Drew and I have this silly ritual. And we’ve done this since, gosh, probably the first year or two of our marriage. He’s a reader. And I’m not. And he’s great at positively reinforcing things in my life. And when I decided (nearly in vain) to start reading more, he got this crazy idea that we’d dance, yes, dance, anytime either of us would finish a book. It’s a cheesy shoulder-shaking dance. Nothing special. You don’t even have to stand up for it. But it’s such fun and it’s a mini-celebration of an accomplishment that some might say is rather huge in my non-reading life.
[If I had one, I'd insert an inspirational quote from the person who coined the phrase "Celebrate Your Wins" here.]
We don’t do The Book Dance nearly as much for me as for him, because I might average oh say 4 books completed in a year. Maybe. But sometimes he’ll come out of his home office with a straight face and say “Ready?” I hardly ever know what this is in reference to until the grin cues the shoulders to start going.
This past weekend, we did The Book Dance four times. And none of those times were in celebration of ANY books that I’d finished. He completed four. FOUR. Well, to be even more precise, he finished three of those four books on Friday. The other he finished on Saturday.
Nerd.
So we danced, and laughed, and smiled, and celebrated. And it was fun. And it was in public and we didn’t care.
And it made me want to finish a book–a Particularly Good Book–a memoir, because we all know I luhuhhhvvv memoirs for some strange reason. And when I do finish it, I’ll blog about it–because it’s worthy of recommendation. And I just might try to catch The Book Dance on video so y’all can celebrate with me. But, until then:
What’s the last book you read? And is it a book you’d recommend to others of the memoir persuasion?
Hello! Turns out your blog is not so suspicious on my personal computer (yay!).
I’ve read a lot of books lately- there’s not much to do here in the desert besides work and sleep (and read!!). I read The Replacement by Brenna Yavanoff and it was spooky in a Tim Burton kind of way. It is absolutely not related to the memoir genre in anyway, so sadly I cannot not recommend it to you.
Also: I feel like I have recommended Persepolis to you a gazillion times. And until you read it, fall in love with it, and do the Book Dance, I will probably continue to recommend it because it is just. that. awesome.
HOWEVER!
I would recommend Persepolis (if you want a serious-yet-still-funny memoir) or Maus (if you want a just-serious memoir) or Trespassers Will be Baptized by Elizabeth Emerson (if you want a just-funny memoir).
OR
you could try Bel Canto by Ann Patchett which is not a memoir at all but very music-y (as the title suggests). The writing itself is very lyrical and made me think of you. It’s definitely worth checking out.
Disclaimer: I just started Bel Canto so I can’t make any promises about the plot. But so far all signs point to a winner
Phew, I feel like I’ve been typing forever- and this is me being concise about books. Anyway, happy reading!
You’ve recommended Persepolis to me at least three times. Yes. You have. Ok. Putting it on my amazon list. I cry uncle!!
Also, interested in what Elizabeth Emerson has to say about trespassers. Sounds VERY colorful!
Thank you for typing forever. And I’m so glad I haven’t been censored, although it wouldn’t have been the first time. The first time was actually by a Christian College. Go figure…
Mandy,
I’ve always been in the same boat – not a serious reader. I’ve read more in the past 2 years, probably, than my entire life combined. Randy seriously challenged me on that during mentoring.
Anyway … did you keep the books you got at re:create? The book “The Last Thing I Remember” by Andrew Klavan (that spoke at re:create) is AMAZING. It’s in your swag. Plus, I know you like Alias … you will love this book. You can’t put it down. As a matter of fact, before you finish that book, you’ll be on Amazon ordering Book 2 and 3.
I finished Book 1, 2, and finished 3 last night … and the only problem with that is Book 4 doesn’t release until AUGUST 2011. It’s like leaving Sydney stranded for months … it’s like a season finale … waiting.
Klavan was my most impacting presenter at Story10, actually… & I was so excited to see him on the stage at Recreate. I did keep the books… But I’m not much of a fiction fan. Alias works bc I’m on the elliptical–not sure what Klavan would do for my attempt to get still & quiet before bedtime!
But I’ll give the books a shot. Hope you can survive the summer without his 4th book. haha
One book that has been on my nightstand for quite some time is Strong Fathers/Strong Daughters by Meg Meeker. Started it, it was good, and have had the best intentions of reading it through….. maybe I’ll start.
Interesting…. Hope you finish that one!
I’ll take it a step further….I DESPISE reading….no really….can’t stand it. If I never read another line…..well, you get the idea. It didn’t used to be this way, but the “required reading” throughout 4 years of college has ruined me. I’m hoping to find the joy in it again after I’m done with this madness.
Last book: The Gift of Sex—Penner & Penner
.
I laughed at first…..but an awesome book written by a Mennonite couple….very insightful…..and gripping; something most books lack for me….it holds my attention
Mennonites???? They are mennonites?!?! I never knew that. Wow. yes. Familiar with the book…
last book: ‘let’s build our lives’ by dan fountain. it’d probably be of interest only to missionaries and development workers — especially those working in africa. but it’s a really great tool for that group, however small. the author demonstrates how a small group can affect change in a larger community — holistic development.
i didn’t dance when i finished it. and my wife finishes at least 4 or 5 books to my every 1. there’s not a great deal to do in tanzania — she reads; i keep up a blog.
New Item on your Tanzania List: Dance with your wife.
The book dance…very fun.
I recently finished I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor’s Journey by Izzeldin Abuelaish. I enjoyed that book a lot and would recommend it. He has a powerful story and a simple way of telling it, which I like.
Wow…. And it sounds like a bit of a memoir! Interesting.
p.s. I’m almost finished with “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius”–which is one of the thickest books I’ve read in a while–and I can’t wait to blog about this one…
I bet you would like to Donald Miller. You should try him out.
The last book I read that totally affected me was Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. It’s based on Hosea. Not a memoir, but still…. everyone should read this book!!!
I’m more of a historical fiction fan myself.
I really enjoyed Blue Like Jazz and my husband really liked Through Painted Deserts. Miller really has a way with words!
Redeeming Love made me cry. Have you read the Voice in the Wind series? They are also by Francine Rivers- if you like Roman history you’ll love them!
Redeeming Love cracked open the door to reading-for-fun in my life. I literally read the entire book on a Saturday in 8 hours. It was an unprecedented experience for me. They’ve all been downhill since.
But I ditto what Hannah is saying about the Mark of the Lion series. More good stuff. As for Miller, yeah, I’d like him… But I’m more of a read-for-fun girl, see… I love me some inspiration and all, but that usually comes in bite-size blog-post chunks, not whole books. Although, the husband-man has a LOT of spiritual books on his shelf, including some Miller. Yep.
i too liked Blue like Jazz.
i haven’t read Redeeming Love (it might be in my pile of books to read) but have read other books by Francine Rivers. i love that her books are so easy to get into. did you read the “her mother’s hope” and “her daughter’s dream”? have some tissues handy when you do
I’ve read so many of her books that I’ve forgotten which I haven’t read!
the books are newest two-book series she has out.
i know what you mean about reading so many books by an author and forgetting which ones you’ve read. i once was part way through “the street lawyer” by john grisham when i realized i had already read it.
oooohhhh yeah… I’ve read all of her books up to the series she did about the women in the Bible. That’s right about the time I think I got depressed and stopped reading altogether. I say that matter-of-factly, but it’s sorta true.
Reading is magic.
I just finished Andrew Klavan’s The Last Thing I Remember last night. Can’t wait to get more into the series! Didn’t realize it wasn’t a “new” book until I looked at the preview for the next one…then saw the publish date was 2009! Yay! More books! Highly recommended and it is an EASY read!
I also just finished Andrew Peterson’s first two Wingfeather Saga books. Very fun! If you like adventure and story this is a great series!
I’m right in the middle of Majestie (a book about the life of King James) and am about to pick up the Paul Revere book (both books we got at re:create).
I’m also tearing through Good Calories, Bad Calories (a book on nutrition by Gary Taubes, which reads more like a text book!). Great stuff.
Looking forward to diving into Lucky, Glenn Packiam’s latest book.
I could go on like this forever!
Holy cow, you could go on and on… Do you ever sleep? Between reading and Video Games–you are a man of many interests. What do they call them? Renaissance Man.
Are there also Renaissance Women…?
There Are No Children Here – by Alex Kotlowitz; a book about two brothers growing up in the Chicago projects in the mid to late 80′s. A true story which is intense and eye opening and definitely worth reading.
Wow sounds heavy, but I like a true story… Will it keep me up at night? In a bad way?
My husband and I were just having a conversation similar to this. I’m currently reading Jane Eyre and I was sharing my thoughts on it (which I really never do). He said to me I wish you would read more “learning/growth” books and just not because you’re a dreamer (see this post: http://bit.ly/fNkxaB). I explained that I try but I often get bored half way through. If only Nouwen or other great spiritual growth writers would involve some murder & mystery….I’d be hooked.
Loved that post
It’s so helpful to understand ourselves, isn’t it?
I also get bored with the growth books–I think that’s why I’m drawn to memoirs. They are about personal growth/development, but from a particularly subjective point of view.
this is interesting, you are the second person who has blogged about reading this week.. hmm. i am an avid reader, able to finish multiple books a week if its fiction… and if its not then i might only average 2 books a year, but i am trying.. this post reminds me of the 10 books i want to be reading right now, and really should get a move on.
Don’t take my post about reading to be any sort of sign. It’s actually quite the rarity!
hahaha, but i actually do really love it. i have a ton of C.S. Lewis books i want to go through, but its been really slow going.
In the Land of Invisible Women – a really fascinating story about a woman who worked as a doctor in Saudi Arabia for a few years. Really interesting exploration of her faith as a moderate Muslim in comparison to the more extreme expressions in Saudi Arabia, and just fascinating stories. I’d totally recommend it!
wow…. Yeah that sounds interesting. Thanks for recommending it, Lisa.
LOVE it! dance dance dance!!! i should incorporate this. I have so many unfinished books! I love the feeling of finishing!!
hahaha!!! It’s really motivating!
I love the Book Dance, especially since you two don’t let being in public stop you.
The last book I read was “The Power of Myth” by Joseph Campbell, the most interesting part of which is an interview with Bill Moyers. Campbell was one of the leading experts on comparative mythology and religion of the world’s cultures, and how they share many of the same stories. I will guess Drew read some of his work during his studies.
For an easy, entertaining read, especially if you enjoy any of the work of Carol Burnett, I recommend her bio “This Time Together”, which covers her time trying to make it first on Broadway and then TV.
Ed: There’s a very good chance Drew has heard of this Campbell gentleman, actually.
Especially in all his diggings around in the Old Testament stuff. I’m sure he’s come across mentions of him already, if not read entire excerpts or books!
As for the public Book Dance, well… Being in public doesn’t stop *Drew.* I’ll never initiate The Book Dance in public, but I’m also a lady in love. And a lady in love never turns down an invitation to dance.
I recently finished Love Wins and my all time favorite Bonhoeffer.
I really enjoyed Love Wins by Rob Bell. It was challenging in a good way forcing me to become more open minded gray thinker rather than a black and white thinker.
Bonhoeffer I will constantly sing of this books praises! I loved it! this guy was pretty awesome. I would love to marry him if he was still alive and my age instead of 60. but other than that with out a doubt read this. He is so smart!
Bonhoeffer was a complete genius. I love how words were like toys in his hands, just playing while he brought deep existential and theological truths to society. He was a wildman.
Bell is probably a wildman as well… I’m interested to see where all this Love Wins stuff goes. I don’t know enough about it to have any legitimate opinion… But I’m confident of this: in the end, we’ll all be surprised by the realization that we didn’t have it all figured out.
…maybe that means I’m the only one who won’t be surprised…?
He was a wildman! that part made me laugh.
That mystery of not knowing is so enticing though. It is like God telling you oh I have a surprise for you but you have to wait till you kick the bucket or I come back.
Meanwhile we are all wondering what it is how it will work. We try everything to see what the mystery is. and in the end we probably will all be surprised besides mandy thompson who knew what was up jk
hahaha!! yes. You got it Kamrie!!
I just finished the 4th book in the gresham series by lawanna blackwell about a small english village and it’s residents. currently i’m reading the third book in the laurine snelling’s “home to blessing” series.
next on the list is “silence of the north”, it’s true story about a woman’s fight for survival in hte wilderness.
I’d totally be into “Silence of the North” if I didn’t think it’d give me nightmares or something.
p.s. It’s late. I have no idea what I meant when I typed “or something.” Feel free to speculate as you see fit…
I’ll let you know if it causes nightmares.