I just don't know.

I just don't know exactly how to explain my feelings about this book. Part of me wants to say I'm not a fan, but then the fact that the author is a dying (now deceased) man trying to leave his last words of advice to his children, makes you feel guilty saying anything bad about the book. If it weren't for the fact that this man wrote the book while dying of cancer, I'd really dislike the book. It jumps around like crazy and I even think he repeats himself quite a bit. You know the expression 'drinking water from a fire hose'? That is how I feel. Lots of good thoughts and things I should apply, but there is just so much of it! Does anyone else feel this way? Am I a horrible person?

Better Late than Never

So I just finished Love Walked In and surprise, surprise, I LOVED it. Just reading about some of her old movie references inspired me to turn on the Turner Classic Movie channel. I think Cornelia is a much stronger woman than me, but I definitely identified with her. And let's be honest, I wish I had a gorgeous childhood friend to fall in love with. Oh, and this entry is helping me avoid figuring out "what color is my parachute".
Which explains why I identified with Cornelia's discovery: As she learned that prior to Martin's entrance into her life she was "...one who spent her days skirting around the edges of adulthood, commitment, responsibility, accomplishment". After Martin, she learned that real life is not "going after what you want and getting it" but "knowing what you love and why".
I'm not sure exactly why this week has been different, maybe because I've been praying to understand the Lord's mission for me on earth and here in Arizona, but I've become especially grateful for close friends and family. I think sometimes I get so caught up in the need to have everyone like me, that I forget to revel in the friendships I already have.
So, I want to tell each of you how much I love you. I love you for your goodness and your testimonies. I love you for our shared experiences: girls camp, weekend parties, "Made in the USA", making movies, etc, etc. And I love you for being a part of my life.

October's book

Ok, I guess it's my turn to pick. I am picking a book that you might have read, but that I've been wanting to read for a while.

The Last Lecture

by Randy Pausch

Ok, I tried to get a summary, but blogger won't let me paste it here. So go to this website to read about it:

www.thelastlecture.com

I'm excited!

Who's picking for October?

I have a business trip coming up and want a good read...just curious.

Still reading...

This book is a slower read than I expected. I'm currently reading about their first few days in office as president.
But I find it fascinating to think about how many times they lost elections and kept going. Maybe it's because I don't have that kind of passion for anything, but I just couldn't imagine. How were they so willing to suffer disappointment after disappointment? He was basically a nobody in the West who couldn't even get elected by his state legislature yet somehow he became President of the United States.
It makes me think of Churchill and how he always believed he was destined to be in charge during WWII. I think he was right. I also believe Lincoln was the right man to be president during the Civil War.
But it's interesting to think about them as real people, who have made mistakes. I don't know if the rest of you do this, but I tend to think of the founding fathers, successful people, or even heroes in books to be perfect. I appreciate this book for reminding me that imperfect people can do great things.

Can I get any lazier?

I have to tell you all the coolest thing EVER! I work at Wake Forest University and I often check out books from the campus library. I just started using a service they provide...are you ready for this? THEY DELIVER BOOKS TO ME AT MY DESK!! All I have to do is log into my account online and tell them what book/books I want and they bring them to me at my desk. And they aren't due back for a year. Isn't that the coolest? Are you alll jealous? You should be.
"Love is Eternal" was delivered to my desk just minutes ago. Good choice, Kim! I'm excited to read it!

September Book

I made the mistake of asking my parents, brother, and sister-in-law for book suggestions. This led to a list of about twenty books. I narrowed it down to three, then decided to go for something older and less known (but still available in local library or amazon).

(picture borrowed from amazon.com)

Love is Eternal by Irving Stone

It is historical fiction of the relationship between Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln. My mom loves it. As a disclaimer, it is fiction, so it may not be entirely accurate.

If you get bored next month, my other two options were The Beekeeper's Assistant and The Spy Wore Red. :)