Must Reads

Back in May, I said I wanted to read 10 books over the summer.  Sadly I never got through the tower of books that occupied the chair by my window all summer, but I did manage to read a total of 9 and a half books.  This was a lot for me during that span of time, seeing as I felt like I was drowning in online homework.  I couldn't stop stopping by the library whenever I had the chance and I cannot wait till our new library here at school is done construction in just a few weeks.  I think when I'm old a grey and/or a crazy cat lady I'll be a librarian and knit and sip tea all day when I'm not stacking, organizing, or reading the books.  These were two of my favorite summer reads.

Love Does by Bob Goff:
This book told various stories from Bob Goff's adventurous, spontaneous life.  Every chapter would start with giving an account of what he thought of a person or thing, and then his changed view after an experience.  I love hearing people's personal accounts of failures and successes in life and how they learned from them how to love people more fully and as Christ loves us.  Bob Goff really showed through this book that love does not have to be some extravagant act that we do for lots of people, but can be simple things that come from a pure heart that can mean the most to others.  I highly recommend this book.  I couldn't put it down and finished it in just a few days!

"When our failures are most obvious, so is God's grace."  

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald:
I had read this book back in middle school for assigned reading, but decided to pick it up again after seeing the movie at the beginning of the summer.  I'm not one for classics, cause I mean, come on. . . I had to read it for school.  I fell in love with the movie, and the book captured my attention as well.  While the book and the movie are very different, I just love how they both make you feel like you are in the story, back in the 20s.  I don't want to give away too much, but the plot of this book is just amazing.  Crazy highs and lows run throughout this short book and love and justice are constantly battling against each other.

"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."  

What books have you all been enjoying lately?
If you have read these, what do you think of them?   

Lynchburg Lyfe

I have been loving and appreciating this city more and more lately.  The beautiful buildings, the mountains, my favorite coffee shop reopening, the biking and running trails, my secret getaways. . . I'm all about finding new adventures and gems in this city of mine.  I've already had such great memories in this city and can't wait to make more until the time comes when I leave it.  Those students who say there is nothing to do in Lynchburg?  They are plain crazy.  Get out into the city, meet new people, and find out about those hole-in-the-wall places, or events that are "underground."  Here are some of my more recent pictures from out and about in one of my favorite cities.  I even like to call it home sometimes.