For the first time in a few years I have the time and the mental/emotional capacity to read whatever I want to read … I’d almost forgotten the joys of pleasure reading. So, I thought I’d share what I’ve read so far in case you are looking for some suggestions. Yes, some of them are theology related but they are still books I chose for my own interest, not because it was an assignment or research for a paper. It makes a difference, really!
Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
This one has been around a while, published in 1995, the first of a line of their Pendergast Mysteries. A well written mystery and since it is a mystery, I don’t want to give away any of the details but if you like mysteries I do recommend it and I plan on reading the others in the series. It’s an excellent book for sitting on the back porch with your favorite beverage. The plot line and characters hold your interest and there are enough surprises along the way to keep it from being predictable.
Angry Conversations with God by Susan Isaacs
This is a laugh out loud book (I had to stop reading it in a coffee shop because I kept laughing and people would shoot me not-so-nice looks). Yes, it is theology related but with a twist. The subtitle for the book is “A Snarky but Authentic Spiritual Memoir”. Susan, in a time when she was feeling abandoned by God has a friend tell her that our relationship with God is like a marriage. Susan’s response is that if that is the case, she and God need marriage counseling. What follows is a witty, touching, and very real dialogue between Susan, God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and their counselor. EXCELLENT!
Angelology by Danielle Trussoni
I love books that can take an obscure verse from the Bible and create a story around it! This one uses Genesis 6:4 – the nephilim, the race created when angels and human women bore children. Again, it’s a mystery and I don’t want to give away the details. It seemed to have a slow start but really picked up after the first couple of chapters and became a real page turner! There is enough historical stuff mixed in that you really begin to wonder if this could all be true. Nicely developed characters and interesting twists … and the ending … OH, the ending! You really should read this one. You’ll be glad you did.
Love Wins by Rob Bell
Everyone needs to read this book – whether you are a Christian or not, whether you listen to the book reviews that said Bell is a heretic or not. Bell doesn’t give anything new – a fact he admits in the introduction. I saw C.S. Lewis, Henri Nouwen, and N.T. Wright in this book (thoughts confirmed when I got to the end and looked over his “Further Reading” recommendations). He doesn’t say there is no Hell; he believes Hell to be very real. He doesn’t say that everyone, no matter what, will go to Heaven; there will be people who no matter how many chances they are given cannot accept or face the enormity of God’s love. What he does say is that God’s love is what the Gospel is all about. Read the book – you won’t regret for a second that you did. In fact, it may change your life.
If you do read any of these I’d love to hear your thoughts on them! Thanks for letting me share the joy I find in reading with you.
God’s peace,
Nancy
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