January 9, 2008

• What Books Impacted You?

  I am reading a book! I know, nothing "novel" . It's called Exquisite Hope by Julie Ann Barnhill. My friend, Jill, gave it to me for Christmas. In the chapter I just finished, she asked that people survey their book shelves because she thinks that it says something about the person. I thought I would adapt it a bit. (I don't have time to pull all the books in boxes out!). What books influenced you at various points in your life (fiction or not)? Which ones stand out and why?

  Post it on your site and let me know and I will stop by. I think it might be interesting!

  Here's mine:

  Elementary School:

  • The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgeson Burnett. I don't know how many times I read it, but it was pretty dog eared. I think I related to Mary a lot. Not so much that I was spoiled or contrary but that I was deeply lonely. I always dreamed of a secret place all my own! And I so wanted a friend like Dickon.
  • The Family Nobody Wanted by Helen Doss. This is a true story. It actually belonged to my cousin. But every time I went to her house, I read it, borrowed it. I loved it. Looking back it may not be the best written. It is a true story about a Methodist minister and his wife who adopted 12 children -- 10 considered unadoptable because of mixed parentage. It was first published in 1954. At some point, there was  LIFE magazine article about the family They may have only had 8 or 9 at the time. I remember finding it at the library. I loved that it was true. I imagined being wanted so much. I imagined someday doing the same.
  • Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson. I loved the friendship between the children here. Though, it was a very sad tale . . . . I wanted that kind of friendship. I longed for it.

  Junior High:

  • To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I'm not sure what drew me here, but I liked the writing. I liked Scout. I wished I had her spunk.
  • The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. I dreamed of being one of those children - preferably Lucy. My fear was that I was Susan or would be Susan in the end. I loved the analogies in it and I'm looking forward to the next movie.

  High School:

  • The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. This may be one of the few classics that I enjoyed. It is about Hester who has a child out of wedlock in a Puritan society. She has to wear a scarlet letter "A" for Adultery. It's about her daughter, Pearl. It's about the minister who can't forgive himself. I think I was drawn by Hester's determination and Pearl's joy of life. Though I didn't know it then, I think I related to the minister, feeling that there were things that I could not forgive myself for or that God could forgive me for. I'm glad I was wrong about that.
  • On the Beach by Nevile Shute. I don't think I actually read this more than twice. However, it stands out because I was brought up not to cry. (I cry a little too freely now!) But at the time, we didn't cry. I remember sitting in tears on the floor of my room as I read the last couple chapters. It is an old book -- 1950's. It's about a nuclear bomb and the population of Australia knowing that the radioactivity will eventually reach them.

  Adulthood:

  • Knowing God by J.I. Packer. In my view, Packer is a modern day theologian. I love the thought that Christianity is more about being known by God than knowing Him! This is a very deep read. I read it a few times, but usually in a study with others.
  • Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent by Ben Patterson. The thought from this book that always stands out to me is that it doesn't matter so much to God where we are at in the journey so much as that we are on the journey.
  • Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks. This is a newer book. It's a fictional account of a town in England that had the plague. They chose to shut the town off -- not leave or have anyone come in -- rather than spread the plague. It's a book of hope, but no necessarily Christian - particularly at the end. But I still enjoyed it a lot!
  • My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccoult. I like many of her books, but this is my favorite and one that I come back to again and again. I love the way she writes. I love the character of Anna and her outlook on life. I love how Jodi explores the many questions of life and death.
  • Faith on the Edge:Daring to Follow Jesus by numerous people but can be found under Paul Tokanauga as the principle editor. This one isn't so much on the list because it is a great read (though I think it is good), but more because it shaped me because I was a contributing author. There were 6 of us who wrote it. We each wrote 4 chapters. We were selected for our diversity -- Asian, African American, Caucasian, male & female, younger and older, . . .  It was a discipleship experience for me. Writing is such a way of thinking for me! It was a growing experience. I loved it. It is my one claim to fame!

  So what have been your favorites over the years, ones that stand out through time? How have they shaped you?

   

  • 8:14 pm
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