Hey peeps. Long time no talk.

The Holidays kicked my butt, and I took some time off. I don’t have much to write about, but I figured I’d update you on what I’ve read so far in 2009.

A Girl’s Guide to Hunting and Fishing- Melissa Bank
The Great Gatsby- F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Wonder Spot – Melissa Bank (I kind of have a thing for her…)
The Tales of Beedle the Bard- J.K. Rowling (I’m actually half way through this one)
My Horizontal Life- Chelsea Handler (don’t judge…she’s hysterical)

Up Next, I’m going to revisit some of the leadership stuff I read last year and try and absorb it again.

What are you guys reading? Anything I shouldn’t miss?

Random number generated: 8

Comment #8: Emily Grrrrrice!

Congrats roomie. You got it.

This giveaway is from my previous blog post: Wild Goose Chase

In January I wrote a post about the book In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day. I loved that book, although I thought it would’ve been cooler if I had read it after high school, before college. It was still awesome.

Well the author, Mark Batterson, has released a second book called Wild Goose Chase. I got picked to receive 2 free copies of Wild Goose Chase, one to do a review on this blog (by August 19th), and one to give away. I just got both copies last night, so the review will come later this week.

If you’d like my free copy of this book, leave a comment and I’ll randomly select a winner! Wooooooo FREE BOOK!

To see more about the book, visit www.chasethegoose.com.

So here’s what I’ve read so far in 2008:

The Starbucks Experience
In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
I Became a Christian and all I got was this lousy T-shirt
From Good to Great
White Oleander
This 8 part series that is embarrassingly hokey, but it was a fun read.
God’s Blogs
The 5 dysfunctions of a team
Death by Meeting
Simple Church
Post Secret

Currently reading: UnChristian, Well Intentioned Dragons, No Perfect People Allowed

that’s 23 books….this is week 27. now i’m 4 weeks behind. guh.

BUT, I have a vacation coming up in September! The perfect time to play catch up.
So give me some recommendations! Any good, fun reads out there that I need to know about?

-Em

So here’s what I’ve read so far in 2008:

The Starbucks Experience
In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
I Became a Christian and all I got was this lousy T-shirt
From Good to Great
White Oleander

I’ve Started:
Simple Church

I’m only 5 weeks behind. I can catch up. I CAN!  I will.

I quit TV.

So in an earlier post I told you that my goal in 2008 was to read 1 book a week. Well, so far I am failing, BUT I have ready way more books than I usually would have. Have I met my goal so far? No. Have I pushed myself a lot? Yes.

So here’s what I’ve read so far in 2008:

The Starbucks Experience
In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Currently working on:
I Became a Christian and all I got was this lousy T-shirt
From Good to Great

In the Line Up:
Simple Church

8 weeks into the year and almost 6 books down. I’m not that far behind. I’ll play catch up when we take a vacation. Someday. (PS I kinda copied Travis with this post, but his reminded me that I should probably update you guys)

This weekend I had the chance to be a part of a really cool retreat for a ton of equally cool kids. For about 4 hours on Saturday, Mike, Travis, and I got to hold a Q and A forum for the 21 college students that were there, and we covered some HEAVY topics. It was equal parts exhausting and exhilarating. I promised them I’d link to a bunch of books that we referenced, so guys here they are:

Sex God – Rob Bell
In A Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day – Mark Batterson
God’s Blogs – Lanny Donaho
The Best Question Ever – Andy Stanley
Every Man’s Battle
Every Woman’s Battle

If you’re nervous, start with God’s Blogs.

It has lots of pictures.

This is such a cool read, especially if you’re really interested in branding. It really has nothing to do with whether or not you enjoy starbucks coffee (I say that because the first reaction I get when I mention this book is, “I just don’t like their coffee.”) It covers the principles starbucks follows for success. It also contains a  ton of stories of what RPC would call “wins” (i.e. moments that equal success for the company).

I had my own starbucks experience the other day. Last Saturday, my birthday, my momma and I were going shopping, and I needed some coffee, pronto. We went inside and ordered, then stood at the end of the bar waiting for our drinks. Me and mom were screwin’ around and I said something and she loudly replied, “Well it’s your birthday! You get what you want!” The guy making my coffee stopped what he was doing and said, “It’s your birthday? Well, Happy Birthday! Come pick out some breakfast on the house!” He let me choose anything I wanted out of the food case.

It was really really cool to have that happen right as I was reading that book.  It was a win.

I kind of feel like I live in the lions arm pit on a Florida day. Stinking. And in a weird place. I’m almost done with this book that has so rudely interrupted the way I’m doing life.

Here are some things that really got to me:
Chapter 6

In the words of Michelangelo, we need to criticize by creating. And you can’t create without taking a calculated risk.

Sometimes taking a calculated risk means giving up something good so you can experience something great.

Chapter 5

Here’s an incredible thought: Long before you woke up this morning the Holy Spirit was interceding for you. And long after you go to bed tonight, the Holy Spirit will still be interceding for you. That ought to change the way we wake up and fall asleep. That ought to give us the courage to chase lions.

I’m not convinced that following Christ reduces circumstantial uncertainty. I think it reduces spiritual uncertainty.

Chapter 3

Half of spiritual growth is learning what we don’t know. The other half is unlearning what we do know.

Chapter 2

Lion chasers thrive in the toughest circumstances because they know that impossible odds set the stage for amazing miracles.

The more we grow, the bigger God should get. And the bigger God gets, the smaller our lions become.

So my new friend Travis posted a very interesting blog that really got me motivated. Last year, he set a goal to read 52 books…one book per week.
I used to average more than that in high school, but sometime during college I lost my love for reading. I used to DEVOUR books on a regular basis. But I figure if Travis can do it, I can too. I need to get back into the habit.

So I’ve decided it’s one book per week. The rules are the same as his: I can re-read if I need too…I have a feeling I will. Not all books will be spiritual…some will hopefully be on the best seller list.
I totally overwhelmed myself and started with 3 books at one time. Oops.

At least I know what I’m reading for January.