Monday, April 17, 2023

My Desert Island Bookshelf

If you were being hustled off to a desert island and could only bring your Bible and one other book, what would you toss in your bag?  Don't run off to check your shelves, dig out your book journal, or spend a lot of time racking your memory.  Simply sit quietly for a minute and let God bring to mind that one special book that turned your life upside down & inside out.
2018

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Welcome back to THE BOOKBAG!  If it's mid-month and you're an avid reader, this is where you'll find us, gathering up our favorite reads, sharing our personal reviews and links, talking writing and bargains and anticipated titles from beloved authors.  All things bookish.  A special welcome to all you Modern Mrs. Darcy fans.  You are kindred spirits, indeed. 

A few weeks back, Christianity Today's Russell Moore asked his readers to share 5-12 Desert Island Bookshelf titles ... and I happily found my own picks in his next Moore to the Point Newsletter

Here's my list, complete with reviews.

  • Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God’s Transforming Presence
    Ruth Haley Barton
    My oft' boring quiet time, my lackadaisical attitude toward intimacy with God, my uninformed thoughts about what meditating on His Word could truly look like were all transformed in the process of reading this slim guidebook.  'Be still and know that I am God' began to take on a whole new meaning in this, one of my favorite books.

  • Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture
    Adam McHugh
    If you love the Lord and His church with an introverted heart, this one's for you.  In the process of inhaling each chapter, I began to fully appreciate how God had wired me for life and ministry.  I stopped beating myself up, quit trying to morph into someone I wasn't, and gained a new freedom and a fresh delight in living and serving in my own skin.

  • The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction
    Adam McHugh 
    McHugh's the kind of guide you'd choose if you're taking a long, winding journey to someplace unknown.  He's wise, he's got a wry sense of humor, and he's the first to admit the mistakes he's made.  With the heart of a storyteller, his subject matter is deep, yet engaging and readable.  One of my favorite books of all time.

    Let's talk about your desert island picks!
    Linda

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36 comments:

  1. Happy to see Margin, The Listening Life, and Introverts in the Church on your list that you'd bring. I might include those on my desert list too.

    I'm going to add Emotionally Healthy Spirituality to my to-read list right now...

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    1. I'd love to see your desert island list, Lisa. It'd be fascinating for sure ...
      🏝️

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  2. This would be very hard to do. I'd say I'd take my Kindle with its large library--but on a desert island, I probably couldn't keep it charged. :-)

    My list might vary on any given day, but these titles usually float to the top in any questions about favorites. One common trait among them is that no matter how many times I have read them, I glean more from them every time I reread them:

    Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis.
    Missionary biographies--probably Amy Carmichael of Dohnavur by Frank Houghton and/or Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot.
    Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.
    The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis.
    A Tale of Two Cities and/or David Copperfield by Dickens.
    Spiritual Depression by David Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
    When God Weeps by Joni Eareckson Tada and Steve Estes.
    At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon (alond with the other Mitford books if possible).
    On Asking God Why and Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot.
    Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.

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    1. Maybe a solar-powered Kindle would do the trick?

      I like the way you put it, Barbara, titles that 'float to the top,' that feed you more each time you read them. Such a rich selection you've give us today.

      Thank you, friend.
      🌞

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  3. I love your list, Linda, and there are several that I, too, would choose as companions on a desert island. Blessings, and happy reading!

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    1. So much good stuff here right in the comments!
      ðŸĨ°

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  4. I think this question made my brain freeze, like a computer does! I know I would want Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxes. That was an amazing book. I've only read it once, but I am getting close to needing to read it again.
    I would want a thousand journals, but am wondering if that would be enough? LOL
    And definitely some of Pete Greig's books (he's the founder of the 24-7 Prayer Movement): How to Pray; God on Mute; Dirty Glory...
    Maybe a Hebrew/Greek Lexicon...

    Sigh. I think my island will sink!

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    1. 'A thousand journals.' Now THERE'S an idea, Allison!
      ðŸĪĶ‍♀️

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  5. Most of these are new to me. I think the only one I have heard of is "Try Softer." There is a book niggling in my memory but I can't think of the title of it off my head, so I will have to give it more thought before I can answer, LOL (since I can't look at my bookshelves or Goodreads).

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    1. When it pops into your head, please come on back and let us know, ok?!
      ðŸ’Ą

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  6. Well, if I could truly one take "one" other book, it would probably be the Chronicles of Narnia. (I have all the volumes in one book). I would definitely need some fiction to keep me sane. Congrats for being picked for Moore's follow up column - how fun!

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    1. A huge treasure trove that will appeal to the little girl inside ... as well as the grown up woman looking to kill a little time on the island!
      🌟

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  7. Oh this was easy for me today. I vividly recall "Experiencing God" (Henry Blackaby). That was many years ago but that book and study helped to me heal in so many ways. I have never heard of those on your list but may have to check them out. I am currently on the 2nd season bible study of the Chosen and enjoying it with a few other ladies. Currently reading God of the Way and find the Jewish culture and history fascinating. I love to read. Wish I had more time to read. I pray your week is wonderful to you dear Linda. You are always like a breath of fresh air. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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    1. Thanks for sharing Blackaby's Experiencing God, Cindy. I've heard such excellent things about the book as well as the study that goes with it. A definite addition to a TBR list.
      ✝️

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  8. I might need to start with Margin!

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  9. I have The Listening Life and still fondly remember your meaningful book study, Linda. I also have Try Softer. Have you read Aundi's new book Strong Like Water? I have it on my wish list. Love and blessings to you!

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  10. Oops! I forgot to change from Anonymous to Google again, Linda. :) Call it a senior moment...

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    1. Your 'Love and blessings to you!' is your calling card, your ID, friend. No need to apologize around here.
      💖

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  11. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo immediately comes to mind. I first read it decades ago in high school, and it's been my all-time favorite novel ever since. Now I must add some of your favorites (and those of other commenters) to my TBR list!

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    1. Yep, I remember Les Miserables in HS, too, Nancy. It seemed cumbersome back then but now that I'm a bit more grown up, I appreciate it more.
      👍

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  12. Could I be your companion in the desert, Linda? All those books are great picks. I must admit, fiction books would dominant my lists, over non-fiction. Is that unhealthy indulgence?

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    1. Yep, you most certainly may be my companion, dear Lynn. And after reading Nancy's comment and yours, I'm planning a Desert Island Part 2 - The Fiction Edition next. There's a whole lot of good authors that would provide us a bit of healthy escape in our time of need.

      Thanks for the prompt to go there. I'm already looking forward to it!
      👒

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  13. David, thanks for this recommendation.
    📗

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  14. That's a great idea to ponder—what other book, along with my Bible would I want to take to a desert island! I hadn't heard of any of the books you mentioned, but I'm sure they are all great ones. I think my 2nd book would have to be Streams in the Desert. Sort of fitting for a desert island, huh? LOL! God bless you, sweet friend.

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    1. 'Streams' was a favorite of my Mom's, Cheryl ... your comment made me smile. About this devotional perfect for a desert island must-have, too!
      🏜️

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  15. I think I've only read one of those. And I had to giggle that a book about margin would be helpful on a deserted island!

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    1. Yeah. After I made the list up, I realized how many of these books definitely/didn't have a desert island theme!
      ðŸĪŠ

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  16. Humm, I really had to think about this without going to my book shelf. Lol. I would have to say I'll bring The Rock, The Road and the Rabbi: By Rabbi Jason Sobel & Kathy Lee Gifford.
    Thanks bunches for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month sweet friend.

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  17. Love your list and what a wonderful challenge to create my list. I would defintely have to bring my journals and several blank ones cause I don't know how long I would be stranded on that island. I am reading the Power of Awe right now and really like it. I have heard one author call her collection of favorite books: Her top shelf books. I like that concept too.

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    1. Jean, I would love to see your list ... would you share it sometime on your blog? I know it'd be a fascinating peek.
      ✍️

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  18. What a great list you've compiled! I think I could be quite happy on a deserted island for a little while if I had a stack of books. I'd definitely be taking The Divine Conspiracy and Celebration of Discipline along. . . but I'd want some fiction from Catherine Marshall and Jan Karon with me as well. Quite a question to ponder!

    Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I'm featuring you this week!

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    1. Wow, I'm honored, Richella! You've got so many posts to choose from!
      😂

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