Writing Books
Walking on Water - Madeleine L’Engle. This is one of my
absolute favourites.
Bird by Bird - Anne Lamott
Write His Answer - A Bible Study for Christian Writers -
Marlene Bagnull
Indelible Ink - 22 International Christian writers discuss
the books that shaped their faith – compiled by Scott Larsen
Shouts and Whispers - twenty one writers speak about their
writing and their faith –edited by Jennifer L Holberg
A Writer’s Book of Days – Judy Reeves
Walking on Alligators - A Book of Meditations for Writers -
Susan Shaughnessy
The Invisible Child - Katherine Paterson
The First Five Pages - Noah Lukeman
The Plot Thickens - Noah Lukeman
Wild Minds - Natalie Goldberg
Escaping into the Open - Elizabeth Berg
How to read a Novelist - John Freeman
I’ve just finished reviewing this and among the interviews
with a host of well known writers, it has some interesting practical
information. You can find my review here http://www.livejournal.com/users/orangedale/
Take Joy - Jane Yolen
Poetry
Rilke Selected Poems – English translations by CF Macintyre.
I picked this up second hand for a couple of dollars at a Lifeline book sale.
What a bargain!
Far from Home - Poems of Faith, Grief and Gladness - Andrew
Lansdown
Birds in Mind –Australian Nature Poems – Andrew Lansdown
Flame Tree - Kevin Hart
Other Non Fiction
Books I Treasure
John Doe Disciple – sermons of Peter Marshall
Mr Jones Meet the Master – sermons and prayers of Peter
Marshall
My first experience of Peter Marshall was watching the film A Man Called Peter with Richard Todd
and then reading Catherine Marshall’s story of her husband. So well did Richard
Todd play the part of Peter in the movie that when I read the sermons, it is
his voice I always hear in my head. I have most of the Catherine Marshall
books.
Another author have myriad books of is Madeleine L’Engle. I may
not always agree with everything she says, but she makes me think more deeply,
a bit like our own Anne Hamilton. I’ve just finished reading one of her books
for the third time.
God’s Poetry – The Identity and destiny encoded in your name
– Anne Hamilton
Novels
The Friendly Persuasion Jessamyn West
I bought this book after I saw the movie, Friendly Persuasion. It remains my
favourite movie and one of my favourite books. I would have liked Except For Me and Thee written by the same
author and concerning the same family but I haven’t got it yet. I'm working on it.
Nine Days by Toni
Jordan. From a writerly point of view, this is a great example of voice. The story
is told in nine chapters each in first person from a different family member
over a span of years. Be warned though some chapters contain a little strong
language, which seems sadly to be so much a part of today’s books. If you can
ignore that, it is worth reading as a writer to learn about voice.
Caleb’s Crossing -
Geraldine Brooks. Again this is another which impressed me with its story and
voice, though sadly I don’t have this one on my shelves... yet. It’s coming.
I’ve never been one to confine myself to reading only Christian
fiction. I read widely so the bookshelves also include a raft of other authors including
Nicholas Sparks, Fannie Flagg, Jodi Picoult, Gail Godwin and many others as
well as some Aussie Christian fiction authors including Paula Vince and Mary Hawkins.
And there is one book I turn to often, but it does not live
on the bookshelf but on the desk, the table near the armchair or wherever I
happen to be at the time and that is the Bible.
Where else can you find a book with true stories, poetry, stories, action,
prophecy, proverbs and wisdom, symbolism, and picture language, songs, dreams and their interpretations, etc not
to mention the fact that it is the way God speaks most clearly to His people.
Through the bible we are introduced to the ultimate hero – Jesus.
Dale writes and reads fiction and poetry.
Her latest novel Streets
on a Map, was published by Ark
House Press. Prior to
that Dale has had seven children’s books and Kaleidoscope a collection of poetry published. Many of the poems
in Kaleidoscope have been previously
published in Australia’s literary magazines. She has won prizes for her poetry
and has been published in several anthologies. More information about Dale can be found at www.daleharcombe.com or on her Write and Read with Dale blog http://www.livejournal.com/users/orangedale/
Excellent post, Dale - thanks so much! Loads of great ideas for more books to read, plus you obviously have excellent taste, since the very first two books you included on writing would be the first I'd put too! I really enjoy Madeleine L'Engle's writing and others you mention, but you've listed lots more I'm dying to investigate as well. I have a writer friend who has all of Catherine Marshall's books, so I will pass your blog on to her.
ReplyDeleteInteresting list, Dale. Like you I read widely with not only Christian books on my shelf. This gives me exposure to all sorts of writing styles.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Dale. Great to have a peek at your favourites. I too read widely and borrow about 25 books each time I visit our local library. Our bookshelves are crammed full of books since my husband too is an avid reader.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading 'A man called Peter' and being inspired by it. Congratulations too on all your writing successes.
Blessings and thanks,
Anusha
Thanks Jo-Anne, Rita and Anusha and glad I've inspired you to check out some others you may not have heard of, Jo-Anne. I agree it's important to be exposed to a wide variety of writing, Rita Wow 25 books, Anusha. Wish I still belonged to a libary that did that! These days I am limited to 12 unless I put some on my husband's card which is often the case.
ReplyDeleteWow! So many books you've mentioned I've never read, Dale. Because I have always enjoyed book about relationships, the majority of my books on the shelves are either romance novels - both Christian and secular - or books with romantic elements. Unfortunately my secular romance "keepers" nowadays are mainly much older books as they have become more and more explicit in content - and language too I am sad to have to say. There are many "How to Write" books on my shelves I'm added over the years but thought I should mention two only released in recent years that are really excellent and up-to-date - especially for novelists like myself. "A Novel Idea" (Tyndale publisher) has contributions from many best-selling authors on many different topics. I recently bought "Plot & Structure" by James Scott Bell published by Writer's Digest Books. Still haven't finished studying it yet but is excellent and very practical.
ReplyDeleteThanks for thos two tips of writing books, Mary. They both sound interesting too.Novels about relationships are among my favourites along with ones that make me think.
ReplyDelete