Comments for FlowerDust.net http://flowerdust.net Author, Blogger, Speaker, Bad Driver Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:07:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on What’s Missing from Today’s Books? by Sherie http://flowerdust.net/2010/03/14/whats-missing-from-todays-books/#comment-259753 Sherie Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:07:25 +0000 http://flowerdust.net/?p=4427#comment-259753 I read about 70-100 books a year. Mostly CNF or fiction (Christian or Classics). First, what I want is something readable. I struggle if the writing is not similar to how normal people communicate. In fiction I am looking for something I can escape into and get lost in the story. I want to be able to feel like I am there, so character development and plot are important. I won't even pick up trendy fiction or romance, especially Christian romance. I enjoy historical stories that teach me about a time/place I couldn't experience directly. In CNF I am looking for something that is going to push me or cause me to think differently. I won't touch the celebrity's books (a couple exceptions), and I have learned that the leaders who are the stage speakers at big conferences are rarely good authors. I am drawn to realism. I like personal connection. For example I have read a lot in a couple specialized interest areas and I am tired of experts saying how others work through things but the authors have never experienced it themselves. I love books that teach me more about how to understand and relate to Scripture differently, but it had better be based on real truth. Twisting God's word will completely turn me off. While I am not a fan of "how to" books especially about ministry trends, I do enjoy learning how to live out my life as a believer in real and meaningful ways that make an impact in the world around me. I typically choose books because they somehow speak to something that connects with an aspect of my current life. They speak to a struggle I am working through, an area I am learning or need to, a subject area I am growing interested in, etc. I don't usually listen to others recommendations because most people I hear from are swayed by best sellers lists, read a lot of theology (which is not a big interest), or are influenced by aspects of their life. Mostly, I want timeless content. I want to read information that would apply in the past and will also apply in the future. I want a writer who speaks to all ages, genders, and ethnicities. I read because I want something that is going to move my heart or change my life. I read because I want something new and desire to learn, grow, and change. Price is important to me because I am thrifty. Most of the books I buy are gently used or discounted. I rarely ever buy something just published. I do purchase a few audio books, and still have not made a decision about ebooks but I will start reading Mad Church Disease electronically this week as my first intro into that world. .-= Sherie´s last blog ..<a href="http://theoutlet.wordpress.com/2010/03/10/the-joys-and-struggles-of-church-planting/" rel="nofollow">The Joys and Struggles of Church Planting</a> =-. I read about 70-100 books a year. Mostly CNF or fiction (Christian or Classics). First, what I want is something readable. I struggle if the writing is not similar to how normal people communicate.

In fiction I am looking for something I can escape into and get lost in the story. I want to be able to feel like I am there, so character development and plot are important. I won’t even pick up trendy fiction or romance, especially Christian romance. I enjoy historical stories that teach me about a time/place I couldn’t experience directly.

In CNF I am looking for something that is going to push me or cause me to think differently. I won’t touch the celebrity’s books (a couple exceptions), and I have learned that the leaders who are the stage speakers at big conferences are rarely good authors. I am drawn to realism. I like personal connection. For example I have read a lot in a couple specialized interest areas and I am tired of experts saying how others work through things but the authors have never experienced it themselves. I love books that teach me more about how to understand and relate to Scripture differently, but it had better be based on real truth. Twisting God’s word will completely turn me off. While I am not a fan of “how to” books especially about ministry trends, I do enjoy learning how to live out my life as a believer in real and meaningful ways that make an impact in the world around me.

I typically choose books because they somehow speak to something that connects with an aspect of my current life. They speak to a struggle I am working through, an area I am learning or need to, a subject area I am growing interested in, etc. I don’t usually listen to others recommendations because most people I hear from are swayed by best sellers lists, read a lot of theology (which is not a big interest), or are influenced by aspects of their life.

Mostly, I want timeless content. I want to read information that would apply in the past and will also apply in the future. I want a writer who speaks to all ages, genders, and ethnicities. I read because I want something that is going to move my heart or change my life. I read because I want something new and desire to learn, grow, and change.

Price is important to me because I am thrifty. Most of the books I buy are gently used or discounted. I rarely ever buy something just published. I do purchase a few audio books, and still have not made a decision about ebooks but I will start reading Mad Church Disease electronically this week as my first intro into that world.
Sherie´s last blog ..The Joys and Struggles of Church Planting

]]> Comment on What’s Missing from Today’s Books? by Tiffany http://flowerdust.net/2010/03/14/whats-missing-from-todays-books/#comment-259745 Tiffany Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:38:27 +0000 http://flowerdust.net/?p=4427#comment-259745 I skimmed through the last half of the comments, but I feel a lot of modern Christian authors write as if they underestimate my intelligence. That's one of the many reasons I'll read C.S. Lewis - because I simply feel mentally challenged and it's thoroughly thought-provoking. I don't want a book to have seem like they have all the answers and all I have to do is swallow what they said. I like to be able to chew on things and figure out how it's going to impact my life. At the same time, I love when I feel like I could sit down with the author and have a real conversation. Again, not because he/she has all the answers, but just that the book is written in a way that I can relate. I feel like too many Christian books need more humility since none of us really can live this life perfectly, but we need to learn from each other. I skimmed through the last half of the comments, but I feel a lot of modern Christian authors write as if they underestimate my intelligence. That’s one of the many reasons I’ll read C.S. Lewis – because I simply feel mentally challenged and it’s thoroughly thought-provoking. I don’t want a book to have seem like they have all the answers and all I have to do is swallow what they said. I like to be able to chew on things and figure out how it’s going to impact my life. At the same time, I love when I feel like I could sit down with the author and have a real conversation. Again, not because he/she has all the answers, but just that the book is written in a way that I can relate. I feel like too many Christian books need more humility since none of us really can live this life perfectly, but we need to learn from each other.

]]> Comment on Instead Of… by Prudence http://flowerdust.net/2010/03/16/instead-of/#comment-259735 Prudence Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:42:50 +0000 http://flowerdust.net/?p=4435#comment-259735 Understanding instead of critical. Loving instead of bitter. Worshipful instead of self-centered. .-= Prudence´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.prudychick.com/2010/03/more-of-him-less-of-me-03152010/" rel="nofollow">More of Him; Less of Me</a> =-. Understanding instead of critical.
Loving instead of bitter.
Worshipful instead of self-centered.
Prudence´s last blog ..More of Him; Less of Me

]]> Comment on Instead Of… by dubdynomite http://flowerdust.net/2010/03/16/instead-of/#comment-259726 dubdynomite Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:53:08 +0000 http://flowerdust.net/?p=4435#comment-259726 Optimistic instead of cynical. Affirming others instead of seeking affirmation. Proactive instead of procrastinating. .-= dubdynomite´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DubDynomite/~3/LIHo2dgYtug/" rel="nofollow">Troubleshooting Life</a> =-. Optimistic instead of cynical.

Affirming others instead of seeking affirmation.

Proactive instead of procrastinating.
dubdynomite´s last blog ..Troubleshooting Life

]]> Comment on What’s Missing from Today’s Books? by Kristine McGuire http://flowerdust.net/2010/03/14/whats-missing-from-todays-books/#comment-259662 Kristine McGuire Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:19:01 +0000 http://flowerdust.net/?p=4427#comment-259662 I've been experiencing the same thing. I chose the route of self-publishing but of course that makes me into the "country cousin" or not taken seriously. It's a very tough market out there. .-= Kristine McGuire´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/KristineRemixed/~3/6Fc6kTqa3eg/" rel="nofollow">Faith Foundation</a> =-. I’ve been experiencing the same thing. I chose the route of self-publishing but of course that makes me into the “country cousin” or not taken seriously. It’s a very tough market out there.
Kristine McGuire´s last blog ..Faith Foundation

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