Thursday, May 19, 2011

Books for the soul.

Blogger confession: I love reading.
As in, I have an abnormal obsession with it.
I don't just enjoy it and do it often.
I eat books. I read them cover to cover in usually one or two sittings. {Which means I sit in one place for like 7 hours doing nothing but reading. And loving my life}

When I was little, I would get in trouble for staying up late most every night. 
Not watching tv or talking on the phone.
But sneaking books and flashlights in bed with me. And staying up until like 4am reading.
Most summers in college, I took like a two week break from life and just read. Didn't answer my phone, go out with friends, work...
just read like 10 books.

I.LOVE.READING.

And I'm completely aware that my extreme love for reading pushes me very clearly into the nerd category. And I'm ok with it :)

Sooooo, now that I'm on summer break without having a gagillion books/pages to read for school,
I'm compiling my summer reading list!
And just thinking about it makes me giddy!!!
I love reading, have I mentioned that? :)

Here's what I have so far:

{please excuse Murphy's extreme cuteness!}

.The Center Cannot Hold by Elyn Saks: just {finally!} finished this. Its a must read! Elyn's autobiography about her journey with schizophrenia is amazing. 

.Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom: received this in a giveaway and have yet to read it. I'm lame. But I hear such good things about it!

.Amazing Grace by Jonathan Kozol: Read excerpts from this book in one of my classes first semester, got the book for Christmas, have yet to read it. Can't wait though! Its essentially about child welfare in America.

. Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas: I actually read this in college for a class. But I wasn't married then and it was my last semester...so I figured I would get more out of it a second time around!

.Complete C.S. Lewis Signature Classics: Ok, I probably won't read this entire book in one sitting. Too many good books compiled into one, and I want to savor each separately. I'm thinking of reading The Great Divorce and The Problem of Pain and A Grief Observed. Or maybe just two of them? Suggestions?

Other than those...I really want to read The Catcher in the Rye this summer. That's all I have on my list now. So that's where you come in! What good reads would you suggest? I love anything...mystery, biography, romance...I love it all!

Sooooo, what do you suggest I read this summer? :)

10 comments:

Emily said...

Gosh! Such a question. I love all Francine Rivers. I was given The Mark of the Lion series and it took a whole year before I picked them up and boy did I wish I did it sooner. They are some of the BEST books I've ever read.

I just got Something Borrowed and Something Blue...will start those soon.

Eek, I'm blanking. I'll have to grab my kindle and get back to you w/others.
I.love.reading.too!!!

Tamuna said...

Have your read Water for Elephants? I'm reading it now and it's great!

Sam W. said...

i loved sacred marriage...such a refreshing read!!

i used to devour books, but somehow i've got out of the habit. maybe this summer i can get back on that train :)

Katherine Oliver said...

Katie, we sound so similar - I was the SAME way as a kid and teenager and while in college. SOAK IT UP NOW. I can't read 7 hours straight anymore. Once you have a baby, that goes out the window. So read, read, read!

I just read Catcher in the Rye. I didn't understand all the hype, but I'm glad I read it. Holden Caulfield, in my opinion, is no hero for teenage angst and rebellion. The pedestal he was given by so many readers/fans seems a trifle silly to me. But I digress.

Right now, I'm reading about 5 different marriage books. One is about Titus 2 - Feminine Appeal. It's excellent.

I second that Francine Rivers is an excellent author. Redeeming Love is one of the best books I've ever read, and so many lessons are taught within the fiction.

Okay, speaking of novels, I've now written one in a comment. ;)

Momma StJ said...

I agree with Emily- The Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers is the most amazing series I have ever read!!

Tuesdays with Morrie is a tear jerker- but amazing. My dad is dying from ALS, so I definitely encourage you to read it!! It is a wonderful book.

kylee said...

when i was little i would do the same stay up waaaay too late reading thing. and then i stopped reading because all of a sudden msn messenger and music became way cooler. wish it wasn't so. but then i finally figured it out and life was back to normal. late night reading sessions are the best. the past two nights i have spent at home. harry potter four is finished and five is next.

Ashley said...

i used to LOVE reading. i dont know what happened. i am now the world's slowest reader - seriously - i started hunger games in january and i'm not even half way through - ha, that's embarrassing! you are an inspiration!

e.e. said...

the great divorce is one of my favorites! highly recommend!

Evan Ferguson said...

OMG! I'm obsessed with this post because I'm exactly the same way. I love how you said you "eat books." That's a great way to describe it! I love your reading list. C.S. Lewis is always amazing.

I say you read any Dan Brown books if you haven't yet! Angels and Demons will keep you occupied for hours. :)

Courtney B said...

Dido!! Seriously... have you read the Mortal Insturments series?! I started the first book on Monday and will be finishing the third by tonight! And these are not small books. Haha my poor husand is feeling VERY neglected!!
I am going to be looking up some of these books so thank you for posting! I'm always needing new ideas!