15 books that made a difference

A Facebook friend tagged me in this meme and I couldn't resist. Here goes my effort to recall the first 15 books that have stuck with me.

1. Circle of Quiet by Madeline L'Engle. This book made me what to go to back to college.

2. Sacred Space - this devotional book is published every year and has been my most consistent companion in my prayer life.

3. The New Moosewood Cookbook - This cookbook offers incredibly tasty vegetarian dishes. Its always fun to cook out of.

4. The Message - Whenever I'm looking for a fresh way of looking at scripture I look in Eugene Peterson's paraphrase version of the Bible.

5. Bird by bird by Anne Lamott. I don't think this book is one a writer is ever "done" with. Just when you think there is no more to write about, Anne pushes you to dig deeper.

6. The Shack by William P. Young - I read this last summer when I had been laid off and was dealing with so many emotions. It helped me make my way through to the other side.

7. The Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy by Douglas Adams - so funny, so strange. It makes me laugh our loud!

8. Messy Spirituality by Mike Yaconelli. I knew I was a mess, but this book helped me know I'm not alone in feeling this way.

9. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. The little book is somewhat sad, but I love its picture of unconditional and selfless love.

10. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle. Time/space travel is groovy.

11. Letters to a young poet by Rilke. A beautiful, beautiful book.

12. Soul Graffiti by Mark Scandrette. My copy of this book is tattered by the times I've read and re-read it. It really connected with me.

13. 40 days and the Jesus Creed by Scot McKnight. I read this book with an online book group and had the opportunity to rehash and really think through it. After all this, I know I still have a long way to go to truly understand and apply how to love God with all of me and love others as I love myself. It's good to know 40 days aren't enough to learn this.

14. Are you there God, it's me Margaret by Judy Blume. I think I read this book 20 times when I was 13. It helped me know that God wasn't afraid of any of my questions.

15. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. Again this book is wacky and weird but that unconditional love theme will get me every time.

What are your 15?

Here are the rules if you'd like to join in:
Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen books (plays, essays, et al.) you've read that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than 15 minutes. Tag 15 friends, including me because I'm interested in seeing what books my friends value. (Anyone may join in!)

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Uphill idealist

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