Friday Five: Read Any Good Books Lately?

Rev HRod from RevGalBlogPals writes:

I think that some books ARE better than others! How about you?

Oh - ABSOLUTELY! And unfortunately, there is a lot of trash out there. It is discouraging too, because I think, as you look at this list, that you'll agree that it IS possible to write a book that isn't soft porn or pablum.

Or maybe it's just me. Anyway, here's this week's Five!


1. What book have you read in the last six months that has really stayed with you? Why?

It HAS to be Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. I waited a month to get the book at the library, read it through twice and couldn't stop thinking about it after I read it. It is just one of those books that grips you. It's the story of Greg's mission to build schools for GIRLS in the remotest parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan. (You can read the back story here!)

The book struck a chord in me because it talked about the passion and focus of one person, and what having and living for a vision and a dream can accomplish, against all odds. I especially appreciated reading something about that part of the world that was not militaristic propaganda.


2. What is one of your favorite childhood books?

Probably Black Beauty. I loved the story of a good horse and good people (and what happens when people aren't good to animals.) It was one of those books to curl up and read on a rainy afternoon... or under the covers at night with a flashlight!

Since I was horse-crazy as a kid, I wanted a horse in the worst way.



Do you have a favorite book of the Bible? Do tell!

Without a doubt, the Psalms!

You get history, poetry, metaphors, laments, praise, despair, confession, and deep words of faith. There are creative forms, meters and rhymes, chants and responses, long and short... a banquet of literature.

There's more than my mind can conceive or understand just reading the English translation. Then, ya throw in the riches of studying the Hebrew text, and my mind just boggles.

What is one book you could read again and again?

Oh dear. ONE book? Not possible. Not even one series... How could I chose between:
The Lord of the Rings
Harry Potter
The Chronicles of Narnia

I won't, I tell you! Instead, I'm going to vote for David Eddings' five volume series called "The Belgariad" (closely followed by "The Mallorean" series) and I promise you, if you start the series, you won't be able to put them down. Each book ends as a cliff-hanger, and you must must read them in order!

(OK, I know that's cheating. But really. ONE book? You must be joking!)

Is there a book you would suggest for Lenten reading? What is it and why?

I haven't even thought about Lent. I don't know if it's really "Lenten" or not, but I am going to re-read Brennan Manning's Ruthless Trust. I wrote about it last week.

It's just good stuff.

There's something about being reminded that you really don't have anything else you can trust, anything else you can really sink your roots into than God. No one else. No other thing. Just God.


And because we all love bonus questions, if you were going to publish a book what would it be? Who would you want to write the jacket cover blurb expounding on your talent?

Wow. Well, I would love to write a book. I think I'd like to write fiction for readers who are after Dr. Suess but before Stephen King. Not horror. Not kiddie porn. Not Christian pablum. Something that intrigues, gives a challenge to the mind and the heart, and something that makes you laugh.

And who would be my "blurbist"? (is that a word? Well, it is now!) Oh, let's go for broke. Oprah!

That's my bookshelf and I'm sticking with it!

Deb