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the napping house. (82)

Growing up I loooooved trips to the library, and we made them frequently. I can hardly remember a time when there wasn’t a pile of picture books coloring up the family room somewhere. On our visits, Mom and my sister and I would all pick out a certain number each–mom always finding the best and most brightly illustrated stories in the bunch. We would spend lots of time between the stacks, carefully selecting the perfect titles and carrying them around with us like treasures in nearly unmanageable mounds. We read every single one.

Some of my very favorite stories are still tucked into the piles we grew familiar with when we were young. There were always new ones, of course, but some came home with us again and again, favored and loved and savored with every turn of the page. And we’ve worked to acquire some of those titles over the years, some still in print and others, hard to come by. Now, I wish I had them all to line on bookshelves for a someday-reader in this house. The world of children’s literature is a marvelous one to this day, but I miss the collections–the quality and integrity and depth of so many stories I recall from younger days.

I’m thinking about this tonight because things in our little blue house as of late have reminded me of a story by one our family’s favorite author/illustrator duos, Don and Audrey Wood. A husband and wife pair, their tales are magnificent, their illustrations, brilliant. We never went home without a Wood book in tow, and they are some of my favorites to this day. A pictorial feast:

and my inspiration for this evening…

Aren’t they wonderful?! If I wrote about all of the children’s books I’ve grown to love, I’d easily have a post a day until the baby gets here. I am taken with storytelling, especially when the author and the illustrator marry their talents so beautifully together (and/or are married, which seems to have worked in the Wood’s case:). I can’t wait to have bookshelves lined with old and new favorites for the peanut…we will read and read and read together someday soon. And we’ll pay frequent visits to the library–oh, will we visit the library! It was one of my favorite parts of growing up.

Back to “napping” for now, for me and baby and Jason and Kruger and our little blue house. We are a sleepy and recovering bunch, and we nap oh-so-well 🙂

goodnight,

mm

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Find Your Strongest Life, Marcus Buckingham

Find Your Strongest Life

To be fair, Find Your Strongest Life isn’t the type of book I’d typically pick up. I was so intrigued, however, by the few endorsements I read–I couldn’t resist. In FYSL, Buckingham addresses a primarily female audience regarding happiness and success in every aspect of life–home, work, family, and all of the extras that fill up our days. Buckingham prefaces his Strong Life Test with stories of real women who have met both success and frustration in their lives over time, revealing commonalities, differences and the ways that decisions, determination and discernment have led them down paths with very distinct outcomes. Undoubtedly, any woman looking to improve some aspect of her own life will find traces of herself within the pages.

My copy of Find Your Strongest Life is now marked up with underlinings, arrows, exclamation marks, stars and the like. There’s not a page that didn’t shed some light or add value to my understanding of where I’m at today, where I’ve been, or where I want to be. If you recognize that there are areas in your life where you desire more success, happiness or fulfillment, this book will add value to your journey. It never hurts to learn more about who you are–especially when you’ll draw closer to your passions and your strengths in the process. Women of the world–find your strongest life! 🙂

This book has been reviewed in conjunction with Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Bloggers program.

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A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, Donald Miller

Donald Miller A Million Miles

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years reads to me like a very long journal entry–a stream of consciousness, almost, that refreshes because of it’s honesty. Donald Miller writes in reflection of his “story” process, brought to light by the opportunity to re-write his personal story for the big screen. As Miller realizes that he can effectively edit his life into a new version, he also acknowledges the greater lessons he has learned by living the life he’s already (and actually) lived–then guides as to how one might extract more meaningful “life” in the future.

I love that Miller recognizes the story in every one of us, and I particularly appreciate his candid, casual candor throughout. Miller writes in a way that makes you feel human; makes you feel like the air you breath and the laundry you’ve just finished might actually mean something you can’t yet see, but that the memorable accolades of yesteryear may not have defined us for eternity the way we once thought they did. The basic structure of a good story, Miller reflects, is “a character who wants something and overcomes conflict to get it.” This interpretation gives me hope. I’ve not met a single person who didn’t want something, then seeking to overcome an obstacle to get to where they wanted to be. This translates to me in a very tangible way. It speaks life into each of our unique stories and spurs us on, hopefully to pursue the greatness of God’s design for our lives, and the Kingdom that awaits us–welcoming our stories and our light.

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years was reviewed in connection with Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger Program

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Fearless, by Max Lucado

fearless.cover

Imagine your life without fear. In his latest release, Lucado approaches some of the most common fears we face, from worst case scenarios to violence, from protecting family to death, from financial insecurity to dissappointing God–and in each case, he eases the fear factor with solid reasoning, backed at every angle by confirming and reassuring scripture. Lucado relates personally in every chapter, sharing anecdotes from his own life, those of familiar names like Woody Allen and David Robinson and others that make ones own fears feel normal, tangible and conquerable all at once.

I thoroughly enjoyed Fearless, at first reading it without realizing how much I needed to reflect on the truths within its pages. Each chapter met a new level of concern–for me or for someone I know. I especially appreciated Lucado’s eight worry-stoppers in chapter four, making note of the very tangible way he suggests to acknowledge and eliminate areas of worry in our daily lives. Applying this new approach to fear–praying, heading off worries, evaluating the things I worry about most and letting God be enough in the process are all perfectly timed reminders!

Fearless is almost conversational–as if it were a chat over a good cup of coffee or tea. To read it is to sit down with a counselor for a “first session,” without any of the intimidation or fear you might expect would ensue; to reach the final chapter is to determine that you will no longer fall victim to your own fears as you once did, but rather that you will lean on a new, more complete understanding of the promises and love that Christ has to offer your life. Read it. Finish it. Then claim the truth that Lucado so articulately sets free in Fearless, and step a little more lightly into the day set before you, that you might “arise, and not be afraid!” (Mt 17.7)

Fearless was reviewed in connection with Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger Program

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The Noticer, Andy Andrews

The Noticer

Have you ever thought to yourself, “What difference does it make?”, or “What difference do I make?” Have you found yourself, or your life, in a state of unrest, unhappiness, unfulfillment? There are so many things that we think, do or say on a daily basis that we don’t necessarily recognize as important, life changing, even consequential. In his latest novel, The Noticer, Andy Andrews addresses the power of perspective in our lives, bringing to the forefront its capacity to change–not only our own lives, but the lives of others as well. Andrews’ character Jones speaks to a broad audience that almost any reader will resonate with on some level. He crafts a story that weaves the varying lives of a coastal town into one, common fabric that is hard to put down.

The Noticer is a refreshing read at a time when life for so many is filled with its challenges, dashed hopes, and discouraging turns. Within the first chapter, Jones becomes a friend you want to get to know better–a “best friend,” as he terms it, to many. I found myself rexamining my own life as Andrews reveals the lives of others, chapter by chapter. Surely there is a valuable nugget of wisdom (or three!) for anyone who takes the time to invest in this book. This will be one you want to read again–and one to pass on to those who matter to you most!

The Noticer was reviewed in connection with Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger Program 🙂