Whatcha reading??

I like to read. I remember about a year ago saying I wanted to read more. Little did I know how that little hope would come true. As I mentioned then I'm surrounded at work by learners --- people who just soak up written word - I haven't always been the best at it... I remember in high school finding out before summer break what the required reading was for the following year, because I knew I would never read it when I "had" to... I'd read books over the summer (in addition to the other summer reading required), then when it came time to discuss it for class I'd skim it trying to remember.

Now --- I'm reading a bunch. I admit - a bunch of it is for school. Wait - have I mentioned that anywhere?? OK - 3 steps back. I'm a student at Crown College. (Steve loves saying he's married to a co-ed!) I have not yet completed my bachelors degree, and am on schedule to finish May 2011. I've thought about finishing it a couple of times in the past, but I'm in the midst of applying for licensing with the C&MA, and one requirement is 30 hours of Bible, of which I had none, prior to last October. Now, I'm finished with a year of school, and have a 3.84 GPA, and will have my bachelors degree in Christian Ministry next spring. Classes last 5 weeks each and at times, yes, it's a challenge to get everything done. Good thing I'm a night owl!

Anyway --- one of the things I get to do is read. Going to school has really challenged me not to just take things at face value, like the topics we're discussing, but to really dig in deeper to what I'm learning about. At times, I'll be honest, I haven't necessarily loved the book we were reading so I'd go find another one on the topic to read. Balance that with reading other things for work, reading with the kiddos, and trying to read just for the fun of it...WHEW!!! (NOTE: Kaylee has been a reading machine this summer...and Noah read 3 chapters of a Magic Tree House book to himself tonight! WOW!)

OK...so what have I been reading. Here's a few that I've read in the last couple of months. (OK, it may go back to last fall). (I tried to do pics of each of these covers...and it's just not looking like I want... so, here's a list instead... in no particular order!)

Same Kind of Different as Me, Denver Moore and Ron Hall

66 Love Letters, Dr. Larry Crabb

Axiom, Bill Hybels

Gifted to Lead, Nancy Beach

Crazy Love, Francis Chan

Forgotten God, Francis Chan

Just Walk Across the Room, Hybels

Do Hard Things, Alex & Brett Harris

Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer

Strengthfinders, Tom Rath

Church Unique, William Mancini

Living by the Book, Howard Hendricks

Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis

So Long Insecurity, Beth Moore

Lillian Trasher, and other missionary biographies

Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell (try Blink & The Tipping Point too!)

Here's a few on my list...

Radical, David Platt (just started it)

Parenting from the Pew, Castleman

Plan B

The American Church in Crisis, David T. Olson

Cold Tangerines...and Bittersweet (right Bex??)

I know I have more, but that's what I can remember... what have you read lately? What should I add to my list?? Hmmm... maybe we could have a blog off about books... maybe in 41 days... =)