as i wrote in my shards of light blog, there was simply no way to choose between the three books of daily meditations that i wanted to read this year, so i've chosen all three. which, really, given that daily meditations are not the longest of readings, i don't see as a problem.
the three are all by favorite authors of mine, and i have read and loved books by them all.
Listening To Your Life, by Frederich Buechner
while some of the readings are from his fiction, and others non-fiction, this book has what seems to be the longest of the readings, depending upon the day. but there is no disputing his genius. just this morning's reading proves it. "When a man leaves home, he leaves behind some scrap of his heart... It's the same with a place a man is going to. Only then he sends a scrap of his heart ahead." {Jan. 21}
Bread For The Journey: A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith, by Henri Nouwen
this book is the most different of the three, as it Mr. Nouwen wrote each of them specifically for this book, while the other two are excerpts from the previously written words of the other two authors. you can read a quote from January 21's entry here.
A Year With Rilke: Daily Readings From the Best of Rainier Maria Rilke, by Anita Barrows and Joanna Macy
i have made no secret of my love for Rilke and his words. he wrote my favorite poem, my favorite quote, and the more i read of his, the more i love. i fully expect to love every page.
what about you? are you reading any daily readings this year? if you've read them in the past, what is your favorite?
57 out of 75
well, the year is over, and i have fallen short of my goal of reading 75 books in 2010.
while not disappointed, as the 57 books that i did read were all amazing, especially the last one, the brilliant Bonhoeffer biography {which at 542 pages should count for at least 2-3 books, if not the entire missing 18!}, i really did think that i would do it.
truth be told, i probably could have. after yesterday's wedding reception for my baby brother, instead of watching an episode of Glee, sat down with the stack of Dr.Seuss books from my childhood and finished those off, but since i have already read a great many children's books last month, searching for the perfect Christmas present for the nephews, i opted not to.
so, i've been asked what my favorite books of 2010 were, so here's the rundown:
Juliet by Anne Fortier
without a doubt, this fictional tale of a young woman's discovery that she is related to Giulietta, the character Shakespeare immortalized in his Romeo and Juliet is my favorite of the year. i didn't want it to end, and i think that if a movie isn't made out of the book, it will be a tragedy.
the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
not only do i love this series, i also love the movie and cannot wait for the next one.
School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister
i went through a 'food lit' phase this summer, and this book, lent to me by my friend Angie was the highlight of that phase. simply a beautiful story of all the members of a cooking class.
The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood
one of those surprising books that i read ridiculously fast, simply because i was swept up in the story. if you have to choose between the book and the movie, there is no choice. pick up the book.
How To Catch A Star and Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers
while searching for books for my newest nephew, i came across these two board book gems. they are, especially Lost and Found, quite simply the sweetest stories. i will not be surprised if somehow they end up on my own coffee table one day very, very soon...
Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas
yes, it's a big book. but even if it will take you all of 2011 to read, go out today, buy this book and begin reading it. {my review is in the previous post}
while not disappointed, as the 57 books that i did read were all amazing, especially the last one, the brilliant Bonhoeffer biography {which at 542 pages should count for at least 2-3 books, if not the entire missing 18!}, i really did think that i would do it.
truth be told, i probably could have. after yesterday's wedding reception for my baby brother, instead of watching an episode of Glee, sat down with the stack of Dr.Seuss books from my childhood and finished those off, but since i have already read a great many children's books last month, searching for the perfect Christmas present for the nephews, i opted not to.
so, i've been asked what my favorite books of 2010 were, so here's the rundown:
Juliet by Anne Fortier
without a doubt, this fictional tale of a young woman's discovery that she is related to Giulietta, the character Shakespeare immortalized in his Romeo and Juliet is my favorite of the year. i didn't want it to end, and i think that if a movie isn't made out of the book, it will be a tragedy.
the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
not only do i love this series, i also love the movie and cannot wait for the next one.
School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister
i went through a 'food lit' phase this summer, and this book, lent to me by my friend Angie was the highlight of that phase. simply a beautiful story of all the members of a cooking class.
The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood
one of those surprising books that i read ridiculously fast, simply because i was swept up in the story. if you have to choose between the book and the movie, there is no choice. pick up the book.
How To Catch A Star and Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers
while searching for books for my newest nephew, i came across these two board book gems. they are, especially Lost and Found, quite simply the sweetest stories. i will not be surprised if somehow they end up on my own coffee table one day very, very soon...
Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas
yes, it's a big book. but even if it will take you all of 2011 to read, go out today, buy this book and begin reading it. {my review is in the previous post}
* * * * *
well, i guess this wraps up 2010. it didn't go exactly as i had planned, but what does, really? i haven't begun thinking about a goal for this year, so we'll have to see what happens there. but i will say that my Kobo is filled with exciting books just waiting for my attention. i believe i will go and pay some attention right now.
happy new year!
happy new year!
