More by Alan Kraft

I couldn't even find a picture of this book. It's fairly new, written by the pastor of my late-college church, Christ Community in Greeley. I loved that church. I treasure his book Good New for those Trying Harder because it sums up so much of what God taught me during that time.

This one is a bit more challenging. Learning to be aware of, and invite, and surrender to, the Spirit. There is some theology behind it, and then lots of practical ideas for how to do it.

Mostly this just made me aware of how soundly lacking I am in my prayer life, and dependence on God in general. May it be the beginning of something new God is doing.

This is the one thing I highlighted, "We all instinctively know that sin thrives in secret. In the darkness of isolation our sins exert their greatest power" (page 169). What followed was one of many admonitions on the importance of having fellowship. There were even statements like, "This will never happen unless you have close friends to do it with you," (paraphrase) which are quite depressing to me, since that is another area that desperately needs help.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

A Little Princess by Francis Hugson Burnette

Outliers by Malcom Galdwell

Outliers
      - summary: "People don't rise from nothing. We do owe something to parentage and patronage." (chapter 2)
I. Introduction: The Roseto Mystery
II. Opportunity
     A. The Matthew Effect
          1. Summary: "It is those who are successful...who are most likely to be given the kinds of special opportunities that lead to further success." (chapter 2, section 5)
          2. Example: Canadian hockey player youth leagues are grouped by age, with January 1st as the cut-off. Thurs, a student who turns 9 years old on January 2nd will be grouped with another student who doesn't turn 9 until December 31st, and the former would have an obvious advantage-- size, improved coordination. Thus, the player born on January 2nd is more likely to advance to the higher-level teams within his age group-- the teams which have the best coaches, and more practice time. It is logical that he will become even better than his counterpart born December 31st. Compound this over several years, and it is easy to see why a typical Canadian professional team has 17 out of 24 players born January, February, March, or April.
          3. Applications
               a. cut-off dates matter
               b. late-start for gifted & talented programs may ensure that all gifted students are given opportunity, not just older students
     B. The 10,000-Hour Rule
          1. Summary:
          2. Example: computer programmers
          3. Example: Beatles
     C. The Trouble with Geniuses, Part 1
          1. Summary: the threshold of "smart enough" & the need for creative thinking
          2. Example: Chris Langan
          3. Example: Termites
     D. The Trouble with Geniuses, Part 2
          1. Summary:
          2. Example: Chris Langan vs Oppenheimer
          3. Example: Termites
     E. The Three Lessons from Joe Flom
          1.
          2.
          3.
III. Legacy
     A. Harlan, Kentucky
     B. The Ethnic Theory of Plane Crashes
     C. Rice Paddies and Math Tests
     D. Marita's Bargain
IV. Epilogue: A Jamaican Story

Hot Zone by Richard Preston

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

I first read an excerpt of this book on my high school English Teacher's facebook page. Reading this book has:
--inspired me to use (unscented) Febreeze for the first time ever
--taught me about the habit loop, and how to use it (identify the routine, experiment with rewards, isolate the cue, and have a plan!)

Sir Thomas the Hesitant and the Table of Less Valued Knights by Liam Perrin