Getting Stoned with Savages: A Trip Through the Islands of Fiji and Vanuatu

Getting Stoned with Savages: A Trip Through the Islands of Fiji and Vanuatu by J. Maarten Troost

I picked this book off the "Note Worthy Non-fiction" table in Barnes & Noble for a few reasons:

1) I have heard the title mentioned to me by a Californian girl I met in New Zealand who was living in Vanuatu as a peace corp personal, and she recommended the book to learn something about Vanuatu

2) I was completely shocked that I recognized the title as a recommendation

3) Its a travel novel about some Pacific Islands

4)There is a topless man drinking out of a coconut

5) It says "Getting Stoned" in the title.

Those seem like five good reasons. I have now laid on the beach here in Key West, Florida getting through the first thirty pages and I love it. I like how the author writes. And even more I like what he has to say about the western world versus his life in the pacific isles.

This is going to be a good read.

The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream

By Paulo Coelho

Thank you Thank you Elizabeth Barnes. This sending of thanks far exceeds the giving of a simple book. The Alchemist has given me much more than some leisurely hours reading. It has made me laugh, smile and ponder the wonders of human kind. Okay, that may be a bit much, but the book is incredible. It was one of the first times I finished a book and thought to myself, “Alright, let’s read it again.” I have only reread a few book, so this is an exceptional reaction.

The boy is a traveler, so there’s the first reason I liked the book. Secondly, every few pages there is a quotable line applicable to most people’s lives. It could be advice or just worldly knowledge. Thirdly, the book touches on the powers of love and knowledge. I whole-heartedly believe in both of those to be very powerful things in life.

The boy follows his dream, literally. He doesn't give up when people tell him he is crazy. He doesn't even know what his dream is really about, but instead of letting that stop him, he lets the unknown fuel him and his desires to reach his treasure. This beautiful story of courage and adventure is what makes being a traveler so fascinating.

The Alchemist is full of useful, thought-provoking stuff. I’m overly impressed and satisfied by my read. Thank you again Elizabeth Barnes for giving me your beloved copy.

The Only Road North

The Only Road North by Erik Mirandette

I am in the middle of this wonderful book. Wow. What an adventure Erik has embarked on in Africa. I'm not quite finished and yet would recommend this book to everyone! Thank you Kaity Ruhland for letting me have this beautiful book. My Dad read it when we road tripped to California and he sends his thanks!

The Irresistible Revolution

The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical by Shane Claiborne.

This book has been recommended by many of my friends. I hope to pick it up soon.

Crazy Love - Recommended by Carolyn

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God

I am always looking for book recomendations. This book was recommended by Carolyn Yang. Thanks!

Check out their website CrazyLovebook.com.

Into the Wild

This book will always hold a lot of meaning to me. I have seen the movie literally ten times. The book is amazing, too. This story is touching, exhilirating to read. Jon Krakauer is an amazing invesitagative journalist. He makes me want to be a journalist more than anything.

This story is really intense. Alexander Supertramp has some major issues that he needed to work through. His story can be twisted into so many thigns. I really enjoyed this book.

Barbarian Way: Unleash the Untamed Faith Within

The Barbarian Way: Unleash the Untamed Faith Within

This book was a gift from my good friend Lauren Callison who is always challenging me in the best of ways. She gave this to me when I graduated high school, yet I finally picked it up when I was in Italy.

This book found me at an interesting time in my life. I was asking a lot of questions and looking for answers, so I am glad this book found me when it did.

All church leaders, and even all church go'ers should read this book. It has a really intriging spin on 'civilized Christianity.' I enjoyed his point of view. However, similar to Rob Bell's Sex God I found McManus somtimes beating aroudn the bus. He speaks a lot about being a barbarian (hints: the title of the book), but he does not always explain what he is talking about in very good detail.

Hopefully, this book finds you when you have an open mind about religion.

Also the book is super short, so its a good quick read.

The Shack

The Shack

This book was yet another great surprise. William P. Young accounts for his friend Mack, who has a super tramatic event occur in his life. This heart-breaking story leads to the greatest discover: The Trinity. This book describes God's love for us and the idea of the trinity in a whole new and exciting way. Even if you are not a believer, this book is a wonderful read. The first couple chapters will hit you hard and shock you, but stick it out because the book is an amazing story. I left reading this book a better person (or so I'd like to think). It really had me up in arms about some things in a good and bad way. I was really impressed by the story even if the writing itself was a little unimpressive. Read this book!

Eat, Pray, Love

Wow. This book has meant something different each time I have read it (or listened to it). Yes, I have the audio on my iPod. I first listened to it last summer driving between OP and Lawrence all the time. I heard about the book after seeing Elizabeth Gilbert, the author, on Oprah. Yes, I have a short obsession with Oprah (that may still be going on, but you will never really know). This book is about finding one's self in the midst of the craziness of life, which I just love. If you are interested in the audio, it is great. The author is the reader of the audio, which is awesome to hear her quirky jokes and tones. The first time I heard the book, it comfirmed my decision to enroll in Italian. On my recent treck to Iowa, I listened to Elizabeth talk about her travels to Italy, which of course hit close to home considering I leave to study abroad in Italy next week. Also, in a very brief moment, Elizabeth mentioned New Zealand, which was just too much to handle.

The book is divided into three different parts: Eat, Pray and Love (hints the title). I will not lie to you all. I have listened or read Eat three times now. I have listened to almost half of Pray twice now and never made it to Love quite yet. However, by the end of the summer. I will have listened or read the whole book and revise my blog on it. The Eat portion of the novel is worth about ten million reads, but I might be bias with my new obsession of anything Italian.

Sex God

Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections

between Sexuality and Spirituality

I am currently reading Rob Bell's Sex God. I honestly am on like page 20, but so far so good. It was a gift from the lovely Nina Humphrey. So, we shall see how I like it. I will let you know what I think.

I read this book when I was in Italy. This book is one of those you need to take for what it is. Rob Bell has a lot of interesting things to say, but I also felt like he didn't say much.

I would have appreciated more direct statements rather than beating around the bush. However, Bell did approach tough subjects in new ways with interesting ideas about things.

I may reread this book at a different time in my life. I do think books come to us at times in our lives when we really aren't ready for them.

Captivating

Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul

The lovely Eldredge couple made this book to truly touch women's hearts. I read this book at a time when I was kind of questioning the new feminist movements influence on me. Haha. Meaning I was enrolling in Women Studies and trying to prepare myself for the 'crazy' feminist ideas to be pressed upon me. This book taught me it is okay and beautiful to be vulnerable. I saw firsthand the beauty in that this winter break. Also, this book was a beautiful conversation piece with one of my new best friends. Surprisingly this book brought us together in a very unlikely place: my Women Studies class. Now Katelyn Schutlze, you have to finish this book. It has been a whole semester. :) Ev ery women should read this. It gives a great picture of God's intensions for us. Although, the beginning was a struggle to get through because of how lovely dovey sappy it is. I simply have a tough exterior that was hard to tear down to really dive into this. However, there is not a week that goes by that I do not refer to this novels ideals. And women, once you read it, pass it on to a man. They should get a clue about these ideas.

Through Painted Deserts

Through Painted Deserts: Light, God

, and Beauty on the Open Road

Another great surprise. Don Miller's writing is quite interesting and has you flipping page after page wanting more. His ac count of his travels really reveal something about himself that shows adventure, love and the work of God. I love it when travels are so much more than the destination. Most journeys are that way and this book is no different. If anyone wants to road trip to Oregon after reading this book, call me.

Finding the Open Road

Finding the Open Road: A Guide to Self-Construction Rather than Mass Production (Roadtrip Nation)

This book really changes your perspective on what it means to be successful. In a world full of pressure and conformity, this book really gives a great perspective on success, self and life. I really love the ideas they give about making life decisions. It was meant to be a coffee table book because I liked the cover and now it is making my number one summer read. Enjoy! Please let me know what you think of it. Also, if anyone wants to set up some interviews and roadtrip the nation with me, I'm down.