Books *EDITED*

I leave books half-read.

I felt really bad about this for a long time....as if I was not a true intellectual if I didn't complete dull, uninspiring books. Now, well, I'm happy to not earn the intellect label if the label requires finishing books that don't stir or edify.

*EDIT*
And I here I have to comment on my own post. The above paragraph bothered me all night. Okay, it bothered me for the 15 minutes I was conscious after the last kid was in bed. It implies something much more noble in character than is at all accurate. The truth is, I also put books down that are just plain boring. So I am missing out on lots of edifying things that I just don't take the time to finish. I'm not a diligent reader. I have no follow-thru. I'm lazy. It has to 'hook' me if it's going to be finished. That is the point I wanted to make. Now, back to the post.

Here are the books I've finished this year:



The Debt by Angela Hunt
This book is incredible. I already knew I loved Angela Hunt after reading The Note last month. This book begins looking through the eyes of a pastor's wife, active and dedicated. Her husband pastors a megachurch which is broadcast on national television. The story is about the shaking of her thoughts and understanding about what the walk of a Christian is supposed to look like. My favorite quote from the book is "Why are we surprised when we see sinners sin?" So often, we Christians live a secluded life that revolves around the church. We succeed in walking uprightly and protecting our children from the big bad world....but if we stay there, who is reaching the big bad world? Sometimes the lost seek the church. But this is rare. The church is supposed to be seeking the lost. This book brings it home so tenderly yet so passionately.




Persuasion by Jane Austen
It is still one of my favorites and I will read it again and again. Is there any review necessary? It's Austen. She is witty, clever, and has a heart's eye for the unspoken but deeply felt.




Validation Techniques for Dementia Care is an excellent resource for those dealing with Alzheimer's in a family member. It gives great examples of how to dialogue with them and reach them even toward the more unresponsive stages. There were sections discussing "centering" that I simply skimmed. I'll rely on Christ to steady my soul, thanks. When I meditate, it will be on God's Word and nothing else. I appreciate, though, that it emphasized the need for steadiness when approaching something that is so emotional. It was interesting to discover that there is a completely logical emotional reasoning going on in the Alzheimer's patient that can be deciphered through seemingly bizarre speech and behaviour. Often, it is an emotional need that can be affirmed, albeit temporarily. A fear manifests as a repeated question....over and over again. Even though the question has been answered (and quickly forgotten,) the fear is still present but can be fleshed out and assuaged.




The Field Guide (The Spiderwick Chronicles)
Yeah, yeah. It's a kid's book. I was previewing it to see if I would approve of the boys reading it. Um, no. First of all, it would scare the snot out of my nine year old. If, heaven forbid, we ever have a mouse scratch in our walls, reading this book would guarantee we never sleep alone again. As for Ethan reading it, I'm still not comfortable with it. My views on magic may not be very popular with either camp, but my conscience is clear before God and I continually seek to compare it to scripture, acknowledging that I am capable of all manner of misunderstanding. So please feel free to correct me. I will consider it sincerely.

First, I don't actually have a problem with magic and such in a story as long as God gets glory and the bad guy is clearly defined. I am not comfortable with the kids reading about ambiguous bad guys at the moment. At some point, it must be faced, but not in a child's book. At the same time, I'm not comfortable with some stuff readers in the magic-camp might be okay with. Read my comment in the comments section for a better understanding.

Second, while I am a fan of mind-candy, I prefer mind-candy that edifies. If it inspires selfish thinking, disrespect, or the like....why? There are so many good books out there.....why waste my time on something that makes me worse than I already am? or that teaches my kids to be snots?

This first book in this series is just an introduction, so I couldn't say how clearly defined the bad guy really is. I would have to read the series to give a true opinion. I doubt I will though. It's a fun read, but not great. Sonlight has shared so many great books to fill their time, I'm not worried about them getting desperate for something to read.

I'll wrap this long thing up with a giveaway. I'm finished with The Note (Women of Faith Fiction). If you want it, post a comment with a way to reach you and I'll enter you in the drawing. If you could share a critique of the ol' blog, it would be appreciated, but not necessary for the contest. My blogoversary is coming up and some changes are necessary but I haven't yet decided exactly what. Help me figure it out? Don't worry: I have the skin of a rhino. I'll wrap this up on Monday at midnight.

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