Summer reading fun

It was a great summer for reading since we didn’t take the usual vacation time due to family schedules. I am currently very interested in increasing my understanding of contemporary culture, especially as it impacts and relates to faith. (Sorry, but I didn’t take the time to link these.) If you would like more details or want to discuss a book, please leave a comment.

Here is a list of quite a few of the books I read and some brief notes about them:

Mediated: How the Media Shapes Your World and the Way You Live In It – DeZengotita – demonstrates how much we are impacted by the media in all aspects of our lives.

Epic: The Story God is Telling and the Role That is Yours to Play – Eldredge – a great overview of the Christian story to give to someone seeking or who needs to see the bigger picture.

I Can’t Believe You Asked That – Milano – based on a newspaper column where people send in questions that they wouldn’t or aren’t able to ask others for fear of offense. Someone from that racial, ethnic, gender, or religious group then helps to provide an answer to the question. Very frank and interesting.

Branded Nation: The Marketing of Megachurch, College Inc., and Museumworld – Twitchell – the significance of getting the brand right for the best results.

The Wisdom of Crowds: Why the Many are Smarter Than the Few – Surowiecki – the title says it all.

Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport: Making Connections in Today’s World – Mouw – excellent book for Calvinists and others – some good explanation of difficult points…a generous and contemporary updating of Calvinism.

A Painted House – Grisham – yes, I do make it a point to read some fiction! I remembered seeing the movie after I got into the book.

Plan B – Further Thoughts on Faith – Lamott – yes, a second book that isn’t non-fiction. I loved her discussions of dealing with her son, her aging and her church involvement. Salty, real and laugh out loud funny…yet a bit ranty and self-indulgent as well at times.

Hustling God: Why We Work So Hard For What God Wants to Give – Barnes – a helpful look at the story of Jacob – yes, I am guilty as charged – good to read for personal devotions – a chapter a day.

American Mania: When More is Not Enough – Whybrow – our national addiction documented - very thought provoking – recommended.

The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century – Friedman – bestseller – gives a great explanation for the layman of how technology has changed the world and some hopeful thoughts about how strong, interconnected economies can bring world peace.

A Generous Orthodoxy – McClaren – English teacher turned pastor turned “emerging church” leader lists what he likes about various denominations and theological perspectives while reminding us to follow Jesus rather than men.

Well, the reading may suffer now for a while…it is back to school and to catch up on some professional reading that got neglected since June.

Conquering the Rabbit

My friend and I decided to kayak the Rabbit River today between Hamilton and New Richmond. While we planned for a "three hour tour" it actually stretched out to closer to 5.5 -6 hours (and we began to worry about getting to the destination before dark.) We must have portaged about 10 times around fallen trees blocking the river and pushed ourselves over 75-100 more that were down. It was a beautiful day and much of the scenery very beautiful. It was also very physically demanding, but great fun! We saw ducks, herons, hawks, and as my friend went around one bend, a big turkey flew across his path - he said it sounded like a 747 taking off! I think we accomplished a feat today that very few other people have attempted this summer - to kayak the Rabbit - they obviously are not as crazy as we are! I am thankful for a safe return home, for ibuprofen, and for a non-physically demanding job tomorrow. :)