From ISBN to Excel File for your Library

I have flirted around with a workflow for scanning my books' barcodes and getting them into a library. Here are the steps that I've tried. Full disclosure: It's been over a year since I've done anything with it and I had not worked out all of the kinks.

1.) scan the barcodes with my iPod touch using any of a number of apps. I think the one I used was zbar? 

2.) If I remember right, this will export the ISBNs to .csv file. 

3.) Upload .csv to Goodreads––a social media site for bibliophiles. (GR will allow you to upload like 200 books without a paid account. But I think that I may upgrade. Last I checked it was a onetime fee for unlimited books on my shelf.) I also considered using Google Books for this, but their "shelf space" was too limited. If Google has given more space in the meantime, it would be cool because you could then electronically search your paper books.

4.) From here, Goodreads will fetch the book info from the ISBN and put it into a database. 

5.) At this point I downloaded a spreadsheet which I uploaded to Google docs. I can consult my own library easily and can also keep track of book lending. 

Advent Recommendations

Recently a friend asked for book recommendations for Advent. Here are my answers. First, some caveats: I definitely didn't feel confined to books, they are in no particular order, and I haven't read all of these. Second, Advent is the beginning of the Christian year. This beginning is reflected in several of the offerings below. (Note: some of the green text are linked.)

1. My first thought was Circle of the Seasons, by Kimberlee Conway Ireton (@kconwayireton). Last I heard this book is (sadly) out of print, but you can still find them for sale (at CBD they're currently only $4!). As her subtitle suggests, Ireton does more than introduce us to Advent, she introduces us to Meeting God in the Church Year. 
2. My second suggestion is also broader than Advent––and it's my first suggestion that's not actually a book. Our church talks a lot about living into the Christian calendar––to orient our lives by this calendar rather than the other competing calendars (fiscal, January 1, semesters, etc.). One way that we do this is by using this calendar: Salt of the Earth: A Christian Seasons Calendar. (I'm not sure if there's a pun in that title or not?) The art is beautiful. The year is divided based on seasons of the church year––the seasons of the biblical story of which we are a part.
3. Now for the first (of several) books that I've not read by one of the best names in biblical scholarship, Verlyn Verbrugge: A Not-So-Silent Night: The Unheard Story of Christmas and Why It Matters. This book comes highly recommended by Scott Duvall and Scott Jackson. Verbrugge explores the birth narratives in the gospels and opens our eyes to what the text is telling us about Jesus' humble origins. Find it at CBD or Amazon.
4. There are books containing Advent reflections by Bonhoeffer and Nouwen that come recommended to me (though I've not read them). When I asked one of my best friends, she said that hands down Madeleine L'Engle's The Irrational Season was her favorite Advent book. I look forward to picking it up as soon as the semester's out. 
5. Now for a couple of "kids" recommendations. (But as with so many kid's books, they're really for adults!) Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd-Jones (@sallylloydjones, of Jesus Storybook Bible fame) is fantastic. 
6. For the last couple of years, Terese and I have walked Nathaniel through Jesse Tree. This is kind of like those advent calendars with chocolates inside. Instead of chocolates you read a bible story––beginning from creation and culminating in the birth of Christ. We don't give Nathaniel the chocolates, but we do make an ornament for each day. Even as a two year old, Nathaniel was able to share what every ornament was and, in effect, tell the whole story of the Old Testament. It was incredible to see. You can find the Jesse Tree that we use here. 
7. And I've saved the best until last: Behold the Lamb of God, an album by Andrew Peterson. I love Christmas music. And while this is music, it's more than music. It's an album that tells the story of Advent. In our home we loop this album during Advent. Through it, we find ourselves living into the story. Perhaps I'll write a review of the album soon. (Oh, and if Andrew Peterson's Behold the Lamb of God tour stops near you, don't miss it!)

Finally, I'm on the lookout for a book that tells the story of St. Nicholas (as opposed to our culture's Santa Clause) that I can read to Nathaniel. Anyone know of such a thing?