It’s been awhile since we’ve talked books . . . Here’s what I’m currently reading (want to read and have read) . . . .
I’m not one to hoard information. In fact, I am most myself when I collect it and share it.
I hate that we haven’t discussed books for some time. I excited to tell you what I’m loving, but I very much want to know what books have been on your nightstand.
Here are the books that have been piling up on my nightsand:
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry / I’m totally smitten with this book. It was magic, really (and I’m very stingy about this kind of a compliment when it comes to books). Simply put, this book is why I love to read. And why I love to write. It somehow encapsulated magic and the mundane all at once. The author, Fredrik Backman, brilliantly weaved an imaginary world together with the most hurting human one that we live in. I was especially partial to the main characters because they were a grandmother and granddaughter. The girl’s life was greatly impacted by her grandmother and to that, I can relate. It made me miss my grandmother, even more than I already do. It made me grateful that I had a grandmother that left me my very own clues to carry on and be assured that everything would be ok. It made me want to be a grandmother–a smart and ever-so-slightly crazy one. The writing made me want to read everything that Backman pens. I don’t write fiction (this story makes me want to try), but I long to communicate the human experience in the way he does–in such an eloquent down to earth way. I borrowed this book from the library but ended up throwing a copy in my cart at Target because I couldn’t help but underline such beautiful sentences and sentiments, like:
“Having a grandmother is like having an army. This is a grandchild’s ultimate privilege: knowing that someone is on your side, always, whatever the details. Even when you are wrong. Especially then, in fact.”
“There is something special about a grandmother’s house. You never forget how it smells.” SO TRUE…right? Can you remember how your grandma’s (grandparent’s) house smelled(s)?
“The mightest power of death is not that it can make people die, but that it can make the people left behind want to stop living…”
See…I want to read this all over again–and it’s only been a few weeks since I’ve finished it. I’ve done the next bext thing and moved onto another of his books: Britt-Marie Was Here. So far so good!
The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming / I love Nouwen. I think so much like him. Don’t hear me wrong. I’m not calling myself a great thinker as he was …I’m attesting to the same fears and irrational thoughts he so openly admits to and shares with us. A dear friend gave me this book a few years ago and I only pulled it off my shelf this summer. If you’ve ever read the story of the prodigal son in the Bible then chances are you picked your place in the plot. You gave thought as to whether you relate to the younger son (the prodigal) who ran or the older son who never left home. Through the imagery of Rembrandt’s famous painting, Nouwen shows us how we are all the prodigal, the older the brother, and even the father. I haven’t finished the book because the dog ate it. For real shredded it (insert eye-roll). I’ll be ordering another copy soon because I was just getting to the father. This book is a brick in the quest for finding home.
The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery / I’m all about personality tests and self-awareness. I’ve done Strenght Finders, I know I’m an INFJ, and there is no doubt I’m an introvert. This past year I’ve been hearing so much chatter about the Enneagram but felt overwhelmed in introspection as it pertained to writing a book. However, I was in the car with a friend and she had this book and wanted me to try to figure out my number. She said it was a great help to understanding your mate and being understood (sign me up!). She gifted me the book, but I didn’t have the chance to really get into it until this past weekend. And boy is it enlightening. I love this particular book on the Ennegram because it shows you what you are like healthy, unhealthy, what you were like as a kid, how you tend to be in relationships, at work etc. A lot of lists. And steps to focus on for transformation. It made sense of so much (even quoting sayings that I find myself saying) and confirmed, completely, where and how I find purpose. This is a resource that I’ll be returning to again and again.
The Poisonwood Bible / I read this earlier in the summer and it’s still haunting me. Not in a ghoulish way of course, but like any great piece of literature….a story that just won’t leave you alone. I’m still thinking about the characters. A family with four young daughters who move to the Belgian Congo to serves as missionaries. They all carry with them what they believe that they will need. The character development and storyline was so rich.
Finding the Lost Art of Empathy: Connecting Human to Human in a Disconnected World / Not finished but finding so much relevance in this book. It discusses the topic of grieving which is not touched on very often….at least not in detail. In my life, I really didn’t know how to respond to grief before I had suffered great loss. This book is such a gift in that it helps us understand the feelings and thoughts of grief. It gives language to what we might not be able to, along with practical insights into how to grieve with the griever.
The Authentics: A Lush Dive into the Substance of Style / This style book is on my list. It looks gorgeous and sophisticated. It’s sure to be a hit because it is by Melanie Acevedo, world-renowned photographer, and Dara Caponigro, founding editor of Domino. I had the amazing chance to work with Melanie on a shoot for the Land of Nod and I love following her on Instagram. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of this book.
TELL ME …
What are you currently reading or what you have recently read?
Have you read anything that has moved you, brought about change, or has been a great escape?
PS: These are the books I talked about above along with books that are currently in my Amazon cart. My dad used to tell me that when I finished one book he would buy me another. I never really parted from that tradition.
