I’m not one to make New Year’s resolutions.
Partly because I’m not very good at following through with them. Yes, I always say I will lose weight, exercise more or keep up with the laundry and cleaning better. Today I’ve noticed an extra number of joggers on the roads and many folks posting what their resolutions are going to be on Facebook. And I’ve learned there is a App to make sure you stay on track with your resolution.
I’m wondering if I should resolve to post more regularly here. That’s a tough one; I already blog daily at Building Faith and weekly at The Prayer Book Guide to Christian Education. With editing manuscripts and writing educational program materials, that’s a lot of writing. So, I’ll probably pass on this as a resolution.
However, this afternoon I cleaned up my office. AKA moving around file folders, straightening up books-to-be-read stacks, and filing receipts and clips I’ve torn out of magazines for some future reference. I rediscovered a number of books that I’ve picked up on my travels. I’m a sucker for book stores at conferences. I’ve started a few, but got sidetracked with other reading material. And my Kindle often takes precedence if I’m traveling (or looking for mindless entertainment).
In looking back at 2011, I’ve read plenty of books. Lots are work-related (I wrote the study guide for several*, so I really did read these) and definitely have a theme to them.
- Love Wins: A Book About Heaven and Hell by Rob Bell
- Christian Formation 2020 by John Roberto
- Formational Children’s Ministry by Ivy Beckwith
- Child by Child: Supporting Children with Learning Differences and Their Families by Susan Richardson (as editor)
- Conversations with Scripture: Daniel by Edmund Desueza and Judith Jones*
- Conversations with Scripture: Judges by Roy Heller*
- Tweet if you ♥Jesus: Practicing Church in the Digital Reformation by Elizabeth Drescher
- What Episcopalians Believe: An Introduction by Samuel Wells*
- V is for Vengence by Sue Grafton
- The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
- The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
- The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson
- The Help by Kathryn Stockett
- Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition by Daniel Okrent
- New York: The Novel by Edward Rutherford
So what’s on the list for 2012? Guess I should tackle that stack in my office:
- Girl Meets God: On the Path to a Spiritual Life by Lauren F. Winner
- Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation by Eboo Patel
- The Prophets by Abraham J. Heschel
- Black Battle, White Knight: The Authorized Biography of Malcolm Boyd by Michael Battle
- Mudhouse Sabbath: An Invitation to a Life of Spiritual Disciple by Lauren F. Winner
- An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith by Barbara Brown Taylor
Hmmmm . . . I sense a theme. Could 2012 be telling me something? What book would you recommend I add to my list?
Since you asked about recommendations, I’ll say that I have just read Bruce Chilton’s Rabbi Jesus, and feel that it is something every Christian should read (you may have already read it, in which case, ignore this message). But if you haven’t, it presents Jesus in light of his personal struggles and in the political complexities of his context. I was fascinated.
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Thanks, Mary Jane. I’ll check it out!
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I’m encouraged and not suprised that our reading lists merge in many ways, Sharon. Thanks for putting a couple on my list I hadn’t thought of. Looking forward to seeing you in the Big Easy for Tapestries!
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