Questions For You
How do you decide what books you will read?
How many books are you trying to read this year?
What kinds of books do you read?
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April 6th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
How do I decide?
I let my interests decide. I search amazon using keywords connected to my interests. I often cruise the bookstore to expose myself to what’s new. I try to stay open to everything and every genre.
How many?
I don’t try to read a set number. I just read, usually two or three at a time. Often, people are really amazed by this as if it’s something extraordinary but really anyone who can track with the story-lines of multiple tv shows can read multiple books. In fact, just the opposite of needing to be a super-reader to do this, I think more marginal readers would read more and more consistently if they gave themselves more options. One book is like one tv show, if you’re not in that particular mood then it doesn’t get touched. I give myself choices.
What kind?
History, Futurist, Culture or Cultural Analysis, Science, Fiction, Science Fiction, Poetry, Art
April 6th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
oh, and I rarely, if ever, read “christian” books.
April 6th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
How do I decide?
I decide by whichever book looks like it has the coolest cover. Well, not entirely, but I think design has a big part in it. There’s a reason marketing and advertising people spend millions on trying to manipulate what we will buy. But I like to think I mostly just pick what I’m in the mood to read at the time I’m shopping. If my interest is piqued by something or if I have had a book recommended it stands out to me and I might get it and start reading it. I choose books based a lot off of what friends tell me they think I will like or what they recommend. I know which of my friends have similar tastes and are reader types like me.
How many?
I read about 3-8 books at a time. Sometimes it takes me months to finish one because I lose interest or I need to ponder what I have read about. Sometimes I don’t finish books, I just start them and if I get bored I put them off and put them off until I decide I don’t want to finish it. Usually though I have one or two in each bunch that I’m really intrigued by and will read through pretty quickly and it stays that way in the cycle. One or two that I read then choose more and 5 or so that I pick up and put down and cycle through.
What kinds?
I like a wide variety, but I mostly read books about cultural, philosophy, theology, new ideas, artsy, creative type stuff…. photography and design magazines and books too. I love fantasy and science fiction but I don’t just read them all the time. I will only read that genre if something is recommended because I feel like there is so much out there that is just crap. I’m pretty picky. I like biography and history but I prefer to watch it or hear about it as to read it.
April 6th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
How do you decide what books you will read? By the cover…yes I judge a book by its cover. If it catches my eye, either by title, or artwork, or what it says on the back about it. Most times I just go to the bookstore and start at the new releases and move over to different areas I like.
How many books are you trying to read this year? I read when I get the chance. Most times that’s at night once the boy is asleep. I try to read 1 month if I can.
What kinds of books do you read? I like books about foreign people. I love books written about foreign women, by foreign women. Most of my books are about South Asian and Middle Easter women, both fictional and non-fictional. Right now I’m reading books about Mother Teresa. I love true stories of people’s lives. I think every one has a story to tell. I also love reading ancient Persian poetry. It is so beautiful.
April 6th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
I think this is a great question. With so many books coming out everyday its hard to keep up and have a plan to pick what to read.
How do you decide what books you will read?
I try and pick books that may be something that I’m currently interested in, cover a topic I am teaching about or want to teach, a favorite author or suggestion from a friend, or a felt need to mend a whole in my ministry or personality.
How many books are you trying to read this year?
I try and read 24 books a year. I work through two books a month, one at home and one at the office. At home I only read one chapter a night so that I have more time for my family and read as much as my schedule permits.
What kinds of books do you read?
I read ministry, leadership, devotional, business. I need to add more fiction to my reading diet. You have to change it up or you will get bogged down.
What I’m reading, have or want to.
Raggamuffin Gospel- Brennan Manning
Blue Like Jazz- Donald Miller
Walk On- Steve Stockton
Postmodern Youth Ministry- Tony Jones
In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day- Mark Batterson
Simple Church- Thom Rainer
The Power of Vision- George Barna
Banker To The Poor- Muhammad Yunus
The Complete Book of Discipleship- Bill Hull
Transformation- Bill Roberts Jr.
Word of Mouth Marketing- Andy Sernovitz
April 7th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
How do I decide which books to read?
Checking out Amazon lists, recommendations from friends, unread books on my bookshelf (there are so so many), topics that I feel the Lord leading me through at the time….
How many this year?
“27 in 2007″
What kinds?
I’m a christian reading junkie, i dont want to be, but it always ends up that way. i try to stay up on what the students are reading, or different voices that I think might reach the students better; also fiction, historical events, autobiographies of world leaders, “life stages” books– like right now a marriage book a year and now baby books, education, and finally, classics.
For the christian books, i try to divide it up in the following categories:
-The Church
- Evangelism/Missions
- Spiritual Formation
- Theology/Philosophy/Ethics
fun question! how about you??
April 7th, 2007 at 8:28 pm
Well, I read what’s interesting to me at the moment but try to work in some categories. 1. Philosophy/Theology, 2. Practical Ministry/leadership, 3. Biblical studies (commentary, etc). Sometimes I read a few at a time, no more than three (one from each) and sometimes, like now, I just do one at a time. I don’t do well with too many books cookin’ at once. And I am too compulsive not to read a book all the way through, so I try to make sure it is worth my time and usually don’t just grab random things.
I read stuff that I think will help me, challenge me, or something that is current that I ’should” read to keep up with stuff. I don’t usually get too concerned if the author is a Christian or not.
My goal this year is to read 50 books. But, not sure if you knew this, I’m trying to start a church and I might not get all 50 once things get crazy.