What’s on my nightstand – Jan ‘09

It’s the last Tuesday of the month, and that means it’s “What’s on My Nightstand” carnival day at 5 Minutes for Books. Looking at the photo my stack of reading material makes it seems a little daunting.  Let’s see if breaking it down a little helps.

Les Miserables is the book of the month for March at 5MFB.  It’s one of those I’ve always wanted to read, but until now I’ve never really had it on the “to-read” list.  Let’s face it, it’s a little overwhelming to look at…and just plain heavy.  There are abridged versions, but I decided that if I was going to read it, I might as well read it all.  The Writer read it last year and enjoyed it so much that I may have added it even without the book club.  I’ve seen the musical several times (once on Broadway…amazing!), and I’m excited to finally know the whole story.

Divorce and Family Mediation is the main text for the class I’m taking right now.  I don’t know how I can ever remember all these details.  It’s difficult to wrap my mind around learning methods to help marriages that are dissolving, but I always try to think about it as bringing a measure of the Father’s peace to those who so desperately need it.  One choice of where I will be able to work when I’m finished my degree has been in the family courts.  My feelings were that, while I knew it would be professionally challenging, personally I could do it.  That was pretty arrogant of me.  It will take much thought and much prayer and much grace, and I’m still not sure I would be able to handle it.

I’m not a regular reader of the Star Trek novels, but I love TNG and Imzadi had such positive reviews that I decided to give it a try. I always thought the relationship between Will Riker and Deanna Troi was always interesting,and this novel is supposed to explain some of their history.  This one will only make it to the top of the list if I can finish Les Mis in less than a month.

I’ve almost finished Anne of Green Gables.  My grandmother gave me my first copy of this wonderful classic when I was about Anne’s age (11).  Grandmother gave me many books when I was growing up, and I thankfully give her the credit for my love of literature.  This is one of my all-time favorites.  Anne’s heart is so pure!  I have the rest of the books in this series on my “to-read” list this year.

The top three on the stack are there for a reason.  One of my New Year’s resolutions was to read through the Bible chronologically this year, and along with that I’ve also been reading A Year with C. S. Lewis and Streams in the Desert, both excellent devotional books.

It’s still a pretty big stack of books. I’ll let you know if I get through them all.

I’ll have a review of Healing Waters later this week. If you aren’t familiar with this series, I highly recommend it!

You can view the stacks of many other bibliophiles at 5 Minutes for Books.

Until later,