Thursday, November 20, 2008

Too Much to Read!

I have to laugh at myself when I think about all the many, many books I want to read. I LOVE to read-- especially books that are edifying to my walk with the Lord-- but there are really just too many to read! This winter shouldn't be boring or pointless, if I just limit too much wasted computer time!!

How about a pictorial guide?


* Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

* Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

* David Copperfield by Charles Dickens (I did actually already start this one, but set it aside for other books

* Sergeant York and the Great War by Alvin C. York/Tom Skeyhill/Richard Wheeler

* A Man Called Peter by Catherine Marshall

*Ellanor's Exchange by Linda Hayner

*Christy by Catherine Marshall

*Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

* A Chance To Die by Elisabeth Elliot (re-read)

*Bunyan's Blind Daughter Mary by S. R. Ford

*J. Hudson Taylor by Roger Steer

* Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Deibler Rose (re-read)

*Mountain Rain by Eileen Fraser Crossman

* Stones of Fire by Isobel Kuhn

*Green Leaf in Drought by Isobel Kuhn (re-read)

*North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (not pictured)

Big list, isn't it? (And there are many more re-reads in order which I have not indicated.) Please feel free to comment and tell me your rating on some of the above which you have read, so I know what is worth my time or not. :-)

Have you ever thought to evaluate what kind of entertainment is really worth your time? Does the book encourage you to seek to have your own way or learn to give up your own rights for God's glory and others' good? Does it promote worldly behaviors or Christlike living? Does it cause you to imagine all kinds of unrealistic romances adventures, etc., happening to yourself, or place in you a determination to serve God no matter what happens? Does it align with the guidelines in God's Word? If it was an animate person, would you spend time with it then? These are things to keep in mind as you and I choose which books to "befriend". 1 Corinthians sums it up well:

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31)

~*~*~*~*~

Here are the books I am currently reading:

The Practice of the Presence of God

by Brother Lawrence ~ Advice on how to make God the very center of your life, in all that you do

To The Golden Shore

by Courtney Anderson ~ A biography on the amazing life and work of missionary Adoniram Judson

The Journals of Jim Elliot edited by Elisabeth Elliot ~ Just what it says-- the journals of a man of God

Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford ~ An account of God's hand in the travels of the Pilgrims and the founding of Plymouth

Emma by Jane Austen ~ A delightful fictional story of early 19th-century England, and a high-ranked young woman with a love for matchmaking and much to learn, for all she thinks she knows!

8 comments:

Teddy said...

Looks like we're reading or have read the same books!

Melanie said...

Which ones?

Remember when we went to your house, and you and I were both reading that book about the vanishing conscience, by John MacArthur, at the same time? That was funny. Did you ever finish it? I didn't. :-S The first chapter stressed me a little too much. But I would like to pick it up again some time here. I have WAY TOO MUCH to read!!! :-D (as you see)

~M

Amanda said...

What a list!!! :S

Melanie said...

LOL-- I know!

Teddy said...

Yes, i did finish it. It was really good, but I can see why you would get stressed; I myself was furious at the way people bring God down on their level, and in turn convicted where i've done the same in a less noticable way. *BLAH*
Do ya'll own some of the classics? Such as: David Copperfield,Great Expectations, The Count of Monte Christo, etc. etc? if you do, may I be lent them? I'm trying to expand my library, but I don't know what all is good... you know? Or, if you don't, could you give me some ideas of what to read?

Melanie said...

I am borrowing David Copperfield from "Marie" K. and I have Great Expectations. I really liked Great Expectations, even though it was a bit unusual. I love Dickens' writing style! It's so tasteful! Others that we own are some of the Jane Austens, A Tale of Two Cities, Jane Eyre, Little Women as well as some others by L. M. Alcott, lots of George MacDonald....
and of course lots of "non-classics": Christmas Carol Kaufman, A Life of Faith series, H. Rider Haggard.....
well, what kind of stuff are you wanting to read? I can lend you pretty much anything except what I am reading presently or plan to read next. :-)

Teddy said...

I have a lot of George MacDonalds (Yesss!) so I'm pretty set on those, but if you could spare Great Expectations, that would be great! I'd like to borrow Emma sometime too. But, no rush, I don't actually have time.... I'm working with my schedule to see if i can use my time better and maybe come up with a bit extra for reading and writing and stuff. Thanks!

Melanie said...

Sure, I can lend you "Great Expectations". The copy of "Emma" that I am reading is actually not ours, so I can't lend that one to you. :-(