, and in the end, I didn’t do a very good job;)
Thanks for sharing the titles. It’s about time. . . (smile).
LOL I can’t make a choice either. 🙂
OOH – good pick for “Book that should have never been written”!!! when I did this meme (a few weeks past), I didn’t think that deeply. You did good!!!
You did make a choice on the previous post!!!!!
Making choices is like fighting battles. Just pick the ones that are important. Let everything else just roll along.
It took me three word ver. to get my comment left. my final one was
………faaar
Isn’t that how a Bostonian would say fire?
Okay–I’ll start thinking about it. I also really really cannot make choices of “favorites” well, but I will try to get it up later today.
Good call on the Calvin and Hobbes.
Have you read McLaren’s newest book, The Secret Message of Jesus? I’m reading it now. Great book! It’s not Gnostic in the least bit, despite its title. It sets aside the pomo/modern and emmergent church debates and just looks at theology and the kingdom of God.
Thanks, Karymn…I recently read “Night”, so it’s still “with” me (I guess it will be for a while).
Heather, that was one of my beach reads, and I liked it. As always, vintage McLaren, he gave me cause to think; in this case, about both the language and circumstance of the day and its relevance to now. I guess, transferability. It wasn’t as controversial as I expected. Perhaps his treatment of Revelation is provocative, but I appreciated delving in to the subversive nature of Jesus’ words. My husband has questioned at times the way Jesus spoke–why didn’t He just TELL us rather than speak in parables, which sometime have rather cryptic meanings? Brian addressed this rather convincingly, but I guess the biggest question I had was this: Are people, normal, average Joe type people, gonna think that hard?
Okay, it’s been quite a while since I read it, so I can be no more specific than that without going back to it, but I’m curious about your thoughts (if you check back in 😉 ).
I’m still in process of the book (haven’t reached Revelation yet). I wonder if some of the reason Jesus spoke in parables was the communicative value in his culture. I know his disciples questioned it, but often the Pharisees got it (hence their planning of his death), and Eastern cultures are very story oriented. Random thought.
Thus far, love the book. The whole kingdom talk almost in political terms is very popular in theology-speak these days (see also N.T. Wright).
I think there is a difference between communicating in a way and language that the culture identifies with (incarnational mission – Jesus became human to identify and communicate; the church doing the same) and being seeker oriented or marketing the message.
Robin,
All I wanna say is my husband will attest to the fact I . CANNOT . MAKE . A . CHOICE!
LOL…and ya like bending the rules a little, don’t ya? 😀
I enjoyed seeing your list. Thanks for participating!
– Chris
Draw a line in the sand and it’s doubtful I’ll stay on my side ;)…
Love the Dick and Jane reference. Why didn’t I think of that?
I need more days to decide!
You are one royal reader!!! I’ve been sorting through all my books lately (way too many). My “to read” pile is 2 feet tall. Thanks for all the great suggestions. This would be the best: “The Photographic Journal, from Genesis to Jude.” I’m with you on that, so totally with you!
For those of you scared of this one…I FEEL YOUR PAIN! See, Chris?? I’m not the ONLY one who can’t decide! (lol…and I guess I really didn’t do a whole lot more than narrow down the choices, but hey, I had fun, and isn’t that the point?)
E-mom, yeah, my “to read” pile is not getting smaller :/…
Ok you had me laughing at Dick and Jane!! I was not around in the 60’s…. heheh
I think mine was See Spot run….
Here from Blogging Chicks, but you know I visit you anyways (even if I don’t comment)
Blessings.
Pheew, that’s difficult : I have read such a lot of books and even if I would list the titles here, there would be no room and it was all in german, french and some english. So you wouldn’t even know what, because the title translation is never exactly the same.
“One book you wish had been written” I will take care of that and start tomorrow.
“One book you wish had never been written” I would stop after the first page at the latest, lol !
No memes for me. Thanks for sharing your choices, though.
Here from BCs.
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Laurel, yep, I think you’re trying to tell me I’M OLD! 🙂
Gattina, lost in translation, huh?
CC, thanks for checking in anyway :).
LCO, Hmmm, I better check that out :/…doesn’t sound so great :(.