Books, Books and More Books

I love books. I adore books. I don't worship books, but if I didn't consider it blasphemous I probably would.

Framed over at Framed and Booked tagged me about books . . . how could I resist?

So, here we go.

1. My Reading ∙ I love to read. Histories, biographies, autobiographies, romantic suspense (well really, any kind of suspense), westerns (if they are written by Louis L'Amour (not his kids)), humor. I just love to read and if its well-written I'll read any genre except for porn and horror. I'm with Framed and Booked about the gratuitous sex, I sure wish they'd leave it out. I love to be entertained, educated, enlightened and distracted from life. I always find that in the pages of a book.

2. Total Number of Books Owned ∙ 3,248 and counting, because I found a stack of books this morning that hadn't been cataloged. I'm certain I will find more as we continue transferring offices. Bookmooch? What's Bookmooch . . . don't think I won't be checking that out and soon!

3. Last Book Bought ∙ James L. Ferrell's The Peacegiver: How Christ Offers to Heal Hearts and Homes. Tristi, you can have yours back now. The first paragraph on the inside jacket cover reads: "What does the atonement mean, practically speaking? How is Christ the answer to a strained relationship with a spouse, child, parent or sibling? What if I am being mistreated--how can the atonement help me cope with that? How can I discover the desire to repent when I don't feel the need to repent? And how can I invite others to do the same? . . . The Peacegiver is a book about the answers to these questions." How could I not pick it up? Although it's going to have to be very good to beat Tad Callisters Infinite Atonement.

4. Last Book Read ∙ White Heat by Cherry Adair is the last book I read. I wish I hadn't. While the story was very good, it was a little too predictable, waaaayyyyyy too much sex, I had to skip so much of the book. If they weren't having sex they talking about wanting to have it. It was ridiculous! You'll notice this book isn't hyperlinked. That's because I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I want my money back.

5. Five Meaningful Books ∙ I've found the most meaningful books in my life have all been religious.

Book 1: The Plan of Salvation: Doctrinal Notes and Commentary by Matthew B. Brown. Never have I read a text that gave a clearer presentation and understand of our Heavenly Father's plan of salvation;

Book 2: The Infinite Atonement by Tad Callister. This book helped me to understand the Atonement with all its nuances and applications better than any book I have read on the subject.

Book 3: Gethsemane by Andrew Skinner enlightened me as to the reasons for Gethsemane and the crucifixion. My heart was touched so deeply by the Savior's sacrifice. I pulled a quote from Gethsemane to include in my own book Forged in the Refiner's Fire: "As our dear Savior knelt in the Garden of Gethsemane and the full weight of sin, sorrow, illness, and grief of untold numbers of worlds fell on His shoulders for the first time, he felt “ekthambeisthai [translated as] ‘sore amazed’ (Mark 14:33). It is often rendered as ‘awestruck’ or ‘astonished.’ One respected New Testament scholar says that this word is best rendered as ‘terrified surprise’.” Gethsemane by Andrew Skinner. For the first time in our Lord and Redeemer’s existence, sin touched His perfect soul."

Book 4: Book of Mormon: 1830 Replica Edition ∙ as translated by the prophet, Joseph Smith, Jr. and the The Holy Bible King James Version: 1611 Edition. There are many passages in both books that literally speak to my soul. But in particular there is one known as Nephi's Psalm, written after had endured so much trial and tribulation at the hands of his older brothers. Found in the Book of Mormon, I'm going to include it in here (2 Nephi 4:16-35):

16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.

17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.

22 He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.

23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.

24 And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.

25 And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.

26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?

27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?

28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.

29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.

30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

31 O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?

32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!

33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.

34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my ctrust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I bask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.

Oh, how my heart has cried out to the Lord, echoing these sentiments at times. But I find solace in this passage of scripture because of the greatness and gentleness of Nephi, this ancient prophet of God.

Book 5: Temple and Cosmos: Beyond This Ignorant Present (The Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, Vol 12 : Ancient History) by Hugh Nibley. Now this author is not a fast read in any way, shape or form. But oh how I have learned from this volume of knowledge gathered by one the great minds and apologists of the century (20th century).

And that is the end of the tagging list. Kind of fun, isn't it? I know I added a lot more than most people will, but hey, that's me. Right?

Thanks for tagging me, Framed. It was nice to ponder over what I've read lately. Always good to realize what was money well spent and what wasn't. Now, I'm going to tag Karen Hoover over at A Writer's Ramblings, Ali at Girl in a Whirl, Karlene from Inksplasher and Kat over at JustaBeachKat. Like Framed, I'd like you to send me your links when you're done.