The Hole in Our Gospel, Richard Stearns

This is an eye-opening, challenging, and convicting book. Richard Stearns presents the facts well, with both compassion and humility, as he exorts Christians, individually and corporately, to do something about global poverty. If you want to remain blissfully unaware of the urgent needs of people around the world (as I did for a long time, which is why this book sat on my shelf for a year before I actually opened it), don't read this book. If you want your eyes open to the reality of the world outside of the West, read this book prayerfully and ask yourself what God might have you do to make a difference.

As I read this book, I was continually struck by Richard Stearn's humility and genuine love for the Lord and the people of this world. This book is not meant to guilt people into action, but to make us aware of the problems and needs of our time, so that we may consider what God would ask us to do with the gifts and resources He has given us.

One of the most convicting quotes of this book for me:
"Poverty is not our fault in the sense that most of us have not actively and intentionally endeavored to perpetuate poverty or oppress the poor. We are, though, complicit in sustaining poverty through our apathy and our unwitting support of systems that do oppress the poor. When we purchase clothing manufactured in a sweatshop by child laborers or buy coffee from a system that fails to appropriately reward the hardworking farmers who grow and harvest the coffee, we become part of the systems that perpetuate exploitation and poverty. In that sense our sins, with regard to the poor, are more the sins of omission than commission." (p. 295)

On Becoming Baby Wise, Gary Ezzo

Another sleep book, a few more good principles to follow. This one advocates a schedule pretty much from birth, which I'm not sure I agree with... and we missed the ball with William. But, I did implement the general "sleep, eat, play, repeat" recommendation, which so far seems to be working and does give more order and structure to the day. William and I are both benefiting. :)

Real Food: What to Eat and Why, Nina Planck

Not very well written, but made me think more critically about what I eat - in particular, I've started looking more at the ingredient list (instead of just the Nutrition Facts) for natural ingredients. We already eat a lot of whole/fresh foods, so she didn't have to convince me on that... However, she is definitely a "purist" when it comes to food, and my main question is, how much of this is really doable for my family on our current budget? Sure, grass-fed beef sounds nice, but do I really want to spend the time and money to get it? And we definitely can't afford raw whole milk at $14 a gallon... Anyway, it's given me a lot to think about. Along the same theme, I'm really enjoying watching "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution." ABC.com - check it out! :)

Stones into Schools, Greg Mortenson

Awesome. Read this book.

Same Kind of Different as Me, Ron Hall

Very touching (and true!) story. Themes include racism, homelessness, reconciliation, grief, and radical transformation. Gave me lots to think about, and I appreciate that the author doesn't just give trite answers to questions about grief and suffering.

Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way, Susan McCutcheon-Rosegg

This book had some practical breathing and relaxation techniques. Still a bit dated, but good information nevertheless.

Husband-Coached Childbirth, Robert A. Bradley

A good introduction (my first) to the Bradley Method of natural childbirth. However, this book must be taken with a grain of salt, as even though it has supposedly been revised and updated, much of the information and assumptions about hospital (and medicated) births are outdated and/or no longer relevant. If this was my first pregnancy, I would be scared of the big bad hospital as depicted in this book, but luckily I've been through this once before and did not find many of his complaints to be an issue at all while giving birth the first time.

That said, this book got me interested in the Bradley Method. It does not really teach the actual method, although it gives a general idea of breathing/relaxation techniques as well as some prenatal exercises, but I am now seeking out additional resources to fill in the gaps.

The Treasure Principle, Randy Alcorn

As the title suggests, Alcorn talks about the principles of giving (the "whys") but does not offer many practical tips on how to be a good steward of the money God has entrusted to us. Good little book on giving, but should be balanced with prayerful consideration of wise stewardship.

The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne

A classic that I've just now gotten around to reading... and I'm so glad I did! Fascinating characters with a far from predictable plot and ending. Also makes me want to know more about the early Puritan settlements in America.

The Mommy Diaries, Tally Flint

I'm a sucker for these types of books - the "Chicken Soup" kind of heart-warming short stories that make you tear up from time to time.

Three Cups of Tea, Greg Mortenson

READ THIS BOOK! Fascinating, inspiring, challenging. Greg Mortenson has incredible cross-cultural sensitivity and finesse. Cross-cultural workers will find useful nuggets of information on how to "bond" with people of another culture. READ IT!!!

O2: Breathing New Life into Faith, Richard Dahlstrom

This book was written by the pastor of my church. He taught the content of this book as a sermon series a year or so ago, and it was good to be reminded of what he taught, as well as learn a few more of the back stories about his life.

Memoirs of a Geisha, Arthur Golden

A good read, not sure how accurate the depiction of a geisha is, but an entertaining story nonetheless.

On the Incarnation, St. Athanasius

An early apologetic on the divinity of Christ, written in the 4th century by St. Athanasius around the time of the Arian controversy. My favorite section in this book was the refutation of the Jews and the Gentiles (the part labeled "skip if you want" -- don't skip it!), as it sheds some light on early objections to Christianity - some which are the same as today, some which are no longer raised. It helped me see the continuing relevance of Christ, from the 4th century (and before) until now. Every age finds meaning and truth in the same Jesus. I also enjoyed the introduction by C.S. Lewis almost as much as the book itself. Lewis exhorts us to read "old books" as well as new (modern) ones. "It is a good rule, after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old book in between. If that is too much for you, you should at least read one old one to every three new ones." Good rule, Lewis. I'll try to follow that - and by the way, does your writing count as "old"??

The Year of Living Biblically, A.J. Jacobs

Really funny. Donald Miller-esque in writing style, and reminded me of his writing in that I didn't want the book to end (much like "Through Painted Deserts" - I felt like I was losing a good friend when that one finished). Content-wise: hilarity mixed with thought-provoking...ness (guess I can't really make that a noun). You'll have to read the book yourself to find out where his "humble quest" led him.

Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte

I was previously scared of Victorian novels (snooze), but I loved this book. Those of you who have sworn off this genre, I highly recommend you try again!

Surprised by Hope, N.T. Wright

There are few Christian books these days that can make me sit up and take notice... this is one of them. Up to this point I had purposely shied away from in-depth study about heaven/life after death, because of the divisions this kind of debate can and has caused in the church (Armageddon, the rapture, pre/post-millenialism, doomsday prophecies, etc. - bleh). This book, however, was wonderfully refreshing. N.T. Wright looks at the overall Biblical view of this topic - in other words, he doesn't just try to dissect or explain Revelation. He looks at the big picture: What does Jesus' resurrection mean for us and for the Kingdom of God? How does this inform how we live in the present and what we can hope for in the future? If you are looking for a theologically challenging book that will change (or perhaps enhance) your perception of the hope we have in Christ, this book is for you. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide, Douglas Adams

This is a collection of six of Douglas Adams's books... I read The "Hitchhikker's Guide to the Galaxy" and "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe," started on "Life, the Universe, and Everything," and just can't seem to finish... I guess I'll just have to be content knowing the answer to the ultimate question, but not knowing the question itself. Definitely some funny bits, but not being a sci-fi/fantasy type of girl, I was getting lost in all the space travel and alien characters. I do, however, enjoy Douglas Adams's dry and quirky sense of humor, which made reading it worthwhile.

Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe

This book is a great insight into African culture (specifically, Lower Niger), told from an African perspective. It touches on topics such as religion, family, gender roles, and clan relations, as well as the "invasion" of white men and missionaries. I wish I had read this book before "The Poisonwood Bible," because I think it would have given me a better understanding of the African point of view.

The Kitchen God's Wife, Amy Tan

I liked this book much better than "The Joy Luck Club" - just one mother/daughter story to keep track of instead of four.

Jesus in Beijing, David Aikman

A book documenting the current movement of Christianity in China. I was expecting more on the idea of how it is changing the global balance of power (as stated in the title), but this was really only touched on in the last chapter. An informative read, although I wonder how many believers got in trouble after it was published...

Chinese Classmates: Five Classmates and the Story of the New China, John Pomfret

Told from an American's point of view, this book fills in the gap between the end of "Wild Swans" (the end of the Cultural Revolution) and today.

The Heavenly Man, Brother Yun

A quick read... an inspiring and challenging story about the persecuted church in China. Difficult to read at times, but overall a story of hope, faith, and God's provision in the face of horrendous circumstances.

The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan

This book had lots of good stories... but too many of them for me to keep track of. I had a hard time remembering which mother matched with which daughter.

Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China, Jung Chang

This is an amazing book. I highly recommend it to anyone, especially those interested in the history of Communist China. It is an insider's look at 20th century China and the cruelty of the Mao regime. The author expertly weaves her own personal narrative (and that of her mother and grandmother) with the events of the time. I learned so much, and it has made me want to know more. This book is banned in China, which tells you a bit about the revealing nature of its contents. Read it!

The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver

Frustrating at first, as I cringed at every action and every word out of the missionary family's mouths. Reads like a manual of how NOT to be a missionary, and in fact gave me some good things to think about from that vantage point. I warmed up to it after the first hundred pages or so, and it made me want to learn more about this part of the world. Overall, a very good read.

Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer

Interesting read - Krakauer sets up this biography like a mystery, filling in the gaps as he goes with interviews and personal stories. My perceptions of McCandless changed as I read it. I wouldn't recommend this book to Kerri - too many references to the Arctic tundra.

The Spirit of the Disciplines, Dallas Willard

A great interpretation on WHY the traditional disciplines are essential... the premise is basically laid out in the first chapter or two, the middle gets a little slow, but all in all a potentially life-changing book if you are up for the challenge of really practicing the disciplines as Jesus did.

Yay!

I started a book blog.