It’s funny. I have been listening to Steven Curtis Chapman for years, and when we started our first adoption over eight years ago I was acutely aware of their adoption journeys. When tragedy struck a few years ago, and their littlest daughter, Maria died at age five, I was so moved. We were in the process of adopting our second daughter from China when it happened. Since, then the story of their tragedy faded in my mind, and we added our youngest to our family.

About two weeks ago, I was in Bath and Body in Hutchinson when a stranger came up to me and apologized for being too forward, but told me that I really needed to read Mary Beth Chapman’s new book, “Choosing to SEE”. I remember hearing that she wrote a book, but this lady insisted I read it. She told me I would be moved. I bought the book later that week.

I have to say “Choosing to SEE” has not only failed to disappoint, but I haven’t been able to put it down. It is so good that I’m likely to move it to my Best Books Ever Read list, and highly recommend it to others. If you’ve ever been a mom or wife, you will relate. If you’ve been depressed or know someone battling with depression, you’ll gain insight. If you’ve been through the adoption process, you will laugh and cry. It is extremely easy to read, written with such love and devotion.

Check out their website for Adoption Care, called ShowHope.

What are you waiting for? If you are a family or friend reading this, yes, you can borrow my copy! Just Ask.

It wasn’t long ago that I heard the word “centenarian” for the first time, and I had no clue what it meant. I turned to the Internet to learn that it was in reference to people living to be 100 years old. I’ve been mesmerized by that word ever since. My great grandmother lived into her late 90’s, and I know I’m very lucky to have been a part of her life. I have been giving this much thought lately, as I try to figure out what to get my grandmothers for Christmas.

Having raised their children, purchased their homes, traveled the countryside, worked hard, and long been in retirement, clutter is the last thing they need. I try to send photos, write letters, and make visits as much as possible. I know that is what truly means something. Yet, I find myself wanting to wrap a little gift to bring along; a little something that says “thanks for helping me to appreciate baking” and “thanks for teaching me the value of saving money”. All of my childhood memories of the holidays include my grandparents, so why wouldn’t I look for a unique item that might bring a smile?

Well, I am happy to report I think I found a great gift this year. It’s a little hard-covered book called, “What I Know- Uncommon Wisdom and Universal Truths from 10 Year Olds and 100 Year Olds” by Roger Emerson Fishman with Joe Rohrlich. I connected with Joe Rohrlich online, and he sent me a beautiful autographed copy of the book. It’s full of great short stories and funny bits of wisdom from people ten to one hundred years old. It’s the type of book you can pick up, flip to any page, and enjoy reading a little or a lot at one time. You quickly see yourself, your kids, your parents and your grandparents in the stories and humor.

One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is sip a hot coffee and peruse the isles of Barnes and Noble. In fact, I took all three of my girls there yesterday, as part of our annual holiday shopping day. What I know is that “What I Know” is available at Barnes and Noble, Borders, and I believe Target even has it. It is very new though, so do a little searching and I’m sure you’ll find it.

*To my family, ahh…well, this idea is obviously already taken. Don’t even try to rush out and get to grandma before me.

I recently read “The Wednesday Letters” by Jason Wright, and couldn’t put it down. It was a quick read, but worth the time. If you love books that catch you right away, keep you reading, have some mystery and love story mixed in, and ultimately send a thought provoking message by the end…you’ll love this book. It reaffirms what it is to be married to the love of your life. It is a book focused on parenting children and raising strong families. There are several adoption-related story lines that are heartwarming! This would make a great Mother’s Day gift for a mom or grandmother!

First, I have to admit that my tastes run a little out of line with the typical mom.  Sure, I may have been instrumental in ushering in the Twilight craze among local moms, but generally speaking…  well, lets just say that I’ve never read a word of Jodi Picoult or Nora Roberts, and I don’t really intend to.  I am a lover of young adult fiction, of fantasy, and admittedly some “chick lit” (I loved The Lovely Bones)

That being said, I just finished reading The Name of the Wind, and I loved it.  It is the story of how a brilliant young boy thrived in the face of adversity, and grew to be an epic hero.

I have to admit that I didn’t like the main character, Kvothe very much at first.  I thought he was arrogant and smug as he recounted his intellectual prowess.  But as the story progresses, and life crushes in on him, you begin to see the man he becomes, when being a clever little boy is no longer enough.

The Name of the Wind is the first (an only published, so far)  book in a promising new series by author Patrick Rothfuss of Wisconsin.  I found it thorough and brilliantly crafted,much like the Harry Potter novels.  Only The Name of the Wind is meatier, designed for adult readers who are looking forsomething more substantial to gnaw on.  If you are any sort of fantasy fan (note that my fantasy fandom doesn’t stray past J.R.R. Tolkein, C.S. Lewis, Neil Gaiman and J.K. Rowling) I think you will thoroughly enjoy this book.

I am about a fourth of my way through the book, finding it hard to keep at it. The story is fine, and I am actually laughing as I go. Maybe it’s the bad cold I’ve been fighting or the lack of free-time to curl up and read, but at any rate, I usually read books much faster than this.

I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with Amelia Frahm, author of “Tickles Tabitha’s Cancer-Tankerous Mommy” a great book for children who have a mother or even a grandmother going through cancer treatments. If you or a loved one are dealing with this topic, you can visit Amelia’s site to order the book: www.nutcrackerpublishing.com

A thought occurred to me. Let’s post the best books we’ve read. Why? Because finding out what each of us has already read is more helpful than lists of what we could read. Over the years I have read lots of good books, but as soon as it’s not “in” anymore, I forget about it. Then, I can’t recall the name, because I am forgetful, distracted, and well, whatever. So, please do us all a favor and post a few of the best books you’ve ever read. If you have to write a note next to it, do so. Here’s my list to get started, in no particular order:

1. Wild Swans (three generations of women in China, an epic you can’t put down, own-it, will send it to you as long as you pass it along to someone else)

2. Wild Flower and the Snow Fan (another great story of China)

3.  The E-Myth Revisited (a small business parable, must read for business owners)

4. Twilight (all four books, just pure fun, own it, will send it to you as long as you pass it along to someone else)

5. Mountains Beyond Mountains: Healing the World (True story, couldn’t put it down)

6. Why Men and Women Act the Way They Do (funny, practical, religious)

7. The Red Tent (Biblical Fiction)

8.  Airframe (by Michael Crichton)

A friend went through the work of compiling this list of suggested books from her mom friends, and graciously gave it to me to post for all of you. There are some books on this list I’ve heard of, but many are new for me to check out.

1. Dinner with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory
2. She’s Gonna Blow by Julie Barnhill
3. Changed Into His Image by Jim Berg (4)
4. The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick
5. The Ultimate Gift
6. Foxes Book of Martyrs
7. The Pilgrim’s Progress
8. Rees Howells, Intercessor
9. When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes A Difference by Carolyn Custis James
10. Brutcho
11. A Foreign Devil in China (Ruth Graham Bell’s life in China with her missionary parents)
12. God in You by David Jeremiah
13. Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hand
14. A Heart Like His by Beth Moore
15. The Remarkable Women of the Bible by Elizabeth George
16. Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul by John and Stasi Eldredge
17. Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
18. Breaking Free: Making Liberty in Christ a Reality in Life by Beth Moore
19. Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala
20. God’s Plan for Transforming Your Life by Jim Berg
21. The Shack. (2)
22. The Healing Quilt by Lauraine Snelling
23. Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
24. Trusting God Even When Life Hurts by Jerry Bridges
25. Crazy Love by Francis Chan
26. The Strength of His Mercy by Jan Beazley
27. Isobel Kuhn By Searching
28. The Christ Commission by Og Mandino
29. In HIs Steps by Charles M. Sheldon

I couldn’t resist choosing this book to read and review next. If you’ve already read “Confessions of a Super Mom” by Melanie Hauser, please comment and let me know what you think. If not, join me on this journey and let’s review it together. I’ll post again, after I’ve started reading.

This book, written by Julie Barnhill, never gets tucked away on a book shelf. I read this book a little different than I read other books. I pick it up and read a chapter when I feel the urge. If I had a bad day, feel guilty about not being the mom I want to be, or just plain want to refresh my sense of what motherhood is really about, I turn to “She’s Gonna Blow”. This book is filled with humor, which I love. It also is very realistic (I love the traveling stories). If you are looking for a good book on handling your frustration, managing your anger, and want to stop screaming at your kids and enjoy them, then read this book. Let me know what you think.