I have finished two books in the last month. I feel like a reading machine lately! They were actually both very short and easy reads. Great for the summer time!
I finished THE SHACK. I must say that I did truly love this book. I had heard lots of hype about it and so had very high expectations for it. It was hard for me to get into. The beginning was easy, because I was pulled into to the crazy story of what happens to his daughter. Then once he got to the shack I was having a hard time getting through it. BUT then I got to chapter 9 and it was amazing for me. I love love love love the way the book represents God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit. You know it is good to get out of our minds that God is a white man with white beard up in heaven. It made me throw out any pre-conceived notions and ideas I have of the picture of God.
The way it made you feel about God's love for us was incredible. The emotions portrayed from God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit throughout the book were captivating. Before reading the book I had some very Godly people HIGHLY recommend it to me. I also had some people dear to me “warn” me of it. I must say that I think it is a great book and would HIGHLY recommend it. I'm sure there are some things that don't scripturally line up, but it is a fictional book. The way it encompasses forgiveness, faith, trust, love and hope is worth reading. If you know anyone that is struggling with forgiveness or the loss of a loved one this book would be fabulous for them. I was reading this book around the same time Maria Chapman was tragically killed, and I had different eyes to view this tragedy from.
The next book I picked up was UNVEILED by Francine Rivers. This is the novella on Tamar. Unveiled is my first Francine River's book to read and I must say I was impressed. Although I believe this style of writing is called historical fiction I really did connect a lot of dots from my bible school days. It made me head back to Genesis and check out the story. I was in the middle of reading it in the kitchen one day while the kids were watching JOSEPH and some pieces were even connecting there with the two stories.
I recommend this book for anyone wanting a quick and easy read. I am wanting to read REDEEMING LOVE by her next. It is always checked out at the library, so i will have to wait.
I have been checking books out at the library, but I must say I miss buying books. There is just something about searching through a book store for your perfect book and then purchasing it and taking it home to be all yours to dive into.
Today I ventured out to a small book store here in Daytona and this is what I brought home:
Ana's Story by Jenna Bush – I've been wanting to read this for a while. Seems like a great story and I kinda like this girl. She seems like we would be friends if we knew each other in real life.
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen – I'm going to be honest here and tell you that I've been wanting to read this book forever b/c I think the cover is awesome! I have NO clue what it's about, but the lady behind the counter tonight told me she LOVED it. I hope I do too.
I think I'll start Ana's Story first.
So, any of you read The Shack, Unveiled, Ana's Story or Water for Elephants? Let me know what you thought.
I, too, loved The Shack! I can’t believe you haven’t read Redeeming Love!!! After that you have to read The Mark of Lion series by her. I have the 2nd and 3rd one. You can get the first one at the library! How did I not know you hadn’t read them. The college Bible study girls were all reading them a few years ago and I was hooked! I want another series by her! I haven’t read Tamar. I’ve read Mary and Bathsheba. I guess I need to go to the library! Can’t wait to see you at camp next week! Miss you guys! Give Cayden and Deacon a hug and tell them I love them! Shawnah
I just read Redeeming Love last week. It was incredible! Highly recommended. I had to stay up late just to finish.
i just finished The Shack and overall I liked it. I would think this book could confuse some people who are not strong in their biblical foundations. Some things he says are spot on, while others are iffy. But I am a big girl and can chew up the meat and spit out the bones. I, too, like the relationship between the Godhead and it really did speak volumes of intimacy to me. The book has inspired me to know God deeper and love Him stronger, and hopefully like Mack, see His Goodness in the Land of the Living .
i didn’t realize you haven’t read redeeming love… oh sooo good! i’m not much of a fiction fan, but your recommendations have got me excited.
i have the hardest time with buying books-i love to buy the books i read. but the cost adds up so quickly! i’m always hunting on amazon for a deal, and usually letting everyone i know borrow my copies! 🙂
Jenna Bush came to our church about a year ago on her book tour. It was AMAZING!!! Conn didn’t go, but the first thing I told him when I got home was, “I could totally be friends with that girl.” How funny!!!! 🙂
So glad you re having a great week with your boys!!!!!
Thanks – I am an avid reader and am always looking for suggestions! My friend just bought “The Shack” -I’ll have to borrow it when she is done!
Here are some that I have loved recently- Angela Hunt – especially “The Debt”, “The Awakening”, “The Justice” and “Uncharted”.
Antoher is Lynn Austin – she has a trilogy set during the Civil War – one set from the point of view of a Southern woman, a slave and a northerner – I definetly learn a lot more through historical fiction – her comtemporary books are good too!
I have a copy of Redeeming Love you are welcome to borrow. Will you be back in town any time soon? Just let me know. It is an AWESOME book!!!!!
I would read ANYTHING by Francine Rivers…TWICE at least! I love her books. Then I loved THE SHACK. It moved me in a way I could not even begin to describe and i am about to start it again.
oh, and Lea recommended a Tracy Dupre book series…not sure of title but sounded good
I just got The Shack too. My friends have all loved it so I’m excited to dive in.
I read Water for Elephants last year and really liked it. There are some, ahem, racey parts. But it’s a really fascinating look into the world of the travelling circus, and I really liked the main character. It will make you want to take your kids to see Barnum & Bailey’s!
i love francine rivers! when i read one of her books, i can’t put it down! i have redeeming love and a couple others, if you ever wanna borrow any let me know!
you must read more of francine rivers! definitely redeeming love and the mark of lion series!!! you’ll love them. my mom just bought the shack so when she is finished I’m going to borrow it. 🙂
Anything by Francine Rivers is fantastic. I LOVE all her books. I think once you read Redeeming Love you will have to read all the rest.
Honestly, I wasnt into the shack. I know its probably not what everoynes thinks but I just wasnt into it.
However, I LOVED Water for Elephants. And so has everyone else I have given it to. Yeah, some parts got a bit rough, but I didnt think it was really bad. I just thought it was such a unique book, and was so refreshing and different. I am from Wisconsin, not far from Baraboo where that museum is and the next time we go up there, we are stopping there! It was neat that right after I finished the book we went to the circus here, and I thought I was an expert on the history of the travelling circus. I drove my family nuts!!! Hope you enjoy it! I think you will!
I was thinking…perhaps we should be exchanging books at work, since we seem to have more than a few in common. Then I realized YOURE MOVING!!!!
I just started book 2 of the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers – I finished book 1 at 3 a.m. this morning!! These are the first of hers that I’ve read, but I have the feeling not much is going to get done until I finish all three! I LOVE the characters in these stories!
I bought The Shack and my husband is reading it, but not real far into it. I’ll tell him to let me know about chapter 9!
the whole Women of the Bible series is great! I loved them all. Rahab’s story was my favorite. And Ana’s story is really good as well. Very quick read, but seeing into her life and reading about how deep her faith is was awesome! You’ll like it. 🙂