Good Books- RGBP Friday Five

Ah, the beauty of a true day off (except one hospital visit I may do later this afternoon!) I thought I'd play along with the RevGalBlogPals Friday Five today, particularly because its about books and reading is one of the things I love to do in my precious time off.

What book have you read in the last six months that has really stayed with you? Why?
"Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across, Italy, India and Indonesia," by Elizabeth Gilbert is my recent favorite. It's a journey of self-discovery and granting yourself permission to experience pleasure and love deeply, even after you've been hurt. The book is also about discovering the relationship between yourself and God- and how that relationship exists within you and in your dealings with other people. I loved the book and bought a copy for about 10 people!

What is one of your favorite childhood books?
This is a hard question to answer because there are so many good choices. Anything my parents read to me I loved- reading to a child is one of the most precious gifts you can give them. I think maybe Shel Silverstein's poetry books may have been some of my favorites: "Where the Sidewalk Ends," and "A Light in the Attic." I loved the silliness of them, and the rhyme. I think my favorite poem was, "Someone Ate the Baby." I've never stopped reading children's literature. One of my favorite books to read to children is: "Amazing Grace," by Mary Hoffman because the message is that a girl can do anything she puts her mind to. The Harry Potter books are also brilliant and delightful.

Do you have a favorite book of the Bible? Do tell!
Wow, just one favorite, a hard question. I love the Gospels, and the Gospel of Mark is my favorite. I like Mark because the stories are short and sweet- he gets right to the heart of the matter and doesn't mess around. I also like the urgency of the book- everything happens "immediately". I think Jesus' message is urgent even in modern times- and sometimes we wait to think about it or live it until its convent for us.

What is one book you could read again and again?
Any book by Anne Lamott. "Traveling Mercies:Some Thoughts on Faith," is probably my favorite because it was my introduction to her work. I had a chance to hear her speak once in Kansas City, she's as delightfully whiny in person as she is in her books! And she speaks truth straight from her life. I admire that.

Is there a book you would suggest for Lenten reading? What is it and why?
The youth minister in me would like to recommend either of Mark Yaconelli's books, "Contemplative Youth Ministry: Practicing the Presence of Jesus," or , "Growing Souls: Experiments in Contemplative Youth Ministry." Both of the books center around the spiritual lives of teenagers- particularly using the ancient spiritual disciplines with them. All of us are hungry for more connection with the Divine- I think you would personally benefit from these books as much as your youth group would.

And because we all love bonus questions, if you were going to publish a book what would it be? Who would you want to write the jacket cover blurb expounding on your talent?
Funny you should ask, because just last week I came up with an exciting book idea. I would like to write a series of devotions based on the music of James Taylor. He's such an amazing artist and his songs have a profound ability to comfort, sooth and stir me at a very deep level that I expect is spiritual at its core. What is God trying to say to me through the music of James Taylor? Wouldn't it be fun to find out? I think it would be really cool if JT himself wanted to write a blurb for the cover!! If not, maybe Anne Lamott, or Elizabeth Gilbert, or Bonnie Miller-McLemore (one of my favorite Divinity School professors!)

Happy Friday- I hope if you are working that rest comes to you soon, and if you find yourself with a true day off like me- revel in it!