Lisa Notes: What I learned from Fall 2012 reading

What I learned from Fall 2012 reading

Now that fall is officially over (and with it Fall into Reading 2012), I look back at what I read and wonder, “How did these books affect me? Am I glad I read them or not?”

Here are my answers.

Three I’m especially glad I read:

The Good and Beautiful God
Falling in Love with the God Jesus Knows
by James Bryan Smith
It’s so practical. It shows ways to actively pursue trusting God as the good and beautiful Creator he is.

Pain
The Gift Nobody Wants
by Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey
It was as good as I remembered. It reminds me that yes, pain can be miserable, but it is also incredibly valuable and don’t begrudge it; learn from it.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
by Rebecca Skloot
There’s such a beauty in reading about how somebody’s ordinary life—and death—can so vastly affect others, even as they are unaware of it. (This book also made me admire the author’s diligence in getting the story in the first place.)

Other favorites:

The Twisted Scriptures
by W. Carl Ketcherside
Unfortunately, we all are guilty to some extent of blindly using scripture either as how we’ve always been taught or as only how we want to see it. This book reminds me of the importance of fighting against that tendency.

Creating Space
The Case for Everyday Creativity
by Ed Cyzewski
Here’s permission to take/make time to create. Creating (whatever it is you create) has value; it has meaning; it’s important to God, to you, to the world. Love requires the individualization of creativity.

Renovation of the Heart
Putting on the Character of Christ
by Dallas Willard
Dallas Willard takes you deep into the soul. Surface change won’t cut it; God wants to transform the heart.

Evolving in Monkey Town
How a Girl Who Knew All the Answers Learned to Ask the Questions
by Rachel Held Evans
I relate to her spiritual journey so this book spoke to me loudly in several places.

Charity and Its Fruits
by Jonathan Edwards
A great exposition of 1 Corinthians 13, but I’m not going to lie: it wasn’t easy. But there’s a sense of Indiana Jones accomplishment that comes from sifting through super-long Puritan paragraphs and antiquated words to uncover the jewels that come from Jonathan Edwards.

Branded
Sharing Jesus with a Consumer Culture
by Tim Sinclair
This one caught me off guard because I wasn’t expecting much. But it was much. He has several great ideas on how to be the church differently and better.

Sarah’s Key
by Tatiana de Rosnay
So I cried. This two-era novel set in both modern times and Paris during World War II moved me. And taught me new things and made me sad and kept me hopeful.

Lost in the Middle
Midlife and the Grace of God
by Paul David Tripp
The right book at the right time. I want to do 50 well, not begrudgingly, so I needed this push in the right direction to let go of “It sounds so old!” to “God still has a purposeful future for me!”

Divergent
by Veronica Roth
I could hardly put this novel down. In the genre of The Hunger Games, it pulled me into another crazy world (and made me thankful it was all pretend!).

Other good ones:

Grace: More than We Deserve, Greater than We Imagine
     by Max Lucado
The Hobbit: Or There and Back Again
     by J. R. R. Tolkien
Tell to Win: Connect, Persuade, and Triumph with the Hidden Power of Story
     by Peter Guber
If You Want to Write: A Book about Art, Independence, and Spirit
     by Brenda Ueland
Do the Work
     by Steven Pressfield
You’re Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be
     by Holley Gerth
Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living
     by Tsh Oxenreider
Erasing Hell: What God said about eternity, and the things we made up
     by Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle
A Woman’s Right to Rest: 14 Types of Biblical Rest that Will Transform Your Life
     by Denise George
Unshakeable Faith: 8 Traits for Rock-Solid Living
     by Kathy Howard
I’m Still Your Mother: How to Get Along with Your Grown-Up Children for the Rest of Your Life
     by Dr. Jane Adams

* * *

What good book have you read this fall?

10 Winning books from Spring 2012 Reading List
Favorites from Fall 2011 Reading List
My 11 Favorite Books from 2011

Comments (19)

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outsidemywindowinsidemyheart 38p · 640 weeks ago

Lisa, is the book Pain about dealing with physical pain?

4 replies · active 640 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 640 weeks ago

Yes, it is about physical pain but also the devastating results of having NO pain. It's an autobiography of sorts by a doctor who worked with leprosy patients and he tells stories of their consequences of losing nerve sensations.

I drew a lot of inferences from it in dealing with my own pain as well as applications for dealing with other types of pain, even though that wasn't necessarily the intent of the book.

Hope I haven't thoroughly muddied the waters for you now about what the book is about. :)

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outsidemywindowinsidemyheart 38p · 640 weeks ago

Thank you, Lisa, for a bit more insight into the book. I am going to add it to my wish list. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia a little over 8 years ago and I was devastated by the pain. The Lord was so gracious in the way he dealt with me about it...through a book by John Piper I came to realize that actually that pain was His gift to me. Once I accepted that it made such a difference in the way I began living out my life. It was before I knew anything whatsoever about Ann Voskamp...but eventually He led me to her website. The first piece of correspondence that I ever had with her was my telling her about His gift to me...and her response was that she found it wonderful how He had shown me that. I can't imagine life any other way now. He is gracious!

Hugs to you, my dear friend. So grateful that He saw fit for our paths to cross in this life.

xoxo
Dianna

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Lisa notes 103p · 640 weeks ago

That's a beautiful testimony, Dianna. Which John Piper book was so helpful? I've pretty much come to terms with my daily back pain, but I still wrestle with it from time to time, even though I know it's not near as severe as those with much more pain. :-(

I can't pinpoint exactly why this book has helped me--it's filled with lots of medical jargon that was not helpful! ha--but just the author's acceptance of pain as good does help my attitude some. He is a Christian man, but the book isn't written as a "Christian" book per se.

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outsidemywindowinsidemyheart 38p · 640 weeks ago

Okay, Sister, I had to actually check to see which book it was that I read by John Piper. I had to chuckle when I realized what it was because it is like you and the Pain the Gift No One Wants. The book by Piper was Desiring God...see what I mean? It had nothing to do with pain, but yet because of where I was in my walk with the Lord He used it to help me deal with my pain! I'm sure you've read Desiring God...the whole emphasis being that God has given us everything we need to glorify Him...that it is the core of why we exist and do what we do...to glorify Him...not ourselves. It was as I worked my way through the book that I began to understand how I had failed to realize that my diagnosis was a way I could glorify Him...realizing it as His gift to me. To do any less was to glorify myself through pain. I hope that doesn't sound "polyannish" because I fail miserably at times. But just that realization definitely began to affect the choices I made. It is His gift to me because it is what He used to draw me closer to Him in so many ways...and had I not chosen to "accept" His gift my life would truly not be enriched to the point it is today. Do I still have bad days? You betcha! And that is where I've drunk most deeply of His grace...marvelous grace.

I have put the book on pain on my wish list on Amazon. I really do want to read it just to learn how others deal with pain.

A couple of other things I want to kind of "throw out there" to you. Are you familiar with Melanie Moore from the blog, Only a Breath? She's such a sweetheart. I don't read her on a real regular basis, but earlier she'd mentioned about doing a one "word" for 2013 and mentioned that she'd make a button for us to put on our blogs if we contacted her. After the first of the year there will be another blogger who is going to be sponsoring a "link up" for it, if we are interested in participating. Last Sunday morning in worship the Lord had given me my word for 2013...Surrender. I'm not really sure how it is that I feel about sharing because it could get pretty personal in a hurry...it would definitely make me vulnerable. I guess there is consideration of possibly checking in monthly to see how we are doing. Please pray with me that the Lord would make His will clear for me in how I am to relate. Melanie did make my button and I finally got it put up on my blog...there's no pressure one way or the other by anyone. I know it would definitely open the blog up to more readership by women that have the same commitments. And when I think of how God has blessed me with friendships of godly women (especially of you and Julie) as well as opening doors for me to witness (especially where Anke is concerned) it kind of excites me.

The other thing I want to ask you about is if you will be doing more Scripture memorization this year? It is something I definitely want to take part in this year. So, please keep that as a matter of prayer with me, as well.

Guess I should let you go...take care...and have a wonderful Christmas season!

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barbarah 65p · 640 weeks ago

I'm always amazed at the weightiness of your book list. It takes me a while to push through nonfiction that's not biography or story, even if I really like it.

Sarah's Key sound especially good to me as well as the ones about midlife.
My recent post Fall Into Reading 2012 Wrap-Up

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Lisa notes 103p · 640 weeks ago

I think you would like Sarah's Key. It was a good story but also well-written.

The midlife book had some great points overall, but there was some dead weight in it as well (for me anyway). Paul David Tripp tends to write repetitively, which drives his points home, but also can be a tad burdensome. I've learned through the years to read much quicker through material like that, pulling out only what applies to me or is of particular interest. So that's one reason I can get through nonfiction fast. I still feel compelled to read every word, but I don't work to retain the fluff. Whereas with fiction, I think I have to remember everything as I go or else I won't understand the plot, so I read more attentively, and thus slower.

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bookstorebetty 33p · 640 weeks ago

I read Divergent this fall also and really loved it. Sarah's Key sounds very good, I'll have to track down a copy & check it out. Happy holidays!
My recent post Fall into Reading 2012: Wrap-Up

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stephani · 640 weeks ago

How many books have you read this year? I should read more. I know I'd be a better writer if I did. I'm real good at starting books but very bad at finishing them. I read the book on pain many years ago. It was my father's book and I did find it very helpful. I don't think I've read any of the others.
The last book I finished this year was 7 by Jen hatmaker. I loved it! I'm currently working on Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper. Very good as well.
My recent post Our big day and Some Hodgepodge

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Lisa notes 103p · 640 weeks ago

I hate to say how many books I read (around 90?) because it makes it sound like I do nothing but sit around and read! ha. But honestly I usually read the most early in the morning or late at night. It somehow just adds up. But I do love it, so it's always a treat I look forward to.

I can imagine your father reading the pain book. He must have been a great and compassionate doctor. Such a blessing he must have been to so many.

I've wanted to read 7 but haven't gotten a copy. Nice to hear that it's good though; maybe one day I'll get around to it.

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Tracy · 640 weeks ago

Looks like you had an amazing array of books on your list! =) Congrats on your Fall Into Reading.

Happy Holidays!
My recent post Fall Into Reading 2012 Results

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fsamons 60p · 640 weeks ago

I'm always absolutely astounded at how much you can read!

I did read a few books the last few months, one of which completely blew my mind. The Apocalypse Code by Hank Hanagraaff, the Bible Answer Man on the AM radio. Eschatology can be such a dividing issue in the church, but for a different perspective I highly recommend this one.
My recent post RE-GIFTING

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Lisa notes 103p · 640 weeks ago

I have heard of Hank H but haven't read any of his books. That sounds like a good one. I do like getting different perspectives; usually makes me tweak my own perspective, if not by a lot, at least by a little. Always more to learn.

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snapsnsnippets 8p · 640 weeks ago

It looks like there are 3 I want to tackle on your list - Henrietta Lacks, Creating Space and Sarah's Key. I didn't find Brenda Ueland as useful as you though. I too am impressed with the depth of your list - nicely done.

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projecttoberead 11p · 640 weeks ago

I've heard really great things about The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Way to go on reading so much this fall :)

My wrap up is here if you'd like a look :)
My recent post 2013 Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge

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Shonya · 640 weeks ago

I think I need to follow your blog more--there are several books here that look intriguing to me!
My recent post Wrap Up of Fall Reading

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Lynn Severance · 640 weeks ago

Ah, Lisa - for every 90 books you get through, I get through about 3 and that is not consistent. I used to be able to read so much and that joy is one of the surrenders to this condition that is my pain. I read Dr. Brand and Phliip Yancey's book many years ago and I found it helpful. He was a fine Christian man but, as you say, this particular book was not an overt look at pain from the theological perspective of entering Christ's sufferings. I was fascinated in reading how he helped those with leprosy.

One book that I thought of when Diana was sharing her thoughts ( hope she comes back to see this or you can get it to her ) is this one.
"Why" Trusting God When You Don't Understand. It is a small volume by Anne Graham Lotz but one that is power packed and her message can apply to any of the challenges that change our lives. For ultimately, trusting God with what we don't understand means we have made him Lord of that area of our lives. It does not take away the pain or the despair but it draws us closer to Him which is a healing on other levels.

I am still working my way through Calvin Miller's Memoir: "Life is Mostly Edges. I am so in love with it. Then again, I am such a huge admirer of his work, that reading him sharing his life is pure joy. I WILL finish this one - maybe by New Year's Eve!
My recent post Merry Christmas, 2012

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Susanne · 640 weeks ago

My daughter loved Divergent and read the whole series in no time flat. She's trying to talk me into reading it.

Wasn't Sarah's Key good? The movie is very moving also. And The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks was one of my favorites the year I read it.
My recent post Fall Into Reading 2012 Wrap Up

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bookwormtrish 16p · 639 weeks ago

Looks like you have some really deep reads here - I have really slacked off on the nonfiction lately. Although I did join a weekly Bible study at church and we are working our way through Job, which has been quite fascinating!
My recent post What’s On My Nightstand – December 2012