Readers' Advisory by Susan Barclay

When Lynn Dove wrote last year, “I was an avid reader from a very young age, disappearing whole-heartedly into a book, where I lived, breathed and took on the persona of the main character,” she might well have been describing me. Perhaps we are, as they say, "sisters from another mother!" From the time my mom and grandparents first took me to the library when I was three, I was hooked on books. Though at one time I thought I would never leave the world of the Children’s department, I did progress through Young Adult reads, and then on to Adult. I even became a librarian and within that role readers’ advisory is one of my favourite activities.

My reading tastes are eclectic. I enjoy a good cozy mystery, historical fiction, Christian fiction, humour. I like biography and memoir, books on spiritual growth, Christian living, prayer. I am always learning something. My to-read list is over 800 titles long, and that’s after a hefty culling of about 600. According to my Goodreads log, I’ve read more than 2000 books in my lifetime—and those are just the ones I remembered to input!

So, what am I reading this summer? Currently, I’m reading You’re Not Enough (And That’s Okay) by Allie Beth Stuckey, and Draw the Circle: the 40 Day Prayer Challenge by Mark Batterson (this is one of the companions to The Circle Maker). Both are excellent writings I highly recommend. I’m just beginning Renewing Your Mind by Dennis Jernigan, Just Jones by Andy Andrews, and Red Moon Rising by Pete Greig and Dave Roberts on the 24/7 prayer movement. I read Greig’s How to Pray in December and it was wonderful. I have to say I’ve read some amazing nonfiction so far this year, including Another Gospel? by Alisa Childers, Out of Darkness by Stormie Omartian, The Red Sea Rules by Robert J. Morgan, and Talking Back to Purity Culture by Rachel Joy Welcher. In fiction I discovered author Chris Fabry. His writing is beautiful, his stories and characters compelling.

In this season of eldercare, reading has taken precedence over writing, though I did help my aunt edit her coffee table/gift/art book, which we just sent off to the publisher. Growing up in a hardworking family where I was an only child and conversations didn’t run deep, books introduced me to different worlds, different people, and taught me not just vocabulary, but how to communicate and think. I’ll forever be grateful to my mom, who understood the importance of an education, and to the authors who wrote the books that most shaped and informed me. I still seek books that teach me how to live, and most importantly how to live well for Jesus and abide in Him. I’ve been doing a lot of growing over the last three years especially, and I know God isn't finished with me yet. He’s drawing to my attention the stories I need to hear and giving me a story to share with others at the right time, for His glory alone.

If you’d like more information on the books I’ve read or are looking for reading suggestions, please reach out through the comments. Even though my life is full, I’m always happy to discuss this subject that is very close to my heart!

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You can find out more about Susan Barclay's writing at www.susan-barclay.blogspot.com. Photo credits - Pixabay