10 things: fiction book-list

Anyone who knows me well knows that I love to read. It's not unusual for me to be reading multiple books at once or to keep a book in my purse...you know, just in case. I also love challenges, so this year I decided to challenge myself to read 30 books (that I have never read before) through goodreads book challenge. I really wanted to make it 50, but since I have a few jobs and I try to have a life, I decided to aim in a more realistic range. I have read some wonderful books already this year (and I've come across a few duds.) I've also had some friends share their favorite books with me which has been really fun! I love a solid book recommendation.

When people ask me what my favorite book is, it's really hard to pick. A list is far easier. I have found though that that books that I feel drawn to time and time again are the books with wonderfully developed characters. I love a great story...but I also love a simple tale with a super great character or two.

That being said, here are my 10 favorite fiction books. Or I guess 10 of my most loved fiction books...i tried to cover at least a couple different genres. (Also I didn't include any series.)

1. The Secret Garden - Francis Hodgson Burnett
Mary is an orphan who goes to live with her uncle in his giant castle/house/mansion. There may or may not be a secret garden involved. This is really just a magical story. So magical that I used to act in out in my backyard when I was young. The movie is also pretty decent, but you really must just read the book.

2. The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald writes so beautifully that I don't think I would care what he wrote about. I think most of us had to read this in high school, but in case you didn't, I won't ruin the story for you. All you need to know is that there is a man named Gatsby who throws some pretty rad parties. If you're really into symbolism and allegory, then this one is for you...and if you're not, then read it anyway.

3. Holes - Louis Sachar
I would like to meet one person who hates this book (or movie.) First of all, the main character is named Stanley Yelnats. STANLEY YELNATS. That's hilarious. Then, he goes to jail for being falsely accused of stealing a pair of celebrity athletic shoes and then blames it on his "no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather." Also hilarious. And the characters and interweaving story-lines are undeniably awesome. I'm just assuming everyone's read this one...

4. Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
Don't roll your eyes at me. Just give it another chance ok?

And I only say that because I have never met another person who actually liked this book besides my ninth grade English teacher. If you are also a fan then we should totally high-five.

5. The Fault In Our Stars - John Green
Hazel and Augustus are teens who meet in a cancer patient support group. The rest is history. If you hate reading stories that are so wonderful that they change your heart forever, then just skip this one.

6. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - Betty Smith
This book follows the childhood of Francie Nolan, a young girl living in a run down apartment in Brooklyn with her hardworking mother and alcoholic father. I fell so in love with Francie and her ability to make something beautiful out of a terrible situation, that I have read this story pretty much every year since I first picked it up. This is a story filled with hope.

7. Silent to the Bone - E. L. Konigsburg
Conner and Branwell are best friends. Branwell loses his ability to speak when his baby sister is injured and falls into a coma. When he is accused of shaking and dropping the baby by the au pair, Vivian, but has no way of telling his side of the story to the police, Conner steps in to try to uncover what really happened to baby Nikki.

8. Cat's Cradle - Kurt Vonnegut
So basically this guy, Jonah, is writing a book about the day the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. He ends up on a writing assignment on the island of San Lorenzo where he also runs into someone who has information on a father of the atomic bomb...and he also meets this chick and finds out about something that could destroy the entire planet.  That is my terrible description of a book that is too crazy to describe. Basically, I read this because a friend who loved Vonnegut gave it to me as a gift. I read it in one sitting and then recommended it to half of my friends.

9. The Pact - Jodi Picoult
So the cover of this book shows a young couple sitting together from behind with the words "a love story" above their heads. Maybe Jodi Picoult was afraid that no one would buy her book unless they had mistaken it for a Nicolas Sparks novel. Maybe she really likes tricking kind people who are just looking for a good love story. I don't know...but that cover could not be more deceiving. The Pact is about Chris and Emily who have been neighbors their whole lives and now they are teenagers and they are in love. (Ok so it's a little bit of a love story.) Emily dies tragically from a gunshot wound. According to Chris, the two young lovers had a suicide pact, but it mostly looks like Chris killed her and he finds himself on trial for murder. Only Chris knows what really happened that night and Ms. Picoult makes sure we don't find out the whole story until the very end.

10. The Giver - Lois Lowry
I'm always in the mood for a good dystopian tale. Jonah lives in a perfect world where every last detail in is control. When children in his community turn twelve, they are assigned their role in society. Jonah is chosen specially to be trained by the Giver, the only man who knows the truth about the community. This book was eventually part of a three book series, but I actually only ever read the first. I'm sure all three were good, but I really liked the way this first one ended and I never got around to the other two.

and five that didn't make it, but I can't leave out:

11. 13 Reasons Why - Jay Asher
12.  The Thirteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield
13. The Boxcar Children - Gertrude Chandler Warner
14. The Bell Jar - Sylvie Plath
15. The Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver

What are your favorite books? I'm seriously asking, because I'm going to read them.

10 things: stephanie brewer edition

My friends are super cool. I thought I already knew this, but I really had NO IDEA how cool they really are. Reading these guest "10 things" posts has given me a new appreciation for all the crazy creative and talented people that God has placed in my life. That being said, I am so pleased to welcome  Stephanie Brewer to the blog. Stephanie is currently a student at Kent State working on her BFA in Printmaking. Although we have a shared love for art, our world's kind of collided through campus ministry –she has been married for seven years to a wonderful man who serves at a college church. I LOVE  knowing other people who can share in both my passion for art and creativity and my passion for spreading the love of Jesus and Stephanie is one of those people. In her own words,  "I first met Jesus at a punk rock concert and I am very, very grateful for the immensity of God's grace." I could go on and on about how wonderful I actually think Stephanie is, but I'll just let you read for yourself. - Caitlin

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10 dear things

I'm going through a weird season of life. Everything feels "in transition" and I've done so much life-processing that it's like my nerves are sitting on the outside of my skin. When I'm not working, most of my time is spent toiling away on a series of etching that are about –what else?– transition. I made a list of things that mean something to me in this strange, silent landscape.

1. The work of my printmaking advisor, Noel. His prints make me think of an anecdote Annie Dillard used in her book The Writing Life. She'd asked a painter friend of hers how he came to paint, and he said, "I like the smell of paint."

2. (On that note) Annie Dillard's The Writing Life. I have read it many times, to the extent that Annie feels like a very wise friend. I'm not a writer, but her observations apply. For example:

Process is nothing; erase your tracks. The path is not the work. I hope your tracks have grown over; I hope birds ate the crumbs; I hope you will toss it all and not look back.

3. Heike Wadewitz's work. I often feel this pressure (coming from where, exactly?) to make artwork that is clean and neat, but...I really do think it's our mistakes that are most interesting. I like how Heike's frenetic scribbling is anchored by her strong sense of composition.

4. This American Life's "Our Friend David" episode. David Rakoff was one of my absolute favorite This American Life contributors, and the episode the TAL put together after his passing is one of my favorite episodes.

Listen here.

5. Aaron Rose's Beautiful Losers documentary. I kid you not, I've seen this a lot. From imdb: "This documentary follows the lives and careers of a collective group of do-it-yourself artists and designers who inadvertently affected the art world."

6. Earl Sweatshirt "Chum" song and music video. I apologize if you hate swear words. Rap is one of my favorite music genres. I spent my childhood stifling negative emotions so, I guess it means a lot to me to hear anyone working from some of the worst parts of their lives. From "Chum":

"I'm supposed to be grateful, right? Like thanks so much you made my life harder"

(disclaimer: explicit language)

7. PAWS. When I was in high school, I loved bands like Jawbreaker and Braid. So now, naturally, I love bands like Cloud Nothings and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Imagine my excitement when I heard PAWS:

8. Salem mixtapes. IMHO, the the perfect studio music.

Get it here.

9. Gaston Bachelard's Poetics of Space. This book is amazing - I have been referencing it often. This excerpt gives a good idea of the content: 

Of course, thanks to the house,a great many of our memories are housed, and if the house is a bit elaborate, if it have a cellar and a garret, nooks and corridors, our memories have refuges that are all the more clearly delineated. All our lives we come back to them in our daydreams. A psychoanalyst should, therefore, turn his attention to this simple localization of our memories. I should like to give the name of topoanalysis to this auxiliary of psychoanalysis. Topoanalysis, then would be the systematic psychological study of the sites of our intimate lives.

10. Jesus's humanity. I feel like everything I am about to write will be so inadequate, will fall lamely in front of the reader's eyes, because it is really pretty basic, but... lately I am in awe of how Jesus didn't fall back on religious actions, but was a perfect God physically engaged in broken situations. When I feel stuck in the tension between things, I am comforted that Jesus really does know what this feels like, more than I ever will.

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Connect with Stephanie!                                             Instagram: stphnbrwr

weekend phone dump

Today I tried to snap a photo on my phone and I received that all-too-frequent alert "Can't take photo. No room in camera roll." Oops. My picture taking obsession wins again. It's been a busy couple of months. Take a look:

1. Exploring Cincinnati, mini-van style.

2. Some intense arcade playing on the road.

3. Oreo cake balls make our staff team crazy!

4. Campus shenanigans with the four oldest Elmores.

5. My favorite two-year old.

6. Roadtrip home from Kentucky...a little loopy after no sleep!

7. Putting the finishing touches on some wedding invitations.

8. An afternoon at home.

9 "Do not push the button." Quickest way to get me to push a button.

10. Our beastly staff men moving one of the largest La-Z-Boys I have ever seen.

11. Discovered a new favorite restaurant, Newdle Bar.

12. Spotted: Sydney's tiny pink bow peeking out from behind her computer.

13. One of my favorite parts of Cleveland.

14. Marlena (of Milo Greene)'s super-rad jacket.

15. Mirror pics. No shame. 

16. A little leprechaun baking me some cupcakes. 

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These next couple months will be just as full, if not more so. I am excited to be leaving Thursday to spend 10 days with my grandma in San Francisco, one of my favorite cities in the world. The weekend after I return is our regional staff retreat followed by a few weeks of wrapping things up on campus and another road trip to Oxford. Then it's off to Colorado Springs for my third EDGE summit. Where the heck is time going???

But for today, I am resting at home with my family. My dad cooked us a traditional Irish dinner and my seven-year-old brother taught me how to play "silly basketball." Which is basically the same as regular basketball, except you are allowed to hit each other in the face. And most importantly, it is now time for Shamrock Shakes...Happy St. Patrick's Day!

march inspiration

If I want to keep creating, I have to stay inspired. Spring is in the air, and with a new season, comes new inspiration. Check out what has gotten my creativity whirring this month. 

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This color. (Working on some very special wedding invites this month.)

The potential for any space to become a garden.

Sassy illustrations that hold me accountable.

(Chuck Groenink)

Kinfolk dinner parties.

Beautiful workspaces that make me want to get work done.

The incorporation of gold into everyday life.

These amazing terrariums from Anthropologie.

Dreamy photography.

(Oakfield Photography)

This album. 

This video.

And these guys who converted a school bus into a traveling home and design studio.

What's been inspiring you lately?

The Kent Starbucks is unlike any other Starbucks in the world. I'm actually not totally sure that's true, but I would bet good money on it. Because other than the menu and the logo on the window, there are very few indications that it is an actual Starbucks. There is not a single photo of coffee sacks or people collecting beans in tropical locations. In, fact all the art on the walls is created by local artists and photographers. The building also resembles that of the lodge Gaston threw Maurice out of in Beauty and the Beast...so there's that too. Basically, I actually really love it here.

Not that I have anything against Starbucks, because I don't. My mom is all about Giant Eagle fuelperks which means I generally have a giftcard to Starbucks, which I load into my Starbucks app, which earns me stars, which earns me free drinks. And I like free.

I only have a few drinks that I ever order (iced chai with soy, vanilla spice latte, green tea latte)...and I never get black coffee. I mean, if we're honest, Starbucks has mixed drinks down, but their coffee is just so-so. If I want plain coffee I venture to a different location (or these days, my own kitchen because that is fairly close to free.)

Kent has three main coffee shops. Starbucks, Tree City, and Scribbles. I frequent all three based on my expectations for the day. Starbucks if I have a gift card and there is parking (and seating). You have to take advantage of an opportunity like that. Tree City is generally where I meet up with people. Tree City is the hippest, plays the best music, and has the best breakfast sandwiches. Scribbles is where I go when I just want plain coffee and a table I can color on. Also, Scribbles provides the lowest chance of actually running into someone I know so it was usually the best option when I was still in school and had work to get done. You would think it would be a complicated process being a regular at three separate coffee shops, but its really not. I just can't pick a favorite.

There is one other reason I go to the Kent Starbucks though. It is one of my favorite places to have an extended quiet time. I am an introvert who loves being around people. I  tend to be more distracted by a super quiet room than a room filled with the hustle and bustle of people going about their days.

I am currently seated on the second floor  in one of the dormers. To my left is the balcony where I can look down at the barista working at get all the drinks made and to my right is a window looking out over a main street in Kent. I relish these moments when I am surrounded by people, but not expected to give out anything. After a couple full weeks of meeting with staff and students, leading Bible study, and discipleship, I am spent. I love having this time to recharge and allow the Lord to fill my bucket back up so I can pour it out onto others. I don't do this enough.

I am still learning about this balance of pouring out and filling up. I am all still figuring out what it is that is actually life-giving to me. Even if I have a quiet time every single day, I can still reach a point of feeling like I am drained. Of course, I need God's word to keep going, but I can't forget this is a relationship...a relationship that is not just about a series of disciplines. Jesus wants to go on a whimsical adventure with me! (I stole this from Bob Goff.)

When do I feel Jesus most? How can I feel the presence of Jesus in every moment of my day? These are questions I have been thinking on.

Now that the weather is starting to get a little nicer, I am excited to start running and hiking again. I feel Jesus in nature. Some of my best times of prayer, of listening, have come while jogging through one of the Metro Parks. I feel Jesus in music; when I sing...and not just in public. Last night it was late, after midnight, and I could not fall asleep. My mind was restless. I got in my car and drove to Akron and back twice, singing the whole time. I came home feeling peaceful and fell asleep right away. I feel Jesus when I write. I feel Jesus when I am baking for someone. When I am designing someone's wedding invitations or taking someone's senior pictures. I feel Jesus when I am playing football with my seven year-old-brother or getting frozen yogurt with my teenage sister.

What I am learning, is that I feel Jesus' presence most when I am doing that things that He has gifted me  to do.

The verses I am currently working on committing to memory are 1 Corinthians 1:5-9. "For in him you have been enriched in every way –in all your speaking and in all your knowledge– because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack an spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."

There verse contains so many truths that I need to sink deep  into my heart.

I am a testimony to Christ.
I do not lack anything.
I am strong in Him.
I am blameless in His eyes.
I have been called into fellowship with Christ.
God is faithful.

And this is not true just for me.  This is true for every single person who has accepted Christ as Lord. So awesome. God is faithful to each and every one of us.

Ok so if you haven't followed these scattered thoughts thus far, and I don't blame you, basically know that I spend a lot of time thinking about coffee, I really like singing, and God is faithful.

I blog because I really like writing. My last semester of college I took a class about reviewing television shows. It was for journalism majors, but it was SO FUN. We would watch a tv show, usually one that wasn't released yet, and then had to come back with a review of it for the next class. That class is probably how I made it through my last semester. I often forget how much I like writing and how much it helps me process what I am thinking. I don't expect anyone to actually read all these posts, but it's kind of cool that you guys do :)

So...sorry for this kind of rambling Saturday afternoon post. I now intend to read some Mother Teresa goodness and make a CD for a student I meet with. Because sharing music with others is another way I feel Jesus. Mama T talks alot about feeling Jesus' presence in every moment of every day, even the pain and disappointment. I'm getting there :)

Where do you feel Jesus? What do you find to be life-giving?

Enjoy this beautiful Saturday! I hope it is as sunny as it is here wherever you are.

10 things: Anna Zajac Edition

I am pleased to introduce to you my second guest, Anna Zajac. Anna has been a good friend of mine for awhile now.  I met Anna when she walked into a Bible study I led during her freshman year and we have since had the blessing of witnessing each other "grow up" in faith and actions and love and so much more! Anna is one of the most talented people I know. (A fellow graphic designer and type nerd!) She is so in touch with the Father's heart and finds beauty in the smallest of moments. I am SO excited to share this "10 things" post with you and for you to catch a glimpse of this woman's beautiful heart. - Caitlin

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10 ONLINE ARTICLES/WEBSITES I HAVE BEEN INSPIRED BY LATELY:

Hey there! My name is Anna and I’m a designer in the making at Kent State University. When I’m not a student, I’m meeting up with women from my campus ministry or I’m photographing a wedding. I love Jesus and I’m in pursuit of living every aspect of my life for Him. I also like to play the ukulele, admire beautiful typography and mold jello in vintage jello molds as a hobby.

I don’t know about you, but I’m all about reading articles online these days. I follow a number of blogs and websites and wanted to share with you 10 online articles/websites that I have been inspired by lately! (Each number is a link to the article.)

I recently had the pleasure of attending The Justice Conference in Philadelphia. In Philly, I was reminded that justice is a character aspect, not just a thing we do. It comes out of a relationship with God. Justice is not just a good thing it’s a necessary thing. This truth has completely blown me out of the water and I’ve been left thinking about how I can be faithful with the little that has been given to me in regards to justice. I’ve been asking myself the question of how can I use my gifts and talents for justice? How does my character need to change in regards to justice? Just some of the things that have been going on in my head…anyways, here are my 10 articles! Enjoy!

1. TWIST Creative on content consumption. 

So I’ve been following TWIST’s blog for a few months now and I appreciate their thoughts and simple posts. If you’re a social media lover like myself, this article is for you! Also, check out TWIST Creative’s work too…their work is fresh!

2. Caine’s Arcade.

This video went viral about 10 months ago, but I recently saw it for the first time and it made me cry and also resonated with the childhood me. I love the power of visual storytelling and how simple and powerful ideas can come from children!

Also, make sure to watch the follow up video of what happened! Crazytown! 

3. Candy Chang.

An awesome designer, thinker and doer. This woman’s creative collaboration inspires me!

4. Design Advocacy.

As a designer whose heart breaks for social injustice, this video about Design for Good inspires me. I love how this movement is just beginning and where it is going!

5. Designers with Purpose.

Every person in this article inspires me! Even if you’re not a designer, read about these people! Their creativity to use what they’ve learned from their schooling/experiences can inspire anyone.

6. Share an Idea.

Love the look, feel and purpose of this project! Wow! Designer or not, you will enjoy the strategy behind this “share an idea” concept.

7. Be informed.

Lately, I’ve been learning that I need to read up on the news and what’s really going on. Being faithful in small ways like this makes a difference in knowing how you can help with a cause you’re passionate about!

8. Learning from God in the everyday.

Ain’t that the truth. Loved this article and have re-read it multiple times throughout this semester. Providence is God’s sermon. Gospel Centered Discipleship is a great blog resource in general by the way!

9. Lessons from the Trinity.

This is an article I read from The Resurgence, an online resource for leadership and the church. This article reminded me how I’m so obsessed with wanting to be seen. Submission, humility, generosity and giving God the true glory are all touched on in this article. Beautiful stuff!

10. Kinfolk Magazine.

Kinfolk magazine is a guide for small gatherings. They have recently released their spring issue which is absolutely beautiful. I always appreciate the photos that come out of this work and there are some great, unique ideas for creating community with others. Follow their blog online by clicking on the "journal" section.

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Connect with Anna!

azajac@kent.edu
Instagram user name: azajac
www.annazajac.tumblr.com
www.annazajacphotography.com
www.annazajacdesign.tumblr.com

staff bonding, or "why it hurts to sneeze today"

I am currently sitting as absolutely still as possible. Why you ask? Because if I move, I will die. I may be over-exaggerating a little bit, but let's back up to the beginning and you can decide for yourself.

On Thursdays I hang out with Tami, my my mentor and friend and favorite new (and experienced) mommy. Tami is Todd, our campus director's, wife. and she is great. I can trust her with anything. She totally keeps me focused on Christ in all things and is great at speaking truth into my life. But, this post isn't about Tami and how much I love her. (Maybe I'll save that for another day.)

I was eating lunch with Tami when she suggested that I join her the next morning for "Body Bootcamp." I've really missed being active (since it is FREEZING outside) so I said yes. Tami ended up inviting Molly and Abby as well, so at 9:30 AM on a Friday morning, the staff women of Akron congregated for what was promised to be a "bonding experience."

One thing you must know about Tami before I continue is that she thrives in this type of environment. She loves running and staying active...it actually gets her pretty hyped up. There was pretty bad traffic on route 8 that morning, so Molly and I arrived late. We could see Tami through the little window on the gym door before we even entered the room, high-fiving and cheering. What had we gotten ourselves into?

We got our mats and weights and jumped right in. Oh. My. Gosh. So it's been awhile since I really did anything besides jogging or hiking. Those four years of fitness-laziness during college did not go unnoticed. Also, NO ONE should have to hold that many planks in an hour. Or do any burpees. Ever. (If you're not sure what a burpee is:)

Ok so this video kind of make burpees look fun and effortless, but don't be fooled! 

Burpees are neither fun nor effortless.  

The instructor was tiny, but fierce. She kept yelling things like, "Come on ladies! What's one more rep?!" and "You're the last one on the bleacher! Everybody's looking at you!" I decided at the moment to NEVER be the last one on the bleachers, even if I passed out in the process. She also has some questionable music choices. Like the Harlem shake song...

But honestly, it was pretty fun. When I could actually do something I felt like a CHAMP. It also helps that most of the people in the room were just as out of shape as I was. Except for the woman across from me who I had to watch be awesome at everything the whole time while I tried not to fall over. Whatever. It just fueled my hate-fire (Pitch Perfect reference, y'all.)

At the very end Tami was on a HIGH. I don't think I have ever seen her so excited. It was wonderful. I love getting to experience people in their element. It was one of those moments when someone is so excited that you become that excited as well.  In my state of ecstasy I agreed to go back every week, but I think I really meant it. I mean, it has to get easier every week right?

Part 2 of this saga is where it gets interesting. I vaguely remember joking with each other about how sore we would be the next day, but did I really believe it? You guys. I WAS NOT PREPARED. Saturday morning I woke up and I could barely move. And it just got worse and worse as the day went on. At 10 a.m. I sat on the couch with the intention of checking a contact on my computer and ended up watching Jimmy Fallon clips on Hulu until 1:30. I don't even watch Jimmy Fallon. But, I knitted too so I guess it wasn't a total waste of time. 

And don't even get me started on the stairs, AKA my arch-nemesis for the day. The worst part? I kept thinking "You can't even complain because you DID THIS TO YOURSELF." 

Today is better. I only hurt in a few select areas, and it's the type of sore that says "Yeah, I worked for this and tomorrow I will have the glutes of Cindy Crawford." I mean, results are instant right?

So there ya go, not even twelve months out of college and I am already working out in a church gym with a bunch of moms. And you know what? I literally CANNOT WAIT until next week. 

Since I am in ministry and really good with cheesy metaphors, I already have a connection to Jesus and how he grows us swimming around in my head, but I will spare you. (You tear down muscles so that you body repairs them, building them up in the process...get it? get it?) 

But really, I share this event with you not because I need a fun opening to a sermon, but because Molly and I have started a list titled "Things I never thought I would experience because of Edge Corps..." and Body Bootcamp is definitely one of those things. As is driving to Lexington, Kentucky and back in one night, but that is a different story for a different day. 

Peaceout my friends. It's time for me to get some legitimate work done.