1.
I have a real problem. I love books. I love holding them in my hand, flipping through the pages. I love reading them. I don’t own a Kindle or an iPad and I’ve never read a book that wasn’t “real.” I’m not naive enough to say I’ll never own an eBook reader, but I’m still old fashioned when it comes to books.
2.
Lucas when he was 2- He shares my love for books!
How is that a problem, you ask? The problem is I also like to buy books. My favorite past time these days is looking around on Amazon for books. I like to buy books for myself and for my kids. The fact that you can spend $25 and get free shipping? Well, let’s just say, I make a lot of $25 (plus tax) purchases. Then, after I’ve read the book (and perhaps shared it with a friend), it goes back into my drawer of books. I typically don’t reread books.
3.
The other day, I found myself looking around on Amazon again. A sweet fellow blogger had suggested a book to me and I wanted to check it out. After reading the reviews, I added it to my cart. Then, I looked up a few books about Lent and added them to my cart. I found a kid’s story of Easter and added that, too. Before I realized what was happening, my cart was filled with half a dozen books. I started coming up with really great reasons why it was okay to spend nearly $40 on these new books. I want to read (at least) 12 books in 2012! I want some books to help feed my faith and growing spirituality. I want to teach my kids. $40 isn’t that much money. Right?
4.
Then I thought of three books sitting on my nightstand unread. I thought about the books I just borrowed from my sister that I still haven’t cracked open. I thought of the endless board books and children’s stories overflowing in both the kids’ rooms. I thought about all the books in my nightstand drawer read only once, then tossed aside. Reluctantly, I clicked the little red X on the screen and shut my computer down.
5.
I find it both humbling and eye opening that this happened just days before the beginning of Lent. Perhaps Coke and Facebook aren’t the worst of my habits. Perhaps it is that I tend to be frivolous when it comes to buying things like books. I had a plan for myself this year to really think about what I bring into the house. I don’t need anything else to add to the clutter. Also? That money could and should be going to better causes (our savings, charity, etc.).
6.
After this wake up call, I’ve decided to make some changes. One of them is to really reflect before I buy things. Do I really need this? Is it going to be used often? Am I getting my money’s worth? If I can’t answer “yes” to all of these questions, I’m going to (try!) to refrain from wasting money.
7.
As I was pondering my influx of books, I came up with a fun idea. I thought I’d offer them to you, my readers, in hopes they will enrich your life as they did mine. I promise that these books were lovingly cared for and are very gently used (only read by one or two people).
8.
I know, it is only supposed to be 7 quick takes, but I have to give you the details, right? I have 7 books to give away. I’m going to use the Raffelcopter below to make the process run smoothly. The only “mandatory” things you have to do are answer a question & leave a blog comment. It will prompt you to do both. You can earn extra chances by following Life Happens when on Facebook and/or Twitter and sharing the giveaway information.
***The giveaway will go through next Friday. I will announce the winner on Friday and will get in touch with you. If you win, I will TRY to get you your 1st or 2nd choice, but I can’t make any promises!!***
***Below is the list of books. If you click on them it will take you to Amazon where you can read about them (but don’t get sucked in!!!). As you will clearly see, this is a random mix of books. There are Catholic/Christian books, a teacher(ish) book, and historical fiction.***
“The Vow: The True Events That Inspired The Movie” by Kim & Krickitt Carpenter
“A Love That Multiplies” by Michelle & Jim Bob Duggar (Don’t judge! I love that family!)
“She Makes it Look Easy” by Marybeth Whalen
“The Freedom Writer’s Diary” by Erin Gruwell
“Life-Giving Love: Embracing God’s Beautiful Design for Marriage” by Kimberly Hahn
“The Power of a Praying Woman” by Stormie Omartian (The one I have is NOT the deluxe edition)
“The Boleyn Inheritance” by Philippa Gregory
***All books are paperback with the exception of the Duggar book (which is hardcover).
And suddenly I feel like I just showed you my dirty laundry. Ha!
Life happens when we share with friends!
Good luck friends!!
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I think the book about the Vow looks really good! As well as the one about marriage because I’m getting married next year!
I can’t wait until i graduate because I’ll actually have more time to read! I feel like with school I’m reading so much for my actual classes and not books that I actually enjoy.
The Vow was a really good book. Life Giving Love is also great, but most everything Kimberly Hahn writes is great!
I love books, too! But since I was in library school, I haven’t been able to buy books. I love the library because if I don’t like a book, or just when I finish it, I don’t have to keep it, and it was free…unless I forget to take it back on time!
I know! I really need to get in the habit of going to the library. It just seems like such a hassle to pack my kids up and take them into a quiet place! But my 3 year old would love it! He loves books!
Read your other “blogs”, and wanted to say that I really like your opinions, and especially agree with the thought that “Lent” encourages us to really affect a change toward our relationship with God, not to just give up something for a time, then revert to our old way of handling whatever is was, when that time is over. The idea is to strengthen our walk–and to change the things that hinder that walk. Modification and moderation–if it takes away from God, or family, or your own well-being, then it probably deserves a second look–a little moderation, a little modification–but I consider myself a “good-work-in-progress”, anyway…
Thank you so much, Tina!
I completley hit enter and didn’t leave a comment on what three books I would love and why! Whoopsie! The top three books I would love would be Life-Giving Love: Embracing Gods beautiful design for marriage, She Makes It Look So Easy (reminds me of my sister-in-law, her 6 beautiful homeschooled babies, and all the amazing homemade bread she makes daily. Did I meantion she also has a hobbie farm where she cares for chickens, goats and mini horses?) Or the Power Of A Praying Woman because if you were to see my bedside table, and my coffee table, oh and sides tables, or yes bookshelf, you would know there isn’t nothing I like better than a womans devotional book.
)
Wow! She does make it look easy, huh? Well, the actual book is a little dark, but overall a good book!
OK yet another comment. I know the point of your post is to get rid of books but I just have to tell you about a few books I LOVE. One of my absolute faves is Homegrown Faith: Nurturing your Catholic Family by Heidi Bratton. Its an amazing little study book you can easily do alone or in a group setting. I’ve been using it alone with a great Catholic Study Bible (Jean Marie Hiesberger) and a steno notebook to journal my reflections and answers though I keep meaning to get a pretty little journaling book to use with it. Also as I meantioned in my previous comment about my perfectly patient, domestic wonder sister-in-law, I thought the perfect book for her for a Chirstmas present (an bought one for me too) would be The Domestic Church: Room by Room by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle. I haven’t had the time to actually sit down and dive into it but the few pages I’ve flipped through I just love. Can’t wait to finally pick it up and read it. Then two more are Little House in the Suburbs by Deanna Caswell about doing and making your life more homemade. Not that I’m actually going to get chickens, or make my own soap but I just love to read it and dream about someday maybe having an amazing garden I can feed my family and learn to can from. The last one, one I JUST recieved form amazon this week is The Rhythm of Family by Amanda Blake Soule. Its about getting outdoors and discovering life as we did when we were children. Learning about the wonder of trees and lakes and running and playing rather than sitting infront of the sprout channel while mommy surfs pinterest. Yes, pinterest.
Hope you check them out, I bought them all from Amazon!!!
P.S. Was this your longest blog comment in history or am I maybe not alone in my ramblings here?!
I actually have The Domestic Church! I bought it a couple of years ago and I tried to read it then, but never made it past the first chapter. I just picked it back up about a week ago and have really enjoyed it!
I’ve wanted to get Homegrown Faith! I’ve heard a lot about it! I’ll have to check the other ones out, too. Sigh.
This is probably one you already have, but do you have Small Steps for Catholic Moms by Danielle Bean and Elizabeth Foss? It is a daily devotional. It is short, sweet, to the point and I love it!
Also, do you have the Handbook for Catholic Moms by Lisa Hendey? That’s good too? And Lisa also wrote A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms. I’m currently reading that, too.
And the one I alluded to in my post that a fellow blogger recommended was Embracing Motherhood by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle. She said it was really great and has really helped make positive changes in her life and for her family.
Also a fan of the Duggars.
I’m glad I’m not alone! Seriously, most people look at me like I’m crazy!
I so hear you with the book addiction! And Amazon, oh Amazon, I really should buy stock in that company. I would love to enter your book giveaway. I love the Duggars too! I asked for their 19 kids and counting DVD for Christmas, people thought I was crazy, but I don’t care!
p.s. your little boy is so cute reading his book.
Yes! I watch the Duggars every week! I can’t help it! I really don’t think I could have 19 kids, but I love the way they parent and the way they proclaim their faith regardless of what the rest of the world thinks!
You are welcome to enter! Just go to the Rafflecopter at the bottom of the post and answer a question! Thanks!
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