10 Great Books From My 34th Year
Congratulations to Shelana Ferris! She is the winner of Monday’s give-away!
My good friends, tomorrow is my birthday. Tomorrow I turn 35.
And I’m SOOOO okay with that. No. Really. I am.
Anyway, I read a whole bunch of books as a 34 year old. BUT, I wanted to share 10 with you. And tell you what was so great about them.
Cool?
And, at the end of the post, I’ll have a chance for you to win something kind of cool. But you’ve got to work for it…just a little. 🙂
Now, in no certain order, are 10 Great Books From My 34th Year…
~ Every Bush Is Burning by Brandon Clements. I reviewed this book a few months ago (read that review HERE). I appreciate that Brandon had a story to tell and did it, not listening to the demands of the “market”. Well worth the read.
~ Isn’t It Time For a Coffee Break by Amelia Rhodes. Amelia blended humor, personal stories, Scripture, and practical action steps to create this book about doing life together. Great to read with a book club, women’s small group, or Sunday School.
~ Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. Either you love it, or you hate it. Nobody seems to be “middle of the road” on this novel. I loved it. Foer is a modern day literary giant.
~The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. I read this to my kids. It is fun, touching, full of meaning…so much more than what you might expect from a book written for kids. Beautiful, beautiful book. So much better than the movie. Read this. Now.
~ The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I know, so sue me. I liked this book. But not because it was popular or because Peeta is so much better in the book than the movie (although it’s true). This book is a mirror for us as a society. Yikes. Not looking so good…
~ Jesus For President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw. This book caused me to ponder my responsibility as a Christian who votes in USA elections. It was a good time to refocus my allegiances, and to consider if they are to God or country.
~ Until We All Come Home by Kim de Blecourt. Fast paced, well written, honest. Kim gave all the glory to God. All of it. I respect that a whole bunch. Read my review of this book HERE .
~ King Arthur’s Very Great Grandson by Kenneth Kraegel. This picture book is beautiful. The story is funny, touching, meaningful. Get thyself to Amazon and buy this book for your kids…and for yourself. It’s a great one.
~ Zora and Nicky by Claudia Mair Burney. Beautifully written, full of conflict, ending in redemption. Very glad to read this book. Very grateful for the author who put her heart into it. This is what Christian fiction can and should be.
~ Facing the Hunchback of Notre Dame by L.L. Samson. Fun book for middle grade. The narrator has a great, humorous voice. The action is exciting. The characters are believable. I look forward to reading the other books in the Enchanted Attic Series!
Now it’s your turn! Tell me a few books you’ve read recently. What made them great?
Comment on this blog for a chance to win a Paint Chips canvas tote bag!
susiefinkbeiner.com 
Let’s see . . .
I read the “Hunger Games” trilogy. At first I just wanted to see what all the hype was about, but I really enjoyed them.
I read the most recent installments of “The Kane Chronicles” series and “The Heroes of Olympus” series — both by Rick Riordan, the author of the “Percy Jackson” series. I just think Riordan is a phenomenal writer. He has written/is writing three different series, each set in modern day, but imagining mythology as real — one with Greek god mythology, one with Roman god mythology, and one with Egyptian god mythology.
I have also been working on my “serious”/classic reading — “Pride and Prejudice,” “Dracula,” (working on) “Emma,” and (working on) “Les Miserables.”
I know there were more, but that’s all I can think of off the top of my head.
Oh! I also read a book by a talented new author. Perhaps you’ve heard of it . . . it’s called “Paint Chips.” 😉
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Great, eclectic list, Kristi! Hm…Paint Chips….I’ll have to look that one up. 😉
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Happy Birthday!
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Thank you so much!
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The Hunger Games series was so full of Theology, Susie. It’s a great addition to anyone’s library. Any of this sound familiar? Someone gives bread to someone who’s starving. Someone chooses to die in another person’s place. Someone is wounded and spends three days in a cave before coming out again. I read this with spiritual eyes and was totally amazed. I don’t know if Collins intended it any more than Palaniuk intended his _Fight Club_ to be filled with Christ types, but hey, if God can speak through a donkey, I guess He can even use folks who profess to not believe in Him. 🙂
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Two books on my list matches yours: “The Hunger Games” (I like YA lit) and “Isn’t it Time for a Coffee Break” (I like Amelia). Additionally “When we all Come Home” and “Jesus for President” are on my “To Read” list.
Last year I read too much non-fiction and hope to read much more fiction this year.
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Aw, thanks Peter! 🙂 Susie, what an honor that my book make your list!!
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