Books on Tap: Inspiration, Part Deux

I tend to read in spells, or categories. For a very, very long while, it was travel books - for obvious reasons. I wanted to live in Europe. I wanted to experience that. And lo and behold, I did. So I kind of fell off that wagon, because I didn't need to read any more books about living in Europe - I could practically write a book about living in Europe (and yes, I know several of you are urging me to do just that - patience, Grasshopper).

But now, struggling with uncertainties and insecurities about where our life is going to go now (aka are we ever going to get out of this townhouse?!), inspirational faith-based literature is my new jam. I have been devouring them - these books have each barely lasted two days. As I read, not only do I get that familiar "escape" that I love, but also a hearty dose of truth and encouragement. These writers - guys, I can only wish to one day be part of their ranks. Their humor, their wisdom, their humility and honesty, and most of all their faith...it is so encouraging and just what I need right now. Ergo you're getting a double dose of Inspiration books. Sorry 'bout that.

I know most of these are heavily female-oriented, so I apologize if I'm boring any of my manly subscribers (and yes, I do have some - much love to you all!). But these are what I'm reading, so they're what I'm sharing. I hope you enjoy!

xoxo,
E

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7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, by Jen Hatmaker. Lord, y'all. This woman is my spirit animal. After falling in love with For the Love, I wanted to read the rest of her books, and I happened to stumble upon this one for $4 at Mr. K's. Holy potatoes, Batman. This book basically reads like my O.I.A. focus, only further. For seven months, Hatmaker and her family focus on a different aspect of reduction per month: food, spending, stress, media, etc. This book is kind of like a diary of that experience. Their goal was to make themselves and their lives smaller so that Jesus could become bigger and more influential in their lives. It was a fascinating, inspiring, and, yes, funny read. Even if you don't undertake a challenge like this, it will really make you stop and think. Perfection.

Blue like Jazz, by Donald Miller. Blue Like Jazz tells us about Miller's life, as he's questioned, sought, and learned about God. If you're looking for a book to make you think long and hard about your faith, look no further. You'll read the book and start to question why you believe what you believe, and whether you believe in the real Jesus or simply in organized religion (and yes, there is a difference). An acquaintance once described this book as the catalyst for her faith journey, and I can see how that would be so. But Miller is disarmingly honest, and the book is extremely readable and not preachy. If life's events have left you wondering why you bother to believe at all, this book is a great start to get you back on track.

Girl Meets Change, by Kristen Strong. Considering that I read this book the weekend before I started a new job and a new volunteer opportunity, it was timely, to say the least. Actually, the new job is the reason I bought it. I needed this book so bad. I don't do change, especially if I didn't choose it (and sometimes even when I did). Strong's book gives encouragement that I'm not alone, and uses Scripture references and real-life examples of how she, her family, and her friends have learned to accept the various changes that come in their lives by increasing their dependence on Christ. She helps her readers to see change as an opportunity instead of an ending. This is more like a reference book - I'll be going back to this hundreds of times. BUY IT.

Bread and Wine, by Shauna Niequist. She had me with this sentence: "What's becoming clearer and clearer to me is that the most sacred moments, the ones in which I feel God's presence most profoundly, when I feel the goodness of the world most arrestingly, take place at a table." This is an absolutely gorgeous book of essays about life and family and body image, among other things. And it's all tied together with recipes that she loves and/or that mean something to her. Her writing, as usual, is beautiful - Niequist just has the most beautiful way of stating things that resonates so much with me. And I can't wait to try these recipes. Before returning the book to the library, I took a pic of each one with my phone. Rest assured you'll be seeing some of them soon. In the meantime, grab this book.

Interrupted, by Jen Hatmaker. The subtitle to this book is "When Jesus wrecks your comfortable Christianity," and that really tells you what you need to know about this book. This is not a "pat yourself on the back for a job well done kind of book." This is a "as Christians we've still got a LOT of work to do" book. It's a difficult and sobering read, but the message is spot-on. The emphasis is that instead of "blessing the blessed" - basically, preaching to already-saved affluent Americans - we need to be lifting up our brothers and sisters who are stricken with poverty, disease, and other issues in practical ways, such as feeding the hungry, both in our country and around the world. In other words, stop talking about Jesus and instead live like Him.