Friday, June 25, 2010

Reading books

I have always loved reading. My first love in reading were Nancy Drew books. My earliest memories were when we lived in Palawan and my Dad would be flying to Manila for something and I'd have a list of books that I already had so that he could pick me up some new ones at a book store. If my parents wanted to get my attention all they had to do was threaten to take away a Nancy Drew book! I'd read by flashlight under my comforter hours after I was supposedly sound asleep. I could never end a chapter and just go to sleep... I'd tell myself, "just one paragraph of the next chapter to know everything is ok..." Then before I knew it I was at the end of the next chapter! Thru the years, I have even found some old, old copies at used book stores. Great finds!

My mom would also read to us at night. What fun! She was actually reading to my brothers, the Bobbsey Twins or sometimes the Hardy Boys (though I think by the time they graduated to the HB they read those themselves) and I'd sit in too. Such good memories... we would hurry to get our baths and go to my parents room where there was usually air-conditioning for the "settling" down part of the night. For those who don't understand.... we lived in the Philippines and it was HOT! My parents room was bigger and had a corner with a couch and a tv so that was the family room too. We couldn't air condition the whole house! Those were good times.

Slowly, reading for school and being tested over what I read was taking all my free time. Then college hit and even more boring books were given to me. After that (the first few years of marriage sans kiddos) I found time to read again for fun. Then kids came and well, it's been awhile. haha :)

Anyway, one of my all time favorite authors is Francine Rivers. She is an amazing writer. I have read nearly all of her books.... I pick up a new one when we visit the States. Years ago I was introduced to her by friends and I was hooked! I am currently reading the 4th out of 5 books in her Sons of Encouragement series. The Lineage of Grace was good too! And the Shofar Blew is phenomenal! But my all time favorite is Redeeming Love. It is based on the book, Hosea, in the Bible. Excellent book. Read it! You won't be able to put it down.

Danny & I started reading thru the Bible with the boys a little over a year ago. They were really enjoying it and absorbing the stories and their meanings. They were into the Old Testament and the stories of all the battles that went on during that time. Seeing them develop a love for God's Word is the most important, but also a growing love for reading and books in general warms my heart. Just a few months ago Danny started adding to the reading time, The Indian in the Cupboard. I had never heard of it, but Danny said he grew up reading it and loving it the way I did Nancy Drew. Bedtime is a bit easier now because all we have to do is say, "Daddy's going to read to you guys if you get your teeth brushed and in bed right now!" and off they go!

What are some of your favorite books-- childhood or now?

4 comments:

Wendy said...

I loved The Indian in the Cupboard. I think I started reading it in third grade. I would recheck it out of the library EVERY chance I got for the next few years. I love Nancy Drew too. I know, unlike most people, I loved the books I was assigned to read in high school: To Kill a Mockingbird, The Slave Dancer, The Outsiders, Great Expectations. I still have a love for reading today. I think it started the same way for me as for you. My mom would always read something to me before I went to bed at night. Those are precious memories.

The Caldwells said...

Actually, the classes in high school that were all about reading, I did enjoy. My English Lit. class and Shakespeare class was fun! I guess the HS text books and then college reading was not to my liking ;) LOL!

I've enjoyed reading about your trip... can't wait to see you in person and hear about it!

Journaling Gina said...

I was just telling someone about And the Shofar Blew yesterday. I loved that book.

A recent release that you might like to read is Cynthia Rucht's They Almost Always Come Home. It's excellent!

See you soon!

Unknown said...

I used to love The Secret Language - in fact, a couple months ago, I tried to find it, but it is out of print now. It was a wonderful story! Currently, I am reading When Men Become Gods (it's all about Warren Jeffs and the Mormon religion). What an eye opener! I have no idea how people can blindly follow this religion or this man...it reminds me just how much more we need to spread The Gospel of Jesus Christ!! : )