A Bookshelf Bigger than Our TVs
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It's that time again... time to share the stories we've read and wisdom we've gained in the last year. I continued my commitment to read at least one book a month, and now I want to share my favorites with you.
12. The Boy on the Wooden Box A Memoir Leon Leyson with Marilyn J. Harran and Elisabeth B. Leyson
After being deeply moved by Schindler's List, I was intrigued to read this one, a personal account of the Holocaust from a child's perspective, specifically a young boy name Leon Leyson. Leon shares the story of his small but joyful life in Poland before the oppression started, the absolute horror of surviving the Jewish Ghetto, and, fortunately for him and 1,099 others, the days after thanks to the courage and generosity of Oskar Schindler.
I couldn't put this book down. My eyes were opened to a deeper understanding of the trauma this soul and so many others endured during the Holocaust. What I learned most from Leon's story is how he chose to steward his suffering so well. As believers, we may be familiar with "financial stewardship" but doesn't it make sense if we are followers of Christ, followers of the Man of Suffering, we must steward our suffering, too?
Pick up this book, learn from Leon's story and be challenged to be a wise steward of the suffering in your life, too.
11. It Rained Warm Bread: Moishe Moskowitz's Story of Hope by Gloria Moskowtiz-Sweet, Poems by Hope Anita Smith
It’s the Holocaust survival story of a young boy named Moishe Moskowitz, retold by his daughter, Gloria, written in the form of short poems by Hope Anita Smith.
A childhood stolen.
His name all he has left.
Hope disappeared from view.
Until one day...
Reading this unique retelling of the Holocaust, my heart gripped within when I read,
“…Something flies into the cattle car. It is a storm. At first we are afraid, Unsure of what is going on. Our hands reach up Grabbing, pulling. There is a sweet scent. And then we know. It is life. It is bread, Still warm from the oven. It is raining warm bread.”
Manna from heaven. What a beautiful picture of the gift of Jesus, our living bread. In the midst of the stench of death, He is the sweet scent. He’s not a stale bread, one good once and now grown hardened and discarded, but warm, living bread. The bread of life! As Moishe’s story shares, may the smallest crumb of the bread of life give us the courage we need - the hope and the strength - to endure the circumstances before us.
10. Daddy King: An Autobiography by The Reverend Martin Luther King, Sr.
This book has been very impactful in my life. Knowing the mark Martin Luther King Jr. made in history, I was intrigued to learn about his upbringing. What shaped him? What experiences led him to such courage, such resolve in his faith and his mission?
It was beautiful to learn of the role his grandmother had, predominantly with her son, his father. He describes his mom, saying,
...Mama was at peace with herself because of her abiding faith. God's wisdom was the guide in Mama's life, and even in her times of great suffering, which came so many times in her life, she never lost sight of the Lord. No tears could blind her to his presence, and she could not close her eyes so tight in sorrow or in rage that she did not see God's hand reaching out to her. And over all these years that have passed since I last saw her, my mind and my heart continue to tell me what a remarkable person she was. - MLK, Sr.
What a beautiful love offering of faithfulness she passed to her son, and through him, her grandson, and unbeknownst to her, our country and our world. Delia King never lost sight of the Lord because she knew her sorrow may be deep and circumstances dark with injustice, but the light of Christ shines in the darkness and the darkness has not and cannot over-power it.
It's an autobiography worthy of our time and reflection.
9. Where Daffodils Bloom by Leya Delray
I'm not much of a fiction reader, unless it's children's fiction - you've probably recognized this pattern by now, and this one met both my desire to get lost in a good story and my love for real stories.
It's the true love story of Frank Overall, an American soldier stationed in England during WW2, who meets and falls in love with Lily Brown, an English girl. I recommend picking this one up in Spring time. You'll appreciate the daffodils in your midst a little more, but mostly experience the awe of sacrificial love, the ups and downs of life, and the power of forgiveness. I particularly enjoyed Frank and Lily's story and I believe you would, too.
8. Every Word
Ever wanted to read the Bible in 90 days? Me neither. When a friend first suggested this, I thought she was nuts! Even if I had extra time, why 90 days? I gave into the peer pressure mostly because this Bible Reading Plan on the YouVersion Bible app was in chronological order and I was curious to what I could learn and I knew I could listen to 40 minutes a day, it would just take some extra effort.
Even if you have no desire to read it in 90 days, consider checking out this YouVersion plan. You can take your time through it if you need, but making a point to read God's Word - His every Word - is always worth the effort.
7. PMP Exam Prep Simplified by Andrew Ramdayal Kidding, kidding! You likely have no need for this one, but since I serve as a Project Manager for a software company, this book made the list this year, and not just a little bit. I read this one cover-to-cover. Dry but practical and challenging - sharing in case you need a little nudge to read some professional development for your career. Why put it off any longer?
Be warned: you'll get a few pages in and think, "What am I doing? I don't want to do this." But, keep going. Give it your all and see what comes!
6. Francesco Tirelli's Ice Cream Shop by Tamar Meir
When I came across this book, it was an easy yes for me. One, 'Dubs and I were currently enjoying our travels through Italy and all the gelato that comes with it, and two, I've been learning so much this year from those who endured the Holocaust. This brought the two together in such a touching, true story fit for young readers.
Francesco loved eating ice cream from his uncle's ice cream shop. After moving from Italy to Hungary, he decides to open his own ice cream shop. It wasn't long before the war began and an entirely new purpose came for this little shop. It's a beautiful reminder of how God can use anything when we surrender it to Him and His purposes ...even if it's a love for ice cream.
5. The Serenity Prayer by Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr
This was on my list last year and it's on here again. This little prayer started out as a semi-familiar prayer I began to pray weekly, but it turned into so much more. A prayer I learned to pray daily and draw strength from various lines throughout the day. There's a reason it gets the attention of the masses, this little prayer is powerful when prayed from a humble heart.
4. Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
You know when you read a book that makes you think about things you thought you knew and understood but now see it all in a new light and a deeper understanding than ever before? That was this book for me. What does it really mean to be a disciple of Christ? If you're intrigued to learn more about what it looks like to practice the way of Christ, this little book is wisdom from the heart of God for us.
3. The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
When morning sickness was not just morning but day and evening sickness too, God comforted me through Will. Each evening, we'd settle in with cozy pajamas and covers as Will read this children's story to me. We thought this title was picked from our collection by random selection but now we know different. It's a beautiful story of the love God gives new parents and the worth of every child, no matter their differences. If you're expecting, consider this sweet story to help you cling to the beauty to come.
2. Everybody Always by Bob Goff
This was a repeat for me, though I think actually a three-peat is more accurate. Loving those who like us and love us, that's a piece of cake. Loving those who don't like us and don't seem to love us - I'm still very much a work in progress on this. I think I'll always be, but the wisdom Bob's learned on his own journey with this is definitely helping me find my way.
I think God knew I needed this message - not just washed over me again but daily. Last Christmas, I opened my stocking to find an Everybody Always daily calendar desk-flipper-thing, which helped keep me grounded in truth at work. Anyway, this little book is a good one to open for the first time or if you're like me a second or third - shoot, I know I'll be returning back to this one again. It's really that good and that convicting. When it comes to loving everybody always, without conditions, Bob writes,
I still mess up more often than I want to. When I do, instead of beating myself up, wishing I were the guy who had it all figured out, I hear the gentle and kind voice of Jesus reminding me once again to stop laying sod where He's planting seed in my life. His reason is simple: He's more interested in making us grow than having us look finished. He wants me to realize I'm just not quite there yet. - Bob Goff, Everybody Always
1. The Gospel of Mark
Inspired by 'Dubya who has spent the entire year reading this one gospel - no lie - I have been learning every day from what God is teaching him through his reading and studies and conversations with other believers. It inspired me to dive into this book myself, to really dive in. To ask questions and to see Jesus the way He is and not just as I want Him to be. And what I've discovered is His way is so very upside down to my own, and following Him, well, the disciples couldn't do it in their own strength and neither can I - not even on my best day. God knew this and gave us His Spirit.
If you're curious who Jesus is, not just what others say about Him or what you've heard but really want to make this decision for yourself - start with the gospel of Mark.
Reading cultivates curiosity. Let's be curious and intentionally choose to learn from people who have fruit present in their lives. In doing this, our strength builds and our joy is renewed. Making time to read uplifting stories offers peace that God is moving all around us, and we are able to rest in His truth and connection with others.
P.S. Learn how you can soothe the wintry sinus pressure with this simple tea/lemonade drink.
The amount of lemonade is up to you. I like to fill half my mug with lemonade and top it off with water. Heat, steep tea, then enjoy!
Buh-bye sinus pressure!
If I can do it, you can do it, too! Whatcha say? Let’s try that...sinus pressure soother!
The good life, well it starts with a good day. Then another. Then another. Let's choose to live #TheGoodDay one day at a time.
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