Fictional Worlds

As a child I was fortunate to find the library and the world of books.

Lately, I’ve found some authors that are becoming my favorites. I recently read Women’s Intuition by Lisa Samson, Out of Control and In Too Deep by Mary Conneally – the first two of a series, and then today I finished Secrets on the Wind, the first of a series by Stephanie Grace Whitson.

 (all photos from Amazon.com)

 

These three authors, uniquely gifted, share the capacity to make characters so real and the story so compelling, that it is hard to come to the end of their fictional worlds.

The other night it occurred to me that living in a non-real world was effectively keeping me from enjoying time with my husband. I ended up apologizing and he forgave me.

So, with this last book, I made sure to read most of it when he was gone. My youngest daughter needed a favor, so the book took second place. It continued that way throughout the day – as responsibilities arose, a bookmark kept the page.

I enjoyed the last book all the more because even though it interfered with some of my plans, I chose mindfully instead of just getting lost in the tome.

I needed to go to the library for a quick trip. Last week I asked the librarian if she would order techno-thriller books written by Jefferson Scott since there were none in the cooperative counties’ library system.

She told me she couldn’t order them through her purchasing vendor. I thanked her and then turned away. Before leaving I returned. “If I buy them and read them, would it be okay to donate them to the library?”

She said yes and so I will.As I looked for them, I realized I had just called them technothrillers, not Ethan Hamilton Technothrillers and I almost missed them on Amazon.com’s site. No wonder she couldn’t find them. I learned that librarians like to buy books when it’s within their budget and they’re supposed to provide for an interest range to suit their customers. If worldly books fill much of the shelves, it does my heart good to see well-written Christian books available for perusal as well. If people don’t ask for the books they like, the librarians will purchase from selected lists.

Jesus told us to ask and it shall be given unto you, seek and you shall find, etc. Matt_7:7, (KJV): Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
I love the Word of God even more than I like fiction.

May God bless you!

 

 

Goals and Life Choices

Two days ago, on the demo exercise page, I checked off the blog twice a week box as if it were done. Then for two days I couldn’t seem to get to the computer. I hate writing out goals and then watching them sit, and then writing them over and over again each day. It causes me to begin or delete. Which is not a bad thing, I suppose. It’s just if the delete thing keeps happening, it can get discouraging. So I try to delete in moderation.

Ya know, do all things in moderation. 🙂

I’m reading and writing answers in a Bible study book, “Philippians: Experiencing God’s Peace,” by Elizabeth George. I think I’ve had it for years, but I think the timing is always a God-thing with my books. So I’m learning more about Paul’s life and his admonitions. Follow him as He follows Christ. Jesus Christ laid down His life as a sacrifice for others. Paul did the same. It’s heavy stuff. Given the opportunity, would I lay down my life for another? I hope so.

I’ve also read a few books that I didn’t care for. They were recommended in writing improvement books. Read this book, it’ll help you with characterization. Read that book, it’ll help you with dialogue. In Philippians 4:8 it talks about choosing what to think about. Here’s the American Standard Version: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

One book went back to the library at chapter three. The others were good until the very end, and then I was disappointed.One of the two actually made me mad. It was based in Victorian times, but the moral at the end was very much our times. One of the characters went insane because of controlling their passions. Please.

I’m trying to decide how to live according to Phil 4: 8. Also, Jesus said to be in the world, but not of the world. So, this evening, I got out two library books, one by Davis Bunn and one by Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker. I figure reading Christian authors is not a bad start. I’m not sure I’ll give up secular authors, but tonight I decided to. I guess I’ll research secular authors before I grab their books.

What are you reading lately, anything you want to talk about?