I am ambivalent about posting a best of 2017 list. My books are not, for the most part books that were published in 2017. And what is best, or most important for me, is unlikely to be the best for anyone else. So this is a recounting of what is important, but not really what … Read more
Summary: A good short biography of O’Connor, but probably should not be subtitled “A Spiritual Biography.” The more you read, the more you realize where your gaps are. One of my gaps is mid-20th-century literature. This past year, I have read seven books by Madeleine L’Engle, and I will continue to read more this coming … Read more
Summary: A brief memoir about how Gushee’s attempt to follow his calling moved him out of Evangelicalism. David Gushee is one of those authors that I know about but until I read his book Changing Our Mind, I do not think I had read more than a couple articles by him (mostly at Christianity Today.) … Read more
(Comments were part of the 2012 best book series) I definitely have a trend in my favorite fiction books of the year of reading multiple books by the same author fairly close together. I read Poisonwood Bible in November, Flight Behavior in December and I am almost finished with Prodigal Summer. I read a good … Read more
When 12-year-old Samuel Chambers mother dies, he struggles with his thoughts and beliefs regarding death. He swears that he will do anything to bring his mother back and soon becomes caught in a struggle between good and evil over the ancient Tree of Life. During his journey and struggle, he begins to probe his thoughts … Read more
Favorite books of the year lists are the ultimate in subjectivity. Yes, there is a thing that is called a good book. But I tend to think that the book that lots of people like is worth picking over one that is technically excellent, but many did not actually like (The Magician trilogy is a … Read more
Takeaway: An image of what grief may be like. A Grief Observed is one of those books that I have felt like I needed to read but have not wanted to read. I have not suffered a great loss, whether as a parent, spouse, or child. And so reading about another’s loss seems somehow voyeuristic … Read more
Summary: A classic young adult quest novel based in 2044, but built on 1980s culture. A fun book for both adults that lived the 1980s and teens that were years from being born. My Sister-in-Law introduced me to this book. Published last August it was several lists of the best of 2011, but I had … Read more
Summary: “The World is Not A Wish-Making Factory” (a frequently used line from the book that quite adequately sums up reality.) The Fault in Our Stars is narrated by Hazel, a 16 year old with cancer. Her cancer is terminal. But she has gained a few years with the help of a (fictional) trial drug … Read more
First, a note about the author: John Green has had success as an online vlogger, as well as an author. In 2007, John and his brother, Hank, who lived in different cities across the US, created a vlog series where they only communicated through video messages that were posted on YouTube. I believe that it … Read more