What Have You Read Recently?

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Last month on bed rest I did a lot of reading. I indulged in several Christian fiction novels (a nice change for me). I discovered books by author Angela Hunt (best known for The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale). I was able to download her books to my Kindle and read without leaving my bed. I really like Hunt and look forward to reading more.

The Canopy

Set in the rain forest in Peru, this was a fast moving, page-turner. Alexandra Pace and her team search determinedly for a cure for deadly diseases. One strain of the disease has already begun the process of ravaging Alexandra’s own mind and body. Finding a cure is the only hope for her and for her daughter, who has almost certainly inherited the same disease.

Michael Kenway, a British doctor who lost his wife when “mad cow disease” ravaged Britain in the 1990’s, presents her with an incredible story–a patient suffering from the disease was cured by a mythical “healing tribe” living deep in the Amazon jungle. Reluctantly placing her faith in Michael, who is entirely too religious for her comfort, Alexandra and her team seek out an unreached indigenous group who may hold the cure not only for Alex, but also for the world.

The Note (Women of Faith Fiction #2)

PanWorld Flight 848, en route from New York to Tampa, bursts into flame and crashes in Tampa Bay. All 261 people aboard are killed. Newspaper columnist Peyton MacGruder is approached by a woman with a plastic bag that washed up behind her house. It contains a note, almost certainly from the doomed flight, with a simple message– “T–I love you. All is forgiven. Dad.” Peyton now has the perfect story to attract readers . . . and a tool to uncover lessons about love, forgiveness, and about herself.

The special allegory woven through this novel is about three different fathers’ relationships with their children and our relationship with God.

The Debt (Women of Faith Fiction #8)

Emma Rose Howard left a life of unhappiness behind when she married Bible student Abel Howard. After twenty-four years of working together, they are leaders of a mega-church in Kentucky. But when Emma Rose receives a phone call from a living, breathing reminder of her dark past, she finds herself drawn to the world she has left behind . . . and increasingly uncomfortable with the world she and her husband have made.

The Novelist

I’m now in the middle of this book I got from our church library. Jordan Casey, grandmother and author of a bestselling adventure series, agrees to teach a college writing class. Her book The Ambassador is intended as a classroom model, but Jordan also hopes it may help her get through to her troubled son Zack.

But Zack’s behavior grows increasingly erratic as the novel takes shape. When his suicide attempt drives Jordan to the point of panic, she finds herself somehow walking through the pages of her own novel, reaching out to embrace the character she’s created but also receiving comfort and strength for her own painful circumstances.

The two stories–Jordan’s and The Ambassador–unfold together in an exploration of fiction and faith, creation and the Creator, God’s sovereignty and man’s free will.

Books I’ve Read by Angela Hunt

NonFiction

About the time I was hospitalized, the FLDS Texas polygamous cult was in the news. I read two true-story accounts by woman who lived through the brainwashing experience.

Escape

Five years ago this mother escaped the FLSD cult with her 8 children. This is a perfect example of the submissive wife Scripture being twisted to create slaves for men. It shows how easily people can be brainwashed, abused, betrayed yet faithfully devoted to a cause they believe honors God.

The author was raised believing she was honoring God by being a Sister Wife while through the entire marriage she saw the opposite of the fruits of God’s Spirit. No matter how many Bible verses were memorized or songs sung to God, the fruit of this family was control, discouragement, abuse, anger, and dysfunctional relationships. It helped me understand why many who are brainwashed don’t want to be un-brainwashed.

Stolen Innocence: My Story of Growing Up in a Polygamous Sect, Becoming a Teenage Bride, and Breaking Free of Warren Jeffs

This page-turner is another moving and disturbing eye opener on effective brainwashing and harsh life in an insidious cult. The author tells the child’s perspective on life in the FLDS–the abuse, survival, escape, and finally freedom. She also goes into the difficult months on the outside working with prosecutors against Warren Jeffs so that other girls still inside the church might be spared her cruel fate. It is a story of hope as the victim reclaims her life.

Share Your Favorite Reads in the Comments

So what have you read recently? Find a new author this year? What is your favorite novel? Who is your favorite author? Lurkers come out and share. I have a several doctor appointments coming up and need reading material for the long waits.

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There Are 16 Responses So Far. »

Comment by Leslie :

Shabbat Shalom, Robin,
I have just started reading the Code of Jewish Ethics, Vol. I, Be Holy, by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin. Although it is written by a Rabbi, a lot of it is Torah-based. It can be read right through, or can just be read by topic. It is interesting to get the Hebraic view of God’s Word. Lots of practical advice on relationships, Lashon Hora, Community, Daily Living.
Thanks for giving me some more summer reading.
Comment by Candace :

Hi Robin! I am a new “lurker” to your blog! I’m enjoying what I’m reading so far. I am so glad you are feeling better!

I love to read! A few of my recent favorites are: Quaker Summer, The Shack, Blue Like Jazz. I also recently finished The Note by Angela Hunt – loved it!
Comment by Camille :

Hi Robin –

I recently found your site, and I’m enjoying it. I am currently reading ‘Prince Caspian’ – (I thought it was time to break down and read it…lol).

Other books I am currently reading and/or just finished are:

The 5000 Year Leap – A Miracle that Changed the World by W. Cleon Skousen

Do Hard Things – A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expections by Alex and Brett Harris

A Tendering in the Storm by Jane Kirkpatrick

One of my all-time favorite books is ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’.

Blessings to you -
Camille

Camille’s last blog post..…for sales, sales, sales
Comment by Saph :

I read Sleeping Beauty by Judy Baer. I won that book and now I’ve got to read her other books. I couldn’t put that book down.
I’ll be doing a giveaway with that book soon on my blog.

Saph’s last blog post..Restaurant and Entertainment Deals
Comment by Katia :

Does book on tape count? This is the best way for me to get a lot of reading done. This way DD and I can work on our chores and our crafts together while listening to a good book.

I really like Janette Oke. We just finished a couple of her books (on tape of course) The Blue Bird and the Sparrow was very good.

We are currently listening to “Blizzard the Storm that changed America” Very informative and an eye opener.

The book mentioned by Leslie sounds great. I receive his e-mails and have been so blessed by his wisdom.
Robin, you are a blessing. Have a wonderful weekend. I’m so glad you a feeling better. Praise the Lord, for hearing our prayers.

Katia’s last blog post..Where Has Time gone????
Comment by Susan :

well, I get most of my reading from your recommendations! LOL
But I like Francine Rivers, Elizabeth George, but my most recent favoured series is ‘Gods and Kings’ by Lynn Austin. I also like Ted Dekker but it is an acquired taste.

I go through fads of reading fiction and I’m not in a fiction spurt at the moment…but I am reading ‘A Biblical Home Education’ by Ruth Beehchick,
‘Passionate Housewives Desperate for God’,
‘Real Learning: Education in the Heart of the Home’ by E. Foss,
‘What is Reformed Theology’ by Sproul and
‘The Mom Walk’ by Sally Clarkson.

I’ll come back to this post and read others comments for when I next read fiction though.:)

Susan’s last blog post..Mother’s Day: part two
Comment by Ana :

I really would like to have more time to read. I love reading books and the ones you have mentioned sounded really great!

Ana’s last blog post..Cat keywords people were searching for
Comment by Sharon Sue :

Robin, So glad you are doing better. You do amaze me with how much you read and even when you have been so very sick!!!!! I like to read but not quite the devourer of books that you seem to be!!!!

Currently, I am reading A Mending at the Edge by Jane Kirkpatrick. I have read all her books and really like them-I think because I like history and especially American History. One of my favorite non-fiction authors is Linda K. Hubalek. She has written a series of books based on her family’s pioneer history moving across the US in the 1800’s. I absolutely loved reading these books and feeling like I was there!!!!!

I don’t read as much as I would like. I seem not to have the time. But I continue to read as much as possible. Thank you for sharing.
Comment by H0MEFree :

Well, I don’t get time for reading books much. Which is sad. I also love to watercolor paint and don’t get to do that ever anymore.
When I go camping I FINALLY get to read!
Last month I went and I read Managaers Of Their Homes by the Maxwells. It was excellent and I am now trying to put together a schedule the MOTH way instead of my way. My way never worked no matter how good it looked.
Comment by Jennifer Bogart :

I just finished Bringing Home the Prodigals by Rob Parsons, and have a big stack of books coming my way. I have also recently read a couple of e-books about teaching history in your homeschool by Carol E. Henderson at a Book in Time. I just started reviewing Christian books on my blog (and the reviews for these are up there), which has been a fun adventure!

The FLDS books sound very interesting. I was raised in an LDS home as a child, and didn’t understand how wrong the doctrine was until I became born again a year and a half ago.

Jennifer Bogart’s last blog post..No Funding This Year, Homeschooling in Alberta
Comment by Dana B. :

I always have several books going at the same time. Right now, I am reading, “Holiness, the Heart God Purifies” by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. It is so fabulous!!! Also working on “A Heart Like His” by Beth Moore. I love her insight into the life of David. I owuld like to start a new fiction, but want to finish the other books first. The last fiction I read was “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers. Some think she went too far, but I thought she painted an excellent picture of the book of Hosea.
So glad that you are feeling better, Robin!

Dana B.’s last blog post..Is the Other Side Winning?
Comment by JEnnifer in PA :

I just read an excellent book called Polishing God’s Monuments by Jim Andrews. It is the story of this man’s daughter who suffers with Chronic Fatigue syndrome and Enviromental Chemical Sensitivies. He then intersperses her story with teaching about suffering. I found the story rather riveting and his theology sound and really helpful in processing and dealing with suffering and difficult situations. Well worth the read. Published recently by Shepherd Press.
Comment by Penney Douglas :

I read The Shack by William P. Young, and we loved it. I highly recommend it. I’m reading The Sacred Marriage – What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy? by Gary Thomas. It’s not fiction but very interesting and easy to read. He doesn’t tell people they have to stay in a marriage and that they sin if they re-marry, but he encourages people to look at themselves and what God may be trying to do in their own hearts through difficulties and misunderstandings in their marriages. I’m reading Confronting Jezebel – Discerning and Defeating the Spirit of Control. It’s very enlightening and helpful right now in dealing with a situation my husband is going through on his job. I’m also reading Simon Peter and the Master by Rhonda Calhoun. I love novels based on the Bible. Many times they help us understand the culture of the time and place in a way we never did before. And I love to see the Bible people as real people with human thoughts and emotions similar to mine. This book is about Peter in prison telling his cellmates all about his life with Jesus.

That’s what I’ve been reading!

Love,
Penney

Penney Douglas’s last blog post..A Daily Blessing
Comment by Sombra :

I don’t read much fiction – I did read Consider this, Senora by Harriet Doerr – but I can’t say I recommend it. It’s not what I’d consider a good read, the writing was more “picturesque” than fluid, and sometimes left me feeling like I couldn’t follow her pictures as she jumped from one image to another.

So, I’m back to my preferred type of reading. I’m reading Tim Hegg’s The Letter Writer – about how to understand Paul’s writings so that they are congruent with the Torah.
Comment by beth :

Shalom Robin,
I love reading blogs ( like yours!) and do this more than reading books these days. However, in my book life, I’m reading Power to the People by Laura Ingraham. I want to see Americans stage a revolution and take this country back from the politicians! Next on my list is, Basic Economics by Thomas Sowell, then Sean Hannity’s Let Freedom Ring. Then, if I am not too terribly depressed (lol) I will try to tackle Reflections on a Ravaged Century by Robert Conquest.
For light reading, I have several books on marketing art on the way from the library.
Happy books to everyone.
Comment by Deanne :

Dear Robin,
I praise God you are feeling better! And to feel well enough to continue writing–God is good!
My reading list is fairly eclectic. I just finished The Shack and also recommend it. At some points it is a challenging read, but the overall beauty of God’s love shines through every page!
I also am reading, “College without Compromise” by Scott and Kris Wightman as I plan my daughters last 2 years of Highschool. I am also reading The Daily Bible in Chronological order.
Love Deanne

Deanne’s last blog post..The greatest love of all