Books

"We only see what we know"

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe [1749-1832].

Here are some of the good books I've read these last few months.  If you CLICK on the Title, it will take you to the front cover and more information.   I've picked up a few others here and there, but I quit reading if I don't like the begining and ending.  I hate wasting my time ;)

Little Bee by Chris Cleave  There are 2 shocking scenes in here but I think they were necessary to tell the story.  I really liked this book after I read it and found myself thinking about the relationships and such.

Addiction and Grace by Gerald G. May   So good. Enlightening. Applies to everyone, we all struggle with addictions in some form or another.  A view of our human nature to idolize and be over-attached to so many things in our lives. I'm reading this for the second time.

The Secret Holocaust Diaries  by Nonna Bannister  I don't know why I read stuff like this. It upsets me so much, makes me so MAD.  It's unnerving to see what evil we are capable of but it is also so encouraging to see, by the grace of God, how victorious we can be too.

To Have And To Hold by Mary Johnston  I keep coming back and forth from this. I'm enjoying reading it after David did.  It's good, but long.

Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen  Entertaining and fun to read about something I am so unfamiliar with.. Circus life.  I saw some depth here too with the characters and the good, bad and grey. I also really liked reading about the animals and the culture.

Just For Today: Daily Meditations for Recovering Addicts  Paul and I are reading this together and plan to use it in the ministry

Mrs. Dunwoody's Excellent Instructions for Homekeeping: Timeless Wisdom and Practical Advice" by Miriam Lukken  Such a wonderful reference book!  I will be adding this one to my home library.  I just LOVE homemaking books.  It helps me  in the ministry too because I'm learning how to do things right, efficiently and gracefully. 

The children do lots of reading too.  I try to read to someone atleast once a day.  David and Elijah will read to the littles too.  I always think that is so sweet.  Sometimes, I find myself getting out of the habit of reading to the kids, but I really try to discipline myself to do it everyday.  It really only takes 15 minutes or so, and if I don't really "feel" like reading I tell the kids it's my turn to pick a book and then I can look forward to reading a children's book that I like.  Such as "Where The Wild Things Are"  or my "Wee Ones Bible Stories"  and I still love Shel Silverstein, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Dr. Seuss as much as I did as a child.   We are all excited to explore the Library when we move!  Watch out!

 

Right now, I'm in the middle of   "Same Kind Of Different As Me: A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together" by Ron Hall.  I am really enjoying this book.  It's got a grace-ministry-obeying God message in an excellent story form.  I'm about half-way through.  I'm so tired at night, I only get about 15 minutes of reading in!

I've also been reading the book of Psalms often.  I've been into poetry lately and especially the glorious descriptions of God's Creation and how very much there is to learn from it.

What are you reading?



Books

This may be long, I'm sorry for that, but I have not been so good at staying up to date with my book list.

I can't believe we've already been moved for 4 months and  that the calendar pages have already been flipped to November!  Time just passes no matter how tight I try to hang on to it.

I've only unpacked about 3 boxes of books, mostly pastoral, from my Office.  Shortly after I carefully organized them on the bookshelf, the shelves collapsed.  The pile of books are now in neat stacks in front of the bookshelf.  I'm in no big hurry to get all the books straightened since we're likely moving again in 8 months.  Like every home I live in though, my nightstand has already succumbed to piles of reading material that regurlary get toppled over by little hands.   Most days, I can't even see my alarm clock!

I can get reading in very early in the morning and in the evening.  Reading also keeps my mind occupied on sleepless nights.  Once in a while I can sneak a few pages in during the day, but not that often. My parents are both avid readers, I think I got a double dose of the gene!

                               

"The Indifferent Stars Above" by Daniel James Brown.  Amazing historical novel about Donner Pass.  I loved it and could hardly put it down.  He also wrote "Under a Flaming Sky: The Great Hinckley Firestorm of 1894" but that was so graphic and heartwrenching, I had to stop reading it.

"Prince Caspian" by CS Lewis.  I read this one while SO sick with pneumonia in early September.  Since then, I've also read "The Silver Chair" to keep up with what David's class is reading in school.  I cheated for Elijah's class. They were reading "Because of Winn Dixie", but I just watched the movie.  lol!

"Somebody's Brother: A History of The Salvation Army's Men's Social Service  Department, 1891-1985" This was required reading as part of our training.  I really liked this book, and the historical detail, but the type was small and there were a lot of words!  After Paul is finished with it, I'm going to read it again so that I can do my highlighting/note thing. 

"25 Basic Bible Studies: Including Two Contents, Two Realities" by Francis Schaeffer.   I used this as my Bible Study and accompanied it with Francis Shaeffer's historical/philosophical/Biblical thought  Video,  "How Should We Then Live?: The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture"  For a few years, I had heard several different people mention this "movie".  It is very good, thought provoking and really caused me to examine how grounded I am in God's way versus collective-society.   Am I going to live according to my convictions and understanding of God or be formed by worldly expectations?

"For the Children's Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School"  by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay.  (Hmmm... I just realized she shares a name with the previous guy, Francis.  I wonder if there is a relation.  I'll have to look that up.)   This will definately be added to my reference books.  The author piggy backs on Charlotte Mason's theories.  I really liked how I gleaned a lot of practical ideas and ways to naturally guide my children's learning.  I think as a whole, this book added to my understanding of how everyone learns, not just children. 

"Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction" by David Sheff  and "Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines" by Nic Sheff (David Sheff's son) both recommended by a friend/Comrade.   First of all, let me warn you that Tweak is a raunchy-real-life book.   I know I'm supposed to be all "Christian" and everything, but raunchy doesn't bother me that much, especially in the context of this book.  I learned a lot.  I preferred "Beautiful Boy" the most and really, really,  really appreciated the transparency that the author showed about his own life and his parenting.  That's how I want to be transparent- take it or leave it- some how God will be glorified.

"One Million Arrows: Raising Your Children to Change the World" by Julie Ferwerda. Recommendeed by a good friend.   This was such an easy read.  Tons of tidbits to spur ideas.  It really refreshed my own passion to raise men and women who will be comPASSIONate and pro-ACTIVE in helping others.

"The Radical Cross: Living the Passion of Christ" by A.W. Tozer. Have you read this???? I LOVED it.  I am reading it again and again and again.  I used this as a Bible Study.  This was written simply, easy to understand, and peirced my heart and understanding.  I can't wait to get my hands on more of his stuff.

Right now, I am reading a novel, "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri which I am really enjoying.  And I'm in the middle of "The China Study" by a few different authors.  I know my dear sister-n-law will be thrilled when I tell  her I read it.  It's a mind-altering, habit changing health/nutritional book which is always an interest of mine what with feeding a family and ever striving for my own health to be at it's best.  I want a strong body, plain and simple.  Even when I'm 90. 

Did you make it through to the end?  I would love to hear what others are reading.

Books and Movies

I've seen a couple of really good movies lately. 
"I Am David" was an excellent movie.  Even my boys loved it, mostly David.  I cried and laughed and it was one of those movies that I will not forget.  It was adventurous with some really deep scenes.  
Another great one was "The Blind Side" which was just a super good and uplifting movie.  I really liked how the family was portrayed so positively.  The children in the movie were really great kids and the parents were admirable too.  I get tired of movies with rotten kids and dysfunctional parents, so this one really impressed me.  I was crying in this movie too!  I'm such sap.

I just finished reading "Abraham's Well" .  My friend, Jackie, thought I'd like it and boy was she right! It's about the slaves of the Native American Indians (is that politically correct enough?),   but I won't go into to much detail so that I won't give the story away.  I really liked the book and it has sparked my curiosity (and anger!) in this subject.  I would definately recommend this book. 

Right now, I am  reading two books by Elisabeth Elliot.  "Let Me Be A Woman" and "The Mark of A Man".    Elisabeth Elliot   is the wife of a murdered missionary who then ministered to the tribe that killed her husband.  It is an amazing story.  You can learn more by watching the Beyond the Gates of Splendor documentary.   I had not really heard of her much before until a friend from our Women's Officer's Retreat in January said that she really looked up to her.  It sparked my interest, and I am hooked on her books so far!

More Books....

  These are our bookcases. 

The kids also have books in their rooms, probably about 100 between the two rooms.  They have many of the books that I read as a child plus additional ones they've been given or bought over the years. 
I also have bookcases in my office with maybe about 75 more.  
And oh ya, there's my nightstand with about 15 more.
We also have a set of Encylopedias that Paul used when he was a kid.  Now we use them often to look up any question that comes up at the dinner table.  We also keep a 18inch thick dictionary by the dinner table, courtesy of Paul's late grandmother.
And a set of Jacques Cousteau Ocean World Encyclopedias.
Us Chouinards have a lot of books. 
Many of them have to do with our ministry studies so I don't feel so bad about our collection, after all, they're for Jesus! Smile!
I am always lending them out or just plain giving away the ones that I'm done with so I feel like I get a lot of use out of them.   I will usually do a big purge about twice a year.  I'm needing to do another soon.
We also use our library, probably at least twice a month but we keep those books in one special spot so that they do not get mixed up or "lost".

     I have been working on a list of "required reading" for my children, either to read on their own or my reading to them.  My hope is that they read them before they move out, but with my list growing and growing over the years, they may not get to finish until their early adulthood! And by then I may only be able to "suggest"!     The Books that mean the most to me are those that have somehow stuck in my head even years after reading them.

Ones that have "struck a chord" in either my imagination, faith or understanding.   

Below are  4  more that I've been thinking of a lot lately.  I recently bought used copies of the two I don't already have because I want my children to read them and would rather save the 5 or more trips to the library I'll need to take when it comes their time to read them! 

"Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc" by Mark Twain
Mark Twain had an amazing way of telling this story that we've all heard time and time again.  The writing style is unique and truly a piece of art!  Joan of Arc is a lesson of endurance, steadfastness, faith and ultimately, martyrdom.  She is a hero for anyone, and I especially look forward to reading this book to my little girls.

"Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt
I had seen the movie several years ago, but then my Dad gave me this book and said "read this".  I read anything my dad says too. He is always right-on.   I still cry when I think about this book.  As I was reading it a few years ago, I told my children a lot of the stories so that they would get what it really is to be dirt poor.  Especialy when they complained about dinner.  This book is full of lessons about poverty, desperation, family, addiction, depravity and much more!  There are still a lot of ""adult" only situations in this  book, so I would recommend it only for 16/17+.   

"Tuck Everlasting" by Natalie Babbitt
I read this book in 7th grade and loved every minute of it.  This is quite an imagination book and is good for any age although I think older kids follow it easier.  It is full of wonderment and adventure! 

"Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand
I need to be upfront here and tell you that I found this book very difficult to "warm up" too.  I didn't really get into it until about page 100 or so, but  after that.... I was hooked!  This book is thought provoking to say the least.  I think this should be required reading for every highschooler, maybe then there would be more common sense in our government and collective public thinking!  Even though this book is not "Christian" and niether is the author who was a self proclaimed atheist (I'm sure she's not anymore, poor thing), reading it reinforced my own understanding of personal responsibility given and expected by God.

Summer Reading

I've only gotten through 4 books this summer. I am just not finding the time to read! But here is what I've read:

• "The Mommy Survival Guide" by Barbara Curtis. This was a GREAT book!! Easy reading and just a good perspective on mothering. The author has 12 children, 6 of whom she's still raising, and she has good common sense, not a bunch of "methods" to turn out perfect children (as if that were possibe!) I learned about this book in The Salvation Army's War Cry magazine which features books on the first page.
• "Womanly Dominion: More than a gentle and quiet spirit" by Mark Chanksi. I finally found a book that makes me feel okay about my personality to take charge and run a tight ship! Before this book, I would kind of lay low about just how I manage my family and ministry, because I've been told (mostly when I was a kid) that I can be "bossy" and I certainly don't want to be percieved that way. (My "bossiness" is more refined now! (ha!ha!) But you know what... God told Adam and Eve to take dominion over the earth. To rule the earth and subdue it. That's exactly what this book is about, except in very specific areas. I would highly recommend this book, however, due to my Wesleyian background, there are a few areas I disagree with, but not enough to throw out the baby with the bathwater. The most important thing I took away from this book is that as women, we must be pro-actively engaged in living out our life for the Lord, not just weenie-victims-of-circumstances. I will definately be reading this book again.
• "The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the age of entitlement" by Jean M. Twenge, PhD and W. Keith Campbell, PhD. I have loved this book, also an easy read. I could feel my blood pressure rising just skimming the pages. The authors hit the nail on the head with their examples of and explanations of the "me, me, me" world we live in. This is not a "Christian" book, but there is definately a message here. When I read this book "deny thyself, take up the cross, and follow me" kept ringing through my brain. I am also implementing my new knowledge into my parenting to minimize this culture taking hold of my children's hearts. P.S. Is blogging narcissistic????
• "The Culture of Narcissism" by Christopher Lasch. I found out about this book through my Christianity Today magazine. Originally written in the 70's, this book gives warning of what happens to society through narcissistic motives, beginning with the "self-awareness" movement. This book was a hard read, referring to a lot of psychological terms, but so worth the effort and very enlightening to why things are the way they are in America. This is also not a "Christian" book, but it totally spoke to me that only God makes one Holy, and constantly being on the prowl for the next "self-improvement", "holier than thou", "another rule (law) to live by" is actually narcissism disguised as spiritual formation because it leaves out God's grace and power to make us holy. A fine line indeed!
• "Female Teaching" by Catherine Booth. I have re-read this only to give a better answer for my faith and to gain better Scriptural insight as to the whole women preaching thing. It is not enough to just say "I am called" (well, it's enough for me, I had the experience!). I want to be able to answer intelligently when some would rather not have the gospel preached than to put a woman at the pulpit. God is not a respector of persons. Enough said (well, wrote). Not trying to start anything here ;)
• "The Treasure Within Your Child" by Pam Farrel. I got this book a few years ago when the author spoke at our women's retreat. I skimmed through it before and shelved it, finding it again a week ago. I'm almost done reading it now. I am liking this book especially because it reminds me that my children are different from eachother. I would never want to lump them all together, although I can at times. They are each unique in their personalities and temperments and that's OKAY!! For example, I've NEVER had a 2 year old quite like Hannah. She has for sure broke the Chouinard mold. She is still not completely potty trained, even though all my other kids were entirely potty trained by 2 years 2 months. (I think she has a short fuse between her bladder and brain, she keeps peeing on the floor in the bathroom). And Ann- she is a total chatter box. She has always needed a little more attention than anyone else. She is clingy too. BUT Ann is super smart, extremely helpful and has an amazing mothering/nuturing/instinct. I could go on and on... but don't want to embarrass my kids or "brag" about how wonderful they are (ha!ha!) There are some real precious jewels in everyone!

So anywhoooo, those are some great reads that I've enjoyed. I have also been studying Hebrews this summer. What have you been reading???