May reading list

[eleneariel]

A short list this month because I spent so much time on the road. I always think of travels as times to read more, not less, but I forget this doesn't really work when you are the responsible adult driving, and not the kid hanging out in the backseat with nothing to do but read.

 

1. Teaching True Love to a Sex-At-Thirteen Generation, Eric & Leslie Ludy

    I've heard about the Ludy's for years and thought it was time I read something of theirs. This one is billed as being for parents teaching a true and healthy view of sex, romance, and godliness to their children, but I found plenty of convicting and encouraging things for myself. I would definitely reread this if I someday have children. However. There's something about this book and almost all the others like it (Joshua Harris, John and Staci Eldridge, etc.) that I've read that rubs me the wrong way. It makes me squirm uncomfortably in the same way reading Lori Wick does. I don't even want to get in to the reasons why this might be - I'm not completely sure, and I don't want to offend anyone while I'm trying to figure it out. :)

 

2. Authentic Beauty, Leslie Ludy

    See above!

 

3. Heist Society, Ally Carter   

    After hearing this described as the "female version of Ocean's 11" I had high hopes - too high. I think if I had gone into with fewer expectations I would have enjoyed it more. It was fine for what it was, but I'd hoped for a little more depth and details, a little more of the dash and romance of crime.

 

4. Notes From the Tilt-a-Whirl: wide-eyed wonder at God's spoken world, N. D. Wilson

    I loved this book so much. I can see how others could have quite different reactions, but I loved the unorthodox, almost chaotic style: it reflects the world we live in, God's world, a world that is like like a tilt-a-whirl you can't get off, but can find beauty and joyfully wild abandon in anyway, at least if you'll only open your eyes and see.

 

5. This Book is Overdue: how librarians and cybrarians can save us all, Marilyn Johnson

    I liked this book solely because I am a librarian, and I like reading about libraries and books and people who work in and with them. Other than that draw, the book is poorly organized, disjointed, and wanders rather pointlessly.

 

6. Odd Thomas, Dean Koontz

    I'd always heard that Koontz was a readalike for Stephen King (and he is), and since Stephen King creeps me out, I had also avoided Koontz. Actually, let me rephrase. Nothing so strong as "avoided" - I had never even given a thought to reading him at all. That changed because of reading the graphic novel prequel to Odd Thomas last month, where I discovered that ... Dean Koontz has a sense of humor! This book is still suspenseful, but somehow the humor saved it from being creepy or gruesome to me (I won't vouch for your experience, however.)

 

But OH, I flipped ahead to the end and found out about Stormy, and it made me so mad and sad! The best part of the whole book was Stormy and Odd's sweet, odd relationship, so ... I'm not sure how the rest of the books will be?

 

 

7. A Sweet and Bitter Providence, John Piper

    First time I've ever read Piper. I liked it! He has a pleasant way of writing, and of course it didn't hurt that the book of Ruth is one of my favorites.

Books from The Pile: one.

Comments

[beccabug33.livejournal.com]

I feel the same way about the Ludys. JUST WAIT until I actually read Joshua Harris--much bashing to come! ;) (You should have seen me when I read Wild at Heart *headdesk*)

[beccabug33.livejournal.com]

THIS IS WHY WE NEED BETTER AND MORE EDUCATED CHRISTIAN WRITERS!!!!

/end soapbox before it starts.

[eattheolives.livejournal.com]

I think I totally just got on your soapbox a few comments up!

[eattheolives.livejournal.com]

I actually liked Wild At Heart much better than I did Captivating. It was still pretty cringe-worthy, but it seemed to rely more on - gasp! - Scripture and less on pop culture.

[mandajanie.livejournal.com]

Wild at Heart is such BS. Sorry, but it's true! I'm glad I married a man who is NOTHING like the caveman chest-thumpers that are written about in that book. UGH!!

[eattheolives.livejournal.com]

What I'd like to do is have some guy friends read it and see what they think. After all, any book is just the author's perspective and can't speak or all or even most men ... I have no idea how well Wild At Heart relates to most men.

[elanortheeldest.livejournal.com]

Haven't read Wild at Heart (the one by the Eldredges, right?) but I did read Captivating (someone gave us a copy and highly recommended it). Uhm. Let's just say that reading it made me want to completely avoid WaH. It had SO much schmaltz and junk! O Woman, Thou Art The Crown of Creation, Didst Thou Not Know It? Go Ye And Do Your Girl Stuff! Since God Made You Last, You Are Thus So Superior and Dazzling and Wonderful!

There were some interesting points in the book (yeah, girls want to be romanced) but you could get the same points in a much less offensive and time-consuming fashion.

Just....bleh. So much of that book was forgettable and the bits that weren't I rather wish were. :-P

~~
I did actually like Josh Harris' Boy Meets Girl; it had some VERY helpful stuff as Mark and I started our relationship. Still, like all reading (and cooking), take with a grain of salt.

[eattheolives.livejournal.com]

I totally laughed when I got to the part where it advised women to stand looking over some breathtaking natural vista and throw up her hands and declare "God made all of this for ME!!!1!"

Conceited, much?

To the honest about Josh Harris, I only read I Kissed Dating Goodbye and that was a long time ago. I rather regret that whole "ooo, I'm so good 'cause I'm not going to date" phase now, which could explain my antipathy towards the book.