Child.of.God.1989

Do you think it is our duty as "deep readers" to be patient with annoying characters in general, or that it is the author's responsibility to put in some checks and balances to their words and actions so they don't drive us crazy? I'm not talking about villains you love to hate, since a lot of great stories ride on those characters and it's obvious we should tolerate them. I think as long as the author makes the lesson clear from that character's shortcomings, those annoying characters can actually be enjoyable to read about. You can shake your head and chuckle at their stupidity, and hope they change later in the story. So who should change more, us or the author (also "us," in some cases:))?

Cool thought. In the interest of helping you toward a decision, I have wanted to contribute my favorite books some classify as "spiritual," and I have wanted to hear others' opinions of them. And of course, there are some authors who write both "spiritual" books and then other genres, like C.S. Lewis writing widely-accepted fiction stories, and Randy Alcorn the same way. I've just avoided discussing those books and authors for fear of stepping on toes in an otherwise friendly environment. Back to the topic started, thanks for the recommendation, KB. I have heard mixed sayings as to whether Ms. Meyer stays close to the Bible or not in her teachings, but this book sounds like it would be easier to discern right and wrong than her more popular The Battlefield of the Mind. Your suggestion of this simple book will be so helpful for many of us to get back on track to talking with God!

Oh, poor Michelle! I can't imagine what I would do instead of reading or playing on my Nintendo DS, besides try to get my head comfortable for a cat nap. I always anticipate long trips excitedly since that's my time to get some serious uninterrupted reading done - but instead of choosing meatier books like I should, I usually go for page-turners:). At Bible school, my desk can be comfortable if I have a big pillow behind me and my music on. It sounds like some people here like reading on their beds while they're at school, but mine's a bunk bed with six other girls whom I always retire much later after. We have a nice ladies' lounge and co-ed lounge, both with nice cushy couches and tables, and sunlight-welcoming windowpanes, but the co-ed lounge can be pretty noisy. At home when I was eleven or twelve, books like Harry Potter, Anne of Green Gables, and the Babysitter's Club series made it a wonderful game for me to find the sunniest spot in the house; would it be our living room, where I would lie on the couch instead of sitting with my feet off of it like I was supposed to? Or would it be on my comfy bed?

The writer: I wish I could meet this physician/husband/possessor of a great vocabulary. I am guessing he must be a very warm and engaging person to speak with. Thank goodness he had people around him to help him share what life was like from the 1970s to the near-present in Afghanistan. I may know a little more than the average nineteen-year-old about what has happened and is happening in the rest of the world, but this man's simple presentation of Kabul, the city with potential, let me know I still should think a lot more about the world outside of my own little circle. The story (more important to me): I checked out A Thousand Splendid Suns in December. I spent much of my break sitting with my mom since she had major surgery on the 21st, and I wanted to use the time without homework to catch up on reading for pleasure. Thankfully my dad consented to drop me off at the local library. I am thankful for this forum, since I probably wouldn't have heard enough about this book to spot it and check it out myself without you guys. Anyway, I had such a hard time tearing myself away from Suns! Usually I don't show too much outward emotion when I read; but my mom kept having to ask me what was wrong, as I would verbally grunt in frustration at how unfair the characters had it, or audibly gasp at the horror of what took place in their country and family. That doesn't mean you're going to feel miserable reading it - it's how compelling a story it is! I think the plight of the two women and the few good people around them will bring forth compassion from the surliest person.

Okay, so far for books that give you a humorous outlook on everyday life, I have the following ideas from all of us: Sein Language by Jerry Seinfeld - comedy bits on select topics such as dating, personal maintenance, and the busyness of life from his 1990s act and sitcom. I will have to ask my dad why he bought this years ago (good thing he did, as it's probably twice the price now!); I can't picture that wonderful man of few words being really interested in something like that and laughing out loud upon reading it. New Rules by Bill Maher Only Joking by Jimmy Carr Love All the People by Bill Hicks Fatherhood by Bill Cosby - at first I was going to suggest I Am What I Ate... and I'm Frightened! after seeing it in the New Release section a few years ago, and only recently watching Youtube clips from his hi-LAR-ious Himself tour. Apparently, though, that one is actually a very serious look at what it's like being closer to the end of your life. Anyway, I think from what he's had to say about his parents, and all the material on his sitcom of how ridiculous we can be with each other, this book would be enjoyable to anyone who is a member of a family. Of course, that's everyone! Words from the Wise: Over 6,000 of the Smartest Things Ever Said collected by Rosemarie Jarski - I found this one looking up one of my favorite comedians, Demetri Martin. In this quotation book he is recorded saying something like, "It'd be cool to have a video game where you cured all the people who get shot in other video games. You'd have to call it... 'Really Busy Hospital.'":) The Big Curmedgeon collected by Jon Winokur - I probably wouldn't be super-excited to sink my teeth in this book of bitter, pessimistic perspective, but it does quote sarcastic, brazen comedian Jim Gaffigan twice. Yes! Hmm... do you think these quotation books are really books you would maybe take on a long trip and read cover-to-cover? If I were going to do that, I would use a quotation book of all topics, and not just humor. Any other suggestions? Typically the humor books under this classification are a shade under 200 pages, just a linear grouping of different sayings of what they've noticed about life. I would appreciate any you have found from Christian authors or geniuses before the twentieth century. I know there must be some Christian ones out there after peeking at some books on parenting my mom had years ago, and hearing comedians like Chonda Pierce and Mark Lowry. (I didn't mention Lowry's written adaptation of his stand-up stuff since he's so over-the-top, bless his huge heart.) As for humor books that are a more genteel, classic age and flavor, I can't really think of anything besides Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's "Almanack", or something to that effect. Most of the Russian, American, and British authors around the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries seemed to display their wit more subtly and indirectly. Even if you see something that's more like a quotation of a great deal of different people, please share!

Books I checked out from the library today: Emma volumes 1 and 2 ~ Kaoru Mori the first one is SO sweet and beautifully drawn so far! Queen of Babble: In the Big City ~ Meg Cabot The Old Man and the Sea ~ Ernest Hemingway Mort ~ Terry Pratchett Mansfield Park ~ Jane Austen The Kite Runner ~ Khaled Hosseini The Man Who Was Thursday ~ Gilbert Keith Chesterton

To answer the discussion question: Well, no. But I do love the name, how it reminds me of Seinfeld. "No soup for you!" I think I would be a book Nazi if it weren't for my honesty with my clumsiness. If I were passive-agressive against someone maybe making a dog-ear, I would later kick myself for being a hypocrite. It's because I always bolt upright in my chair or bed in surprise at getting a food stain or a squished bug or something on yet another book! I really try to take care of them, though, since most of them are from the library! Doodles in textbooks set me off somewhat, and if the book is older I certainly would verbally address someone paying it disrespect. I have to honor my campus ministry at school as the library assistant, you know! ...Even if I have put in a library stamp upside down in an old commentary! Yikes. So, I'll just take your guys' recommendations rather than physical copies. For all our sakes.