Helping People Change

I hope I haven't lost readers because of my neglect of this blog lately. I've had trouble with getting internet access. So, until I get this straightened out, I'll have to stop promising so much and just do what I can and when I can.

Today, I want to share with you some great resources I have discovered lately for people who want to help others in their quest for change. These are Christian authors who have helped me on the road to change and in my efforts at learning how to help others in the counseling process. I hope you find a few you may want to read in order to help yourself and the people with whom you come into contact.

1. How People Change by Tim Lane and Paul David Tripp - If you want just one book on the whole idea of how to make a change in your life or how to help others change, this would be the one. It has sound, biblical teaching on why we do what we do and how we must go about growing and maturing in Christ.

2. Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands - This book is probably the one in which I have highlighted the most text. I think it has been the most instrumental in my life to make me want to help others in their walk with God. I am now seeking to learn more in order to counsel others in God's Word. I recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about counseling other people biblically. 

3. A Theology of Christian Counseling: More Than Redemption by Jay Adams - This was part of the required reading I have done for a counseling class I am in right now. It, too, has a lot of highlighted parts and, although it was a little slower reading than some others I have read, it is packed with so much wisdom. It should be an essential part of every biblical counselor's bookshelf.   

4. Blame It On the Brain? by Ed Welch - I have just a few more chapters to go on this one for my class. If you have wondered about what causes people to do sinful things, whether it be the brain or our corrupt hearts, then you may be fascinated with this book, as I have been. The author explains how there are some disorders that may be caused by brain dysfunctions and some that are not. He says, "Sometimes it is legitimate to blame our misbehaviors on the brain, and sometimes it isn't. How can we know?" He attempts to answer this question in this book.

Along the way in my search for understanding the human condition and how we can change, I have come across other books that I have not yet read, but they are now on my TBR list. Since these have been recommended to me by reliable sources, I am confident in sharing them with you:

                   

                   

                        

I hope you find some great new resources from this list. Let me know if you read any of these. I'd like to hear how you like/don't like them.

Happy reading!

      

Notable Blogs

Here are some book review blogs I have found just this week that you may like. Please go check them out and tell me what you think.

Tales of Whimsy - I have now added Pearl in the Sand to my TBR list after reading Whimsy's review!

Relz Reviewz - Looks like this blog is going to be dangerous to my TBR list as well. It just keeps getting longer and longer!

So Many Books - WOW, I saw books on this blog I never knew existed! How will I ever read them all?

Deb's Book Bag - This blog looks pretty eclectic, closer to the mix of books that I like to read.

My Buckling Bookshelf - I love the name of this blog!

Oh, boy. I might have to stop doing this. It's almost as dangerous as my job at the library because I see so many new books I want to read. OK, I surrender. I'll have to just enjoy the ride of reading and not try to read all the good ones I see!

Have you found any book review blogs to share? Please let me know in the comments.

Books Recommended By Others

Everywhere I go, whether it is work, or church, or just out running errands, I look to see what other people are reading. I often look at the book cover when I see someone reading and I will ask them to tell me if it is a good book. At the library where I work, I ask the patrons or my coworkers: "What have you been reading?" or "Have you read any good books lately?" I get some good responses and sometimes, an excellent recommendation for a book that I wind up reading just because someone told me about it.

That's what I want this blog to be for you: a place where you can come and get good suggestions for books that you might otherwise not hear about. I want you to feel free to share your recommendations as well.

Recently, I had a giveaway on this blog as a part of Blogmania. I asked the commenters to tell me what was their favorite book of 2010. I have compiled the results and want to share them with you.

Since the list is really long, I made a separate page for it. So, if you are interested, just click on the tab on the top of the blog that says "Books Recommended by Others".

Remember, this is a list from people who have come to my blog, not a list I have written myself. So, there is quite an eclectic mix of titles on the list. I DO NOT recommend them all to you. However, since I understand that we all have different tastes in reading material, I thought we would all benefit from this list.

Here are the ones I will probably be adding to my TBR:

Firefly Lane - Kristen Hannah

Fireworks Over Toccoa - Jeffrey Stepakoff

The Island - Ellen Hilderbrand
The Last Child - John Hart

A Maze of Grace - Trish Ryan
The Red Tent - Anita Diamant

Room - Emma Donoghue

Sarah’s Garden: A Patch of Heaven - Kelly Long

Shanghai Girls - Lisa See
She Walks in Beauty - Siri Mitchell
She’s Gone Country - Jane Porter
The Silent Governess - Julie Klassen
Think of a Number - John Verdon
The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag - Alan Bradley
Winter Garden - Kristen Hannah

Are there any of these you have read that you didn't like? Tell me, please!

What do you think? Have you read any of the books on the list (I have read 18 of them)? If so, which ones did you like? Leave a comment!

Updates - What I've Been Reading/Reviewing

Today I updated three of my pages (the tabs on the top of the main page of the blog):

TBR list - I removed all the books I have read. So now I need to add more. :)

Library Reading Challenge - I added more titles to this list. My goal is to read at least 50 library books this year. I have read 32 so far.

Books Read in 2010 - This list includes the previous list. I added titles to this list. I read 13 books in July, 12 books in August, and a total of 91 books so far in 2010.

I also added something to the Books Read page. I went through and put links to all the reviews I have posted for the books read. I hope you will take the time to look at those reviews you may have missed.

If you'd like to see all 71 reviews I have posted this year, go here.

I'd love to know what you have been reading. Have you read any books from the library this year? As a librarian, I highly encourage use of the library. It is one of a community's greatest resources.

Also, how many books have you read this year? Do you keep a list? That is something I love to do. It is like a "to do" list where each item is crossed out after you do it. When you look at it, it gives you such a sense of accomplishment. If you don't have such a list, I hope you'll consider starting one today.

What have been your favorite books of the year? I'm planning on posting my favorites soon.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments. I love to hear from you!

Great Reviews on a Great Blog!

No, this is not a plug for this blog, but for another wonderful blog. Every week, on Saturday, my sister allows us to post links to our reviews on her blog, Semicolon.

I usually get more books to add to my TBR list when I go to Semicolon and read the reviews. So, when you go, reader beware! You may find some good reading..... (Check it out. Then come back here and let me know about your new finds!)

Notable Blogs

I'd like to to introduce you to some of my online "friends". These book review blogs are ones I have enjoyed reading and I often find books to add to my TBR list.

Linus' Blanket: http://www.linussblanket.com/ - I like how this blogger reviews books, especially the creativity she shows (see June 29, 2010 post - Lost vs. Rowan The Strange: A Nerds Heart YA Showdown - for an example). I have added many books to my TBR list after reading this blog!

The Crowded Leaf: http://thecrowdedleaf.wordpress.com/ - First of all, I love the header on this blog. The pictures are so peaceful and beautiful. And I always see new books I have not seen before. Alayne seems to have the same tastes in books as I do.



Homespun Light: http://homespunlight.blogspot.com/ - Probably the best part about this blog (except maybe all the great baby photos!) is the reason Emily started this blog. She says: "I started this blog where anyone can recommend books as long as they are free of sex, profanity, and graphic violence." I admire her for doing this. Although I don't agree with her religious views (she is LDS), I like reading her reviews.

Book Chase: http://bookchase.blogspot.com/ - Most of the books that Sam reviews are ones that I would not normally pick up and read. However, I love reading blogs like this, bacause they stretch me and expand my normal reading boundaries, which, I think, is a good thing. I don't want to be caught in a rut. I believe I learn so much more by being an eclectic reader.

Please visit these blogs. And, could you share with me some book review blogs you have found and like to read? I always enjoy "meeting" new "friends".

Have You Read Any of These Books?

I'd like to ask a favor from all my fellow bibliophiles. Could you take a look at my TBR list and tell me which ones you have read or reviewed and what you thought? Please leave a comment!

Here are the ones I thought sounded good when I came across them recently:

Because He Loves Me - Elise Fitzpatrick

The Betrayal - Bond

Broken for You - Kallos

Buffalo Soldier - Chris Bohjalian

The Cellist of Sarajevo - Galloway

Child 44 - Tom Rob Smith

Confederates in the Attic - Horowitz

Cordelia Underwood - Reid

Crow Lake - Lawson

Day After Night - Anita Diamant

Fated Genes - Kraus

Game Change - John Heileman and Mark Halperin

Half Broke Horses - Jeanette Walls

Her Mother’s Hope - Francine Rivers

Hester - Paula Reed
I am Nujood, 10 and Divorced - Nujood Ali
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - Rebecca Skloot

Jane Austen Ruined My Life - Beth Patillo

Kabul Beauty School - Deborah Rodriguez
The Knight - Steve James
The Less-Dead by April Lurie
The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott - Kelly O’Connor McNees
Lumby Lines - Fraser
Marcelo in the Real World - Francisco X. Stork
Midwives - Chris Bohjalian
Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart - Beth Patillo
My Turn to Make the Tea - Monica Dickens
No Apology - Mitt Romney
Olive Kitteridge - Elizabeth Strout
The Other Side of the Bridge - Lawson
People of the Book - Brooks
The Pickup - Nadine Gordimer
Pleasing People - Lou Priolo
Prayers for Sale - Sandra Dallas
The Red Tent - Anita Diamant
Respectable Sins - Jerry Bridges
Sarah’s Key - Tatiana de Rosnay
Skeletons at the Feast - Chris Bojhalian
Still Alice - Lisa Genova
The Sweet By and By - Johnson
The Tangled Web - Lucy Maud Montgomery
Tea With Hezbollah - Ted Dekker and Carl Medearis
Three Cups of Tea - Greg Mortenson
Tinkers - Paul Harding
Two Strand River - Keith Maillard
Velva Jean Learns To Drive - Niven
Village School - Miss Read
Walking to Gatlinburg - Howard Frank Mosher
Wench - Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Word Gets Around - Lisa Wingate
Year of Wonders - Brooks

Have you read any of these? If you have written a review of any of them (positive or negative), please give me the link in your comment.

Thanks and Carpe Libris!