My Reading List

While there are some tricky things to traveling with my little monkey-girl, one benefit is that I’m forced to spend the afternoon in my hotel room, from 2-4 or 5, in the dark with the curtains drawn, while she naps.  Neither of my kids are on-the-go nappers, which is probably partly due to the fact that I’m a Babywise fanatic, and partly due to genetics since I can’t sleep anywhere other than a bed in absolute darkness. So, we spend the afternoons in our hotel.  But I’ve read two books so far and am on the third and this is pure indulgence for me because reading is a luxury to mommies, as you know.  They’ve all been fantastic, so I thought I’d give you my list:

1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett (actually read this last month, fascinating look at civil rights in Mississippi in the 1960s. I loved this book.)

2. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (Sadly I usually don’t care much for Christian fiction, but this was a page-turner to be sure.)

3. Still Alice by Lisa Genova (I read this in one sitting during Heidi’s nap yesterday.  Powerful, sad, insight into Alzheimer’s disease. Made me think we should all read novels written from the perspective of those suffering from different diseases–totally changes our perspective and helps nurture compassion.)

4. Revolutionary Parenting by George Barna (non-fiction, fascinating statistical research of common ground of parents who have raised spiritual champions.  Super motivating, just what I needed.)

So…I haven’t actually eaten any Texas BBQ yet, but I’ve read some good books! 🙂  My favorite part of vacation is just that–taking the time to step back from the day-to-day of our life and get perspective. I can be so lost in the minutia and feel as if the whole world rested on my getting the laundry done or returning all my emails.   That’s what reading does for me–opens up the world and lets me peak inside.  Oh, all THAT is going on, Lord?!  Wow.

Good stuff.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some books to read.