What do you read?

[nuttyloaf]

So what do Friends 1st people read?
Are you all seriously taking in Shakespeare in your free time?
Come on, fess up. What rubbish did you read and enjoy over the summer? Jeffery Archer? Iain Banks? C'mon, relax and tell about your trash reads.

Me? Well, in the past I have read a couple by Pam Rhodes. The plots are daft, the novels are lighthearted and the ends fairly cringeworthy but they do no more harm than "Sleepless in Seattle".

And a real life confession here. I read childrens books, the ones for "confident readers" or teens. I dropped "Harry" part way through book 2 - no staying power. I blame stress at work.

Give me some feed back (hope) here. Why leave all the trash to the pagans?

[Sarah]

My sister gave me a copy of Purple Hibiscus to read on holiday. It's about a Catholic family in Nigeria who have a very terribly strident fundamentalist father who is so strict that he beats his wife and children for the slightest misdemeanor in his eyes. It's a compelling read, though tragic in many ways and quite thought provoking that anyone's faith can lead them to do atrocities against those they love. I'd definitely recommend it.

[nuttyloaf]

Wow! that does sound like a heavy read. I think I'll save that recommendation for my serious- head -brain-in-gear days.

Did anyone see "Coming down a mountain" written by Mark Haddon on Beeb one last night? A touching tale of two brothers, one of whom has Downs Syndrome. I really enjoyed it as I imagine it is a realistic story.

Mark Haddon wrote "The curious incident of the dog in the night" told through the eyes of a boy with Autism so I guess he has a line of interest here. It is a childrens book but marketed as one which spans the child/adult readership. I read it 'cos it is about my level of concentration. There are a few swear workds in the text, as with the TV film, but just mentally shut your eyes and you'll be OK.

[Dindles]

Anyone read The Poisonwood Bible? Not generally my type of book but actually one of the best I've ever read! A bit like The Purple Hibiscus in theme. Well worth it but rather unsettling for a Christian.

[Midge]

Hey yes I did read Poisonwood Bible - it really stuck with me for months. I am reading a book at the mo that kind of reminds me of it called Not Less than Everything. My gran suggested it! It is really factual about the first missionaries to China and what they actually went through to tell people in China about the gospel.

I am really challenged by it as I keep moaning to God about being single and how it is not fair but some of the first women going to China were single and gave up their chances of marriage and families by going out there. Many of them died quite young from tropical diseases - they literally gave up everything.

I just don't think I could do that - I am too much in my comfort zone and expect God to meet all my needs!

That was a bit of a waffle - but you did ask!:)

[Myriad]

I'm reading "Collapse" by Jared Diamond, after having gone to Easter Island and was amazed at how "stupid" these people must have been. They must have actually chopped down every tree, including the last one standing, and all to enable them to transport huge heads honoring individuals across the island.

The book tells the stories of collapse of several civilisations, and brings home the point that usually those civilisations were at their peak, and considered themselves untouchable.

It's an uncomfortable read. But compelling.

Makes me want to be an eco-christian ;) is there any such thing?

[Dindles]

If you want to really be inspired and wowed about people who have given up EVERYTHING, try The Heavenly Man, written by a Chinese Christian (forget his name but actually well known) of his life in China and elsewhere spreading and living the Gospel. It's not a literary masterpiece (written in very simple terms) but what unbelieveable sacrifice AND JOY, not to mention miracles. It sets a new (or perhaps it's the old) standard for Christian living but surprisingly left me uplifted rather than ashamed of my own selfishness. I highly recommend it. Also, a good film is Cry China, about how God moved in the life of a Chinese girl and the incredible hadrships she suffered after becoming a Christian before she was finally allowed to leave.

[Dindles]

[QUOTE=considered themselves untouchable.
Something like the tower of Babel and the Titanic... Are we ever going to learn?!


Makes me want to be an eco-christian ;) is there any such thing?[/QUOTE]
Aren't all Christians supposed to be, to some degree or another? After all, God made the world, said it was good, and made us stewards. I strongly believe we all have a huge responsibility to take that stewardship seriously.

[misterbean]

I keep going on at people about what a great book "1984" is; I'm so sad, I've read it several times. Actually, it's a strange kind of a book to mention on a Christian website. There's one scene in it where the main protagonist and his confessor both seem to agree that there is no God.
I suppose the main strength of the book is that it depicts what a terrible place a world without God would be. Now switch off your computer, nip down to the local library and judge for yourself :-).

[Sarah]

I read Mark's Curious Incident of the Dog in the night and thought it was really brilliant - he's amazingly clever to be able to get inside the brain of someone with Autism (I think that was it) - he's also written A Spot of Bother which I can also highly recommend.

[Mary]

The Long Walk To Freedom is Nelson Mandela's very moving autobiography! I've thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The highlighted setbacks, struggles and pain as well as the renewed hope and ultimate triumph left me in a pool of tears :(. Argg go on and tell me I'm a cry baby :p

[akdobbs]

The best book I've read I bought from wesley owen christian store. Its called 'Redeeming Love' written by Francine Rivers. Its a modern version of the bible story of Hosea. I really recommend it! :)