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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I am an email follower and a happy one.
I’d say my favorite books of 2009 are a light read but very good! The “Cape Light Series” by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer. Every December since 2001 a new book has come out. Cape Light is a small seaside hamlet where folks still enjoy a strong sense of community and care about their neighbors. It doesn’t mean they don’t have any problems. It just means that when they do, someone is there to help.
The book I definitely want to read in 2010 is “Heaven” by Randy Alcorn. I’ve heard good things about this book and am very interested in reading it for myself.
.-= Eileen´s last blog ..Light and Fluffy Pancakes =-.
Eileen, I’ve seen those books and always wanted to read them. I wondered if they were similar in flavor to Debbie Macomber, I love the small small towns in her books…And you’ll love Heaven. I read it after my mom left this world and it was a great comfort to me. xoxo
I already follow your blog through Google Reader and enjoy it a lot!
.-= Eileen´s last blog ..Light and Fluffy Pancakes =-.
Favorite book of last year was , “Same kind of different at me”. LOVED LOVED LOVED IT! There is a sequel out that I can’t wait to get my hands on!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..This Valentine Day =-.
Michelle…like I told Vicky, I completely forgot about that book. A book just doesn’t get any better than that one and I had not idea about the sequel. I’ll look for it for sure~
The book that immediately comes to mind is Fieldwork. I think it is because I loved the mental images and it opened up a whole new field of study for methat I had no idea I would enjoy: anthropology.
.-= wayside wanderer´s last blog ..A Wayside Wanderer’s Day Book =-.
Fieldwork…I’m gonna look that one up on Amazon!
PS. I follow you on google reader.
.-= wayside wanderer´s last blog ..A Wayside Wanderer’s Day Book =-.
The best book I read last year was Dear John by Nicholas Sparks. I read it early last year and then found out when my hubby did some work for one of the sets in Charleston that there was a movie being made based on this book, it will release in February of this year! Great book, it was one of the few pleasure reads I had, other than that it was textbooks, and I’m pretty sure that you are not interested in those, I read them and I wasn’t very interested in them! (LOL)
.-= rene smith´s last blog ..I Love My Church =-.
Rene…I like Nicholas Sparks and it’s fun to rad a book before the movie comes out I think I’ll do that! And I looove Charleston. I’m so in awe of you and school! You go girl. hugs
I am mostly a lurker here, but I must tell you that you are one of my very favorites! My husband and I just finished reading Donald Miller’s newest book and we both loved it a lot!!! “Blue Like Jazz” was the first book we read by DM, and we loved that too. However, my number 1 book that I read last year was the BEST book I have ever read…”Crazy Love” by Francis Chan….wonderful and convicting. Other than the Bible, it’s next in line as the best.
Blessings, kathy
p.s. I don’t have a blog, I just read them
I’m so excited that you left a comment! It’s so nice to meet you!!! Okay, I keep hearing about Crazy Love…I’m ordering it ! Thanks for reading. xoxoxo
I had to go with Same Kind of Different as Me as one of my favorites, along with The Help although I waited to read till this year. I am just starting the Don Miller book and am now excited to get further along. I haven’t bought these yet but they are circling my list … Story Catcher by Christina Baldwin and Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. What a fun week!!
.-= Vicky´s last blog ..I couldn’t resist… =-.
Vicky!!!! How could I have forgotten The Same Kind of Different as Me…??? Oh my gosh that book. Yes, if I wasn’t beginning to forget things
that one would have been on my list!!!! I’m almost done with The Help and good heavens it’s wonderful too.
I want to talk to you when you’re done with Don Miller’s book to see what you think, I’m listening to it on my iPod for the 2nd time.
I’m jotting your others down…love u
One of the fiction books I read was Widow of the South. It is a historical fiction account of the family that lived at Carnton Plantation outside of Franklin, TN. We visited the historical site last fall and enjoyed hearing about it’s history as a Civil War field hospital.
.-= Donna M.´s last blog ..The Framing is Done! =-.
I love historical fiction Donna. That sounds like one I’ve heard of…I’ll keep my eyes open for it! Thx!!
Reread the series by Ted Dekker : Black, Red, and White, and the beginning or the end of the series Green! Really good author!Anything by him is fabo! Also, read The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. A teen vampire series but was really good. Read alot more but I can’t remember them. Doug tells me when I read it’s a sin…cause I don’t do anything else…at all. LOL!
Miss you!
Dani
Dani, girl I need to borrow some books!!! xoxo
I enjoyed reading “The Forgotten Garden” by Kate Morton. It was similar to the Secret Garden which was a childhood favorite.
Jackie, I loved The Secret Garden, I’ll put Forgotten Garden on my list to look for at the used bookstore!
Golfing with God – I read this book very slowly because I wanted to savor every word and not finish the book. I love a great read!
Nester…now that’s one I’ve not heard of! I’m wondering if it’s a book my golfing hubby would like!?
I read Geography of Bliss. FANTASTIC
Geography of Bliss…I’d buy that one for the title alone!!! thx for the tip!
I am following on Twitter!
its a few years old but The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks….well anything by him is great!
Erin, Nicholas Sparks is always a sure thing!
oh robin
thank you for sharing your book reviews… i’ve only ready (actually listened) to one of those… firefly lane… i enjoy her books because they are light and easy listening while i walk.
but you have my very curious now….i’m off to check out your list!!
congrats on all the reading you have done!
wonderful post! xxo, kim
Hey Kim…I love listening to books! I actually listened to Firefly Lane too. And the light and easy ones are so necessary! Hugs
I loved all the books by M.Gladwell. “Outliers” was probably the most memorable. He really makes you look differently on everyday subjects.
Thank you for a great givaway!
Julia, I’ve never read Gladwell. I love the idea though that the ordinary day to day things can be looked at differently! thx
I read Willow by Julia Hoban last year and it was amazing. One of my favorite books now.
Thanks for the tip on Julia Hoban. Sounds like a worth while read since it ended up being one of your favorites!
I follow you on twitter: @shootingstarmag
.-= ShootingStarsMag´s last blog ..Interview: White Collar’s Matt Bomer and Tim DeKay =-.
I discovered books on E-bay this past year and read through a lot of paperbacks. One I particularly enjoyed was “Lucy Gets Her Life Back” by Stef Ann Helm. Great read and lots of good food considering that the main character is a personal chef! I also enjoyed “It’s All About Him” by Denise Jackson (wife of country superstar, Alan Jackson). It is a wonderful story of a developing personal relationship with God through periods of great success and great trials. I love Kristen Hannah and am dying to get my hands on “Firefly Lane”!!!
.-= jane carter´s last blog ..Some of My Favorite Things… =-.
Hey Jane! I’ve heard all about Sarah Palin’s book on CNN and I’m curious to have a look at it, now even more so since you liked it!
Okay, a book with the main character a personal chef! Now that’s my kind of book. I jotted down the title! xoxo
By the way, I am a faithful follower and always look forward to your posts!!! Currently reading “Going Rogue” by Sarah Palin and am finding it very inspiring.
.-= jane carter´s last blog ..Some of My Favorite Things… =-.
A book I read in 2009 was Stealing Buddha’s Dinner, by Bich Minh Nguyen. It drew my attention because it was chosen for the Great Michigan Read for 2009, and so I knew it had to be good if the entire state of Michigan was reading it! The last book I knew that they chose for this was The Glass Castle, and that was fantastic, so I knew this one would be, too!
And it was–it was a great read. It’s the true story of a young girl who fled from Saigon in ’75, and the family ended up living here in Michigan. Her life revolves around her passion for American food and fitting in to American society, and how she wants to be like everyone else, and the ups and downs of her family’s life here. It’s really interesting, and I highly recommend it.
http://www.amazon.com/Stealing-Buddhas-Dinner-Bich-Nguyen/dp/0670038326
I found your blog from a RT on Twitter!
Deb, I’m so happy to meet you! I hope you come back! This was a great review of Stealing Buddha’s Dinner. Makes me want to read it immediately.
I’m back! I’m enjoying reading about all these great books!
I got an Ipod Touch for Christmas, and I LOVE being able to read anywhere with it! I downloaded the Kindle app, the Barnes and Noble app, and another one called Stanza, and they all are GREAT! No struggling with holding a page open, and always there, even when you are just standing in the check out line at the store or whatever. There are lots of free books to read, too!
i loved “same kind of different as me.” LOVED it!
.-= brandiandboys´s last blog ..Comfort vs. Growth =-.
Hey Brandi! I loved that one two. Even Mike read it and we both just cried when we talked about it. Powerful. Hugs Sweetie
The Help is one of my absolute favs from the past year. Loved it.
Julie, I’m almost finished with The Help…amazing book, how many times have I said that !?
Hi Robin, I too read, Firefly Lane, but believe it or not I had never read All Creatures Great and Small until this summer. I really enjoyed reading about the English countryside. Now I need to read the entire series. As far as cookbooks, reading Julia Child’s My Life in France would have to be the closest thing to it.
Ann, I read All Creatures Great and Small in my twenty’s but I bet I’d love it even more now. (I’m thinking that’s a Classic? May have to put that on the Classic list!)
I am now a follower, and my favorite book this year was The Familar Stranger by Christina Berry…excellent book. I read over 150 books this year ( I do book reviews) so when the titles stay with me I know it was a great book!!!
Cindy…seriously I’m giving you a bow…150 books! Yay!!!! And when you say you liked The Familiar Stranger, I’m listening! Gonna find that one or order it from Amazon!
I’m horrible at choosing favourites, but one of the books I first read and loved in 2009 is How the Heather Looks by Joan Bodger.
Ikkinlala…I’m going to look into How Heather Looks. Thanks for the tip!
Well, my favorite book from last year was The Shack. It gave me a new perspective at viewing God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The human-ness of Mack’s issues really hit home. All in all, it was a wonderful book. I love when a book changes how you see this world and the next.
Thanks for the give-away opportunity.
Blessings,
Suzanne
Suzanne, so many of us loved The Shack and I think it gave me a new perspective as well.
I’m a follower now on my iGoogle! Thanks again!
Suzanne
I love the variety of things there are on your blog, and your reading advice is just great. Even if I teach English at college level (in France), I need some very well-written English from time to time (every other book I read is in English usually)!
I really liked Katherine Mansfield’ short stories this year, but I’d really recommend a French novel: L’affaire du cuisinier chinois (something like The Affair of the Chinese Chef, if it’s been translated) by Pascal Vatinel. This is wonderful if you want to know more about Middle Ages China, the relationships among nobility at that time & the importance of food in these provincial courts.
Thanks for the giveaway, and carry on, Robin!
Line, I’m so excited to get your recommendations. I would love to read a French novel! I’m jotting it down to look for it on Amazon! Thank you for visiting, looking forward to getting to know you a bit !
I read a really cute and funny book that I passed on, called My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison. It brought out the little kid in me
It was a fun read!
Bunny, I haven’t heard of My Fair Godmother, but I love the name and since you said it was funny and brought out the little kid in you, how could I go wrong!?
Hehe! I do hope you’ll enjoy it
Twitter follower @bunnyb
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/bunnyb/status/7982804168
I love Amazon online!, I think my biggest thing of 2009 was reading through some of the cook book primers from Barbara Swell… I love anything of old so I enjoyed the history behind the women that were our baking and cooking pioneers. Right now I won a bid on ebay of Elizabeth Gaskells 1892 copy of Cranford. I realized life is to short to not read good books even if they are over a 100 years old..
.-= Jeannie´s last blog ..Typical Farming Conversations =-.
My favorite book of 2009 is Echo In the Bone by Diana Gabaldon, the seventh book in a series. Awesome read!
I follow faithfully!
In a humorous vein, I read “Pilgrims” (Garrison Keilor). His books make me laugh out loud, and this was no exception! Tourists from Lake Woebegon in Rome. All the familiar characters acting in their typical ways. G.K. places himself into this story, too.
I could sure put that gift card to good use! Thanks for the give-away!
My fav book hands down is The Shack. Most books I speed read through but I
found myself reading it slowly almost savoring it!!! I’ve passed it around hoping
it came back to me because I want to read it a few more times. I knew if it didn’t come back it was meant to be and I could get another. Happily it rests on
my bookshelf!!!
P.S. I’m a follower.
Good morning, Robin! last year I read Shattered Dreams and Till We Have Faces. I say wow to both of them! I am already a follower.
Kindly, ldh
.-= ldh´s last blog ..Outdoor Wednesday and The One I Hold On To =-.
I now have you on Twitter!
.-= ldh´s last blog ..Outdoor Wednesday and The One I Hold On To =-.
I have Tweeted about your giveaway! That makes 4 chances for your sweet giveaway! Thanks much!
.-= ldh´s last blog ..Outdoor Wednesday and The One I Hold On To =-.
Last year I read Odd Thomas (again!) I absolutely love that book.
I also started the Dean Koontz Frankenstein series and am now ready to purchase the last one in the set which came out recently. So far I have loved his interpretation of Frankenstein.
I follow you on twitter.
twitter name: fokxxy
I subscribe through google reader (rss)
I tweeted.
http://twitter.com/fokxxy/status/7992450171
I’m a huge reader. This would be a great prize to win!
I’m a follower by email
I now follow you on twitter, also. That sounds a little stalker-ish. But I do want to say that I loved the garland. I found this blog through a Today’s Creative Blog link party.
Do cookbooks count?
It’s true.}
I am not a big reader of books, except cookbooks and kids books
The last book I read was to my son, he bough it for me for Christmas as he knows how much I like cupcakes and cats. I read If you give a cat a cupcake.
{stop laughing
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