4,500 pages (and counting)

Many of you may know that I love to read. I probably manage to read more than 200 pages every day, whether from the Bible, from my science/fantasy books, or my books about learning. I also get to throw journal articles in there, as well as web pages that I find interesting and consult on a daily basis.

One of the great chores that I have been undertaking lately has been the pursuit of a Doctor of Ministry degree. The last two times that classes have been offered at the school where I am enrolled, I have taken up the opportunity to complete 9 credits, a three credit and a six credit class. We are supposed to read approximately 500 pages per credit hour, which amounts to roughly 4,500 pages for nine credits.

When you do that a couple of times each year, that amounts to around 9,000 pages. And for me, that is on top of my "usual" reading. (Yes, I freely admit that I am a nerd, bookworm, or any other affectionate name that you want to call someone whose nose is often found in a book, magazine, etc.) And yet, I personally enjoy the challenge of it all, as well as the learning that takes place as I read.

As usual, I also try to implement what I learn when I read. Usually, after a wave of new books, I'll often be found initiating conversations, trying new things, or just simply re-adjusting part of my life to better fit what I have learned. That truly is one of the joys I have as I grow in my life and in my Christian faith.

Oh, and just in case I didn't have enough to read, I also recently found another running magazine that looked appealing and helpful, and so signed up for it. Yes, another magazine to read on a monthly basis. I love it!

As you read this and ponder just how crazy I am, remember that I am also the person who chose to read "War and Peace" during the six weeks of Lent a couple of years ago, and finished with more than a week to spare.

Of Books and Learning

"Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body." Ecclesiastes 12:12b

You may have noticed that I have been kind of silent on this blog since my half marathon post about 4 weeks ago. Now is the time to explain what has been going on that has taken up so much of my time lately.

Over the past 4 years, I have been involved in a program that worked toward credits in a program of study that I enrolled in, a doctorate degree, through the school where I got my masters degree, in St. Louis, MO. I received 3 credits for each year, totaling up 12 as of last year.

This summer, since Carrie and I had some extra time, we decided that I should enroll and get some of my residency requirements taken care of. So early in April, I looked at the class listings and enrolled in a 6 credit seminar, and a 3 credit course at the school. The problem with enrolling in mid-April was that it left me with just about two months to get 4,500 pages read prior to the classes.

So, yes, a big part of my time the last few months was spent trying to get approximately 100 pages read each day. Now, those of you who know me well probably are thinking that this wasn't too big of a deal. After all, I love to read. But some of these books were rather dense reading, not allowing for quick reading.

Nevertheless, I completed all the reading assignments, and also got my 2 page review papers completed. Then, on June 20, I boarded a plane and took off for two weeks to attend the classes on campus. So for the last two weeks, I have been spending about 7 hours a day in class, and then the evenings doing any assignments that needed to be done for the next day.

But now I am back. However, the work is not finished. For the 6 credit seminar, I have a 40 page paper to write. For the 3 credit course, I have a 20 pager. So between now and the middle of September, I need to get both of these completed. In my mind, that's no problem at all.

So here's hoping you will be hearing from me a little more frequently now.

Reading List

As I've mentioned previously, I have started up a blog where I review the books that I read. I've already finished a number of books, and have posted reviews on my site. Overall, it's been a really good process for me, since it "forces" me to think a little more about the material I read, and then helps to focus my thoughts on what was important, and what I learned.

I also am part of a program that has people reading books by a particular publisher, and then posting reviews on my reading blog, as well as on some of the main book-buying websites (think amazon, christian book distributors, borders, and others like that). This program provides me with the book, which I then read, and post my review. I have just recently put in my request for my second book.

Imagine that! You get sent a book to read, and then you simply publish your review on it in several locations. When you are a book-worm, or book-nerd, or smarty-pants like me, that's almost too good to be true!

Reading, Anyone?

First of all, I apologize to all of our faithful readers for not having posted for a while. Easter is a pretty busy time of year for me, as well as a number of other things going on in my work. Needless to say, I've failed to take the time to blog and open the window that you all have into my life (oh, and Carrie's too).

A good number of you know that I am a pretty avid reader. Let's face it, I read books, then re-read them, and then re-re-read them again and again. While Carrie thinks I'm crazy in this, I actually find it a way to release my mind and continue growing and learning at all times.

But recently, Carrie found a website that may help me to feed this addiction. It's a place that sends you free books, which you have to read, and then post a review on three different sites. So, of course, I signed up for it. It's primarily one reviewing Christian books, which fits right up my alley. So, I filled out their form, and was accepted as one of their readers and reviewers.

That means that this week I will receive my first free book, which I have to review. It's one that talks about why the world will end in 2012 from a Christian perspective (think about the movie 2012). While I won't be posting my reviews on this blog site, I have created a blog site where I will be reviewing, not just these free books, but also most books that I read. If you would like to see what I'm reading and what I think about it, you can go to my reading blog now listed in our blogroll and see what I have to offer!

War and Peace

Ever since Ash Wednesday (February 25), I have undertaken the task of reading what some have called the best novel ever written. It's "War And Peace" by Leo Tolstoy. I am posting tonight to announce my triumph. I have finished the novel, in a mere 6 weeks. That's more than 1300 pages read (1,387, to be precise). Here is my book after it has been conquered.

I want to thank everyone who helped make this achievement possible. First, I have to thank Carrie, who put up with me simply reading and not interacting with her a lot when I was engrossed in the book. I also have to thank my mother-in-law for getting this book for me for Christmas. Finally, I want to thank my eyes, who were ready to give up a few times along the way.

If you ever get a chance, I highly suggest reading this novel. The characters are very interesting, and it actually reads fairly quickly.

While we're thinking of long novels, what is the longest novel you've ever read? "War And Peace" now moves above "Anna Karenina" (by the same author) for my longest novel.