Wednesday, July 2, 2014

The Books we read

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“We are authors from across the globe, writing fiction with a foreign flair, for His glory!”

It struck me the other day that I’ve been a member of our international tribe for eighteen months now but really don’t know anyone very well.  So I thought I’d start what might become an occasional series of posts (which anyone may initiate) where some questions are proposed and we share our responses in the comments below.

I thought I’d start with a topic that’s probably very dear to all of us: what books we read.

Seven questions. There are no rules so responses can be as short or long as each chooses. Don't need to answer all questions. Additional questions can be proposed.

Here goes.

1. Favourite book as a child: Wind in the Willows by Graham Greene


2. Author that takes up most shelf space: Clive Cussler (53)


3. Authors that are compulsory reads (sample if too many to mention): Cussler, Daniel Silva, Matthew Reilly, Ted Dekker, Frank Peretti, Jim Rubart, Erin Healy, John Eldredge 

4. Ratio of fiction to non-fiction: 40:60


5. Best book you’ve read in 2014: Stranger Things by Erin Healy




6. Currently reading: Spirit Bridge (Jim Rubart), Extreme Prayer (Greg Pruett)

7. Next book in the TBR pile: Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

That’s it.

I do hope you’ll join in.



Ian Acheson is an author and strategy consultant based in Northern Sydney. Ian's first novel of speculative fiction, 
Angelguard, is now available in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. You can find more about Angelguard at Ian's website, on his author Facebook page and Twitter

14 comments:

  1. What an interesting collection of books and authors you've listed, Ian! OK--here goes with a few answers from me:
    Favourite book as a child (or slightly older): Little Women
    Author that takes up most shelf space: Hmm--L M Montgomery!
    Sample of authors that are compulsory reads: Montgomery, Dorothy Sayers, Ellis Peters, Jeffrey Archer, John Grisham, Maeve Binchy, Rosamund Pilcher, Elizabeth Goudge, as well as deep authors such as C S Lewis, Henri Nouwen, Richard Rohr, David Benner, Richard Foster ... and on we go!
    Ratio of fiction to non-fiction: No idea, but probably about 30:70
    Best book read in 2014: Immortal Diamond--Richard Rohr
    Currently reading: The Dean's Watch--Elizabeth Goudge; Soul Keeping--John Ortberg
    Next book in the TBR pile: Invitation to Solitude and Silence--Ruth Haley Barton

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  2. Hi Jo-Anne - we have a common interest in "deep authors." I've been working my way through some of Nouwen's ones lately. And I loved Ruth's book - it was just fab.

    Thanks for joining in. We might compare notes in the future.

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  3. Great idea, Ian! Here’s some of mine! :)

    Favourite book as a child: The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

    Author that takes up most shelf space: Susanna Kearsley

    Ratio of fiction to non-fiction: 80:20

    Best book you’ve read in 2014: Real Marriage by Mark & Grace Driscoll

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Morgan for joining in. Other than the Driscoll's, the 2 other authors you mention are new to me. What fun it is discovering new authors.

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  4. Ah, I see another L.M. Montgomery fan on this list. The "Anne" books were my favourites growing up. I've also got a shelf-full of Georgette Heyer. Must reads include Louise Penny and mary Lawson. Current favourite is "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. Oh, and I've started re-reading Farley Mowat. He just passed away. "The Dog Who Wouldn't Be" made me laugh out loud.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Alice, well now I know who wrote Anne of Green Gables. And wasn't LM Montgomery prolific? So many stories.

      I think in a previous post you wrote I commented on my appreciation of "One Thousand Gifts" - still high on my list. Thank for adding some of your faves, Alice.

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  5. Oh, this sounds fun!
    1. Fav book(s) as a child: Nancy Drew
    2. Most shelf space: Anne Perry and Lilian Jackson Braun
    3. Compulsory reads: Narnia Chronicles, LOTR Trilogy, The Anne books, Mere Christianity, Gone with the Wind…
    4. Fiction/Non-fiction: 90/10 (addicted to story)
    5. Best book(s) read this year: mystery - Elisha’s Bones by Don Hoesel, suspence – Heaven’s Prey by Janet Sketchley, romance – Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano, Chsritian – What Follows After by Dan Walsh; The Distant Hours by Kate Morton.
    6. Just finished Wildwood Creek by Lisa Wingate. 5 stars
    7. Next book on TBR pile: Quiet by Susan Cain
    And I'd probably change and add if I made this list again tomorrow! So many wonderful reads.

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    Replies
    1. Jan, I'm sure having fun discovering all these new authors. And as you say I'd probably change my list if I did it today.

      I especially loved Susan Cain's "Quiet" - it explained a lot and helped me better understand my introverted ways. I've been keen to read some of Hoesel's work. We Aussies are pretty proud of our Kate.

      It's great you shared your list, Jan.

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  6. This is a great idea!
    1. Favorite book as a child: Little House, Anne of Green Gables, Nancy Drew
    2. Most shelf space: Victoria Holt-she inspired me to write gothic novels (I did write one years ago/unpublished)
    3. Fiction/Nonfiction 70/30 For the first time in my life I'm actually reading more nonfiction than fiction
    4. Just finished: Soul's Gate by Jim Rubart
    5. Next Book on TBR: DiAnn Mill's Firewall

    Happy reading all!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lisa - well there's definitely a common theme here with Nancy Drew & the Anne books.

      What did you think of Soul's Gate? I'm a big fan of Jim's work.

      Thanks for joining in, Lisa.

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  7. Ian, fun idea! Here's mine:
    1. The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton
    2. Janet Evanovich
    3. Too many to list...
    4. 80:20
    5. True North by Susan Diane Johnson
    6. In-between books aka. swamped by deadlines
    7. Sweet Mountain Music by Suzie Johnson

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    Replies
    1. Enid Blyton, yes. Such magical storytelling.

      Thanks Narelle for taking a break in your writing to share here.

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  8. Wind in the Willows was my favorite as a child, too!
    Susan May Warren holds my most shelf space.
    If I count all the picture books and children's books and young adult books and LI books, not to mention the slew on my kindle, I suspect fiction outweighs non-fiction 9 to 1. Although we do have bookcases full of non-fiction of every stripe, too. :D
    Currently reading...the next book I need to revise--book 3 in Port Aster Secrets, Desperate Measures. ;)
    Next book on TBR? I have a slew waiting for me...will depend on my mood of the moment. :D

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    Replies
    1. Well there you go, Sandra. Another WITW's fan. My 2 boys didn't get into it though. I'm sure I must have started reading it to them many times when they were little.

      Re: next read, mine just changed this morning. Will try to get through Ronie Kendig's new serial: Overkill, over the weekend. The first episode is only 73 pages. Might just do it.

      Thanks for sharing, Sandra. All the very best with Book 3.

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