What I'm Reading....

Gracious y'all.

Every time I talk about books, I feel like I do such an inadequate job of communicating just how much I love words.

Ryan always says that my motto is "why tell a story in 20 words when you can tell it in 2000?".

But I just can't help myself.

I love words.

And I love details.

Because so often in books, the details are what make the words sing. That turn simple words into poetry. Details turn the plain old words into pictures I can so clearly see in my mind.

I like to know what people eat. And what they wear. What the living room looks like and what's in the pantry. What books are on the shelves and what kind of flowers are in the garden. What music is playing and what smells are wafting from the kitchen.

I just adore words.

And what better place to get my fill of lovely words than some really wonderful books?

Here are some books I've already read, the three that I'm currently reading, and a few of the many on my TBR (to be read) list.

What's Done -

You're Going to be Okay - Holley Gerth
     Do you sometimes wonder exactly how you're going to make it through the hard days? Well then Holley is the gal for you. Not only does she offer encouraging words of hope, she gives you step-by-step instructions to keep on keeping on. I think the fact that she's a life coach sets her a little bit apart from all the other Christian self-help type books out there. And Chapter 3 is worth the price of the book all by itself.

Bread and Wine - Shauna Niequist
     What can I say? I am completely smitten with Shauna and every word she writes. If you haven't read any of her books yet, you just have to. I'm laying down the law and totally being the boss of you.   But you'll thank me later.

Delicious! - Ruth Reichl
     Ruth was the Editor of "Gourmet" and has written several memoirs but this is her first fiction novel. It's totally fun and light and charming with a hint of mystery.

Into Thin Air - Jon Krakauer
     I'm not what most would call an adventurous person so I live vicariously through the stories of others. This is a first-hand account of the disastrous climb of Mt. Everest in May 1996. It left me breathless and content to be a little bit cautious.

What Alice Forgot - Liane Moriarty
     A sweet and captivating romantic comedy that was more thought-provoking than I expected. Alice wakes up after a fall in the gym unable to remember the last ten years of her life. As family and friends help fill in the gaps, she finds she doesn't really like what's she become. A good story of what we choose to remember and what we choose to forget.

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry - Gabrielle Zevin
     First of all, this book mostly takes place in a bookstore and is filled with references to books. So right away, it's a win. Then the story pulls you in and shows you that sometimes, when life is not going as you expected, it just might be the best thing that ever happened. Delightful and endearing.

What's In the Works -

This is the Story of a Happy Marriage - Ann Patchett
     First of all, Ann Patchett. I'm such a fan. And this book gives this fan a peek into Ann's life. Her writing, her family, her friends, her husband, the opening of her bookstore. Seriously. The woman loves to read, loves to write, and owns a bookstore. Gosh. I'm such a fan. Or did I already say that?

Small Victories - Anne Lamott
     Anne is wise and irreverent. She's honest and completely unexpected. And she makes me think. How can you not love a woman who writes things like, "I have a lot of faith and a lot of fear a lot of the time." Amen sister.

To Dwell in Darkness - Deborah Crombie
     Murder. Mystery. Suspense. Dead bodies and detectives. My weakness. Because please, people. Not all reading is for learning. Some is for escaping. OK. Most is for escaping. Warning - this is the 16th book in this series so do not start with this book! You must read them in order or we simply cannot be friends anymore.

What's Next in Line - (or just a few of them, at least...)

Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good - Jan Karon
Scary Close - Donald Miller
Still: Notes on a Mid-Faith Crisis - Lauren Winner
Don't Look Back - Gregg Hurwitz
Delancey: A Man, A Woman, A Restaurant, A Marriage - Molly Wizenberg
Deep Down Dark: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine, and the Miracle That Set Them Free - Hector Tobar
An Everlasting Meal - Tamar Adler

So fellow lover of words and books, have you read anything I mentioned? Thoughts? Plus, any books I need to add to that "Next in Line' list up there?