...how about sharing your thoughts with us now?

I was originally tagged by Chris (aka Desert Pastor), and now consider this YOUR tag!

I've thoroughly enjoyed reading others share their thoughts on this meme, and when I saw the Carnival theme, I thought I'd bring it out again since there are so many NEW bloggers added to the blogroll since last summer.

Don't get overwhelmed (I dragged my feet on it because it's so difficult to choose "one" for each category; my answers vary depending on my mood, circumstances or day of the week. Evidently these are my choices for "this" moment in time (except "this" moment in time was August, lol, my answers would differ slightly if I was doing this now) :). (I've read the "rules" of this tag...you can't reference the Bible as a choice....). Just share whatever comes to mind when you read the category.

Let me know in comments if you did it and I'll pay you a visit :). Thanks!!


1. One book that changed your life: The Dick and Jane series, the late 60s years. It's where it all started, I suppose.

2. One book that you’ve read more than once twice: To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee.
(Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I LOVE this book, it's worthy of an annual read.)

3. One book you’d want on a desert island: The Complete Calvin and Hobbes, Bill Watterson. I'm stuck on a desert island? I need something to make me laugh! Brilliantly written, it wasn't the most expensive book to make the New York Times best-seller list because of its singular appeal to children, I can promise you that.

4. One book that made you laugh: Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind, Ann B. Ross.
I chose this one because it's probably not as well known as others I could've mentioned. A fun ride with a Southern lady who's always sure to tell you what she thinks. Her eighth in the series is forthcoming, I've snorted out loud at some point in every one of 'em.

Honorable mention. At least pick up and read Jerry Seinfeld's Halloween sometime this fall when you're tooling around your favorite bookstore. Oh, my, it's funny! He takes those of us "mid-lifers" right back to how Halloween was when we were kids--James Bennett's illustrations capture the essence of this less-than-10-minute read.

5. One book Two books that made you cry: Father Joe, Tony Hendra. A beautiful telling of one whose life made a difference in each of those with whom he came into contact. The tears caught me off guard, I knew before I started how the book would end.

A MUST-READ for everyone who knows anyone suffering from Alzheimer's, Lewy Bodies Disease or any form of dementia! Read this for the introduction, then A Partial View to see and hear Henderson's inside perspective. It broke my heart.

6. One book you wish had been written: The Photographic Journal, from Genesis to Jude. I'd love to see the faces and places of those about whom I've spent a lifetime of hearing, and as an adult, studying and building a relationship.

7. One book you wish had never been written: Night, by Elie Wiesel. Because it NEVER should have happened. A haunting and affecting perspective of one who survived the brutality and indignity of the Holocaust.

8. One book you’re currently reading: One? lol...how about Jesus Mean and Wild, Mark Galli. (When I missed the online reader-responsive interview over at Paradoxology, my heels cooled on finishing this one (not that it's not GOOD, I've just got others going, too ;) ).

9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: As the Crow Flies, Jeffrey Archer

Postscript~ This is an interesting summary of stats taken from a survey of bloggers who had participated in this meme a few weeks ago (no idea where things stand now). I picked it up from Carrie.

Also, who am I tagging? Blogging Chicks and anyone else who's a bibliophile :).

Wow, I just looked over my list and it's hard to believe I didn't include something, anything, from John Piper or C.S. Lewis, two who have inspired, challenged and provoked me. Speaking of provocation, I gotta add Brian McLaren, too. He, like few others, has challenged and provoked me to know God more intimately, beyond the confines of traditional Christianity. Oh, yeah, Donald Miller deserves a mention, and NOT for "Blue Like Jazz". The opening pages of "Searching for God Knows What", a lesser known work of his, had me blowing snot in Barnes and Noble (yep, I bought it). Nope, it's not comedy, but if you know Miller, you know his humor.

PostPOSTscript ~ I PROMISE, my LAST comments on this (sheesh! It's not supposed to be an editorial!). All I wanna say is my husband will attest to the fact I . CANNOT . MAKE . A . CHOICE! :D Note: originally posted 8/22/06