Hang on Friends…there’s a little Amazon gift-card give away at the end of this post!
Holy cow I’ve been putting off this post. I’m feeling a bit like a failure and I avoid things that make me feel like a failure! In 2008 I read 52 books! Which for me was … well, really good! But last year…shoot. I’m gonna level with you. I baked my way through 2009. I’m cushioned with 10lbs. (that’s all I’m admitting to anyhoo) of chubilicious extra tonnage to prove it. So with all my baking…I didn’t read as many books as the year before. I hate to go backwards! Anyhoo, here’s the rundown:
I read 40 books. BUT 7 of those were cookbooks. YES, I read them cover to cover but cookbooks…really?
Okay, to make matters worse only 1 of those would be considered a “Classic”…
I took the easy way out last year. I had a lot of cooking and eating to do after all.
The Classic I read is my daughter Stephanie’s all time favorite book…people, I listened to this one on my iPod WHILE reading Stephanie’s copy complete with “teacher notes”. (She was a High School English teacher before Ellie came along) This book was NOT easy. Not fun. I am probably the only one who thinks this, Amazon reviews are stellar.
I will however, tell you one line from the book pierced right into my heart and has come back to me a hundred times since… “don’t you think a dream would feel shy if she were found walking around in the waking world?” I wrote about what that said to me in a post HERE.
Over all though, this book was a tough one. (For me at least) But I’ve included it since it was my ONLY Classic!
Moving right along…
Then I read a bunch of fiction books…here are my favorites:
My oldest daughter Bethany and her wonderful hubby Darren’s wedding was in Charleston South Carolina last year, and this book by Karen White was set in Charleston. It was so steeped in Southern charm that I couldn’t get enough. And as a bonus the “House on Tradd Street” was about a historic home being restored. And I love old houses. Fun book.
This wonderful Anne Rivers Siddons story took place at a cottage on the coast of Maine…ahhhhh, delightful and a bit more substance than a simple beach read.
Seattle was the backdrop for Firefly Lane. I was drawn to this book for one reason. The cover. I enjoyed it. I can’t shout and jump up and down over it but I would recommend it. (I mean, Seattle…the book took me there. That alone was worth the read…)
Now, a bit more serious read…
Okay…so you know, if we’ve been hanging out together for very long, last year, ahemmmm, my year of being Tickled by Joy was more like a “lean into the pain” kinda year. (Wrote about that HERE) This book was one of The Husband’s favorites…it took me a little longer to appreciate it, but I now join him in loving the message. This little blurb says it best:
“I’ll tell you what a tragedy is. I’ll show you how to waste your life. Consider this story for Feb. 1998 Reader’s Digest: A couple took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast 5 years ago when he was 59 & she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30 foot trawler, play softball and collect shells…Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgment: Look, Lord. See my shells. That is a tragedy.” John Piper
Yep, that’s what the book’s about…making sure your life matters. (Timing is everything with this book, at certain times in my life it would have really made me mad)
Cookbooks…
Okay…now to the cookbooks I loved this year. I’m not talking about The Pioneer Woman Cooks because you all know it’s the best cookbook EVER written! But that one aside, I love this pretty baking book…Two sisters wrote this and they’re darling. They gathered old recipes from everywhere and put the sweet ones in this cookbook.
Drum roll please….my favorite book of 2009 was:
Again, 2009 was a bit of a “transitional year” for our faith and this book helped us with lots of questions and doubts. It’s not for the faint of heart or the person who believes God’s main goal is to bless us with prosperity, happiness, good health and perfect lives…just sayin. Nothin wrong with that belief system if it’s working for you…go with it. But we’d hit a wall and God used this book to help break it down. I highly recommend it only if you’ve had a shattered dream, are in pain and have doubts and questions that won’t go away.
Now…I want to tell you what I’m SUPER excited about for 2010…one of the books in my “Top 10 Favorite Books of All Time” is , Blue Like Jazz. It was written by Donald Miller.
Well, Donald Miller has a new book…A Million Miles in a Thousand Years I just started it and I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s about “story”, our story…this life we’re living. He’s brutally honest and I love his writing but mainly, so far he just has my mind in overdrive.
****UPDATE****Since I wrote this post I’m almost finished with the book and I’m going to tell you…I’m pretty sure I’ve already found my Favorite Book of 2010. He is wrapping words around my experiences of the past several years. I can’t tell you how much I recommend this book. Truly.
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
Now … let’s do a little giveaway!
How about a $25.00 gift card to:
Here’s all you do…leave a comment for a chance to win! Tell me about one of the books you read last year! I’m still making my 2010 reading list!
If you don’t already follow me…then: follow me! (Subscribe by RSS) and leave me a comment telling me you’re following for a second chance to win! (The follow buttons are in the upper right corner!)**If you DO already follow me leave me a comment letting me know for a second chance!**
Follow me on Twitter (Upper right corner) and leave a comment telling me. If you already follow on twitter, leave a comment telling me that too!(That’s a third chance!)
If you Tweet this “give away” leave me another comment for yet another chance!
Just leave a comment for each of the four things and you’ll have four chances!
I’ll pick the winner using Random.org after midnight on Sunday and announce on Monday Morning!
{ 190 comments… read them below or add one }
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Where do I start? In the fiction with a punch section I would say read “Wisdom Hunter” by Randall Arthur. It will cure you forever of the God-in-a-box syndrome. I have read it every year since 1995. Hands down one of, if not the best, book of 2009 for me was The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns. I would recommend Unfashionable by Tullian Tchivvidjian. Another is Jesus Loves You this I Know by Craig Gross & Jason Harper. I would also recommend the two books by Francis Chan. I read a lot and cannot possibly tell you each one that touched me. Have fun reading!
.-= Bill (cycleguy)´s last blog ..Feeding a Dead Man =-.
Bill I just wrote them all down…can’t wait to check the out on Amazon!!! Wisdom Hunter sounds so familiar but I don’t think I’ve read it…I’ll get it.
Thanks for the wonderful reviews. I’m going to have to check out Donald Millers new book.
Hmmm…so hard to pick a favorite from last year. One of my favorites would have been The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain.
Some of my all time favorites include: Eat, Pray, Love; The Time Traveler’s Wife; One Year Off; and Water for Elephants.
I’m currently reading The Glass Castle and People of the Book.
Happy Reading!
Deb
Deb, I loved Water For Elephants and Time T Wife! I haven’t read People of the Book … I’ll look for it!
I follow
.-= Deb´s last blog ..Frost Sunday Morning =-.
Spent last year reading anything by Debbie Macomber, one after another. It was the most I could handle during a very trying medical year. I needed happy endings rather than anything too deep and thought provoking. Glad to say all is well now and I can get back to reality and really believe everything will be fine.
Lauralee, first I’m thankful that all is well now. Yay! I’m sorry you had a rough year. But in a rough year who better to read than Debbie Macomber. I love her. I read 4 or 5 of her Christmas Books this past December. What happy books…hugs
Thanks for all the great reading ideas. A friend and I are starting a book club in just a few weeks and I can’t wait to get started.
Last year I spent a lot of time reading food related books also most dealt with the issue of Real Food. Michael Pollen, Nina Planck, Barbara Kingsglover just to name a few authors.
Jeanne…I have always wanted to either be in or start a book club! Keep me posted on how it goes and what you guys are reading!
I, too, LOVE reading cookbooks cover to cover! I bought the Cooking Yourself Thin cookbook based on the show with the same name on Lifetime. Worth every penny and then some!
Tara I bought that book and loaned it to my daughter! Thx for reminding me!!!! Gotta get that back and use it!
My favorite book of last year was UNCHARTED by Angela Hunt….very thought provoking and I couldn’t wait to get to the end! It had a twist that made you want to give it to everyone that you know is sitting on the fence about giving their life to Christ…It made me think about what I value most in this earthly life and what if that were taken away from me….how would I deal with it??
.-= Jennifer Clause´s last blog ..MY SURGERY DATE…FINALLY! =-.
I love Angela Hunt Jennifer! I will get this one…thx!
Thanks for all the book reviews. Sadly, most of my reads for 2009 were textbooks! But I did manage to get a little recreational readings in too. My favorite is The Shack by William P Young. I’ll be reading more in 2010 after graduation. Blessings, SusanD
.-= SusanD´s last blog ..Throne Trip Tuesdays – 1/19/10 =-.
Susan, I loved The Shack too! Yay you for graduating this year!!! In 2009 you just got smarter with all those text books!
I’m already a follower of you here. Have been for a while. Thoroughly enjoyed your Living My Legacy series. Blessings, SusanD
.-= SusanD´s last blog ..Throne Trip Tuesdays – 1/19/10 =-.
Oh yeah….I already follow you on Twitter too.
.-= SusanD´s last blog ..Throne Trip Tuesdays – 1/19/10 =-.
And…..I retweeted about it too. Hope you get tons of hits. Blessings, SusanD
.-= SusanD´s last blog ..Throne Trip Tuesdays – 1/19/10 =-.
Now, this is my kind of post! I also read Cycle Guy’s favorite book, Wisdom Hunter, and loved it. And Deb, I loved The Glass Castle. I read The Help in December. LOVED IT. The Help may have been my favorite 2010 book. I read several Anne Rivers Siddons–good too. I really liked a debut novel by Tosca Leigh–Demon–a Memoir (Christian fiction–really different!). I love anything by Elizabeth Berg. I read We are all Wecome Here last year–incredible. And a couple of Jodi Picoult’s–Handle with Care, Nineteen Minutes. I read anything she writes. I love Jenny B Jones. She’s a high school teacher who writes Christian fiction for teenage girls. Really dry sense of humor. So many more. I re-read Shattered Dreams. Must stop now….
Julie & Deb…The Glass Castle killed me. I’m a “worst cast scenario” kinda parent. And those parents …holy cow, I was a nervous wreck !
Julie, I’ve tried 2ce to read a Jodi Picoult…just couldn’t . I’m going to try your really different Christian fiction book!
My favorite book of last year was The Hunger Games.
amandarwest at gmaildotcom
Amanda, I haven’t heard of The Hunger Games…I’m gonna take a look on Amazon! Hugs
I follow via google reader.
amandarwest at gmaildotcom
I follow on twitter.
amandarwest at gmaildotcom
I tweeted. http://twitter.com/amandawk/status/7944547906
amandarwest at gmaildotcom
Okay, I must admit that I absolutely don’t know how a person has time to read that many books. I am completely impressed and feel like a worm at the same time. I start way more books than I ever finish. This year I’ve really only read inspirational books. I did buy a couple “just for fun” books but my heart has been other places. I am going to order “Shattered Dreams”. That sounds like it could touch me in a profound way. I always enjoy your blogs! Thanks for sharing.
I’m glad to see Firefly Lane and Off Season on your list – I have both of these in my “to read” pile. Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay was my favorite book last year. I love to read cookbooks cover to cover too
.-= Lynda@meandpinkmixer´s last blog ..PW’s Bread Pudding =-.
Well, I am here to tell you you should feel ok about your year last year……apparently God did a lot of growing you during your year of baking/reading cookbooks. Don’t look back at what you should’ve…..look ahead my friend. God is using you thru your blog, using you to touch many lives….as for reading: I failed much more so than you. I would like to get back to reading……have hit and miss many things of late. But you do inspire me, so thanks for the list of recommendations!
take care!
Suzanne
.-= suzanne´s last blog ..Enjoy your Sunday, friends! =-.
“The Shack” by William P. Young…great book!
I’m a follower of your blog. I have been reading books by Elizabeth Gaskell this past year (listening, mainly): Cranford, Wives and Daughters, and Ruth. The latter is about a single mother. A heart-wrenching read and amazing to think that it was written in the 1800s.
.-= Jane´s last blog ..Instant Gratification in Autumn =-.
I’m a follower on twitter now!
.-= Jane´s last blog ..Instant Gratification in Autumn =-.
I retweeted! Thanks for the contest!
One of my favorite from last year was Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet. It is an autobiography of an autistic savant… and believe it or not, one of those I just couldn’t put down. Absolutely fascinating! He is unusual in that he has the verbal ability to describe what his mind sees. A very uplifting book, full of hope for anyone with challenges in their life.
Oh how I love to read! Cookbooks are almost an addiction for me! My new favorite that I got from the library and then sat down and read is Taste Of Home Cookies, 623 irresistible delights! Oh my gosh, I’ve tried several recipes and had to order one of my own from Amazon! I also like Diane Mott Davidson mysteries and Joanna Fluke mysteries. They have recipes in them! lol Thanks for doing such a great giveaway!
.-= Carol Harlow´s last blog ..Lemon Muffins =-.
I follow you via Google Reader! I love your blog!
.-= Carol Harlow´s last blog ..Lemon Muffins =-.
I’m following you on twitter!
.-= Carol Harlow´s last blog ..Lemon Muffins =-.
I tweeted about your giveaway!
.-= Carol Harlow´s last blog ..Lemon Muffins =-.
I am a knitting junkie so I love the books by Kate Jacobs. I just recently finished reading the book Knit the Season. It followed in the these of her previous books that were dealing with these same characters.
I also read the book Confessions of a Closet Mater Baker. What an interesting book iwth factoids and recipes.
I did a lot of enjoyment reading this past year! I finished off the series of books by Diane Mott Davidson with FATALLY FLAKY and I also enjoyed the Kate Jacobs books. have ordered The Help and think it will be a great book to read this year. I will make a list of some of the suggestions here and add them to my to be read pile! I’m a fairly new follower and excited to find such inspiration here.
.-= Linda @ A La Carte´s last blog ..Half Price Monday for 2nd Time Around Tuesday =-.
Robin: Wisdom Hunter & its follow-up Brotherhood of Betrayal may be hard to find. If you want to read them send me an email with your address and i will send my copies to you to read and then you can send them back.
.-= Bill (cycleguy)´s last blog ..Feeding a Dead Man =-.
I read “Just Between You and Me” by Jenny B. Jones just a couple weeks ago, and it was phenomenal. I felt like I was reading my life story as I got around the last part of the novel, or what was going to be my life story, and so it really started me thinking. I can’t say much more since it’ll give some of the book away, and I’ve always hated that, but I did think it was the double virtue of thought-provoking and just plain amazing! :]
.-= Annie´s last blog ..Yes, I AM Anti-Twilight =-.
Oh my goodness….Amazon and I have a close relationship and not sure it’s a healthy one as it’s rather one sided as I give and I give and I give, LOLOLOL! Let’s see…my favorite book of last year…..Probably St. Teresa of Avila, Way of Perfection — not an “easy” book but one that has been so valuable in my walk with Jesus.
.-= Julia´s last blog ..Favorite Friday =-.
I subscribe already!
.-= Julia´s last blog ..Favorite Friday =-.
I follow you on Twitter!
.-= Julia´s last blog ..Favorite Friday =-.
And I tweeted, or twittered or whatever the proper phrase is!
Have a wonderful day!
.-= Julia´s last blog ..Favorite Friday =-.
One of the best I read last year was “Recovering Charles” by Jason F. Wright. Thanks for sharing your books with us!
Wendy I wrote this one down to look for! thx for the tip!
Robin,
I read a multitude of books last year but no where CLOSE to what I hoped to read so I understand the pain.
A few fantastic ones were : Soul Cravings by McManus, Eat, Pray, Love, Water for Elephants, Edgar Sawtelle, Three Cups of Tea, The Last Lecture, and Under the Overpass (probably my favorite). I also love David Crowder’s Praise Habit and Henri Nouwen’s Reaching Out as long time favorites.
I am going to grab the Piper and the new Miller as well, because Blue Like Jazz is one of my all time favorites and I didn’t realize he had a new one out. Thanks for the ideas…and I cracked up on the Kristin Hannah b/c I passed it over in the bargin section at B&N after reading the jacket but LOVED the cover; I may have to go back for a second look.
Shannon
I now also follow via rss on my yahoo page
i twitted this.
.-= jenn´s last blog ..January Ronald McDonald House Card =-.
i follow you via RSS.
my favorite series from 2009 is not a new one, but an oldie. set in chicago, where i lived for 15 years, the o’malley series by dee henderson is about a family of orphans who found each other at a children’s home and decided to become their own family as adults. they are all in some form of public service, and their stories are mystery/romances.
.-= jenn´s last blog ..January Ronald McDonald House Card =-.
Jenn, I think you and I have similar taste in books so I’m going to look into those! Have you read Looking For Salvation at the Dairy Queen yet?? (It’s good )xoxo
Now, I’m following you on twitter…
My favorite for 2009 was The Help. My Bible study is working through Shattered Dreams currently. Like you said- not for the faint of heart. It is thought provoking, convicting…on my mind constantly. I follow you already and look forward to your daily posts. Happy reading for 2010!
Jane…I’m almost done with The Help. Wow! Since you’re already doing Shattered Dreams go ahead and get A Million Miles in a Thousand Years…
love you (sometimes lets do dinner and talk about the Shattered Dreams book!!!)
Read several books last year. The entire Cedar Cove Series by Debbie MaComber. Loved all the mystery and suspense. She is such a wonderful author. I love visiting different places with her and feel like I know the people of Port Orchard, Washington. Last summer was Cedar Cove days. Would have love to have gone but had to stay in Tennessee. I just finished reading the 5th book in the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. “The Fiery Cross”. Now onto “A Breath of Snow and Ashes” which is the 6th book. This is my favorite series that I’ve ever read. Time travel and Scotish history. Ymm. YMmm.
Also read several books from Tales from Grace Chapel Inn series from Guideposts and have started a new series from Guideposts called Home to Heather Creek. This series is about 3 children whose mother and father are kiiled and they go to live with their grandparents in the rural Midwest. The stories are about the adjustments that have to be made by the grandparents and grandchildren and the differences in their lives. This series hits close to home since my husband and I are raising our granddaughter whose birthday is today. 5 years old! Such a joy and blessing!
Faith! Happy 5th birthday to your little love!!! I have never seen the series from Guideposts but it sounds like something I would love. Prayers to you and your hubby as you make such an impact on that sweet girl. xoxo(I love the Debbie Macomber books because of her settings too. I think in heaven I’m going to get to live in a small town!)
My favorite book (and emotionally hardest) I read in 2009 was The Shack. I have two daughters, 5 and 2, and the first few chapters were absolute torture for me. I ended up crying several times throughout the book. But, even with all the pain it caused me, I came closer to God through it. I have re-read the book three times (skipping the first few chapters) and will continue to do so whenever I feel my personal relationship with God slipping.
Yvonne, The Shack came to me at a time when I so needed and truly helped me see God in a more tender and loving way. I loved it.
I have followed your blog for quite some time now. Thank you for the encouragement and honesty in your words.
I signed up on Twitter just so I could follow you.
I Tweeted about your give-away. All my family will now be checking it out.
I have read and unbelievable number of craft books and cook books – cover to cover – these are my favorite.
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