Casual Readers discussion

What are some of your favorite inspirational books?

Would Ted Dekker's work apply, Cindy?

Interesting that you mention him Dustin. Have never read any of his material but I recently bought Showdown on sale at a used bookstore. Sure, I would count him judging from the things I've heard.

Cindy wrote: "Interesting that you mention him Dustin. Have never read any of his material but I recently bought Showdown on sale at a used bookstore. Sure, I would count him judging from the things I've heard."

Yes, I remember your post about the book in another group, Cindy.

I've read a bunch of these books--way too many to start listing. I haven't even bothered to list them on my GR shelf.


I would like to read more of the secular-type stuff like Malcom Gladwell's Outliers: The Story of Success and The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

Chuck wrote: "I've read a bunch of these books--way too many to start listing. I haven't even bothered to list them on my GR shelf.


I would like to read more of the secular-type stuff like Malcom Gladwell's O..."

Chuck, I don't know if I just wasn't understanding the text or what, but I didn't like The Tipping Point at all :(

Cindy wrote: "Chuck wrote: "I've read a bunch of these books--way too many to start listing. I haven't even bothered to list them on my GR shelf.


I would like to read more of the secular-type stuff like Malco..."

That's a bummer.

This type of stuff is good audiobook material.

Hey, you like some and don't like some right? Thank God we live in a country where we can read any book we want and decide for ourselves if we like it or not. Some people don't have that choice.

Glad you liked the book Chuck :)

Cindy wrote: "Hey, you like some and don't like some right? Thank God we live in a country where we can read any book we want and decide for ourselves if we like it or not. Some people don't have that choice."

Oh yeah, absolutely. I've never read anything by him. Thanks for the warning. ;)

Chuck wrote: "Cindy wrote: "Hey, you like some and don't like some right? Thank God we live in a country where we can read any book we want and decide for ourselves if we like it or not. Some people don't have t..."

Oh, I thought you had read it. No, by all means check it out. Lots of people liked that book.

Cindy wrote: "Glad you liked the book Chuck :)"

No, I haven't read it yet, Cindy. I probably could have worded that better.

Cindy wrote: "Oh, I thought you had read it. No, by all means check it out. Lots of people liked that book. "

Yeah, someone likes it. I've seen it on the Best Sellers List forever.

Stephen King's On Writing has long since been very inspiring to me. I've read it three times, and with each reading, I walk away knowing more about the craft, and feeling hopeful. Determined.

Now you have me curious Dustin.

I thought by Inspirational you were referring to books about turning your life around, so to speak. Most of that is going to have a religious flavor to it, I thought.

I guess it's a matter of personal interpretation Chuck. "Inspirational" can mean many different things to many people. For me it would not necessarily be religious in nature, but could include spiritual, motivational, etc. And yes, many of the books I would consider inspirational would have a religious flavor. I consider Tuesdays With Morrie an inspirational book, but by no means religious.

I agree with you there, Cindy. Whatever one finds inspirational, it doesn't necessarily have to spiritual or religious.


You should definitely give On Writing a go sometime. I think everyone should read it at least once, even if you're not an aspiring writer.

Dustin wrote: "I agree with you there, Cindy. Whatever one finds inspirational, it doesn't necessarily have to spiritual or religious.


You should definitely give On Writing a go sometime. I think everyone shou..."

Yeah, but that's not what it means to be part of the inspirational genre. Any person may be inspired by any book but that doesn't mean it fits the genre. But obviously, ya'll are free to define it however ya'll want here.

Heaven is For Real is inspirational. I also consider Amish fiction, especially An Unforgivable Secret by J.E.B. Spedermann, to be inspiring. Obviously, neither of these would be for everyone.

Hey, that's why it's great to live in America! We actually have choices. I have never read any Amish fiction but I did like the movie with Harrison Ford called Witness. Showed a lot of the Amish lifestyle in it, but it was a little "R" rated. Maybe too much for some people.

Here's an awesome book if you are a believer in life after death that I definitely recommend checking out:

I've heard a lot of good things about Amish fiction. I'd definitely give it a go someday!

The Giver by Lois Lowry

If you have read this, you will know.

Interesting. I have read The Giver but didn't realize it was Amish fiction. Good to know. Thanks!

Cindy wrote: "Interesting. I have read The Giver but didn't realize it was Amish fiction. Good to know. Thanks!"

I am not sure it is, but it has that aura about it. My reference was more to the title of the thread rather than the previous posting. :-)

Got it, thanks for clarifying. I don't really know much about Amish fiction, but will definitely look some titles up under the genre out of curiousity if nothing else.

I started to read THE GIVER, but I found out it is a children's book, and I can't even handle YA most of the time. They all ways sound so good too, dang it. :(

I think its best read in teens at school, although I read it as an adult. It should cause some reflection on perception !