Monday, July 28, 2008

Books to Read

So my book choices lately have not only been to educate myself regarding issues around the world, but also to inspire change. Plus they are some amazing stories that I believe everyone should be reading.

Books I highly recommend include:


1. Three Cups of Tea (see post below)

2. Not for Sale by David Batstone. (I'm currently reading)
"Human trafficking generates $31 billion annually and enslaves 27 million people around the globe, half of them children under the age of eighteen. Award-winning journalist David Batstone, whom Bono calls "a heroic character," profiles the new generation of abolitionists who are leading the struggle to end this appalling epidemic. "


3. Terrify No More by Gary Haugen (I've read and it's amazing!!!)
"This gripping book documents the events leading up to, and surrounding, IJM’s raids in the notorious Cambodian village of Svay Pak where their workers rescued 37 underage victims of sex-trafficking, many of them under the age of 10."

4. Blessed Unrest by Paul Hawken (currently reading)
"Blessed Unrest explores the diversity of the movement, its brilliant ideas, innovative strategies, and hidden history, which date back many centuries. A culmination of Hawken's many years of leadership in the environmental and social justice fields, it will inspire and delight any and all who despair of the world's fate, and its conclusions will surprise even those within the movement itself. Fundamentally, it is a description of humanity's collective genius, and the unstoppable movement to reimagine our relationship to the environment and one another."

5. She Said Yes (was recommended in church on Sunday)
"In the aftermath of the Columbine High School tragedy, a story came out about Cassie Bernall, a young woman who allegedly professed her belief in God in the moments before she was shot dead. Hailed a modern-day martyr by Christian groups and the media, detectives revealed months later that she may never have had such an exchange with her killer. Bernall's parents responded to the news with a statement:

"Our intent was to share Cassie's story in an effort to encourage parents and teenagers. If any of our actions have hurt or offended anyone, we sincerely apologize."

In She Said Yes, a moving memoir written by Cassie's mother, Misty Bernall, we meet the real Cassie, a typical adolescent who struggles with peer pressure and her relationship with her parents. Once headed down the common teenage path of self-loathing and depression, Cassie turned her life around through her faith and the support of a group of people who helped her find peace and purpose--her youth group at church. Though Cassie was far from the perfect child, She Said Yes tells the story of how Cassie's faith gave her the strength to overcome the obstacles she faced in her young life. Regardless of what happened at Columbine, She Said Yes is a moving tribute to an extraordinary young woman and a lesson for both parents and teenagers alike. '

I will be recommending more and updating my blog as more book titles come along, but please share any books that you have enjoyed in the comment section.

Happy Reading!

2 comments:

Lyn said...

Thanks for these great reviews, I will look at the books you recommended. On the other hand, have you heard of Gary Haugen's latest book Just Courage? (www.justcourage.com)It is short and inspiring as well. Sincerely,Lyn from IJM HQ

Bethany said...

Hi Lyn..thanks for stopping in. No I haven't heard of that book. I will def look into it. I love the work of IJM :) Please send more requests also! Thanks!