Jo’s BJU Approved Blog

I have really enjoyed the last three books I’ve read (besides my English textbooks)

Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri –I was so excited to finally see another book out by her. After reading her first two books, I kept checking up on her hoping she would put a new book out. I kept searching and finding nothing, and then finally I saw Unaccustomed Earth I love all of her stories that I have read. I’m not an immigrant, but who cannot relate to feeling out of place? I love her characters, and I challenge those who say that she uses the same characters in all her stories. Yes, the stories were about Bengali people, but there are many out there saying that there is no need to read this book if you’ve read her others. I say that is completely untrue. I actually started getting up earlier because I really wanted to finish the book. Anyone that knows me, knows that is saying a lot. I found myself effortlessly sympathizing with the characters–a good thing as long as I wasn’ t reading in public.

On Sunday I read Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris I obviously didn’t agree with everything contained in the book. However, I thought it had some amazing ideas. I never ran into the idea that adolescence didn’t have to be the way it was until I had Dr. Zichterman for Child and Adolescent Psychology, and the thought has never left me. These guys did a great job expressing that and giving some very practical ways for teens to get out of their comfort zones and live up to the potential they have.

I am currently reading the Thursday Next series. I just finished Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde. The books are odd. I’ve never read anything quite like them. They aren’t quite in line with my sense of humor, yet I still find them so strangely entertaining. I had heard of them, but never got around to reading them. I have so many books on my to-read list, but my friend Ethan lent me The Eyre Affair to read on the plane over break, and he recently lent me three others that I am working on right now. I recommend the series from what I’ve read so far.

I am also currently reading And the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers. I like it so far. I think Rivers is an excellent writer at least compared with other current Christian writers.