1) The Ballad of the Whiskey Robber, by Julian Rubinstein
——SUCH a fun read! It’s nonfiction, but I could barely tell. This guy robs banks and lives a horrible lifestyle, but you can’t help but want to be his friend. HIGHLY recommend.
——SUCH a fun read! It’s nonfiction, but I could barely tell. This guy robs banks and lives a horrible lifestyle, but you can’t help but want to be his friend. HIGHLY recommend.
2) The Spiral Staircase, by Karen Armstrong
——This memoir made me think more deeply than I’ve had to in a while. My heart aches for the way the Church failed this ex-nun, and the way she has yet to turn to the saving relationship she is offered in Christ. Her musings on God and theology are intelligent, thought-provoking and attractive. Yet my heart aches after this read. HIGHLY recommend.
3) Breakfast of Champions, Kurt Vonnegut
——My first venture into Vonnegut, and it’s… not really my cup of tea. If you’re looking for something dark - a bleak look into the hearts of men with a hint of humor - this may be for you. If you’d rather not, and spare yourself the crude language and content, I’d say you’re better off. I wanted to enjoy it, I really did.
4) Justification, NT Wright
——Currently reading… so conversations in my house aren’t so one-sided.
5) Love Wins, Rob Bell
——My first venture into Rob Bell will likely be my last. “Writing style” aside, I was put off by his lack of integrity with Scripture, veiled insults toward “traditional” Christianity, and no mention of the work of the Spirit. That being said, though, I admire his passion for reaching people who are lost and disillusioned with the Church. Unfortunately, the God he presents is not the God Who Is.
6) The Dark Queen, Susan Carroll
——My favorite genre, so of course I enjoyed it. The plot is lacking, the writing leaves something to be desired, and some scenes could definitely have been left out or described in much much less detail. But. Catherine de Medici. Political intrigue. Magic. Knights. Yes, thank you.
7) Freak the Mighty, Rodman Philbrick
——I read this in 5th or 6th grade and couldn’t remember beyond the gist of the plot, so I read it on my final day of student teaching. While the rest of the class read the first three pages. Oh yes. READ IT. You’ll be surprised by the depth, the humor and innocence.
8) Stonehenge, Bernard Cornwell
——I love love love this genre! Such a fun read, and an interesting interpretation on how this famous landmark was constructed, and why. An “epic” novel, I think is the correct term. Lots of blood, pagan worship ceremonies, psychotic women (poor Saban can’t catch a break!), and brilliant architecture - science ahead of its time. Definitely a good summer read. Highly recommend!
9) Our Search for Happiness, M. Russell Ballard
——A good summary of the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and an interesting look into the history and perspective of this system of faith. While I admire the sincerity of faith in the Mormons I know (and love!), I cannot accept it as truth from God. This is perhaps more of a side note, but, a vibe I got was the importance and centrality of personal happiness… not the glory of God.
10) Velvet Elvis, Rob Bell
——While I was fully prepared to loathe this one, after reading it, I was pleasantly surprised. Though the theology and scholarship were mediocre at best, it was… nice. Bell, to me, still feels pretty surface-y; however, I was not in the least offended. Comparing this, his earlier work, to Love Wins, it is sad to see the way he has become embittered toward the Church and orthodox teaching.
11) Eats, Shoots & Leaves; Lynne Truss
——I read this comedic look at grammar and punctuation maybe five or six years ago, and loved it as much now as I did then! Am I that much of a nerd? Maybe. If you’re interested (or outraged!) in the breakdown of our language with the advent of texting and instant messaging, and the general ignorance of English speakers… this book is for you!
12) The Hemplemann Story, Gene Ebner
——My family history. George Hemplemann, the son of a lord in eighteenth-century Kassel, Germany, left home and country to marry his love, Margarette Duffe. Both became indentured servants in the American colonies, separating for four years. They met, when their times as servants were up, in a church - able to identify one another by a white glove (George had one, Margarette had one). Fascinating story. Even more fascinating and excellent, my grampa (Gene Ebner) traced the children of George and Margarette to my gramma’s dad, Earl Rose, detailing the highlights of the lives between them. I love my heritage, and was excited to have my family’s history written out - with pictures, maps, and documents! Thanks, Grampa Gene!
13) Radical, David Platt
----Given to me by my pastor as a preview of what we might be reading for a small group this year, I was at once captivated and challenged by this book. The author claims that the American church has bought into the American dream - that we feel led to pick and choose commandments of Jesus, based on our society's standards of success and individualism. Ought this be the case? Definitely worth a read, if you're at all worried you're not serving Jesus and His world in the manner He intended. Or, if you're not, maybe you should give it a read, too.
13) Radical, David Platt
----Given to me by my pastor as a preview of what we might be reading for a small group this year, I was at once captivated and challenged by this book. The author claims that the American church has bought into the American dream - that we feel led to pick and choose commandments of Jesus, based on our society's standards of success and individualism. Ought this be the case? Definitely worth a read, if you're at all worried you're not serving Jesus and His world in the manner He intended. Or, if you're not, maybe you should give it a read, too.
14) Crime and Punishment, Fyodor Dostoevsky
——FINALLY. My first real Russian novel. One of my goals for this year. The other part of that goal was "to appreciate" a Russian novel. Still working on that one. I had to read a review to tell me what I should think about this book. It's... important, I realize. It's the first of it's kind... it's a truly meaningful story of one man's journey to redemption... but it's one of the most boring books I've ever set eyes on. Maybe in a year or two, I'll try it again to see if it's grown on me. Go ahead and read it - please! Instruct me! Prove me wrong!
15) The Locked Crowns, Marion Garthwaite
----One of the first novels I remember reading, in either third or fourth grade, about a prince of Denmark and a princess of England. Was reunited with the book (joy of joys!) when proofreading my brother's essay on Alfred the Great and his troubles with the Danes... which caused me to recall this book... which, forgetting the name of the novel, caused me to search online for an hour - "The Interlocking Crowns"... "The Linked Crowns"... "The Two Crowns"... and then I found it on a website for good historical fiction for children - broken down into time periods! Of course, I ordered it, immediately, and was pleased to begin reading it - again! - a mere three days later!
16) How Wide the Divide?, Craig Blomberg and Stephen Robinson
----Wow. What an intelligent and gratifying read! Written by an Evangelical Christian and a Mormon on four of the main "issues" of Christian orthodox beliefs, the book attempts to discern the differences and (significant) similarities between the faiths. Both are respectful, patient, and willing to work toward a common 'vocabulary' of theological terms that would promote further discussions between Evangelicals and Mormons. As one who has interacted with Mormons extensively (and loves them to DEATH!) I was so pleased to see some of the conversations I have already had (or attempted to have) with my friends in a scholarly format. It's encouraging to see that we're doing something right - promoting positive discussion and mutual respect! Highly recommend, if you have any interest whatsoever in Mormon-Evangelical beliefs!
----Such a fun adventure! I read this forever ago, and had seen the movie around the same time... but it was a blast rediscovering the cunning and charisma of Rudolf Rassendyll. Highly recommend!
18) Generous Justice, Tim Keller
----Currently reading (have set down for the time being).
19) Constantine's Sword, James Carroll
----Currently reading.
