Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Give Attention to Reading!


1 Timothy 4:13
Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

As far back as I can remember, I've been an avid reader.  One of my earliest memories is snuggling with my mother as she reads aloud to me, asking her to point to a particular word she has just pronounced.  In this particular recollection, the word is a seemingly most insignificant "the."  Yet as tiny and throw-away as this article of the English language is, that's precisely where the magic begins for me; by the time I enter first grade, I'm reading on a fourth grade level.

My love for reading leads to my passion for writing.  Words become my most intimate friends as I compose my novels in The Glade Series and Adventures in The Glade.  And those of you who regularly follow this blog know that God's word and my words are still tantamount for me.

All that being said, I'm doing something different today at Meditations of My Heart - introducing you to fellow Christian bloggers, also published writers, whose books have left a lasting impression on me.  While I'm not describing detailed content, the authors' names are linked to Amazon so you can discover there if a particular book is a match for your reading tastes.

FICTION:

The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee - Talya Tate Boener 

The Tourist Killer - F. C. Etier 

Dancing Priest, and its sequel, A Light Shining - Glynn Young 

NON-FICTION:

Spiritual Misfit; 50 Women All Christians Should Know - Michelle DeRusha 

Battered Hope - Carol Graham 

Twelve Inches - Bridging the Gap Between What You Know About God and How You Feel - Patricia Holbrook 

Love Idol - Jennifer Dukes Lee 

Poetry at Work - Glynn Young

And no, these are not books I've read over the last year or so.  These are simply the ones that stood out over a four-year span.  When I was so caught up in writing my novels, it was an absolute luxury to sit back and enjoy someone else's writing for inspiration, solace, and sheer joy.

The joy recalled when Mom read me stories long ago.

~

Do you have some favorite books to share?  Please do!

Prayer:  Father, we give thanks today for the incredible gift of Your Word, the Bible, a never-ending source of hope, inspiration and joy.  May those to whom the gift of words is given be ever faithful to You and thankful for the gift of writing.  In Jesus' name, we pray.  Amen.




20 comments:

  1. I loved Glynn's two fiction books. I am also an avid reader...been since as far back as I can remember. Used to sit in class with a book hidden within a book reading. (As if the teacher didn't know). One of my favorite fiction books is called Wisdom Hunter by Randall Arthur. It started me on my journey out of legalism.

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    1. Goodness, Bill, I did the same in school! Lol!
      I will definitely check out Wisdom Hunter. And if you haven't yet read Glynn's Poetry at Work, you really should. Enlightening!
      Love and blessings!

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  2. Martha - thank you so much for the mention!

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    1. You are most welcome, Glynn! I'm happy to spread good news. :)
      Love and blessings!

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  3. Thank you so much for your generosity, Martha!

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    1. Any time, Michelle! Everyone should read your books. :)
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  4. Thank you, Martha, for mentioning my memoir, Battered Hope. I want to check out the other ones you suggested as well.

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    1. You are so welcome, Carol! Yes, please check out the others - you won't be disappointed!
      Love and blessings!

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  5. Awesome! I love reading of all kinds too. Such a wonderful way to be transported to another world or another perspective. Thanks for being such a wonderful encourager, Martha. Blessings!

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    1. Thank you, Jason! I do hope you will follow up on some of these titles and give them a go. Somehow, I just knew you liked to read. :)
      Love and blessings!

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  6. Martha, I consider myself a reader--really need to do far more of it. Growing up, I was expected to love to read because my dad did; however, it wasn't ever modeled to me in a consistent way. It's really hard for me to pick one book that is a big favorite. The Bible, of course, is a big one. I also enjoy reading biographies. In the last few years, I've grown to really enjoy Christian fiction (such as Jeanette Oke and similar authors).

    Love and blessings!

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    1. Kim, if you like biographies, you would love 50 Women Every Christian Should Know. Michelle has written such interesting histories of the women included in this volume; plus, if you're not a straight-through reader, the vignettes can be read in a one-a-day fashion as you would a devotional.
      Love and blessings!

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  7. Hi Martha! I love that cute little squirrel!
    I have read Love Idol, and I did enjoy it. I remember when Michele de Rusha's book launched, but I have not read it yet.
    I am very much a 'streaky reader'. I'll go for a while reading several books at once, and then...nothing. I've always been that way. Right now I'm reading For The Love/Jen Hatmaker, and The Radical Pursuit of Rest/John Koessler. I think I'm in a reading streak!
    Thanks for sharing your friends with us,
    Ceil

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    1. Ceil, I will certainly look up both those books you've recommended here. And like you, there are times when I spend more time reading blogs and writing than actually giving myself the luxury of curling up with a book. I could get lost in the glorious land of reading every day, but then what would get done around here? Lol!
      Love and blessings!

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  8. Thank you for including my book, Martha! I'm so happy it made an impression on you. As a writer, what more can we ask? I will be checking out your other recommendations!

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    1. Thank you, Talya, for giving us that sweet and resilient character who is Gracie Lee. As I read, I was so reminded of my protagonist, Davy, in The Glade Series and Adventures in The Glade as he, too, is ten-years-old. It is so amazing as writers to be able to place ourselves back into that framework of childhood and create a believable and unforgettable story. You have the gift!
      Love and blessings!

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  9. Thank you for mentioning "The Tourist Killer."
    As you suggested, here is the link for my second book:
    http://smile.amazon.com/Presidents-Club-Barry-Hixon-Conspiracy-Book-ebook/dp/B00GMSVLOI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462370646&sr=8-1&keywords=the+presidents+club+fcetier

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Chip, for linking to The Presidents Club!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  10. Michelle's book is so good. I really like it. What I liked the best today on this post is that darling squirrel. I know he is perfect for you too. LOL

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    1. He is perfect for me, Jean! And Michelle's book is, indeed, an inspirational memoir and a winner.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete

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