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Post by shavonfan on Aug 1, 2005 16:48:04 GMT -5
I'm not only a lover of music and film, but also books. I have benefitted greatly on this forum by "checking" out the artists recommended by others (Tina Arena and Delta Goodrem). So I thought that this might be a good place to learn of some great reading material as well. What are your thoughts?
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Post by shavonfan on Aug 1, 2005 17:05:58 GMT -5
Okay, I'll start....right now I am currently reading a book entitled "The Return Of The Prodigal Son" by Henri Nouwen. While only about a third of the way through what is a small book to begin with, I can't help but highly recommend it! Henri Nouwen does for books what Lara Fabian does for music! This guy is very personal and transparent in his style. He obviously is not writing just for the sake of writing. The book is all based on the observations that Henri makes upon coming across a painting by Rembrandt called, "The Return Of The Prodigal Son". The painting captures his attention to such an extent that he spends almost two full days staring at it when he visits St. Petersburg in the Soviet Union, the site of the original painting. From there he writes about his observations of the painting and how it has stirred his life. In the painting, you see the father embracing the son, who has returned home. Also in the background is the older son, who has never left his father's side. The remarkable thing about this book is how Henri is able to make observations from the painting about each of the three characters, and how he can relate and see himself in each of them. This is a very intimate look at oneself, and reveals someone who hungers and thirsts for "the heart of the matter" and everything real in life. Now, I happen to appreciate books on spiritual matters. But I believe this book would be accepted even by those who don't neccesarily gravitate towards those kinds of things. I say, "check it out", you'll be better for it.
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Post by shavonfan on Aug 6, 2005 9:34:00 GMT -5
Having just now finished the book, "The Return Of The Prodigal Son" by Henri Nouwen, I again feel the need to recommend this book. It's small enough for even those who don't tackle many books, and very easy to read. The observations that Nouwen shares in this book have changed my life, and I'm on my way to becoming a better person because of it.
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Post by shavonfan on Aug 11, 2005 20:46:51 GMT -5
"The Wisdom Of Tenderness" - Brennan Manning subtitled, "What Happens When God's Fierce Mercy Transforms Your Life"
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Post by ocelot on Aug 14, 2005 20:13:47 GMT -5
"Cancer Ward" by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn is a great book. It's based in the USSR and has so many things in it with deeper meaning about Communist Russia. I've read it in high school for an independent study project and have read it over again since then. His books "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" and "The First Circle" are also really good.
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Post by shavonfan on Aug 15, 2005 13:54:48 GMT -5
Ooh, thank you, Leona! I will definately check it out. I have never read any of his books, but have heard wonderful things about him. Isn't he the person who's regarded by many to be responsible for exposing the concentration camps to a large part of the world that didn't even know they existed? The film and book "I AM DAVID" mentions his name in some of the extras. But I am always looking for new books to read, and as soon as I finish "The Wisdom Of Tenderness" I will look into your recommendation. Thanks again!
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Post by ocelot on Aug 17, 2005 16:27:17 GMT -5
Yes, he is that author. He also spent time in concentration camps for what he has written about but it never stopped him. He kept on pushing, in that way I think he's a hero in addition to his genius writing.
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Post by shavonfan on Aug 17, 2005 16:48:26 GMT -5
Well, from what I have heard about him, he is a hero. One who in many ways changed the world by his writings in exposing not only the concentration camps but also the God-less form of government that communism truly is (esp. Soviet communism). I am very much looking forward to checking out your suggestions, and plan on doing so in the next day or two.
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Post by shavonfan on Aug 18, 2005 18:12:37 GMT -5
Leona, I just want you to know that I have taken you up on your suggestion and purchased a copy of "Cancer Ward" today! Looking forward to sharing my thoughts on it when I'm done. Might be a while, though, I'm not the fastest reader, and this is over five hundred pages! Looks great! Thanks for the recommendation!
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Post by S.C. on Aug 23, 2005 22:00:45 GMT -5
"Objection" by Nancy Grace. She is an ex-prosecutor who is very outspoken on victims and victim's rights. A woman of my heart.
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Post by shavonfan on Aug 23, 2005 22:05:18 GMT -5
First of all, Happy 100th Post, Shavon! And a good one it is! I will check it out as soon as I finish "Cancer Ward"
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Post by ocelot on Aug 24, 2005 21:32:53 GMT -5
I've seen Nancy Grace's talk show, so I'll try to check out her book. I think she's a great person and very passionate about defending victims and finding the truth.
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Post by S.C. on Aug 25, 2005 7:41:30 GMT -5
White Oleander
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Post by shavonfan on Aug 25, 2005 16:12:29 GMT -5
Okay, I'll put that on my list also, but, please slow down, you two! I'm not a fast reader, and Leona has me in a 500+ page book! LOL This is not a criticism, as i am enjoying the book very much, and am grateful to have been led to it. I just love both of your recommendations so much and want them all! Heck, maybe I'll even be smart someday like you! LOL
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Post by ocelot on Sept 11, 2005 18:20:14 GMT -5
A book I read a while ago that made me see the terrorists a bit differently is "My Jihad" by Aukai Collins. He is an Irish-Americian who converted to Islam and joined Al Qaeda and then later helped the FBI with counter-terrorism. This book also opened my eyes to a few things about terrorists and the people trying to bring them down. Between it and the book "The Lessons of Terror" by Caleb Carr I've been able to understand what the terrorists are doing to some point. I still think it is terrible and killing people is totally wrong but it's also helps to be somewhat knowledgeable about where they are coming from and to understand to somewhat of a point of why they do it.
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