Susie’s Book Club

Posted on May 17, 2013 by

14 Comments

Hi, all! I intended on making an “Ask Susie” video for you…but it’s late and I ran out of Dr. Pepper. So, you’ll just have to settle for a written bloggy blog today. 

Yesterday, my good friend Heidi Beavers asked if I could provide a list of worthwhile books. See, she has three growing boys and works full time…she just does not have time to invest in books that are…ahem…just “eh”.

I thought she had a really great idea. So, I decided to put together a list of books that I have really enjoyed.  Here goes! (HINT, HINT: read all the way to the bottom for a GIVE-AWAY!)

Great Books That I Love

Pocket Guide to the Bible by Jason Boyett (The Bible is FULL of interesting details…things that often need a little explaining. Boyett did a great job compiling this book. With a “Cast of Characters” list, a history of the writing/spreading of the Bible, and the like, this book is great for Sunday School classes, Youth Groups, People looking for a fun way to learn a little more about the Bible)

Talking To The Dead by Bonnie Grove (This novel will have you anxious to keep reading. Full of questions, raw emotion, and really excellent writing, you will not be disappointed that you picked this one up. Well worth the late nights reading)

Zora & Nicky by Claudia Mair Burney (Raw! RAW, I tell you. Claudia didn’t hold back anything when writing this novel. And she’s a Michigan girl…so she gets some extra love around this blog. If you think you understand race relations…even within the Church…well…you’d better think again). Claudia’s book Wounded: A Love Story is on my “to read” shelf.

Embrace Me, The Passion of Mary-Margaret, Resurrection in May…and more by Lisa Samson (Lisa’s good. She’s really good. She knows how to write a novel.)

The Land Between: Finding God in Difficult Transitions by Jeff Manion (Great for a small group, this non-fiction study is both encouraging and challenging)

Unconditional (A beautiful novel that was based on the movie…but it’s a really great read.)

Isn’t It Time for a Coffee Break?: Doing Life Together in an All-About-Me Kind of World by Amelia Rhodes (Great for a study, ladies’ group, etc. This book is fun, full of quick chapters, discussion questions, and space for notes.)

Goodness & Mercy by Patti Hill (Okay…so I just started reading it…but it is SO GOOD already. SO GOOD!!!!)

NOW IT’S your turn! Tell me a book or two that you would love to recommend! Each comment on this post will be entered to read a book on my to-read list. Ring of Secrets by Roseanna M. White. It’s the first in a series about spies in the late 1700’s!

Have a great weekend! Happy reading!

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14 Comments on “Susie’s Book Club”

  1. How much space do I get?!
    First off is Love Does by Bob Goff. So good that I literally buy it in bulk to give away for grads and birthdays. I’ve bought at least 8 copies.

    The Tigers Wife by Tea Obreht. Set in the Balkans and so very different and interesting.

    Recent favs:
    Cutting for Stone. Set in Ethiopia, doctors from India, crazy good.

    Crooked Letter Crooked Letter. 70s in Mississippi, mystery-ish, excellent.

    Also just read a fabulous kids’ series by Andrew Peterson (writer of lots of music you probably like) The Winfeather Saga: On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, North! Or be Eaten, and The Monster in the Hallows. They are witty, clever, funny even for adults and very engrossing. Excellent lit and not written kid-ish at all.

    I’ll stop there, but you know I can go on for days… 🙂

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  2. Oh my goodness. How can you forget “Paint Chips” by the amazing Susie! 🙂
    Another good heartwrenching, edge of your seat book is “Unplanned” by Abby Johnson.

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  3. Anything by Marilynne Robinson is worth recommending. ‘Gilead’ is the most well-known (and deserves all the acclaim it receives) but I am working my way through ‘Home’ right now and it is pure beauty, too. Probably one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. It’s literary fiction. If you love beautiful writing (as opposed to a page-turner or book with suspenseful plots), be sure to check Robinson out. She teaches in the Iowa Writers Workshop and is a Christian.

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    • I heard Marilynne Robinson speak at the Festival of Faith and Writing last year. I’m not surprised that you, as a poet, love her writing. ‘Gilead’ is on my to-read list!

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  4. I read “Save Me From Myself ” from Brian “Head” Welch. It is about his life with Korn and also about his salvation. Currently I am reading “I’m Not High” by Jim Breuer. It is the story of his life growing up being “Goat Boy” on Saturday Night Live, being a dad and a Spiritual Warrior. Now He so far hasn’t said that he is saved, but he does believe there is a God. I do know that his wife is a believer and with her influence Jim has cleaned up his stand up act a lot.

    In Him,
    Jim Laymon

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  5. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak was AWSEOME!! The Hiding Place by Corrie TenBoom is always an inspiration. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern was different – very creative, imaginative, compelling. I loved it. The End of the Spear by Steve Saint was truly inspirational! There are so many more! Not all are Christian novels, but they were all good writing and GOOD READS!!

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  6. Hmm, so many favorite books…How about favorite authors? Here are my top favorite authors because I love all of their books (I’m a historical romance junkie, by the way): Jamie Carie, Mary Lu Tyndall, Julie Lessman, Julie Klassen, Mary Connealy (though I haven’t read every single one of hers), and of course, Susie Finkbeiner (waiting for her next book… 😉

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