favoriteTHINGS Friday
I just finished this amazing book last night.
I have wanted to read it for years but have not gotten around to it (I saw the movie when I was a teenager and have always been fascinated with the story of this brave woman and her family). I love studying history (weird I know) and learning about the ins and outs of certain time periods. For some reason the stories and details of the Holocaust, World War II and Nazi-Germany have always interested me. In light of my desire to know more about this time (especially from a “first-hand” account) it was a simple choice to read this book when my sweet friend Clare recommended it about a year ago. However, I am not a reader. I would love to be. But I’m just not. I only read about 2 or 3 books a year (and they are usually some kind of “self-help” or “parenting” or “faith-based” style). Regardless of all that, something in me just had to pick up this book last week. I have felt “under the weather” and going through some personal and family struggles…so I have spent a lot of time in bed. This book has been my constant companion. It has totally re-framed my whole perspective on life and what it truly means to suffer and still look to Jesus for help. I would recommend this to anyone in the world who wants to be inspired and/or wants to learn more about the heroic ten Boom family of Nazi-Holland. You can learn more about it HERE or just “google it” to see interviews and read more about this extraordinary woman and the ten Boom family.
This may be one of the few times I’ll review a book or two, so here goes. Although you will very rarely find a fictional novel sitting on my nightstand, I do have a few favorites. Anne of Green Gables is at the top of my list (along with the whole series of Anne’s life by L.M. Montgomery). I also love anything by Francine Rivers and was completely captivated by the Help. I do have a few favorite Christian books from the past several years including, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp and Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney have both completely changed my life. I will read them both again and again for years to come. And, believe it or not, there are a few I’m hoping to read in the near future. Faith Dare by Debbie Alsdorf has been at the top of my list for a while (it is a 30 day challenge of sorts). And finally, I found the biography A Little Bit Wicked, about the lovely Kristin Chenoweth, at a used bookstore last year and could not pass it up.
I hope you read more than I do! I hope you find these stories and books as entertaining and inspiring as I did. What do you love to read?
I’m linking up HERE to see what others are reading right now!
Nice list of books & good post. I’m going to check into a few on your list. The Hiding Place and Anne of Green Gables are two of my favorite books. I just read read Left to Tell (also on JDC Linky Party) ~ you would probably like it since you like The Hiding Place. I’ll check back again. Take care.
A kindred spirit! 🙂 love love love Anne Shirley and all her adventures, and The Hiding Place and Francine Rivers (redeeming love, mark of the lion series, etc.)…… SO good. I am very intrigued by ‘Feminine Appeal’ and ‘One Thousand Gifts’- they are definitely going on my reading list. Thanks for sharing!