A Good Read

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

If you are a regular reader, you know I have very little self control when it comes to food or spending, but you may not know that I lose all sense of money, time or duty when it comes to books. As a little girl, I spent entire days draped over the living room couch engrossed in a book. When my children were young, though I would not buy candy or toys at the check out line of the store, if they asked for a book, I gave in. At the same time, my own reading for pleasure declined. Responsibilities got in the way. I am not the kind of person who can pick up a book for a few minutes, then, put it down and move onto something else. I am compulsive about finishing in one sitting. I love a well written story with a good ending, but enough twists within the plot that you are not quite sure everyone will live happily ever after until the very last chapter. I love it when words are stung together like poetry, and I can feel the setting and the emotions of the moment. Even though I often read the ending first in order to put the book down when necessary, I continue to obsess over it until the last word is read. With the pressing needs at home and an early rise time to get to work, it is rare that I can indulge that way anymore. I was at a book fair at one of our historical sites this week and to support them, bought a book called, things i want my daughters to know by Elizabeth Noble. It was exactly the kind of book that I enjoy, except for the sex scenes. I wish that they made PG versions of good books. While the love is important to advance the story, do they have to be so graphic about all the bumping and grinding? With text like this: “When she was younger, Hannah liked to feel sad, so long as it was ‘artificial’ sad; that was what she called it when the sadness was about something that wasn’t real”, and four delightfully different sisters finding direction in their deceased mother’s letters and diary, it was a great read that kept me up until two in the morning to finish. I know another compelling book that I also let responsibilities keep me from enjoying. It is full of twist and turns, drama and human foibles, The Bible. And I have discovered a new way to make it come alive so that I can hardly put it down as well. I listen to chapters while I am getting ready for work now. I use Biblegateway.com, read the scripture of the day, then, click on the link to hear the chapter read aloud by a man with a captivating voice. Try it yourself. I think you will find it every bit as fascinating as a novel and even more life changing.