Bookish

I figured it was about time for a little "what I've been reading" update. Also, there isn't anything else exciting enough going on to blog about right now!

I just finished Four Spirits by Sena Jeter Naslund. I picked it up because I remember enjoying Naslund's book Ahab's Wife long ago when my book club was still together. This one was just as interesting--it is set in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963, which is a huge time of racial conflict and although is fiction refers to some events that actually happened including a church bombing which resulted in four little girls' death--and they are the 4 spirits. I was impressed by how Naslund could have as many characters as she did and still fully develop them and have a smooth flowing plot. It was hard to get into at first, but I'm really glad I finished it--I feel like I know a little bit more about how life was back in the 60's, especially in the South. It's not a quick, summer beach read, but it is a good book. :-)

Then, my mom returned to me the other day a book she'd borrowed and then, I think, passed on to my sister to read, A Thousand Splendid Suns by Hosseini. Now this book was interesting. Its by the same author of The Kite Runner. It was hard to read at times, but I was really drawn in to it as a woman because it shows kind of what it would be like to be a woman in that culture. Makes me super grateful to be exactly where I am with a husband who loves and respects me! Books like this help me see the big picture and put things into perspective when I'm bogged down by the "complexity" of my mostly simple life.

Another book I've finished lately is one for you parents--Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp. Its one of the better parenting books I've read, and I've read a lot. I love how he gets down to parenting from a biblical perspective and he doesn't' mince words but puts it out there clearly and boldly. He points out that focusing on molding a child's behavior doesn't help them as much as focusing on shepherding their heart--getting to the heart behind their behavior. He refers to a ton a scripture, but this one kind of sums it up: Luke 6:45 "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." So, I would highly suggest this book for any parent--its given me a lot of ideas, encouragement and convictions.

Well, I need to get Lindsay off to the bus (its all smooth sailing on the bus these days) and then I have the day to myself to clean, workout and pack for camping. Our friends R & C down in the Bitterroot are having a big ol' camping weekend at their house and invited the whole church--Erik is down there already with Kera and the camper and me and L are following today after she gets out of school. I think the weather is suppose to be decent and lots of friends will be there, so it should be really fun. :-) Hopefully I'll have pictures of it too!