Our favorite books of the week!!

These are the books that Elizabeth has been reading for the past few weeks.  I remember reading them as a child, but had forgotten how wonderful they are.  Even today Elizabeth said, "I can't wait to read The Littles today, I wonder what happened to Aunt Lily?"   There are a lot more book in the series, but these are probably the only two I will assign her to read. 

Join other bloggers for Mikki's Favorite Friday.

I've been gleaning through our library's resources for nature study books.  Specifically I wanted books for tracking animals during the winter and bird study books.  I found an author that others probably know about, but I was unaware of.   His name is Jim Arnosky, his books have wonderful sketches in them, with great descriptions.   He is a nature man!

This book is my favorite:

I also really like these Crinkleroot series he's written also.  The are fun, yet filled with a lot of information.

Please join Mikki for more great Friday Favorite's!

Mikki at ClagettsFlStyle is hosting a new meme on Friday's, called Friday Favorites.  I've been wanting to share my favorite books I/we've been reading in our home.  This is a great opportunity to share and to read other friends favorite things.  Coincidentally Jennifer started us singing that song a lot throughout this week, and I've been wanting to do a blog post on our favorite "things"/ books!  Please check out Miki's favorite thing, yummy coffee!

In my experience any book by Emilie Barnes is good!  I appreciate her organizing books, they are filled with great ideas for any home. 

This book is cut into nice bite sized devotions, but are meaty.  They take 10 minutes to read, but I end up spending more than that reading more verses in my bible.  Also she has a great journal prompt at the end which takes a little more time. 

Each devotion starts with a Proverb, and then a wonderful devotion that relates to the Proverb.  Here are a few of the topics:

~dreams

~teaching children to do chores, it is never to late

~healthy living

~add years to your life

~forming good habits


It is a great book to focus and help me learn---re-learn some things.  I recommend checking this book out from your library. You like purchasing devotionals that you would re-use you will not be disappointed.

As I've shared before, I'm particular about what I read.  Like all of you, I don't have a lot of extra time for "free" reading.  I've read a lot of junk over the years, so I tend to stay away from secular, main stream, bestsellers.  Just like what I watch on TV, I filter what I read through this verse;

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things."  Phillipians 4:8

I don't want my mind dwelling on things that don't glorify the Lord.  As the old saying goes "junk in, junk out".  So I try to fill my mind with pure, lovely and excellent things.  There are a lot of great classic novels and living literature for me to read.  Although most current christian fiction I find to be a bit, well predictable.  There are some great authors, the Thoedes, Francine Rivers, Gilbert Morris, Liz Curtis Higgs, and T. Davis Bunn. 

But something about The Kite Runner grabbed my attention.  I had read about it at Semicolon's.  I also have a fascination with Afghanistan.  Growing up, watching the Russian invasion.  Then their liberation and internal strifes.  Post 9-11 watching Afghanistan on the nightly news.  Then reading this book:

This is a great book.  I'll read this with Jennifer during her high school years.  Both of these christian women came from divorced homes.  Each turned to the Lord during their struggles and have choosen lives in total service for Him.  The details about Afghanistan and the Lord's work there makes this a good read. 

The missionary, that stayed in our home in early December, pointed something out to me about sharing the gospels with Muslims.  As he said, "you can not start with Jesus."  So part of my desire to read this book was to learn more about Muslim culture, part was to learn more about Afghanistan and lastly to read a book that has received fabulous reviews.  

The Kite Runner did fulfill these goals.  Mr. Hoessini's writing style is vivid, his characters have depth and yet with a balance of predictability. But yet the book left me sad, and deepened my desire for evangelism.  The main character, Amir spent the majority of the book seeking redemption for something that he did/didn't do when he was twelve.  This "thing", was and is the most horrific part of the whole book.  Although I would not say that it is a reason to not read the book, if you are an adult.  These "things" are part of the reality of the fallen world that we live in.  But, Amir seeks his redemption through his own handiwork.  He never truly forgives himself.  Nor, does he have the peace that redemption through Christ brings.  When finally at the pinnacle of crisis he returns to his muslim heritage and begins praying. 

Part of the richness of this book is Amir and his father's relationship.  Also, as many reviewers have mentioned, a glimpse into an Afghanistan that is not found in a history textbook or the nightly news.  I also appreciated how easily Amir forgave others for their flaws.


I give this book a Great-minus


Here is my book rating scale:

No way:would never think to recommend or purchase

So-so-if you like a run of the mill book

Good-is worthy of a quick read, don't dwell on or re-read any of it

Great-this is a book that you  should take time to read

Excellent-a book that I would defintely recommend and will be adding to my library

to re-read in future years.


~~~~~eternally grateful, for His redeeming love and faithful grace,

Linda

Every few weeks a get an ad from Library and Educational Services.  I somewhat hate to put this up on my blog because I have not ordered from them.  Making that disclaimer, I do know people that have ordered from them and said they had good service. 

They have some great books at fabulous prices.  You can also sign up at their site to get their newsletter with these bargains.

This is just one example of their sale.

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