Monthly Archives: August 2008

What I’m reading: August 2008

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A Year in the World (Journeys of a Passionate Traveler) by Francis Mayes. Heavy on the food and history descriptions. I’m still in the first few chapters (Spain) with Mayes; not the most exciting read.

I’m enjoying Tales of a Female Nomad (Living at Large in the World) by children’s book author Rita Golden Gelman. I would finish it if I could FIND THE BOOK. I hate it when I do this, put an object down somewhere in the house and lose it (is it lost or misplaced? I hope it’s not misplaced outside. It’s a library hardcover).

Tales reminds me of the Gilbert book Eat, Pray, Love because both authors lived in Indonesia, by far the most exotic place I’ve ever lived. I like comparing my Indonesian experiences with other women. If you liked Eat, Pray, Love, you may like Tales of a Female Nomad. Tales isn’t a spiritual jouney like Eat, but there are spiritual elements to it.

While searching for Gelman’s book, I found this book. I started reading it months ago and – you guessed it – mislaid it. Maybe I’ll take Anytime Playdate (Inside the Preschool Entertainment Boom) by Dade Hayes on vacation with me next month to finish it. I like the fact that it’s the baby’s Daddy who authored this look into children’s television.

These I took out of the library but have yet to start them:

Without Reservations (The Travels of an Independent Woman) by Alice Steinback

Almost French (Love and Life in Paris) by Sarah Turnbull

Nothing to Declare (Memoirs of a Woman Traveling Alone) by Mary Morris

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What are you reading? Cybersurf over to 5 Minutes for Books to share what you’ve been reading this month.

If you are visiting from 5 Minutes for Books, check out my latest book contest.

Blogging community: MyBlogLog

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Join My Community at MyBloglog!

Help a girl out, will ya? I just joined MyBlogLog this past weekend and desperately need folks to fill up that new widget on the bottom right of the screen (RSS friends, come over to see what I’m talking about). Right now I only have two blogger friends signed on, making my widget look sparce. It looks weird, all that black space with no faces looking back at me. Or off to one side, as Lynn is doing.

And perchance you have no idea what MyBlogLog is – here is the link to educate yourself. It seems like a fun and easy way to foster community at your blog. If you are on MyBlogLog, join my community and I’ll return the favor. Thank you!

Win this book: Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson

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Hey, gang. It’s Monday, the wait is over. As promised, here is my latest book contest: Wild Goose Chase (Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God) by Mark Batterson.

From the back cover:

Most of us have no idea where we’re going most of the time. Perfect.

Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit -An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life. I think the Celtic Christians were on to something…”

Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.

Sounds good, doesn’t it?

Here is a little bit about the author:

Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of Washington, DC’s National Community Church, widely recognized as one of America’s most innovative churches. Mark is the author of the best selling In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and a widely read blogger. He lives on Capitol Hill* with his wife, Lora, and their three children.

And endorsements via Amazon.com:

“Mark Batterson is down-to-earth and humble–yet constantly pushes me to grow. I follow him as a leader, admire him as an innovator, and love him as a friend. Mark has become one of the most important voices for a new generation. Anything he touches changes lives.”
- Craig Groeschel, pastor of Lifechurch.tv, author of Going All the Way

“A thoughtful and energetic leader, Mark Batterson presses us to consider how we live out our faith in the world around us. When Mark has something to say, I am quick to listen.”
- Frank Wright, PhD, President and CEO, National Religious Broadcasters

Okay, I bet you are eager to read this book and I’m going to give you the chance. In fact, I’m going to give you more than one chance to win.

Here is what you need to do:

1. Comment to enter, be sure to leave a valid email address.

2. For a second entry, post this contest on your blog (email me the link to your post.)

3. Really want this book? For a third entry, let your Twitter followers know of this contest (send me the link of your tweet).

Make sure you use this post’s link, not my main site, so folks can find the contest easily. My address is monicambrand (at) gmail.com.

Oh, and by the way… if you love to read, you should sign up for my RSS feed. I love giving away books, and by subscribing you can be sure you don’t miss any contests. You can even get me in your email. How cool is that?

FYI:

Contest open to US and Canadian residents only. No entries after midnight September 1, 2008.

Ready, set, go!

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Monica History 101 – I lived on Capitol Hill for several months when I did my journalism internship in 1994. Union Station, one of the meeting sites for National Community Church, was only a 15-minute walk from my house. Too bad I lived there two years before the church started.