The Importance of Books

This morning, I sat in the dark of the morning reading my Bible & devotional.   I began to soberly consider that it would be my last for 2010.

Where did the year go?

For fun, I began to re-read my journal and make a list of the highlights for 2010.  Tonight I will, with the rest of my family, read them over our traditional candlelight dinner of Chinese food. 

It will be wonderful to hear their perspectives on life in 2010; from my sweet husband, to my preschooler through high school-aged children.

What seared into their minds in 2010?

In January of 2010, a thought occured to me to begin a list of the books I read throughout the year. 

The older I become, the more I am realizing the importance of books, the mind-food that we consume.  How books truly have profound effects on our character, attitude, habits and ambitions to name just a few.

Here is my list for 2010:

"Great Divorce"  C.S. Lewis
"Frugal Luxuries"  Tracey McBride
" Tea With Jane Austen"  Kim Wilson
"Cost of Discipleship"  Dietrich Bonhoffer
"Let Me Be Woman"  Elizabeth Elliot
"Mommy Diagnostics"  Shonda Parker
"City of Bells" Elizabeth Gouge
"The Pursuit of God"  A.W. Tozer
"Lies Women Believe & the Truth
     That Sets Them Free"  Nancy Leigh DeMoss
"Mission of Motherhood"  Sally Clarkson
"Maker's Diet"  Jordin Rubin
"Fearless"  Max Lucado
"Pioneer Woman Cooks"  Renee Drummond
"A Severe Mercy"  Sheldon Vanauken
"Pilgrim's Inn"  Elizabeth Gouge
"Tactics"  Greg Koukl

** I'm finishing up "Mere Christianity"  C.S. Lewis
                                 "Read For the Heart" Sarah Clarkson
                                 "Loving God with All Your Mind"  Elizabeth George
                                         (probably not before midnight, however!)

I also read to my children either before lunch
or after.  Some of our adventures have been
found in the pages of :

"Girl of Limberlost"  Gene Stratton-Porter
"Giant Killer"  (Lamplighter Publishing)
"Treasure Island"  Robert Louis Stevenson
"Man of the Family" (Little Britches series-Ralph Moody)
"Johnny Tremain"  Esther Forbes
"Our Homestead Story: The First Years" (Castleberry Press)
"Princess and the Goblin"  George McDonald
"Silver Chair"  C.S. Lewis

I am forever challenged and changed because of these books.  I was in awe of the timing of each of the books that we selected.  At times, some the characters would deal with an issue, attitude or choices that was found in us readers.  God-timed to be sure.

As I look to 2011, I am almost giddy with anticipation of what lies ahead not only in the adventures our family will encounter, but what the pages we read will hold.....

What did you read or going to read this coming New Year?  I'd love to know!
Happy New Year! 

Blessings!

Malinda

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