10 Books I Should Read ...

But Haven't (Part 2)

But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out. (Ecc 12:12 NLT)

Sadly, like the five titles listed in Part 1, these volumes have been scanned, but not properly digested. I'm looking forward to giving them my focused attention any day now!

6. Between Two Worlds: The Inner Lives of Children of Divorce
by Elisabeth Marquardt

“There's no such thing as a ‘good divorce,’ argues Marquardt, a scholar with the Institute for American Values. Divorce harms children for the rest of their lives, she says; it turns them into "little adults" who anxiously protect their fragile parents, instead of being protected, the way they are in ‘intact’ families. Divorce forces children to guard parental secrets—protecting Mom by not telling Dad, or vice versa. … ‘children of divorce’ may also feel alienated from organized religion, although Marquardt's survey finds them more likely to feel their spirituality strengthened by adversity.”

7. Buried Treasure: Hidden Wisdom from the Hebrew Language
by Rabbi Daniel Lapin

“Did you know the Hebrew letters for ‘man’ and ‘woman’ combine as mathematical symbols to produce the two words ‘God’ and ‘fire’? Support this equation with the letters representing God's name, and you stabilize the passion between the sexes in an enduring spiritual union. Popular author Rabbi Daniel Lapin digs into the ‘holy’ Hebrew language—which not only conveys data but, as linguists know, also contains it. On a fascinating treasure hunt, his book decodes eternal wisdom embedded in the ancient tongue on relationships, human pleasure, life's meaning, and more … A practical, easy read which will fascinate, entertain, and instruct us in the awesomeness of the Lord's language.”

8. The 100 Most Important Events in Christian History by A. Kenneth Curits, J. Stephen Lang, & Randy Petersen

“This compelling book traces two thousand years of church history in one concise volume. Packed with information and told in a readable journalistic style, it is certain to breathe new life into church history. The book is a valuable resource for pastors, teachers ... and all who are interested in learning about the origins of the church doctrines and traditions. From Nero's burning of Rome to the 20th Century charismatic renewal, this book highlights the major people ... and ideas that have shaped the long history of Christianity.”

9. Spiritual Classics edited by Richard Foster & Emilie Griffin

“St. Augustine, Thomas Merton, Fredrick Buechner, Evelyn Underhill, A.W. Tozer, G.K. Chesterton, Thomas More, Martin Luther King, Jr., Amy Carmichael, Simone Weil, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Hildegard of Bingen, John Milton, Dorothy Day, Leo Tolstoy, Gerard Manley Hopkins, and more. From nearly two thousand years of Christian writing comes Spiritual Classics, fifty-two selections complete with a profile of each author, meditations for group and individual use, discussion questions and exercises, and a personal reflection by Richard Foster on each selection.”

10. Encore Provence by Peter Mayle

“After a four-year leave, Mayle is back in the region he described in his bestselling A Year in Provence and Toujours Provence and the British author's fans will be pleased that he decided to return to his adopted homeland, for his writing is as charming and witty as ever. In the first chapter, 'Second Impressions,' Mayle explains that he and his wife quit the convenient, efficient life in America for the 'smell of thyme in the fields' and 'the swirl and jostle of Sunday-morning markets' of Provence… The author then assists future tourists by naming his favorite markets, vineyards, bakeries, chambres d'hotes, even places to go for the best olive oil or honey.”

Photo: Bitzcelt (Flickr)



Up Next—Family Life: The Pumpkin Patch Parable

Do any of these titles appeal to you?