Books, Books and More Books

I’ve been friends with books since I began reading under the covers as a young girl. I read to escape, for entertainment and to learn.

Ivy reads in bedphoto © 2006 Richard Masoner | more info (via: Wylio)

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Fairly early in life, I began having questions about the connection between the divine and humanity, so I began searching through the Bible for answers. I used to think by the time I was middle-aged, I’d have it all figured out.

Did. Not. Happen.

Over the past few years, my questions have escalated and along with the Bible, I read many books about what others believe and how they do life. We start where we are, so most of the books I read were from the circles I was in.

Between continuing questions and two sons in college, my selection is expanding again. But this past weekend I took a trip down memory lane, by spending time going through my bookcase. Reminiscing about the books that have broaden my horizons, taught me and given me hope over the past few years.

I wrote a post about how some of these books affected me for a guest post over at Andi Lit today. Go read how Bell, Evans, Miller, Tolle, Yancey, Young and many others helped me process life.

Any book suggestions … for fun, for entertainment or to learn more about the connection between the divine and humanity?

Guest Posts this year
Guest Post #1 at Shawn Smucker
Guest Post #2 at Andi Lit
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  • http://www.newwaystheology.blogspot.com/ Mason

    For fun I’d say Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, it’s like Harry Potter meets Pride and Prejudice.

    For the connection between the divine and humanity, anything by N.T. Wright really but specifically his semi-trilogy of Simply Christian, Surprised by Hope, and After you believe.

    • http://janetober.com Janet Ober

      Thanks Mason … will check out those books.

      Also, your recent post about what books have helped you was the spark behind this and my guest post over at Andi’s – thanks for the inspiration!

  • Krista

    Right now I’m being blessed by Paul Miller’s A Praying Life – Connecting with God in a Distracting World. Very down to earth, Scripture based, lots of personal illustrations and genuinely helpful.

    For a book that is simply a delight in so many ways – the unabridged Heidi by Johanna Spyri. I absolutely love this book. There are very few books that I have ever read more than once. Heidi is an exception.

    • http://janetober.com Janet Ober

      Thanks Krista. I will check both of them out.

  • http://silly-bear.com Sarah

    One of my all time favorites would be C.S. Lewis’s “Til We Have Faces.” I love his interweaving of the divine and myth and humaness.

    Currently, I’m muddling my way through The Brothers Karamazov. I’m struck by the depth of Dostoevsky’s theology and understanding of the human condition.

    • http://janetober.com Janet Ober

      Read a fair amount of C.S. Lewis … but don’t think I’ve read that one. I started The Brothers Karamazov one time, but didn’t get through it … maybe I’ll have to try again. Thanks for the suggestions.

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  • http://www.ayoungmomsmusings.blogspot.com Young Mom

    I read a HUGE range of books (Star Wars fiction, Philosophy, Catholic Catechism…) so there are way to many for me to reccomend. : ) For fun AND questions about the divine and humanity I would reccomend Victor Hugo’s “Les Miserables”, and lately I’ve been reading Frank Schaeffer’s books “Crazy for God” and “Patience with God” and have gained alot from both.

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