I really like this week's "Sunday Stealin' " questions. To learn more about this weekly meme, head on over here.
Has reading a book ever changed your life? Which one and why, if yes?
Yes. There've been a couple of them: The Bible, especially the New Testament. Why? Because the example Jesus left us is inspiring. Because it contains all we need to know to have a full and abundant life: to worship God with our whole self and to love our neighbor as ourselves. The parables are full of metaphors for us to learn from even today and if you know the historical and cultural context, you'll see JEsus was a liberal radical for His time and place in the world. The power of the Scriptures is something I have personally felt and been affected by. It also contains the mystery of how to live eternally.
The fiction book that most changed my life was Les Misearables by Victor Hugo. Again, Jean Valjean is a type of Christ figure. It's so well written. The symbolism and the paying it forward that Jean Valjean did based on how the priest responded to him....the love and redemption...and forgiveness in the book are so powerful. It was truly life changing for me. I want to be like Jean Valjean.....I want to show mercy and forgiveness even towards people who don't deserve it.
Do you prefer to read fiction or non fiction?
I definitely prefer fiction but I read several non-fiction books a year as well. Non fiction for me is usually someone's memoir or biography or a bible study book based on a specific topic. The genre of fiction I prefer are mysteries followed by historical fiction. I do not care for romance novels or most science fiction. I sometimes like fantasy.
If you could be a character in any novel you've read, who would you be?
That's a tough one because I have read a lot of books in my lifetime and there's been several characters I would love to be. I guess if I had to choose just one, it would be Cosette from Les Miserables. Mainly because of the symbolism her character portrays.
Has reading a book ever made you cry? Which one, and why?
Yes. Les Miserables. I shouldn't have to say why if you've read it. You'd know! Plus, it would take way too long. In summary: the power of redemption.
Another book that made me cry was The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Shame on certain Americans and our government at that time.
There've been several books that have made me feel "Choked up": The Kite Runner; The Book Thief; Where the Crawdads Sing; The Hiding Place; My Sister's Keeper; Still Alice; All The Lost Places; The Berry Pickers; After the Forest; Silas Marner ( I know there's more!)
How many books do you read a year?
I typically average between 40-50 books a year.
Name a book you had to read, but hated. Why did you hate it?
Oedipus Rex. Ok, I know this is really a play but UGH. I had to read it for Drama Literature in my senior year of high school. Yes I chose that course. Most of the literature we read was excellent. Oedipus Rex was just so difficult, daunting, and depressing. I know I know...there's a moral to the story..we aren't in charge of our destiny and all of that....but ugh...as a 17 yr old I did NOT like this story. Maybe because we had to analyze it to death.
If someone wrote a book about your life what would it be called?
The Wild Woods Girl. Omg I don't know....no idea! hahaha. Or....Out of the Shadows. A title I"ve actually considered when my pastor's wife told me I should write my life story. It involves childhood sexual abuse. Not sure I'm ready to write that all out though.
Have you ever written (or started to write) a book?
Yes, see above answer. I have recently written 4 mini devotionals for my friend's devotional book she is trying to get published.
If you could pick a book you've read to make into a movie, what would it be?
The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. (Where the Crawdad's Sing, Les Miserables, and The Book Thief are already made into movies as is To Kill a Mockingbird).
What was your favorite book as a child?
The Secret Garden. by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Once I got to be a young teen, my favorite book was A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. (That should also be a movie...is it??) by Betty Smith
What are you reading right now?
Beartown (book 1 in the series) by Fredrik Backman; Point of View (a memoir) by Elizabeth Hasselbeck; and The Blessed Home: from Chaos to Calm by Amy Jae
I also just started a mini advent devotional but I can't remember the name of it...it's on my phone app; and I'm finishing up a mini devotional about Social Justice. I'm also at the beginning of Psalm 119 by King David from the Old Testament.
What are you reading currently??
6 comments:
Fun post, Faith. I will try to join in later today! See you again soon!
I ran across a Fern Michaels book on my library app and am listening to that. I thought Fern Michaels stopped writing a long time ago so was surprised. I hadn't read any of her work in ages.
I really enjoyed your answers. Several of those same books made me "tear up." Actually, I may have actually cried :-).
I love that you are a book nerd like me. I even chose librarian as a career. We have similar reading tastes, I have Bear Town but haven't read it yet. The New Testament is a blessing to read, these are letters from God to us.
I agree that Jesus is a radical; I'd say progressive, but yeah.
YES! A better word would be progressive. that's kind of like my self...i tend to lean left and i'm a progressive christian.
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