First off, thanks so much to each of you for your many kind birthday wishes. I have been overwhelmed by your sweet expressions, and I’ve received more beautiful handmade cards than I can number. These cards and thoughts are absolutely my favorite gifts; I truly count myself blessed to know every one of you!
I spent the day surrounded by family and friends—kicked off with a homemade breakfast from my family. Later in the day, the entire Close To My Heart management team celebrated with a team lunch at a favorite Salt Lake restaurant—we are getting to be quite a big group, and we go to commemorate EVERYONE’S birthday, so you should have heard us loudly singing “Happy Birthday” to each other. It was quite the chorus! To cap off the event, everyone chose their favorite dessert: most chose cheesecakes of every different variety, from raspberry white chocolate to key lime to carrot cake. I was just happy to be part of it all.
That evening, David and I attended a party for friends in our neighborhood that happened to share my birthday. It was fun to keep my birthday secret and simply celebrate our friends. Once home, David surprised me with a lovely gift—something that really delighted me: an Amazon Kindle! 
You already know I love reading and that I devour just about any non-fiction, economic, political, or history book. You also know that I’m a gadget girl and that I’m hip to any new technology. No surprise then, that I’ve had my eye on the new Kindle, the cool digital book reader. But it’s in such limited availability; I never thought David would search one out for me. Surprise! I’ve included a photo of it so you can get the idea if you’ve never seen one before. It’s about the same size and weight as a typical book, 1/2" thick, but it has the capacity to store up to 1,500 books! Isn’t that amazing? My first download: “The 5,000 Year Leap,” by Cleon Skousen. The book is a fabulous exploration of our founding fathers, 28 Principles of freedom, and so much more. Every American should read it! And it is a terrific book for parents and educators to share with children. It truly is a reminder of our freedoms and why the U.S. is such an amazing country; I highly recommend it. And speaking of recommendations: do you have any for me? I’m eager to fill my Kindle with great reading material to take with me on trips or just to read at home. I welcome any great suggestions—I love anything motivational, inspirational, or timely, but I’ll admit I don’t read many novels. If you have suggestions for standout novels, I’d be happy to “kindle” my love of reading with them!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Kindling My Love of Reading!
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Congratulations on your new gadget! I'm jealous! I received my recipe box stamp set in the mail today and it is beautiful. Can't wait to use them! Thanks again for your wonderful products and CMTH consultants.
ReplyDeleteWell I can suggest a great novel if you are game. It is called Austenland by Shannon Hale. It is a very fun read about a single gal who goes to a Jane Austen "theme park" as a parting gift from an aunt who passed away. I devoured this book in 2 days. As far as non fiction goes I thought "Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan Heath was fantastic and really made me think about how to present my CTMH business to others.
ReplyDeleteJeanette,
ReplyDeleteI know you will love your Kindle. I just adore mine. I have the first version. Try Michael J Fox's new book if it is available for download. I have a paper copy. Funny and inspirational.
Jeanette, you won't want to put your Kindle down, so be sure to get a "headlight"! One of my favorite recent reads is "The Longest Trip Home" by John Grogan (author of "Marley and Me"). Thanks for sharing your birthday news!
ReplyDeleteI've had my kindle for about a month, and I have trouble putting it down, sometimes EVEN to scrapbook! It's great to always have in your purse, so you can pull it out whenever you have a down moment--like doctor's office and other places you have to wait. My favorite books so far have been Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and The Secret Life of Bees. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, a little late! I'm glad you had such a wonderful day. That date is very special to us because it is the date our first son joined our family!
ReplyDeleteThe book I turn to over and over again is "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom. A true story of a family's faith and bravery during the occupation of Holland, it is both uplifting and a call for all of us to do the right thing, even when it is the hard - or even dangerous - choice.
Since you like history, you should definitely read Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose. It is about the Lewis & Clark expedition and includes excerpts from Lewis' journal. An excellent book which really makes you wonder how they ever survived the adventure. Lewis includes sketches of new flora and fauna that they encounter - the entire book is just amazing.
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading The Shack by Wm. Paul Young. I actually want to read it again to make sure I didn't miss anything! It was that good!!
ReplyDeleteThe Poison Wood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. In fact, anything by her is wonderful. Another book I loved is Blue Shoe by Anne Lamott.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated b-day! Great 'score' on the Kindle surpise. How exciting!! "Way of the Peaceful Warrior" by Dan Millman is a good read. I also enjoyed Aron Ralston's "Between a Rock and a Hard Place" and James Frey's "A Million Little Pieces."
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! I couldn't put down eat pray love - it is an amazing, funny, heartbreaking and honest book about love, life and faith.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new toy :)
ReplyDeleteAs for a book, The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger is a good one. I believe the 'movie' version is coming out a bit later this year.
Congrats on the Kindle-how cool! A fiction series I love is the Mitford Years by Jan Karon - very light, easy, wholesome reading. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteNancy Kearsley
Congratulations on your big birthday surprise. Your husband sounds just as amazing as you are! I'm a scrapbooker, not a reader so I have not read any books lately, but my mom loves to read and I got her The Last Lecture for Christmas and she loved it. Enjoy your new toy!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new toy, Jeannette! For good reading I highly suggest "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands" by Paul David Tripp. It's the absolute best book on discipleship that I've ever read! It's subtitle is "People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change." I, personally, couldn't put it down. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteTricia Johnson
I enjoy reading East of Eden by John Steinbeck. I am sure you have probably read this before, most people had to in school. but it has always been a favorite of mine.
ReplyDeleteI have not heard of the Kindle before, but I am an avid reader and this sounds like an awesome gift! My birthday is Monday, maybe i will put in an order!!
Enjoy your gift. Way to go David!
Meredith Wogan
I agree with "Teach" B. Kingsolver is a wonderful author. Her books stick with me. I've been wondering about this gadget. Is it easy to read? Sometimes reading a computer screen is hard on my eyes.
ReplyDeleteI've been coveting one of those since I first heard of them...and someday will get one... When I read, I do it to relax and dream. My favorite series is by JD Robb, the "In Death" books about a futuristic cop in NYCity who solves murder cases....while of course meeting and marrying her richest man on the planet husband with the irish accent! LOL...little bit of mystery and a little bit of love story adds up to lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteMy newest books I love are the books The #1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. It is a series and they are absolutely delightful. I can't get enough of them!
ReplyDeleteI love my Kindle! I am a voracious reader and have saved lots of money already. It fits in my purse and I carry it everywhere.
ReplyDeleteYou can go to search and type kindle freebies and free books will pop up. I downloaded several samples from this list and then read several based on how I liked the sample. Also, several publishing houses have been offering free books to entice you to buy other books. You can also go to amazon.com and puruse the blogs to see what people are reading.
You will love it! One more thing, to save battery life, just turn off you kindle. Your place is automatically saved. I
I have several that I love and have made me stop, put the book down and just savor the enjoyment of a lovely story which is well written...
ReplyDeleteThese are all older books
Anne of Green Gables - still a dandy
A Woman of Independent Means - not so happy, but moving
Daddy Long Legs
The Gentle House
Room For One More
The last two are about a strong loving woman who takes in foster children. I think she would like you and what you do to empower women.
Oh my birthday - I had a club and I understand not saying anything and just enjoy being in the company of people you enjoy.
Many more, Miss Jeannette, many more!
Mary Gunn
I too would recommend "The Shack" for you. I think you would really like it.
ReplyDeleteI have been meaning to return and recommend a book series to you. The first book is called "The Eyre Affair" by Jasper Fforde. It is the most delightful read I have had in years. It is about a book lover being able to interact with books.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gift to recieve!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite books of late is "Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust" by Immaculee Ilibagiz. For 91 days she and seven other women hid in the 3'x 4' bathroom of a local pastor’s home during the horrible 1994 genocide. It is an amazing story of faith and forgiveness.
Here's to many more birthdays to come!
Jana Amundson
Congrats on the Kindle, it looks like something I could use. Maybe on of these yrs. One book that I really liked was the Botox Diaries, it was just a fun read.
ReplyDeleteI am a John sandford fan so anything by him I will read, I have all of his prey books.
Becky
I hope you love yours as much as I love mine. I have already 10 books so far my favorite has been "The Shack" by William Young great book about how to deal with things that happen in our lives.
ReplyDeleteSherry
My mom emailed my sister and me and said we HAD to read A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland Indiana by Haven Kimmel. I can't remember the last time I laughed so much! It is about a girl who grew up in a small town/rual setting in the 60's and 70's. It was a trip down memory lane.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to second The Shack! If you haven't read it it is a must. This is one of the best books I read in a very long time and think about it often. Enjoy your gift.
ReplyDeleteI would recommend "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson. It's a true account of one person changing the world (with the help of many others).
ReplyDeleteI read through every recommendation b/c I love to read, too! I highly recommend The Shack by William P. Young!! It was given as a gift to our MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group for Christmas from our mentor moms and it was an outstanding book. It is so creatively written--you'll love it. It is a book about forgiveness and one's relationship with God.........I couldn't put it down and plan to read it over and over b/c it was such a good read. I've recommended to everyone I know! ENJOY your Kindle--it sounds awesome!
ReplyDeleteHaw you read "pillars of the earth" i think the author is james la Follett. Incredible long and if you can get through the 1st chapter its really good. its about the building of one of the 1st catherals in europe.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gift. I love "The Lost Choice" and "The Traveler's Gift" both by Andy Andrews.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day!
Oooh, I have been so wanting one of those, you lucky girl! I would also say read The Shack! Enjoy your Kindle!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Jeanette and congrats on your Kindle! I tend to read mostly fiction but since I joined a book club in 2001 I've expanded to also reading nonfiction. Here are some nonfiction books I've read over the past few years that I highly recommend...
ReplyDeleteSame Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore - about an international art dealer and a homeless man who became friends
Grace Under Fire: Letters of Faith in Times of War edited by Andrew Carroll
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson - awesome book about an American mountaineer who started building schools, etc... in Pakistan and Afghanistan
Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr - about the author and his family's experience living in Rome for a year
Out of the Black Shadows by Stephen Lungu - the author was in a very rough gang who was plotting murder one night, gave his life to God that night and was preaching the gospel the next day. Amazing transformation.
Home By Another Way: Notes from the Caribbean by Robert Benson - my book club read this and it made all of us long for a tropical beach!!
The Burden is Light (A Spiritual Biography) by Eugenia Price
A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle
The Pat Conroy Cookbook by Pat Conroy - my book club read this a couple years ago and prepared recipes from the cookbook - great food and great stories behind the recipes
Lady of Arlington: The Life of Mrs. Robert E. Lee by John Perry - I read this right before I went on vacation to DC in 2003. We went to Arlington Nat'l Cemetary while there and I got to tour their home.
Sharon Flenniken
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss is a great one for your Kindle. Enjoy it! I think it would get me into trouble. I would always be anticipating the next moment when I could start reading my book again.
ReplyDeleteIsabelle Dickens
Happy Birthday! I love to read, but between kids and scrapbooking I don't find much time anymore. I always find a good book to take along on a trip; my husband likes to drive and I read! The last book I bought is "The Last Lecture" good and easy read!
ReplyDeleteKim R
Success One Day At A Time by John C. Maxwell.
ReplyDeleteIt is a powerful little book with great inspirational quotes by historical figures, entrepreneurs, authors, poets, sports figures, and everyday Joes. I also love the short insightful stories that always leave me motivated to reach my potential. It's a great gift to give anybody, fits right in my purse and I've been reading it over and over for 10 years now.
-Kelly Maatman
Personally I enjoy all of the book by Torey Hayden, she was a child special education teacher and psychologist. She writes about her students (without real names of course) and how they overcame their problems. My favorite one is called "One Child"
ReplyDeleteI love reading any of Linda Chaikin's books. They are romance novels but she has uses true pieces of history with the geographical settings. They are Christian based as well which is a bonus for me. I enjoy her characters relying on the Lord to get them through their trials.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gift, I've been checking out those for awhile! Happy Birthday :)
ReplyDeleteAs a History Buff AND American Legion Member who has assisted in local and state run Oratorical Contests on the Constitution, I want to tell you that your recommendation for the book, "The 5000 Year Leap" wazs great! I bought the book and have not been able to put it down. It is fabulous and I agree, a must read for all Americans. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteA little book I leave by my bedside to meditate on over and over is "The Red Sea Rules, 10 God Given Strategies for Difficult Times", by Robert J. Morgan. This book found its way to me when we were going through a very challenging time, and it brought great encouragement to me. The principals in it are solid, true and Biblically based. I also try to keep a few on hand to give others who are going through their challenging times.
ReplyDelete