Book List

Boring, I know. But they have always been good friends to me. Here are the recent pals I've commuted to work with each day:

Captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge - Its infamy reached me back home, before I ever found it here in London on the little bookshelf at church. I was strongly urged to read this, as it's the "woman version" of Wild at Heart, a Christian book about manhood. I was a bit disappointed in the writing style, as well as the content and grounding in Biblical reference.

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey - A British friend, upon seeing me with this book, told me that the devil uses "Christian books" for mischief in the minds of Christians who read them...well, religiously. This friend asked, "Tell me, have you ever been dramatically changed by a Christian book?" Now - if it can be said about any book - I'd have to say that this one in particular gave me a lot to think about. I think something has changed in my perspective on prayer...and God himself. I don't know that it's any better or worse - but different.

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen - An oldie, but a goodie. Highly amusing as well as tiresome from the start due to Austen's use of humour / satire. It was interesting to see her development as an author, having read Persuasion not long ago.

PS, I Love You by Cecelia Ahern - My current companion. Was handed this book even before finishing the last pages of Northanger Abbey. One of my co-workers who concentrated on Irish studies for her MA tells me that this is the Irish literary scandal - Ahern is the daughter of the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, a big reason why she was able to be published and made into a major motion picture. Let's be real: Not well-penned in the sense of writing style, but the author is a good storyteller.
*Haven't cried yet. Of course, I do have a heart of stone : )