At the beginning of this year, I issued a 2015 Reading Challenge. The “Natasha’s Study” column is a space for sharing book reviews, having book discussions, and interviewing authors about their new projects. Since I am no longer attending seminary classes, it is one of my favorite posts to write each week. I love reviewing and reengaging content that I have read previously. I love hearing about what you are reading and learning.
I am still committed to finishing several books I began last year, but I have also taken this 2015 reading challenge for myself:
1 book for work
1 book for writing/teaching
1 book I want to read
1 book for learning
1 book about leadership
I am currently finishing up a novel. I cannot recall the last time I read a novel or any fictional book for that matter. This was a refreshing break. In February, I also completed reading a book to begin research for my next book project.
I am looking forward to reading the following books in March:
1 book for work: More than Equals: Racial Healing for the Sake of the Gospel by Spencer Perkins & Chris Rice
1 book for writing/teaching: The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (This is one of my carry over reads from last year.)
1 book I want to read: Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More-Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist by Karen Swallow Prior
1 book for learning: Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible by E. Randolph Richards and Brandon J. O’Brien (This is another one of my carry over reads from last year.)
1 book about leadership: The Radical Disciple: Some Neglected Aspects of Our Calling by John Stott
What are you currently reading? Are you learning any new?
© Natasha Sistrunk Robinson 2015
A SISTA'S JOURNEY 
I really like the categories you suggested, Natasha. I think I do that to some degree, but don’t call it that. I always have books going for study or writing — just finished several Ephesians commentaries while writing an Ephesians Bible study. I always have one fiction book going too. I just finished Orange is the New Black, which is technically non-fiction. I’m praying about being involved in some kind of jail ministry, and this book took me into the story of a lower security prison. (Note — I tried to watch one episode of the TV series, and it was too graphic for me. The book was nothing like the TV series.)Thanks for asking!
I didn’t even know that “Orange is the New Black” was a book. Thanks for bringing that to my attention and also letting readers know that the book is nothing like the TV series. It is likely that I would not have picked up the book had you not mentioned that. Happy reading! Spring is almost upon us.
I’m currently reading Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison, and The Secret Life of Pronouns: What Our Words Say About Us, by James W. Pennebaker.
Somehow, even though I have a master’s in English and took an entire course on African-American literature, I never read Invisible Man. It’s a hard read, from an emotional standpoint, and I have to take frequent breaks so I don’t become depressed. The pronoun book is non-fiction, written by a psychology professor who pioneered computer-based text analysis to study psychology. It’s fascinating.
Thanks for sharing, Laura. I’m sure I read “Invisible Man” many years ago, and probably should read it again when I am older and wiser. Thanks for the intentional read and pressing into it. Blessings, Natasha