28 for my 28th year

I like lists :) Chuck and I were talking with our favorite professor, Chap, and we were talking about the dangers of the internet and the possible destruction it can have on a marriage. When people get into the habit of coming in the door, jumping on line to play a game or check the news or scores before really interacting with one another over time this pattern of behavior causes problems. We were talking about other alternatives (we don't have issues with this per se, we were talking more in general, I promise!) and Chap mentioned how important continuing to read is for pastors. To stop reading, to avoid books and let our minds rot in front of screens is damaging to us as individuals and as a couple. I was then reminded of a firm belief my favorite pastor has, that to continue reading novels is one of the most important thing for pastors--the number of sermon illustrations and the depth of truths about the human condition, communities, and relationships are infinite. I'm not in school right now, and know that I need to be reading a lot more than I currently do, because I do love it and because I do believe what Chap and Pastor Dan says is true. Our generation really doesn't read as much, at least not good quality literature, and Chuck and I were saying yesterday that we want to not be statistics in that! He is reading Pillars of the Earth right now and is obsessed with it--he loves playing on line but these days I'm finding him laying on our couch with his book way more often than on the computer which has encouraged me to pick up my books again! I love the way that works, having someone there to encourage healthy habits! So for my birthday, as kind of a new year's resolution, I came up with a list of 28 books I'd like to read in my 28th year. I did the same for films, because we also believe it's important to stay caught up with at least some aspect of pop culture and film seems a bit more do-able than music or TV for us right now! I'll work my way through these, and may not finish them in a year, but wanted to have a goal, something I was aiming for. (Plus, I really like lists and like crossing things out!) You can find my book list here and my movie list here.