Bookworm

Pilfering though antique stores, thrift shops and flea marks is something that I could spend a lot of time doing if given the opportunity. Granted, most of the things waiting to be dug through are junk, but from time to time you find a diamond in the ruff. Earlier this week, my future sister-in-law and I went hunting for a few rustic pieces for her wedding. My find of the week was these Reader's Digest books, all for a whopping dollar each. Three-dolla. Yes. When I showed Bryan, he in all seriousness told me he used to love to read these books when he was growing up. I bought them because I liked the cover colors and want to use them for decorating.



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Reading is one of my favorite activities, thus I was thrilled to receive my Kindle for Christmas. Here are some of my most-recent reads.

My sister does not enjoy reading Nicholas Sparks' books because they all have a dramatic twist. That is exactly why I like reading them. I love a good cry over something heart-wrenching. In all honesty, I was a little disappointed in The Best of Me. It was a beautifully written book, but left me disappointed. I will not spoil this for those of you who have not read it, but for those of you who have read it, what did you think?

On the other hand, I have also just read Sparks' Safe Haven and loved it. Much better to my liking. Thoughts on this if you have read it?

Currently I am reading The Centurion's Wife by Janette Oke. According to my Kindle, I am 6% complete, and so far I really like it. Growing up I read all of Oke's books. I was thrilled when I ran across a few that I have not read. A Christian historical fiction book, I always enjoy reading what Oke has to offer her readers. If you are not familiar with her writing, I highly suggest picking up some of her books.

For those of you Kindle owners, it is actually free right now on Amazon. I ran across a website that regularly updates available free Kindle books (and I think all e-readers). Here is a link to it. Enjoy!

Childhood Memories + Books

As a child growing up, I was an avid reader. Sitting by the fire, sipping a hot cup of tea or cocoa and reading a good book was a normal way to spend winter and Christmas holiday evenings. It was also a special time of year when the four of us would read books aloud to each other. With the weather turning cold, I cannot help but think of a few of my favorites, The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis.

I am sure most of you have either heard of this series because of the books or the movies that have recently been produced. They really are the greatest. Even if you have seen some of the movies, I think that at least the first one is worth reading as a family together this holiday season.

What triggered my thoughts on these was a picture of Turkish Delight that I saw on Pinterest. For those of you unfamiliar with these books, Turkish Delight was Edmund's favorite treat that helped him to be lured by the white witch. When Emily and I went to Turkey four years ago we bought some solely for this reason. I love these books, where there is good versus evil in a mystical land, only a few steps away in a wardrobe.

Sunday Inspiration + Book

If you are like me, it can often be hard to have a daily quiet time with the Lord. The book I am sharing with you today is a wonderful simple book that does not have a lot of reading or applications, but is nourishing enough to be a great read to start your day. I know that mornings can be hectic trying to get kids or a husband or even yourself out the door. I promise that your day will be transformed if you start it out with a few minutes along for you and God. Get up 10 minutes early and have a cup of coffee before the rest of the house wakes and gets busy.

Daily Wisdom for Women, by Carol Fitzpatrick, shares a verse and some wisdom about the verse or how to apply it in your life, then there is a short prayer that correlates with it. This is an excellent book to use for your morning quiet time. (The cover of mine does not look like this.)

"But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, 'Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.' "

1 Corinthians 1:30-31

Sunday Inspiration: Books

The second book I want to share with you is Debi Pearl's Created To Be His Help Meet. I highly suggest that you purchase the journal that goes along with this book. They go hand-in-hand together, so that as you read the book you can delve in deeper with the journal. This book and its companion are wonderful reads for a daily quiet time. It mentors women on how to have a heavenly marriage. Men and women were created differently, thus they have different roles to play in a marriage and society.

I had this book for a long time before reading it. A friend gave me the journal and at that time I could not find the book. Then when I found the book I could not find the journal. After three years of this, I was sitting on the couch one day when I glanced up at the bookshelf. There was the book. And I knew that the book was beside my bed. It might have taken me three years to read it, but it was well worth it!  

Sunday Inspiration: Books

Over the next couple of weeks I thought I would share a few books that I have read lately. Most of them pertain to being a Godly woman and/or strengthening your marriage. I am the first to admit that I am only human and continuously fail miserably in both of these areas. I'm sure that you will agree with me that we all need all the help we can get, and thus I though I would share some of the books that have encouraged me.

The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman, explains how each of has a "love language" that must be met in order for us to feel truly loved. According to Chapman, there are five love languages are: Quality Time, Gifts, Words of Affirmation, Physical Touch and Acts of Service. The chances are that you and your significant other do not have the same love language. We tend to express love though our own gift(s), but instead we need to understand what gift(s) those around us have and need in order to feel loved.

This is a book that I Bryan and I have read together. I personally feel that reading with your husband draws the two of you even closer on an intimate level. With this book, we have been able to talk about both of our gifts and how we can strive to be a better wife and husband.