When your book pile has dwindled to nothingness, how do you choose what to read next? Do you pick at random from bookstores, or haunt certain sections of the library? Do you stick with titles or authors you're familiar with, or take risks? Do you depend on others for recommendations? Do you follow book reviews? Use other resources? Which ones?
Something I've noticed recently is that certain people just seem to have a knack for digging up books that are interesting, informative, entertaining or otherwise worthwhile reading. My kids and their spouses come to mind in particular, along with other family members and acquaintances. For my part, I'm pretty clueless about what's out there, and base my choices almost entirely on what I see others reading. In fact, my standing gift list item is "the best book you've read recently". As much as I've benefited from that, I suspect there are other ways as well, and wonder what they are.
So, this is an invitation/request to add a comment to this posting, and tell me what's working for you when it comes to selecting books that are worth the time and effort.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Invasion - Robin Cook
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Wednesday, May 14, 2008
A Case of Need - Michael Crichton
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Comments: What made this book interesting is that it was written 40 years ago, literally when I was in high school. As a result, it provides some interesting reminders about what America was like in the late 60's. For instance, I had to chuckle at the how the local Boston doctors disliked one newcomer simply because he was from California and had really long hair. I totally remember this attitude!
Naturally, this book also pre-dates much of the technology we take for granted today. Thus, there are plot twists that simply wouldn't happen today today, e.g. based on the fact that certain key medical records existed only in handwritten, hard-copy form, and could thus be stolen, hidden, or otherwise made inacessible. In another case, a plot turn occurred because someone couldn't contact someone else, because there was no telephone nearby.
This book also pre-dates Roe vs. Wade by about five years, an important fact, given that the plot revolves around the aftermath of an illegal abortion. Because abortion was not yet a hot social issue, Crichton spends a lot of time having his characters present their views for and against abortion - probably because his readers needed the education. What's interesting is seeing how those arguments have changed over the past 35 years. Take a look through the appendix (where he summarizes the pro's/con's) and compare them to what you hear today.
All in all, a decent book, and just right for reading while sitting in an airplane - or on the beach.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
The Samurai - Shusaku Endo
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Comments: The two main characters contrast sharply - the monk is an ambitious Spanish missionary, and wants nothing more than to conquer Japan for God (those are his words... remember, this is an era when the line between evangelism and subjugation was often a little fuzzy). He is ambitious to a fault, and yet, as we listen to the arguments playing out in his mind, his motives are generally not the problem. Rather, it's his passion that drives him to overzealous actions, where the ends justify the means. This ultimately results in a scheme to bring a delegation of Japanese envoys to Mexico, Madrid and eventually Rome, in hopes of building trade relationships (which the Japanese want) in exchange for an open door to more missionary work (which he wants - along with an appointment to be Bishop of Japan).
The samurai is head of a poor farming family just trying to survive off their marshland. Being traditional Japanese, he submits without question when his patron orders him to join the monk's trade delegation. As we see into his thoughts, he wonders why a lowly, inarticulate person such as himself would be assigned to such a high-profile task, but naturally such concerns are never voiced. The questions he does ask, though, are about the the emaciated, disfigured man whose figure is constantly on display in the churches and monasteries to which he travels. And why does this man on the cross elicit such reverence from the monks, when everyone knows that honor and worship are due only to the rich and powerful who have earned it?
In the end, both characters are ultimately betrayed and abandoned by their earthly lords, and return to Japan in shame. But as the aftermath unfolds, it begins to click in the samurai's mind that the monk's Lord understands his situation deeply - He understands poverty, humiliation, shame. He knows what it's like to be victimized by a ruling class that cares only for themselves. Perhaps this is why He holds such appeal for the common folk he has met.
What makes this book unique is that the author is both Japanese and Catholic. His writing contains rich detail about both cultures, and a nuanced understanding of what happens when they interact - no doubt shaped by his own experiences growing up. Philip Yancey devotes a chapter to Shusaku Endo in Soul Survivor, and regards him as one of the great Christian authors of all time (I'm very much inclined to agree). Interestingly, Endo is also widely known and well-regarded among the Japanese - who obviously have no concept of "Christian author" - as simply one of their very accomplished writers.
For more about Endo, here's an article worth reading.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Celebration of Discipline - Richard Foster
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Comments: After reading Ortberg's book on this same topic, I was interested in reading more, perhaps from another perspective. I had heard that this book is considered a classic, and so picked it up when the opportunity arose.
I'm glad I did. As in Ortberg's book, the first chapter had some good things to say about the quest for spiritual discipline, including warnings against allowing it to become a form of legalism by itself. I thought this paragraph provided some good perspective:
"When we despair of gaining inner transformation through human powers of will and determination, we are open to a wonderful new realization: inner righteousness is a gift from God to be graciously received. The needed change within us is God's work, not ours... we cannot attain or earn this righteousness of the kingdom of God; it is a grace that is given."
In a later chapter, Foster talks about not confusing our expression of a discipline with the discipline itself. He references Matt 6:33 -- "Seek first the kingdom of God, and His Righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you", and then asks how we go about seeking God's kingdom. Are we to use our talents and powers to exert influence on others? Are we to give our fortunes to the poor? Are we to proclaim His teachings to the world? Foster's answer: none of the above. Not that they are wrong, but rather that they are not the focus; we are to seek the Kingdom first, and then allow these actions to flow from it. If we make them the center of our efforts, they become idolatry. Strong words, but good inputs for someone who, like me, grew up with a fairly legalistic brand of Christianity.
Speaking of the 1970's (which is when this book was published), if you're from that era, the writing style may take you back a little. Remember when the mark of a true Christian was being able to talk a good line of spiritual-speak? Foster really shines in this respect, pulling off sentences like "worship is our responding to the overtures of love from the heart of the Father. It is kindled within us only when the Spirit of God touches our human spirit." Nice words, whatever they mean. All in all, I guess I prefer substance to poetry.
Still, a good book, worth reading - probably more than once. You can borrow mine if you'll promise to return it.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Indelible Ink - Scott Larsen (ed.)
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Comments: as I was reading Yancey's book about his 13 unlikely mentors, Brenda mentioned that it sounded similar to a book she had just added to the SPCC library. It is, in fact, although the chapters are much shorter, and comprise 22 different writing styles. Those styles range from Ken Taylor's easy-reading (naturally) autobiographical narrative, to J.I. Packer's expository essay on the nuances of Calvinism (whew). But, if you find yourself unable to relate to a chapter, no big deal - you just skip ahead to the next.
You'll recognize many of the contributors - Joni Eareckson Tada, Chuck Colson, Michael Card, Jill Briscoe, Luis Palau, Josh McDowell, etc. - and their chapters will make them seem just a bit more personable than they might come across in their more formal writing and speaking. That's nice. You'll have your favorite chapters, too - mine was Larry Crabb's review (of a book I had never heard of).
Know what I liked best? It was seeing which books and authors kept showing up in list after list (did I mention that this book's final chapter summarizes the lists of another 130 people?) In fact, I even went back to tabulate a few statistics in that regard, just to figure out what I should be adding to my own wish list.
- Most-mentioned book - tied between the following, with a dozen mentions apiece:
- Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis
- My Utmost for His Highest - J. Oswald Chambers. - Most-referenced author:
-C.S. Lewis (23 times). Next nearest was 10! - Other frequently mentioned authors/books:
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer - The Cost of Discipleship
- J.I. Packer - Knowing God
- A.W. Tozer - The Pursuit of God, Knowledge of the Holy
- Philip Yancey - various, but especially "The Jesus I Never Knew"
- Francis Schaeffer - various
- Fyodor Dostoevsky - Crime and Punishment
- John Calvin - Institutes of the Christian Religion - Book least-expected to be described as having had "a profound influence on my life and thinking": Anne of Green Gables
Saturday, March 8, 2008
The Life You've Always Wanted - John Ortberg
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Comments: I saw this book a few years back on one of our pastors' bookshelves, browsed it and thought it looked interesting. As a result, I was glad when our weekly Life Group chose to take the six-week series based on it. And take it we did - read the text, watched the DVD, did the workbook, discussed the questions and generally earned our merit badges.
It's a decent book on a topic for which there's generally no shortage of books. It's neither the best nor the worst, and offered some useful insights on the classic spiritual disciplines (prayer, scripture reading, meditation, fasting and so on).
I did appreciate Ortberg's very first chapter, in which he made it clear that the pursuit of discipline is not about earning God's favor, but is in fact very pragmatic - it's a means to an end. At the end of the day, it's not about how many items we've checked off our spiritual "to-do" list, but rather whether we've increased our love of God and those around us. The disciplines have value to the extent that they help us accomplish this.
While you may find the book profitable, you might want to skip the study guide entirely. Not only does it proceed out of sequence with the textbook, it just lacked depth on a lot of key points. It was nice that it led us to look up supporting scriptures, but there were some strange cases where it tried to force-fit a passage to a topic it was simply never meant to address. (I'm sorry, the story of Balaam and his donkey is not about learning to seek God's will).
Study guide aside, give this book a solid B, and read it when you get time. Or better yet, try a classic like Richard Foster's "A Celebration of Discipline".
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