Lisa notes

BOOKS I RECOMMEND

1. Faithiest
How an Atheist Found Common Ground with the Religious
by Chris Stedman

Only read this one if you can hold an open mind. Author Chris Stedman is a former Evangelical Christian who is now an atheist. He works to make the world a better place by collaborating with people of all beliefs. His story is one of many that believers need to hear. Resources here for his suggestions on bridging the religious/non-religious divide.

2. David and Goliath
Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants
by Malcolm Gladwell

Little guys don’t always lose to big guys. Beautiful stories here! Gladwell says, “The powerful and the strong are not always what they seem.” He tells stories of real-life underdog Davids and how they have conquered their versions of Goliaths. Most interesting and inspiring. Listen to an interview with Malcolm Gladwell about this book at Gospel Coalition.

3. The Question that Never Goes Away
by Philip Yancey

When God doesn’t intervene to stop situations like the tsunami in Japan or  the school shootings in Columbine or Sandy Hook, we don’t know how to account for him. Yancey doesn’t give us pat answers on how to do it either, but he does help us wrestle with the questions. “Faith, I’ve concluded, means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse.” And “I avoid trying to answer the Why? question because any attempt will inevitably fall short and may even rub salt in an open wound. As Jesus’ followers, we can instead offer a loving and sympathetic presence that may help bind wounds and heal a broken heart.”

4. Diary of a Jackwagon
by Tim Hawkins

To lighten things up, laugh with Tim Hawkins, a funny and clean stand-up comedian. He includes old and new material in this book. Jeff and I both read it and actually laughed out loud at many parts. My full review is here.

5. Laddie
A True Blue Story
by Gene Stratton-Porter

This classic children’s book would make a wonderful read-aloud with children of any age. A sweet story (Little House on the Prairie-style) of a family with 12 children out in the country, and in particular about the strong relationship between the youngest girl (Little Sister) and one of her older brothers (Laddie). Thankfully it has a real plot running through it, not just a collection of short scenes in their lives. And it is the only book I’ve ever read that has mentioned a “shitepoke” (a little green heron that we often have in our backyard; I guess Jeff didn’t make up that word after all {smile}). The book is a semi-memoir of Gene Stratton-Porter’s own life. It’s the August pick for Carrie’s Reading to Know Classic Book Club and my pick for A Classic Children’s Book for Back to the Classics Challenge.

6. The Giver
by Lois Lowry

This 1994 Newbery award winning novel is a story that I don’t tire of. If you liked the movie that came out in 2014 (I did), read the book now to get the whole story. It’s a vision of what life would be like if we totally eliminated uniqueness and discomfort and hard memories. And how the young boy Jonas decides to run away from it. You can read it simply as a child’s story or take it as deep as you want to go.

I’M READING NOW

7. Knowing God
by J. I. Packer

This classic has influenced believers for years in distinguishing between knowing about God versus knowing God. Tim Challies is hosting a 2-chapters-a-week group at his blog. We just started last week, if you want to join in. I’ll be posting summaries here each Thursday.

8. The Word Exchange
by Alena Graedon

I’ve just begun this dystopian novel on the “death of print” and the written word. It may be too horrifying; we’ll see.

9. The Invisible Girls
A Memoir
by Sarah Thebarge

This true story is based on a 27-yr-old’s encounter with a Somali refugee on the subway in Portland, Oregon. It has already grabbed me in the first 10 pages.

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