What I'm Reading This Summer [Seriously, You Want To Know]

Okay a confession first, at my corner of the world we don’t have the typical 'summer' at this time of the year. What we have is the rain pouring down in droves. This really means two things; ‘playing in the rain’ or chilling at home. I have chosen the latter and I have a pile, I’m serious, a pile on my to-read list. So I thought it a good Idea to share with you 'the worlds' I would be stepping into on days I’m trapped at home and on days that reruns of my favourite TV series ‘Lost’ isn’t just doing it for me. So Let’s go!

1. Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven but Nobody Wants To Die by David Crowder & Mike Hogan

I actually got this last year and I was fascinated by the title. Asides from the title, I know David Crowder ( Lead Singer of The David Crowder Band) has something in this to say and I can't waitn to read.

2. Just Leave God Out Of It by Tim Riter & David Timms

Let's be real the urban culture is just so facinating. The music, the movies, the fashion, you can name it all, It's the 21st century. But I've been wondering for a while, doesn't God have a place in all this things? That's why I've added Tim Ritter's book about how to be relevant and still keep God first in a culture that seems void of Him.

3.  Purple Hibiscus by Chinamanda Adiche

Someone once advised as a writer to read a hard book this summer. The options that instantly came to my mind were Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart ( Which I read when I was eight and I think is a very beautiful book) and Ernest Hemmingway's Farewell to The Arms. It was latter I remembered someone telling me how Chinamanda's style is so much like Chinua Achebe's so I opted for hers.

4. Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

I'm screaming already cause i'm so excited. For those who know me, Jerry Spinelli's prequel (Stargirl) to this book is one of my favourite books ever. I read it in high school (thanks to a friend who handed me a copy of it) and since then I have always relished the story over and over again. So when i got a copy of the sequel ( on the iPad), I couldn't wait to read it. So I decided to add it.

5. Wired by God by Joe White

I do a lot of youth and teenage work for church and others. so I thought this might just be a perfect read

6. What the heck am I going to do with my life by Margaret Feinberg

The title says it already and I wanna read it. And Hello! I'm Twenty something :)

7. Be the Change by Zach Hunter

I first heard Zach Hunter's story some few years back. A 15 year old who was into helping those still chained by the slave trade find their liberty. Wow! I just needed to know what inspires a 15 year old to do that.

8. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

Something makes me giggle right now, and it's the fact that Malcolm Gladwell has Igbo (Nigerian Tribe) blood in his origins. I read that once somewhere. I hope that is accountable for the fascinating intelligence. Lol!

9. The Believer's Authority by Kenneth E. Hagin

Papa Hagin is a legacy to this generation and I Just love his heart. Though not here, he still speaks like he's here.

10. Outlive Your Life By Max Lucado

Obviously This list would be incomplete without a book by one of my writing mentors. And I chose his latest.

11. Chosen by Ted Dekker

 For all the comic lovers, I am reading a comic this summer and it's Ted Dekker's Chosen. *tsk*

12. Moonwalk by Michael Jackson

Okay, sincerely I'm tired of saying when asked if am a fan of Michael Jackson that I'm indifferent. I need to hear his story and I'm glad he left behid an autobiography.

13. Right people right place right plan by Jentezen Franklin

For those who don't know, Pastor Jentezen Franklin of Free Chapel (Orange County) is one of my best Pastors. I Love his words, I Love his style and he inspires me.

14. Fighting for Dear Life by David Gibbs

The first time I read about Terry Schiavo's story was just so disturbing for me. The trauma and the controversy over keeping her life was just shocking. I knew i had to get this book when I heard the lawyer who represented her through out the entire case had penned his journey through it.

15. Fearless by Robin Parrish

For those who have been waiting for the fiction, this is it. I didn't choose a Ted Dekker this time but I heard Robin Parrish is as good as Mr. Dekker.

16. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

So I chose to read a popular book of cultural relevance too. At last this summer, I would know why the buzz about this world acclaimed book.

17. I Dare You [To Embrace Life With Passion] by Joyce Meyer 

And The list wouldn't have been complete without a Joyce Meyer book too. Lol!

So we come to the end. Sincerely, it has been so much fun sharing with you what i'm reading this summer. So before you leave, I woul love to hear from you.
What are you reading this summer? Is there any book you would like me to add to my list? or are there any book in my list that you've read before and you think it isn't worth the time? Let me know by dropping a comment.
Happy summer and if you are at my corner of the world, happy rainy days. :)

Book Club Thursday - The Sacred Romance

Our book for this edition of BCT is one I have read a couple of times. It’s a book called ‘Sacred Romance’ by John Eldredge and Brent Curtis (who is now late).
This book is an eye opener! I remember my first finishing of this book as I stood in an open field with the pages of the book open, I looked beyond the horizon, and I knew for sure, something in me had awaken to a reality beyond me. My world view was changed. How I saw occurrences and situations seemed so different. And most of all it was an invitation into a whole new life adventure.
I do really want to encourage us to make out time of our ‘busy’ schedule and pick up this book at a bookstore near us and do read it. It’s sure an eye opener. I am confident of saying that again. Till next time on BCT I would like to leave us with a quote by one of the authors of this book.

"You cannot be the man who rescues until you are the man who needs rescuing" – John Eldredge

#MusicMonday - He Can Fix it !

Hello friends. It’s the first edition of #MusicMonday and here is a playlist titled ‘He can fix !’. It’s a collection of 10 awesome songs centered on God being there to help us make it through.  Are you going through? You could use this. Are you on the mountain top and seeking for the next level of living in your life? You could use this too. You can click on the artist name to find more about the particular artist and you can click on the song name to get a youtube feel of the song. I hope you all enjoy it and have yourself a GREAT #MusicMonday J !

1. He Can Fix It by Shei Atkins from the album The Lita Mae Show

2. Forgiveness by Beckah Shae from the Album Life

3. Revealed by Mario Brown from the Album Glory

4. Change in the Making by Addison Road from the Album Stories

5. Stronger by Mandisa from the Album What if We Were Real

6. He wants it All by Forever Jones from the Album Get ready

7. Reason by Larue from the album Larue

8. Trainwreck by Mat Kearney from the album Bullet 

9. Your Love Never Fails by Jesus Culture from the album Your Love Never Fails

10. I Will Not Take My Love Away by Matt Wertz from the album Everything in Between

Enjoy!

INTRODUCING: MUSIC MONDAY

 

 [Image by fabbriciuse]

Hello everyone,

Last it was Book Club Thursday and now I've got something new for you all. 

There’s so much going on in our world and also on the music scene. Truth be told: decent and good music is 'hard' to come across these days. From scantily dressed bodies on TV screens to lyrics that scream violence and obscenities buzzing through headphones, music has become more than a form of entertainment. It’s an influence.

One could be tempted to say these days; Show me what's on your iPod and I will show you who you are going to be. Shocking but true. Our music influences us in a big way. It has a way of modifying or thwarting our world view. Gone are the days we can hide behind the lies of: 'it's just good beats'. Sorry, good beats might end up leaving us bitten. No pun intended seriously.

So what's the case: Break all my urban CDs and go on media celibacy? I don't think so. There's an option


THERE ALWAYS AN ALTERNATIVE

In life, there are always an alternative. And I'm glad to inform us too that we also have an alternative in choosing our music. I hear you say: 'not again, I can't stand Mama's old school gospel, it's just absolutely boring. Don't even try bringing that on'. I'm not bringing that on I've got something ‘better’.

INTRODUCING MUSIC MONDAY

On the first Monday of each month, I would be introducing 'sound' sounds, ranging from Hip hop to Rap to Rock and even RnB. Is someone excited? It would cover a lot of artistes from different parts of the world who are doing a good and hard job to produce and promote decent music. I can't wait guys. Recommending good music to you also has a way of exposing me to the same. Music is an influence on the soul. So who are we gonna be after we drop our iPods.



Welcome Music Monday :)

HER MOTHER'S HOPE BY FRANCINE RIVERS : BOOK CLUB THURSDAY

Hello everyone,


It’s another book club Thursday; another chance to start into a new book. I once read a saying off a wall some months back about how reading a book is like an invitation to experience a whole new world that we’ve never seen. And that’s so true. A book gives us a chance to relax, step away from the issues and problems we are facing and step in on someone’s perspective or world carved with words on that issue or a similar one. It’s indeed a beautiful privilege and honor to be invited to a world we’ve never been; and it only takes flipping the pages of a good book. This month, I picked up a good book already and this time its fiction. I’ve been reading one of Francine Rivers latest series (The Martha legacies) titled ‘Her Mother’s Hope’. So far it’s been an adventurous ride.

Rivers, one of the frontier authors of the Christian Contemporary fiction genre made her first break into the Christian writing market in 1991 with her popularly acclaimed novel ‘Redeeming Love’. Before then she wrote romance novels for the mainstream section but things changed in 1986 when she became a born again Christian. Her new series (The Martha legacies) focuses on family and finding strength to fulfill one’s dreams. Francine Rivers who is an acclaimed and skilled writer even in mainstream circles has delivered another one which I would sincerely recommend. Though when I first saw this book on the book stand, I was a bit turned off by it's cover, considering it a bit sentimental, but  I was reminded a book should never be judged by it's cover. Are you going to the bookstore this month? Let it be ‘Her Mother’s hope’ and feel free to share your views and reactions when done reading.

Below are the book details

Book Title: Her Mother's Hope
Author: Francine Rivers
Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 504
Vendor: Tyndale
Publication Date: 2010
Genre: Fiction/ General

Till later, always remember

U R LUVED

SEX. BY DAVE BORDON : BOOK CLUB THURSDAY

Our first book is something we could all use. In a world filled with so much opinions, definitions, concepts and ways to go about the 'POPULAR' three letter word 'SEX', we could use some light.
The irony of it all is how little this topic is discussed and how much it is practiced. I have a copy of Sex. by Dave Bordon, flipped through it and already made a space for it this month on my reading calendar and I really think it's worth the time going through. The format in which it's written is so simple and easy to read. It's written in a 'Truth and Lie' nugget style. You would sure find it enjoyable. Looking for a book to read this month? Or who knows you might be the busy type, you could use something while waiting for that business meeting or in between transit flights at the airports. Let it be Sex. It's sure worth your time.

Below are the book details

Book Title: Sex.-Discovering Real Love in a World of Counterfeits

Author: Dave Bordon

Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 205
Vendor: Barbour Publishing
Publication Date: 2006

Dimensions: 7.5 X 4.38 X 0.5 (inches)
ISBN: 1597891347

INTRODUCING : BOOK CLUB THURSDAY

Hello Everyone,
I will be starting a monthly column on my blog which would be tagged "BOOK CLUB THURSDAY". The aim is to recommend a book for you each month which you can get at a book store nearby or in fact a community library and read. I would be taking it upon my self to dig deep to search for books that are worth the time reading for my readers.
The type of books that would be introduced from time to time would cover a vast range of genres and book styles. Sections would include

1. Biograghies
2. Memoirs
3. Fiction
4. Christian Living
4. Business/ Management
5. Classics
6. Inspirational

And many more. Group discussions would break out from time to time as readers respond to how their worldview has been changed through the book for a particular month. Guys, i just can't wait for this! It's time to dust our kindles, journals, pens, and books. Get your fingers crossed and your shoes ready, you might be visiting the bookstore anytime soon. Next thursday, The adventure begins!