One of my goals for 2015 is to read two books per month, not counting the textbooks for the classes I am taking.  So far I am keeping up with that goal fairly well.  I have read three books this year.  The last book that I read was a fiction book.  I had not read a fiction book since college, I guess.  I am not even sure that I read any in college.  Professors assigned fiction.  We would discuss those assignments.  The professors tested us over them.  But did I read them?  Probably not based on my grades and my reading habits in college.

The book that I read this past week was The Impressionist by Dr. Tim Clinton along with Max Davis.  Dr. Clinton is the founder and president of American Association of Christian Counselors.  He has written several counseling books and manuals, but this book is his first work of fiction. 

As I began to read The Impressionist, I was almost immediately sucked into the story line.  I could feel the frustration and fear of the main character as he and his wife fought.  I was hooked!!  I did not want to put the book down.  Now for me to say that is something.  I have admitted that reading is a chore for me.  I have seen my wife and my kids read for hours and hours.  I just thought they were crazy.  I had never had that experience until now.  The first night I read well after midnight.  I didn’t fall asleep while reading.  I actually had to make myself put the book down and go to sleep.  I couldn’t wait until the next night to pick it back up and continue  through the journey.  That second night I actually finished the book; again well after mid-night.  No sleeping in the middle.  No losing my place because I nodded off.  Just hooked into the story and wanting to know what was going to happen next.  When it was over, I was a little disappointed that there wasn’t a complete resolution in the main story line.  I wanted the story to continue until everything was resolved.  I guess I have to allow my own imagination to complete the story.

While I said that I could feel the fear and frustration of the main character, I was mostly moved by the protagonist in the story.  He was an elderly man who had been hurt and mistreated most of his life in many different ways.  Yet, God had led him to be a forgiving and gentle man.  He was insightful and bold.  He was ready to help others as God led him to them.  As I read about Jim Ed, I began to question if I had some of those characteristics.  No, I couldn’t relate to the mistreatments of his life entirely.  But I realized that the story of what God has done in my life can be shared with others to help them through the journey called their life.  I pray that I will be just as insightful and bold as I share in the ministry of helping others.

I would recommend this book to anyone.  The story flows well.  It has drama and humor.  It will make you laugh as well as cry.

Now that I have read this fiction book, do you have any suggestions for me to add to my reading list for 2015?  I would love to hear what you are reading.

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