2016 Reading Challenge - August Update

One of the cool things about reading is being able to enter into a world that you are not apart of. I am not talking about fantasy here. I'm talking about real places in time and history that we will probably never be able to visit. Both fiction and non-fiction can provide this sort of experience and bring greater awareness to our BIG world. I appreciated that element of both of the fiction books that I read this month. At the beginning of the month, we knew we each needed to read an average of 5 books a month for the rest of the year. I am pretty shocked we were able to do that this month, with the Olympics consuming a large portion of our free time. It gives me hope that we will have no trouble finishing out the rest of the list!

Julie
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro (A novel set in another country) - This novel was the memoir of a British butler during World War II. It wasn’t suspenseful or gripping, but it was an interesting glimpse into a world I’d never given much thought to. I don’t really like rereading books, but this is one where a second read might reveal subtle details you didn’t notice the first time around. 

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (A Book over 400 pages - It was 402!) - This is one of the best books I’ve read all year, and definitely tops the list for fiction! It is a somber, but beautiful story of two women in Afghanistan. Though fiction, I also learned a lot about the history of Afghanistan. Not much else to say, but read the book!!

The Misery of Job and the Mercy of God by John Piper (A Poetry Book) - If you have ever wished to read the Wisdom Books as the poetry that they are, this is the closest you might be able to come without learning Hebrew. Piper does take some liberties with the story, but it is a really well written and there are nice connections made to our present day faith. 

Luke
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain (A Book for Children) - I read this to the kids at bedtime and it was a good reminder for me about how kids view events, adults and life. It actually gives me some good perspective during my parenting. It was fun to read.

1984 by George Orwell (A Classic Novel) - I am really glad I chose this. Its my favorite book so far of the year. Written in 1948, it predicts what life would be like in a strict communist regime. It got me thinking more politically than I normally do, and helped me understand the suffering under such systems. It was a powerfully well-written book.

Exegetical Fallacies by D.A. Carson (Book with an Ugly Cover - See the proof!) - I’ve read it once already, but it was a good reminder of how easily we can go wrong in our study and to not be lazy in my studying. 

​Habits of Grace by David Mathis (A Self Improvement Book) - It definitely did a good job of renewing my passion and motivation for the spiritual disciplines. It is not the first book I have read on the topic, but I did enjoy the unique angle he took on them.