Congratulations, Susan Meissner…
…on your ECPA Christian Book Award win! Susan was nominated with me and three others in the fiction category for this award. Her novel, The Shape of Mercy, is available from WaterBrook Press.
Other winners include:
- The ESV Study Bible
- Holiness Day by Day, Jerry Bridges
- Dictionary of the Old Testament
- Spectacular Sins, John Piper
- For Young Men Only, Jeff Feldhahn and Eric Rice
Five Book Releases I’m Waiting For
When I was a teen, I bought books all the time, five a week, sometimes more. I had an extensive library and nothing better to do with my baby-sitting money, since I was not into clothes or makeup, or even music (I thought it a waste to buy a whole CD when I only liked one or two songs on it). Even as a twenty-something, I purchased all sorts of books. I remember one day, when I worked as a case manager, I was in the office of a colleague with a book I just bought – The Giant’s House by Elizabeth McCraken – and she said to me, “I didn’t think I’d ever find another person who read that book.” Ah, the power of the printed word.
My disposable income disappeared after the birth of a child and a divorce. But, recently, I’ve been buying books again, both to rebuild my library and to support the work of authors. I understand now, being someone who depends on book purchases, how important it is to support the work of those whose words inspire me. I choose to spend $15 on a book, rather than new pajamas (you don’t want to see with I sleep in!), my favorite $2 vegan cookies, or expensive shampoo. Not that anything is wrong with cookies or new pajamas or Paul Mitchell; it’s just that money is finite, and people have to make choices about where their dollars go.
So, since lists of five seem like a trend on my blog these days, here are five book releases I’m looking forward to:
The Sweet In-Between by Sheri Reynolds. Reynolds is one of my all-time favorite authors. Her prose is brilliant, her observations so refreshing I read them over and over, her descriptions unique and perfect. I know, I know, this book has been released already, but only in hardcover. I do draw the line somewhere, and while I’ll probably borrow it from the library to read as soon as possible, I’ll wait for the soft-cover edition to buy it. Other books by Reynolds: The Rapture of Canaan, Bitterroot Landing, A Gracious Plenty, and Firefly Cloak.
The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb. Lamb writes massive novels, long and winding, though neither of his first two – She’s Come Undone and I Know This Much is True – felt that way. Satisfying, insightful, and rich, Lamb draws us inside the characters. While the reviews on this one have been mixed, I have high hopes. And anyway, reviews are not the end-all, be-all (says the writer who now has to deal with them all the time). Okay, you got me again. This one is out in hardcover, too. Another library read and softcover purchase.
Enough: Contentment in an Age of Excess by Will Samson. Yes, this is written by the husband of friend and author Lisa Samson. I’m excited to read it. Not only is the cover eye-catching – I thought it was a movie poster when Lisa posted it on her Facebook page – but it is also a subject I tend to feel passionate about, as Jacob will tell you, as he laments not having certain things that all his friends do.
The Passion of Mary-Margaret by Lisa Samson. Keeping it in the family! Seriously, I love Lisa’s writing. I first discovered her when my writer friend, Virelle Kidder, sent me two of her novels – Tiger Lillie and Women’s Intuition. At the time, I was working on Home Another Way, and wondering if there was any writer in the Christian fiction market who wrote books like the ones I wanted to write. Well, I picked up Lisa’s books and my question was answered within the first few pages. But, I also love Lisa’s passion for the issues of the day – she and I share many of the same concerns – and her willingness to explore and struggle with the bigger, grayer questions.
Daisy Chain by Mary DeMuth. I’m not a trilogy kind of gal, but I’m looking forward to Mary’s newest novel. I was fortunate enough to meet Mary last year at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference, and she was such an encouragement to me, especially regarding a not-so-marketable-in-the-CBA idea I have. Her previous novel, Watching the Tree Limbs, and her story regarding the publishing of it, also helped me to realize that, sometimes, God will find a place for an idea He wants people to read, even if publishers don’t necessarily agree.
Good Reads?
USA Toady has compiled a list of the top 150 best-selling books in the past 15 years. It’s an interesting look at our culture; a few classics, a good mix of fiction and non-fiction, some children’s books, quite a few John Grisham. The Harry Potter series takes seven of the top ten spots, rounding out The Da Vinci Code, an Atkin’s Diet book, and Who Moved My Cheese?
Take a few minutes to browse the list. How many have you read?
I’ve heard of all but maybe 10, and I’ve read 44 – all fiction.
On My Nightstand…
The “Now Reading” application hasn’t been updated to work with the new Wordpress, so I thought I’d share the books I’m working though now, since I can’t post them on the sidebar.
For the writing and literature classes I teach, I’m reading Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox, and God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew.
To satisfy my cerebral urges, I’ve been working through Christ and the Decree: Christology and Predestination in Reformed Theology from Calvin to Perkins by Richard Muller.
In a challenge to my preconceived notions, I’m reading The Mystic Way of Evangelism: A Contemplative Vision for Christian Outreach by Elaine Heath.
With Jacob, our bedtime book is Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher. I’m surprised at how much he’s enjoying it.
And for fun? Birds of America by Lorrie Moore. It’s her definitive short-story collection, and I’m reading it for the third time.
The Best Life Ain’t Easy…
My dear friend, Virelle Kidder, has a new book being released the same day as mine, October 1st – The Best Life Ain’t Easy, But it’s Worth It. Of the book, Virelle says:
Often funny, sometimes sad, this spiritual memoir is really the story of the surprising, persistent, and patient love of God in an ordinary life. I hope it will encourage readers know God better and trust Him fully in their own lives.
If you’ve never read anything by Virelle, you’re missing out. Seriously. I’m not saying this because she’s my friend, but because God is truly using her to touch women’s hearts. She has an comforting, transparent style that draws readers into her books with an embrace and a I know what you’re going though because I’ve been there… Let me come along side you. Sitting with one of Virelle’s books is like sitting with your bestest friend since childhood, the one who knows everything about you but loves you anyway.
Below is a video of Virelle’s book trailer for The Best Life Ain’t Easy…
Also recently released, Meet Me At the Well: Take a Month and Water Your Soul:
Feeling wrung out? Exhausted? Like God’s asked too much of you lately? I could be your Queen.
Want to feel better? Not even Jesus was not immune from similar exhaustion. He knew that without renewal our spirit dries right up. We just can’t keep going. Why else would God’s closing words in the Bible be a shouted invitation to “Come! Whoever is thirsty, let him come, and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.”
This book follows a period months, maybe years, of being desperately parched, learning to sit still, open my spirit wide and let God ladle in Life again. Come. I’ll take you there. You can find out for yourself.
You can read what people are saying about this book here.
