On.a.Whim 2012 Winter Booklist + A Giveaway!

Hi On.a.Whim Friends, (Please make sure you read all the way through this post to see how you can win a basket of goodies!)

Yes, I do realize that it's almost mid-February and that the Spring Booklist should be going live rather than Winter, but I'd hate to miss a season of wonderful literary choices! I've read or am currently reading the below selections; maybe they are worthy of finding a home on your bookshelf as well. 

Jayber Crow is the "Lit Wits" latest book club selection and my first introduction to Wendell Berry. This story about the Port William community through the eyes of bachelor Jayber unfolded into a deeply profound reminder of how we are so often shaped by the people and landscape that surrounds us. I've heard Hannah Coulter, also of Port William, is equally as meaningful.

Mr. Berry will be in Birmingham February 27th and will be featured in the 2012 Tom and Marla Corts Distinguished Author Series event at Samford 's Wright Center. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

In Hillenbrand's second novel, she retells the life of Olympic runner and World War II POW Louie Zamperini. Just as in her riveting portrayal of famed race horse Seasbiscuit, Hillenbrand brings to life  the poignant story of one enigmatic man's survival and ultimate redemption. Not since Bonhoeffer's biography have I been so moved by a life and thankful for a writer's ability to provide a story well told.

Most compelling quote from the book (at least from my perspective): 

"Dignity is as essential to human life as water, food, and oxygen. The stubborn retention of it, even in the face of extreme physical hardship, can hold a man's soul in his body long past the point at which the body should have surrendered it. The loss of it can carry a man off as surely as thirst, hunger, exposure, and asphyxiation, and with greater cruelty.....degradation could be as lethal as a bullet." 


Here is another especially beautiful line:

"When he thought of his history, what resonated with him now was not all that he had suffered but the divine love that he believed had intervened to save him."

The Wizard of Oz from our childhood is brought to life in this retelling from the Wicked Witch of the West's perspective. I've only heard rave reviews of Gregory Maguire's novel which is now an award-winning broadway musical and happens to be showing in Birmingham right now. This is our next Lit Wit selection.

I cannot wait to crack open this new book by Founder of Fixed Point Foundation and Birmingham Native Larry Taunton as he tells of his friendship with prominent atheists in contrast to the experience of adopting a child from the Ukraine. 

Oh Katniss, how I've missed you since I raced through all through of The Hunger Games trilogy in the month of January. Fantastic! Truly, I cannot wait for the first book to come alive on screen next month.

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I saved the best part for last!

Please share your favorite book of all time and explain your reason(s).

The winner, who will be announced next Saturday, February 18th, will receive a *Custom On.a.Whim Basket* filled with all kinds of whimsical treats. If you, by chance, live out of town, DO NOT DESPAIR! The basket will be mailed or hand-delivered by yours truly!

On.a.Whim Summer Booklist + Giveaway

Read all the way through this post to find out how you could enjoy On.a.Whim's June Giveaway!

I am excited to report that I read – from cover to cover – each of the spring booklist selections+ additional ones! Eric Metaxas’ biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer was absolutely stunning. Bonhoeffer’s life, family, devotion to God and experiences are unparallel to any others I have known. You cannot read this book and not be changed. I’ve selected his notable, The Cost of Discipleship, in the hope of gleaning more from his exemplary life.

John Steinbeck’s literary classic, East of Eden, made it’s way into my April reading, and I found myself not wanting to say goodbye to the Trask family. So, for my summer novel selection, I’m going with The Grapes of Wrath, and I’m inviting my Grandmother Marlene to read along with me. It’s always nice to have a discussion partner.

Am loving this vintage book jacket image!

Speaking of reading discussion partners – I am in a summer book club with six other girls. Our June selection is Jonathan Safran Foer’s Everything is Illuminated. I’m pretty excited about our little book club and the opportunity to read a book from a previously unknown-by-me author. Stay tuned for more book club updates!

I began John Piper’s classic Desiring God while at Auburn, but am now planning wanting to absorb it in its entirety.

In the month of May, I rekindled an old fondness for Elisabeth Elliot and read through my friend Rebecca’s copy of Passion & Purity in a week and a half. Within those pages are so many truths regarding biblical courtship and submission to Christ’s authority in our dating relationships. I was humbled, challenged and encouraged; so much so that I’ve already plowed through the book she dedicated to her daughter Valerie on biblical manhood and womanhood – Let Me Be a Woman.

I highly recommend both of these. In a time when gender identity, relationships and is dumbed down to the culture of the day, Elliot candidly reminds us of God’s enduring plan for his children regarding our sexuality and relationships.

Why wouldn't I want to read "the classic guide to intelligent reading?!"

A beautiful novel by a true Minnesotan. Only heard great things about this one!

How about you? What books are you planning to enjoy this summer while you’re at the beach, at home or on the go? I’d love to hear from you!

**Submit your response, and you’ll be eligible to win one of my all time favorite books + an On.a.Whim treat! Leave a comment by this Friday, June 10^th to be eligible to win!**

Happy Reading On.a.Whim Friends!

On.A.Whim Spring Booklist

I’m particularly excited about this spring’s On.a.Whim booklist. Since Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s bio is quite immense, this quarter’s list will be of a more realistic, pared down variety.

Less then a month ago, I had the extreme pleasure of hearing Author Eric Metaxas speak at Beeson Divinity School’s weekly chapel service. To hear this articulate, amusing and highly intelligent writer speak about his subject Bonhoeffer only further whetted my appetite to dive into this historically relevant, superbly written volume. Thus far, the reading has been worth every moment. If you want a challenging, thought-provoking read, pick up your copy of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy today.

Lance Armstrong may be a winner when it comes to cycling, but he lost big time when he let ex-wife Kristin go. There is an ongoing list of people I’d like to share coffee with some day, and this lady is certainly at the top. She’s a writer, strong Christian, runner, mother, knitter and motivational speaker. Her weekly blog, Marking Miles on www.runnersworld.com, is the first blog I started following several years ago, and her newest book is a compilation of highlights from the years. It’s entitled Mile Markers: The 26.2 Most Important Reasons Why Women Run, and I can't wait to have a couple in my hands!

It takes a bit of chutzpah to admit it, but we all struggle with insecurity. In So Long, Insecurity Beth Moore speaks candidly to the heart of the Christian woman and her battle with insecurity in this autobiography of sorts. Read it. Then read it again.

I'm always excited to add more cookbooks to my collection. Chicken & Egg caught my eye in Anthropologie and the reviews for My Father's Daughter speak only praise for Gywnneth's culinary acumen. We shall see!

Benjamin has done a fine job of introducing me to the used bookstore world first with our local 2^nd & Charles in Hoover. Then last Friday, he surprised me with a road trip to Chattanooga, TN and took me to what must be the largest used bookstore in the South – McKay Books. I’m a huge dork for admitting this, but I’ve been searching for a good thesaurus and picked up a Roget’s International Fifth Edition for only five bucks at McKay! On our way to The Scenic City, we stopped for a picnic, and then explored downtown, strolled along Market Street Bridge, and dined at Minnesota-native Famous Dave’s. The only thing that could have made the day better would have been more time for us to sit and actually spend time READING!

Thanks for following along. Please don’t be timid to share your recent readings, as I’m always looking for new material! I think I’ll do a cookbook giveaway for the summer On.a.Whim booklist. Stay tuned…

On.a.Whim Fall Book List

With shorter days and cooler temps on the horizon, I'm eager to head indoors and delve into a strong cup of coffee and a good book. I always try to gather a selection of reads ranging from the spiritual to the biographical to the fictional. Here's a summary of this season's literary choices. Feel free to share what you're reading; I'm always interested in finding good books and need to gather ideas for winter!

The gospels: yep, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I'm appalled to say I've never read them straight through and am interested in exploring four different men's perspectives of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Christ. Plus, I'm hoping this spiritual journey will prepare my heart and mind for the Christmas season.

It's about time that I make time for this one; it's been calling my name from it's perch on the bookcase for a couple years now. Three Cups of Tea is the story of a mountaineer turned humanitarian who takes on poverty and oppression in the Taliban's birthplace one school at a time.

After a failed attempt to climb K2 in the Karakoram mountains, Greg Mortenson drifts into a poor Pakistan village, emaciated and defeated. There he is overwhelmed by the villagers' kindness; he recovers his strength and makes a promise to return and build a school one day. This book unravels the building of not just that one promised school, but 54 others.

Another long-standing bookcase warmer, Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food explores the great fallacy of our American diet and calls us back to real, healthful food choices that will, in his projection, decrease our country's cancer and chronic disease epidemic. A thoughtful, more scientific read, this book choice will be beneficial but not the most palatable for my dominant right brain!

Ah yes, the one I'm most eager to crack open! in 2008, Running of Faith's Jason Lester became the first person with a disability to finish the Ultraman World Championship (yes, that would be a ULTRA Ironman Triathlon Championship Race.) With the use of only three limbs, he competed in one of the most demanding endurance races in the world - swimming 6.2 miles, biking 261.4 miles, and running 52.4 miles! This is Jason's story of how he has braved unbelievable physical and emotional adversity to become an elite athlete and inspiration. The coolest part is he gives all the glory to God. I have a sneaking suspicion this one's going to be one of my new favorites.

A short read, Timothy Keller's The Prodigal God is supposed to take a fresh perspective on one of the most familiar parables; the prodigal son. Several people have recommended this one to me and it's my first Keller book to read.

This one's an indulgence. I'm not going to lie; I really enjoy Nicholas Sparks! Here's his latest. A love story, I'm sure; probably set in a small North Carolina town with a twist at the end. Mindless reading at its best!

That's the end; I best get to reading! But before I go, here are some lake pictures from this weekend. Some of my community group gathered for food, fellowship and skeet shooting at Champlin Farms before heading off to see the second half of the Auburn game. WAR EAGLE!!