My nightstand is empty (the cat complains when I put stuff there, he routinely pushes my alarm clock off, usually at 3am). But the table behind my desk is overflowing in book goodness!

I have At Home in Mitford that I’m reading for 3 Moms Book Nook. I’m currently 4 chapters behind in that, but tonight is looking promising.

I have Grand Weaver by Ravi Zacharias to be read and reviewed along with 5 Minutes for Books. That is due next week, things aren’t looking real promising, but we’ll see.

Then the books I’m stacking up for the Fall Into Reading 2008. Battling Unbelief by John Piper, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa Terkeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries and The 7 Hardest Things God Asks a Woman to Do by Kathie Reimer and Lisa Whittle.

I haven’t pulled out The Iliad yet, but the time is growing near.

Then I got a stack of Elizabeth Goudge books from the library. I want to start with Green Dolphin Street. Debbie’s Idea suggests starting with The Little White Horse but I don’t have it.

I did finish Getting to Yes for negotiation class and hope to write up a summary of that for the blog. I also have How to Write a Business Plan sitting here for me to pull some tips from for our class project. It’s been sitting here for almost 3 weeks. Time to either get it done or renew it.

For pure reading pleasure, I have Cold Service by Robert B. Parker and Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey ($0.25 at the library!).

As you can see, I was spoiled by the summer schedule and I am still in denial that Connor and I are both back in school.

Here is a challenge I can get into.

Fall Into Reading

All I have to do is make a list of books of books that I plan to read this fall (between Sept 22 and Dec 20). Then check back in around December 21 and tell how I did reaching my goal.

You can join the challenge too! Just click on the image above or the one in my sidebar. Even if you don’t join, you can see what others are reading.

My list for this fall:

Battling Unbelief by John Piper. This is the book we’re using for our devotions at the women’s beach retreat in November.

What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa Terkeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries

The 7 Hardest Things God Asks a Woman to Do by Kathie Reimer and Lisa Whittle

Something by Elizabeth Goudge

The Iliad. Because I won’t ask Connor to read a book I’ve never read. (I will ask him to do other things I’ve never done, especially where math and science are concerned.)

I’ll report back with book reviews and thoughts.

Happy reading!

I had big plans for this past week. Time to see how I did. 

The budget meeting went well. Plus, I finished my Negotiation book for class, as well as my homework. That was a given, the homework always has to be finished.

For the other plans, I did at least check out The Grand Weaver so when I finally have time, it will be here on my desk. I also picked up At Home in Mitford and then didn’t have any time to read it until today. I decided to pick it up and start, I only have to read 8 chapters for now.

I was immediately reminded why I love these books when Father Tim starts with the prayer “Father, make me a blessing to someone today, through Christ our Lord. Amen”. What a wonderful way to start the day and one I don’t do often enough.

Then we meet the dog. I know a Great Dane that loves to greet with kisses and can slobber quite well. I can relate to Father Tim wanting to run away but then being won over by the loyalty of the dog.

I got to page 18 and it talked about the produce that The Local puts out. That reminds me, I have some very good Granny Smith apples… I’m back now with a sliced apple.

Ah, Barnabas has his name now and we’ve learned that he can be controlled by Scripture. Would that I had the same reaction. Of course, Baranabas, when not under control of Scripture, can be quite a handful. 

Moving along to the dubious gift. The warden has the whole town convinced that the church now has a painting worth a whole lot of money. I like Father Tim’s confidence that he will be led to act in the best interest of all concerned. Page 35 has the vestry planning to spend the money on a steel columbarium painted to look like walnut. I bet the first time I read this I skipped over that work. This year our church has actually considered the pros and cons of acquiring a columbarium since we have so few spaces left in our cemetery. The session decided we would not pursue one for various reasons, but at least I now know what a columbarium is.

Here’s a reference to the Land of Counterpane. Reading this by the computer is so convenient. But, it’s time to go to handbells and I’ve only made it through chapter 4. I’ll pick this up later!