Reading is Fundamental

I was talking with some of the students at school today and the topic of reading came up. Some of the students were talking about what kind of books they read, while others were saying they haven't read a entire book in over 2 years. Wow! You mean there are people who don't read books; not even little ones. When I asked about "not reading an entire book", they said that other than a couple of children's books, they actually haven't read a book over 50 pages in over 2 years. I was stunned. I thought even those who claim to not read, at least read 1 book a year. I guess I was wrong.

It is interesting to note that the few students who admitted to not reading a book in over 2 years, had the lowest averages (not necessarily failing) of their classes.

As a reading addict, I am closing in on 50 books (at least 100 pages or more) in 2009 alone. (This is not counting children's books) I am reading one now and have one more I plan to read before the end of the year, (If time allows). It just shocked me about the number of students who hate to read.

Here is a list of books I have read in 2009 (in no particular order)

1. The English Standard Version of the Bible
2. Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Frances Chan
3. Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear by Max Lucado
4. Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado
5. The Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot by Max Lucado
6. Dracula by Bram Stoker
7. Chosen (The Lost Books # 1) by Ted Dekker
8. Infidel (The Lost Books # 2) by Ted Dekker
9. Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz
10. Point Blanc by Anthony Horowitz
11. Sinner by Ted Dekker
12. Skeleton Key by Anthony Horowitz
13. Eagle Strike by Anothony Horowitz
14. Scorpia by Anthony Horowitz
15. Ark Angel by Anthony Horowitz
16. The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith by Timothy Keller
17. The Pawn (The Patrick Bowers Files: Book 1) by Steven James
18. The Rook (The Patrick Bowers Files: Book 2) by Steven James
19. The Knight (The Patrick Bowers Files: Book 3) by Steven James
20. Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore
21. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
22. The Appeal by John Grisham
23. Brisinger by Christopher Paolini
24. Deadfall (The McAllister Files) by Patricia H. Rushford and Harrison James
25. Twilight by Stephanie Myer (Started in 2008)
26. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
27. Anchor Man: How a Father Can Anchor His Family in Christ for the Next 100 Years by Steve Farrar
28. Eat Mor Chikin', Inspire More People by S. Truitt Cathey
29. John 3:16, The Numbers of Hope by Max Lucado
30. Kiss by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy
31. The Chronicles of Narnia: the Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis
32. The Chronicles of Narnia: the Final Battle by C.S. Lewis
33. Beyond Belief: Finding the Strength to Come Back by Josh Hamilton
34. 23 Minutes in Hell by Bill Weis
35. The Apocalypse Code: Find Out What the Bible Really Says About the End Times...and Why it Matters Today
36. The Case for the Real Jesus: A Journalist Investigates Current Attacks on the Identity of Christ by Lee Strobel
37. Comes a Horseman by Robert Liparulo
38. Enjoy the Silence: A 30 Day Experiment in Listening to God by Maggie Robbins
39. A Family Guide to Narnia: Biblical Truths in C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia by Christin Ditchfield
40. Germ by Robert Liparulo
41. Get Out of That Pit: Straight Talk About God's Deliverance by Beth Moore
42. The Great Taos Bank Robbery and Other True Stories of the Southwest by Tony Hillerman
43. Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections between Sexuality and Spirituality by Rob Bell
44. Deadfall (A John Hutchinson Novel) by Robert Liparulo
45. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
46. Renegade (The Lost Books # 3) by Ted Dekker (Currently Reading - should be finshed by end of the week)
47. Becoming One: Emotionally, Spiritually, Sexually by Joe Beam (Currently Reading -- May not finish until early 2010)
48. Chaos (The Lost Books # 4) by Ted Dekker (Next on my list -- should finish by end of the year)

So close to 50!