Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Favorite Books of 2012

This is my list of favs for this past year.  I hope to finish a few more books before the end of the year as I've yet to reach my book goal -- but my method for compiling is fitting of my personality.  I jump in and start and it just gels or not.  Also I wanted to post this on 12, 12, 12 - ergo a list of 12 instead of 10 - a sneaking way of fitting a few more in... but as life would have it at on 12/12 at 12:12 I was herding 12 little kiddies towards lunch with my faithful sidekick P. when they were ready for nap instead of food.  It passed me by in bedlam without a slight recognition of what I was missing... I am pretty sure washing hands, dabbing a tear and telling one - she was headed for the chair if she didn't pick a toy right then was more important than throwing confetti at a clock in an already rummage through school room.
Ergo -- I read for the rest but a good rest of my life is spent reading kiddies!

1. The Baptized Body -  Peter Leithart...E and I read this as we prepared for our grandnephew's baptism, I then read it on my own and listened to it on Mp3.  I didn't grow up in a christian culture that accepted paedobaptism as a valid view.  This book really grew my excitement for the need of baptizing little ones and the true blessing, mandate and affect of it.  I plan to read the book on the Lord's Table this coming year as a follow up.
2. All Loves's Excelling - John Bunyan...This was a recommendation from a person I greatly admire. The insight in this book on sitting in God's love is both  humbling and hopeful.  It is best digested in small chunks as necessary pause for reflection is overwhelming and frequent.
3. Escape from Reason - Francis Schaeffer...This small book developed my appetite to know where and how philosophy has yanked the current culture off its intellectual rails.  It is written direct and clear, for me, for me that was helpful as philosophy - scares me just a little.  Schaeffer again reminds in this book, that if God is who He says He is, and He is, we have nothing to be afraid of.  That is reassuring to a non-conflict disposition - fuel for engagement.
4.  Wordsmithy - Douglas Wilson,...Picked it up - didn't stop except to underline, circle and make  notes. Anyone who wants to write better will appreciate this book.
5. Third Time Around - George Grant This is my favorite of Dr. Grant's books, it follows the history of the pro-life movement and the champions that fought valiently for the rights of women and children.  I love that so many missionaries I'd never heard of were included - I plan to go back through and find out more about the lives of several of these brothers and sisters that have gone before.
6. An Experiment in Criticism-C.S. Lewis.  This book plots the habit of reading and thinking and has one liners everywhere.  C.S. Lewis is one of my favorite writers and I loved the challenge set forth in this book.
7. Embracing Obscurity - Author obscure.  Part of the mystic of this book is that the author is unknown, yet I can think of a few handful of people who write it everyday with their lives.  I love the juxaposition of Joseph and Saul and the charts.  Convicting and convincing - this is a call to everyone that is called in Him.
8. Never Let a Fool Kiss You or a Kiss Fool You - Mardy Grothe   The enjoyment factor of this book should shoot it to my #1 position but it's a bit frivilous and at places gritty.  I had a great time playing with words and doodling after examples.  This is a great book to pick up if you want to play with words and laugh out loud.
9. Crisis, Opportunity and the Christian Future- Dr. James Jordan.  There was alot of new news to me in this tiny book.  My husband read it after me and we had some great talks - no doubt, when we pick it up again, we will have more great talks and enjoy the jaunt of the journey.
10.  Remember the Rhema - Donna Johnson.  This is a quick little read for remembering the word. It is more devotional that Kay Arthurs Studying God Word's, so it serves a different purpose.  I like it because it has a plan for get the Word to stick in the memory, -- cool beans!!
11. Bold Love - Dan Allender.  I read a few of his books this last year.  There are wonderful directives for living is a loving way without enabling others to cause more damage to themselves and you.  One line that changed me went something like: Trust God as you trust others, earth has no hurt that heaven can't heal.
12. Til We Have Faces- C.S. Lewis.  This was the first fiction book I'd read in quite a while.  Fiction is hard for me.  My sweet daughter recommended as a good place to start. The picture of fallen-ness and redemption are powerful, this would be a great book to read in a class setting.

3 comments:

Becky said...

Good books! I also loved Wordsmithy and an Experiment in Criticism.

I think I should read again Til We Have Faces. I read it, I think, about 5 years ago and I remember I did not love it.. I guess should give it a second try.

XOXO

Petra said...

This is a great list. I understand about reading Bunyan in small doses, and I've been wondering about Til We Have Faces. I think I will get it. Blessings!

Trisha said...

Jojo,
I can't believe you and Becky met! How wonderful! I wish I could have been there. Then we could have discussed these books in person. I'm so glad you shared your list. I've had The Baptized Body on my shelf for a couple of years. Guess I should get to it. :) Making a note of the other recommendations, too. Love and hugs!