This was a note posted by one of my friends on Facebook and I thought it would make a great blog post.
Please list the the top 15 books you have read in your adult life along w/the author). No pre-adult stuff Like Anne of Green Gables, etc., just the grown-up stuff. List books that really represent you, your ideals, your thoughts, your likes and dislikes and then give one honorable mention. Go search through your bookshelves (or your book boxes!) and make a list. I am very interested to know what books you think define YOU. Following are mine (in no particular order).
We actually did a book challenge a few years ago (
Something About Me Challenge) to list books that represented us and other bloggers picked books to read based on our lists. Here were my choices:
1.
The Happy Room by Catherine Palmer - this was a book about growing up as a missionary kid in Kenya; the author grew up as an MK in the 2 countries that I grew up in so I felt like there was that connection. Plus the book being set in Kenya.
2.
The Childless Revolution: What it Means to be Childless Today by Madelyn Cain - probably could have used numerous books about not having children to represent this part of my life. Being married without children seems to be a minority that is highly misunderstood.
3.
Making Work Work for the Highly Sensitive Person by Barrie Jaeger - this book opened my eyes to why I act and react in the ways that I do. A personality trait called being "highly sensitive" or HSP (Highly Sensitive Person) has been studied and I definitely fall into that particular category. This book defines those traits and helps people who fall into this category to learn to cope better in their work environment.
4.
The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers - the thing that impacted me most about this book in relation to myself was the reaction of the conservative Christian college to a girl that was raped and became pregnant. I could totally see the college I went to responding in the same way.
5.
Biblioholism by Tom Raabe - not sure this needs much explanation for how it relates to me :-). Yep, I'm addicted to books!
Other books to add to my top 15:
6.
Quality Friendship by Gary Inrig - relationships and deep friendships is something that interests me and this book is the best book that I've read on true friendship and what it means.
7.
Cross-Cultural Re-entry edited by Clyde Austin - a bunch of articles and readings about returning to the land that is your place of citizenship but where you haven't lived in a while. Very applicable to my life.
8.
Ice by Shane Johnson - this book is probably my all-time favorite of all books. Set in the past on the moon it brings out some interesting speculations that really get you thinking. This was an amazing book to me.
9.
Trusting God by Jerry Bridges - a great reminder that God is in control of it all. This is the thing I struggle much with in my Christian walk and this book is a great reminder to put my focus on God and trust that He will work out the details. I can't control everything (or even much at all).
10.
Scamps, Scholars, and Saints edited by Roger & Jill Dyer - an anthology of writings (essays and poetry) by third culture kids. Resonated greatly with me. I used several of these to do a project in college for my oral interpretation class.
11.
When God's People Let You Down by Jeff VanVonderen - this was a healing book for me in dealing with legalism from my past
12.
The Elf-Queen of Shannara by Terry Brooks - love the Shannara books but this particular book I really related to the main character. My favorite of all of them (that I've read).
13.
A Woman's Journey to the Heart of God by Cynthia Heald - full of incredible quotes, loved this book, great book on growing in relationship to God
14.
Religiously Transmitted Diseases by Ed Gungor - a look at some of the ways Christians practice that isn't what God intended, for example: trying to make everyone alike
15.
Real Church by Larry Crabb - church is another issue dear to my heart and what exactly is church supposed to be. This book hit the nail on the head for me.
Honorable Mention:
How People Grow by Henry Cloud/John Townsend - really enjoyed this look at how people grow.
Never the Bride: A Novel by Rene Gutteridge
