Persepolis

December has been SO crazy. Buuut finals are done and break is here = ). The result is that I will be reading MUCH more. The first book(s) I present to you are Persepolis and Persepolis 2 by Marjane Satrapi. I absolutely recommend these. They are auto-biographical graphic novels from the point of view of an Iranian woman who grew up with during the Islamic Revolution. They were eye-opening and enjoyable. I had never finished a graphic novel before (the only other one I had ever started was The Watchman). I don't even really know how to describe how much perspective these gave me. Seriously just go read them... Or at the very least rent the movie. So good!!

The Bizzell

Whether it's because our internet has been messed up at the house, or it's mid-term so I'm working my tail off, I have been at the library SO much lately. Everyday I've been here for hours. I love studying here though. I'm surrounded by books of all sorts. I can't wrap my mind around how much knowledge this building holds. Mmm as I write that sentence I'm reminded of John 21:25... "THere are so many other things Jesus did. If they were all written down, each of them, one by one, I can't imagine a world big enough to hold such a library of books." Is that good or what?! Wow that gives context to the rows and rows, and floors and floors of books I'm surrounded by. I've learned not to study on the floor that houses all the literary books. I can get caught up in all the poetry and studies of the authors. SO I've placed myself in the upper corner of the library where few people dare to come = ). It's in the science section so I'm not nearly as tempted hah! I love college campuses. Today I've worked my butt off at ballet, studied for Pre-Calc and Spanish, had lunch with a friend, chatted with a Latin teacher, run into my sweet roomie at her Health Hut and had a nice little chat, taken a Spanish test, had a chai tea latte, and now am working on an annotated bibliography of an article about Christina Rossetti's "Goblin Market." Good stuff. I'm getting really into my study of "Goblin Market." In fact, I think I've decided to write a close reading on the poem as well as write my final paper on it. I find it THAT interesting. There's just so much to go into and give my opinion on!! I love it. Well there's just a quick look into my life lately. It had been a while so I decided to update all of you in the blogosphere = )

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Wow. Just put down this book after finishing it. It was incredible. It deals with some rough topics, but if you're up for it, I recommend. Written by Swedish author, Steig Larsson, it's original Swedish title was "Men Who Hate Women." It's a mystery that deals heavily with sadism. I had been tipped by someone that it was going to be hard to read because of the content. Halfway through I thought that they must be wrong, but then the plot line really got going. Larsson was a fantastic writer. His format is intriguing and keeps you interested.

Basic plotline (without any spoilers)... Mikael Blomkvist is hired by Henrik Vanger, head of a major Swedish corporation that has long been family owned and run. He is given the job of writing a biography on the Vanger family, while secretly looking into (and attempting to solve) the mystery of what happened to Henrik's niece Harriet who had disappeared 40 years before. As Blomkvist goes about his job, he finds it goes much deeper than anyone ever imagined.

The style reminded me a lot of Dan Brown's writing style, except Larsson deals with much heavier topics (and doesn't stir up trouble with bogus claims). It gets you thinking and forces you to address some things that happen around the world every day. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, "The Girl Who Played With Fire". So there's that!

Blue Genes

EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ THIS BOOK.

I'm serious about this. It's an easy read and it sheds SO MUCH light on the issue of God, the church, and mental illness. It deals with anything from depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and even dreams. It was so eye-opening. I can't talk enough about this book. PLEASE everyone... Order this book and read it. Man... So good...

The Power of Words and the Wonder of God

Despite my crazy schedule, I've managed to finish another book that I will share with you all! I stumbled across it in the Second Baptist bookstore when I was in Houston visiting the Harrisons. It is a series of lectures given at a "Desiring God" conference that occurred in 2008 or 2009 I believe. Desiring God is a ministry run by John Piper whom I'm sure many of you have heard of. Anyway, each lecture focuses on some aspect of our words and how they relate to God. There are only 6 lectures- some which I enjoyed immensely and others which I honestly skimmed/skipped over. However, I'll try to give a brief synopsis of each...

(1.) "War of Words: Getting to the Heart for God's Sake" by Paul David Tripp

This lecture convicted me in a way I was in desperate need of convicting. Tripp points out that nothing you say wasn't already in your heart. We can't use the excuse that we didn't mean it because the Bible clearly states that the words of our mouth originate in our heart. He also knocks down the excuse that the problem isn't OUTSIDE us but INSIDE us. We always try to blame our words and actions on everyone and everything around us. He encourages you to make this "essential confession" of: "I am my greatest communication problem. The greatest difficulty, the greatest danger, and the everyday traps of communication that we all fall into all exist inside of me, not outside of me." He goes on to compare the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Self along with the anger that can be produced from each on separately. He is brutally honest about the effect our words can have on others- to build up or break down, sometimes permanently. He ends encouraging us to pray each day saying, "God, I'm a man (woman) in desperate need of help this morning. I pray in your grace that you would send your helpers my way. And I pray that you would give me the humility to receive the help that comes."

His lecture was engaging, convicting, and well written. Definitely in my top three favorite (possibly my very favorite actually).

(2.) "The Bit, the Bridle, and the Blessing: An Exposition of James 3:1-12" by Sinclair B. Ferguson

I don't believe I finished this one. It was in some ways getting at the same point as the above lecture, but it came at it differently. Once again two main points really got my attention...

"How we use our tongues provides clear evidence of where we are spiritually."

"Words can consume and destroy a life."

Yes, those two sentences are enough to make me be silent for a day. Man, break me Lord. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you!!

(3.) "Is There Christian Eloquence? Clear Words and the Wonder of the Cross" by John Piper

This lecture was very good for a certain audience. It was originally given to a room of pastors (i.e. the certain audience). It compares both historically and Biblically the different methods of preaching, and brings up the question of whether one should focus on eloquence.

(4.) "How Sharp the Edge? Christ, Controversy, and Cutting Words" by Mark Driscoll

In the style of Driscoll, he provides a clear and upfront point of view. He outlines how to deal with the sheep, wolves, swine, and dogs of a congregation. He's famous for his "in your face" style, and he is no different in this lecture. That's something I (and many others) really appreciate about him though. He draws from Scripture along with historical figures such as Luther to make the point that we are not meant to gloss everything over. Sometimes we are called to rebuke others, and that doesn't just mean quietly. Sometimes it requires harshness and perhaps even mocking or harsh language (as is sometimes seen in the Bible). I know there is no way I will do his message justice without saying something he never meant so I encourage you to read this one! Like his other works, it will provide for some laughs. So relax and enjoy it but take it seriously as well! One quote that really stuck for me was "Discernment is knowing what time it is. Courage is doing what the time requires." Love it.

(5.) "Story-shaped Faith" by Daniel Taylor

A literary point of view of faith. Something I can really respect as a fellow appreciator of literature and the story form. He argues that you can make the proposition that "God is powerful" (etc..) but without a story that shows that statement to be true, it will hold little power.

"Belief is a whole-body, whole-life experience. No one believes anything important with the intellect alone... Reason is a powerful tool, bit it is a tool that will serve any master, including the most odoious. We do well to reason as clearly as we can, but we are foolish to pretend that reason alone or any other, single mental function can tell us what is true. what is important what to believe, or how to live... Stories and propositions need each other. Each provides a limit that the other must respect-- a kind of mutual check."

He argued many other really great points. I really enjoyed his lecture. But I can't hit on ALL the good stuff they all said...

(6.) "Words of Wonder: What Happens When We Sing" by Bob Kauflin

I'm sorry to say that I'm just getting a little bored with writing this BUT this was also a great lecture. He covers the importance of music and singing in the church. It's great... But really it is...



So all this to say.... It was a pretty interesting book... Sorry I've gotten so apathetic by the end of this!!

The Little Prince

I've been looking forward to writing my first blog post about a book. I'm warning you this isn't from the list I previously posted. If you know me well or you continue to follow this, you will learn I'm not very good at following lists of books. I am generally reading around 5 at once and many I never intended to read yet. So here I am presenting a lovely book that I have previously not mentioned. It's a children's book called The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. If you have never read it- PLEASE DO. I feel like too often we feel like we get to an age that children's literature is no longer for us. I will shamelessly admit that it is my favorite genre. Sometimes I want to pretend I like other genres more (after all I AM in college where everyone has big dreams and aspirations, what kind of person prefers to read children's books and just wants to open a bookstore? ME) but I can't lie, children's books are without a doubt my favorite. One of my best friends gave me this book for Christmas last year with a great inscription in it. (Aren't inscriptions the best??) But anyhow, he asked me recently if I'd read it yet and I realized I hadn't! So for the past week it has been my bubble bath/bedtime read. Here are three things you should know about the book...

(1.) It is a children's book all about childhood. It has the same feeling as Where the Wild Things Are except it is more eloquent, was written a number of decades earlier, and it is much longer.

(2.) The illustrations are BEAUTIFUL


"In order to make his escape, I believe he took advantage of a migration of wild birds."

(3) It was originally written in French by a pilot for the French air force who was shot down over the Mediterranean ocean a year later by a German plane.

Lastly, allow me to leave you with the dedication in the book. It just makes me smile and shows the heart of Saint-Exupéry's work...

"TO LEON WERTH
I ask children to forgive me for dedicating this book to a grown-up. I have a serious excuse: this grown-up is the best friend I have in the world. I have another excuse: this grown-up can understand everything, even books for children. I have a third excuse: he lives in France where he is hungry and cold. He needs to be comforted. If all these excuses are not enough, then I want to dedicate this book to the child whom this grown-up once was. All grown-ups were children first. (but few of them remember it.) So I correct my dedication:
TO LEON WERTH
when he was a little boy..."

Absolutely beautiful. If you never have... PLEASE go pick this up. Find a quiet place where you can allow yourself to think like a child and soak up this wonderful story...

Coming Soon...

I try to read regularly... No, correction, I'm really always reading something. However, it seems that I never get as much as I want read. I try not to get overwhelmed with the enormous list of books I want to read and just enjoy what's in my hands at the time. Nevertheless, here is a list of some up and coming books. I'll write little "reviews" as I cross them off the list....


Currently reading:



It's a classic. Somehow I've never read this series, so here we go. I'm halfway through this one and then will continue on to the "Lord of the Rings"...


Up and Coming:


I've heard it's fantastic. REALLY looking forward to this one...



If there's a man from the Bible who understood forgiveness, I say it was without a doubt Joseph. I want to study this man and learn to forgive as he did...



I know close to nothing about this book. However, it seems to be an up and coming series. I'd like to figure out what it's all about.


Every now and then I try to read a solid graphic novel. I watched this movie and really enjoyed it. Therefore, this is the next graphic novel on my list...


I want more of you Jesus...



I've heard that this is a fantastic answer to a growing problem. I live in a confused society. I desire as much wisdom in this area as I can get.


Well... That's what's coming soon. I'm excited!

Literati and Art on a Rainy Day

Today was so full. I truly enjoyed it. The morning started off a bit rough, but it got much better. I met Koby to go to the Literati Book Fair of local authors and publishers downtown. While, I didn't buy anything, it was interesting to see how it all works, talk with publishers about how to buy their books wholesale, talk to authors about their works, and get the inside scoop on the underground culture. I get the feeling there are all kinds of exciting underground festivals of sorts that take place in Oklahoma City. You can guarantee that I'll be seeking them out from now on. I bet I could meet so many interesting people at them! On our way out we saw a poster for an exhibit at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. It looked interesting so Koby and I headed that way. SO incredible. Not only did I get to see costumes from Audrey Hepburn films, the original Atonement dress along with many more awesome original cinematic costumes, but I FINALLY got to see the blown glass exhibit which has always so intrigued me. Let me say, ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. One hundred percent worth my ten dollars. Here are some pictures I took there...






And my absolute FAVORITE...

Can my ceiling please look like that??!

If you have never been to the OKCMoA, I highly suggest it. Enjoy your community! See what it has to offer!!

We All Have Our Godot

We've been studying Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot" in English literature and today someone said something really beautiful. The play is all about two guys waiting day after day for Godot to show up. He never does, but the play centers around them trying to pass the time while waiting. A girl in my class raised her hand and began saying, "We all have our own Godot. We're all waiting for something-- whether it's a degree or marriage or kids or some goal, we're all waiting and just trying to pass the time until it happens." That's SO true, but I don't want it to be true of my life. I don't want to spend my life waiting. I want to take advantage of every moment, every opportunity. God open my eyes to the things unseen! Help me to seize the day!