The Year of Living Biblically

The Year of Living Biblically is on my "to be read" list.  However, I thought I'd post it because it seems incredibly interesting and enjoyable.  A.J. Jacobs does his best to live according to the Old Testament law for an entire year.  A great concept, and what I'm sure is a fabulous read.  If your into non-fiction, documentary type books this is a one to pick up.  Enjoy and let me know what you think!

Outliers

My dad recommended Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell to me a year or so ago.  I was familiar with Gladwell because my husband, Justin, had read another one of his books, Blink, for a class.  This is a great non-fiction book.  It's all about why people who are successful, are successful.  What makes someone find success over someone else.  What makes these people different.  Hence the title, Outliers.  It's really interesting, and a pretty easy read.  I admittedly haven't read it completely, but what I have read is great.  If you want an informative, non-fiction book, this is a great choice.  Enjoy!

The Mysterious Benedict Society

This is a great fiction book.  It's technically young adult literature, and you'll find it in the kids section of any bookstore.  However, don't let that fool you!  It's actually a really fabulous book.  And it's the first book of a trilogy!  So if you love it, you get two more books to read.  This really is a great book, and an easy read.  If you are bogged down and need a stress free book, this is a great choice.

Pledged

I read Pledged by Alexandra Robbins awhile ago. It is a great book. Robbins pledges a sorority somewhere in the South, and basically writes about what she sees and hears from her sorority sisters. It's really insightful, though sometimes tough to read because of some of the activities that the girls partake in. It's definitely a real world perspective on sororities- so be prepared. However, if you enjoy documentary type books this is a good one to pick up.

Girl Meets God

I read this book for the first time in college. I absolutely loved it. This is my type of book. It's a memoir, and it's very personal. Lauren F. Winner is an orthodox Jew who converts to Christianity. This book is all about her spiritual journey. It is brilliant. It's funny, insightful, personal, and thoughtful.

I am re-reading it right now for my church book club that I'm in. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys memoirs, especially religious and/or cultural ones. Enjoy!

Columbine

Columbine, by Dave Cullen

Very detailed inside facts that the author spent 10 years researching. It so eye opening and really reveals a lot of things the media made wrong and gives a very close picture of both boys lives/minds/ and plans. Its over 300 pages, but I read it in a day and half. Obviously non-fiction, but ready easily.

New Direction

Alright my reading ladies. Our current system is not working. And I understand. Summer is hard because people are out of town, busy with projects, and for those less fortunate souls, working. I've been brainstorming some ideas for our club, and I think I've come up with a solution.

Rather than having a specific book each month that every one is supposed to read, I want you to read whatever you want. After you read a book, come on here and tell us about it, even if you dislike it. This will allow you to get recommendations for books, which is what I believe all of us really want to get out of this. Now, if you read a book that someone has already posted on, you can also post about it. Just because it's already been talked about doesn't mean that you can't write about it! I'm still going to try to have at least one book per month to recommend, and I'll always tell you what book I'm about to read.

Hopefully this will encourage all of us to write more, since you get to pick what you want to read.

I have two recommendations for you today.

Recommendation One: The Appeal by John Grisham. I've never really been too interested in Grisham's work, because everyone reads him, but after listening to The Testament I was hooked to his work. I read The Appeal while in Red River, NM. It is a page turner for sure! I couldn't put it down. It gives an inside look to political campaigns that I've never considered. It was unbelievable. The character development is excellent- I felt as though they were real. And, in true Grisham style, the ending is crazy. That's what I love about Grisham, you never know where the book is going, but you know it's not going where you think it is. I highly recommend this book.

Recommendation Two: Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I can't even put in to words what this book has done to me. Really, I shouldn't say what the book has done to me, but what Jesus has done to me through this book. I recommend reading this book in conjunction with Donald Miller's book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. Be prepared to be wrecked.

The book I'm about to start is Letters by a Modern Mystic. I'll let you know what I think when I'm done. It comes highly recommended (thanks Katie!), so I'm sure it'll be wonderful.

Let me know what you think of this new format. Please post, and don't be afraid. We want to hear what you think.