Carl R. Trueman: Republocrat: Confessions of a Liberal Conservative
One of the better books I've read about how Christians should think about politics. Insightful, poignant, challenging. Read it. (*****)
Sally Lloyd-Jones: The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name
Although this is written for children, the story is so well written that I found it an encouragement and blessing to read. It presented the story of the gospel in a clear compelling way. I used it as a devotional over the past several weeks as each "story" reminded me of the simple overarching message of the gospel...Jesus has an Never-Ending Love for his children. (*****)
Doug Tennapel: Monster Zoo
I've read a few of this authors graphic novels and have enjoyed them. However, this one was a bit disappointing. The plot was too simple and predictable. It was even a little forced at times. Save your time and forget this one. (**)
Dinesh D'Souza: The Roots of Obama's Rage
A very different book. The author tries to make the case that Obama is not the socialist villain that he often made out to be by the Right but rather a man trying to please his absent African father. At times the case seems believable, at others not so much. The best chapters are at the beginning of the book and the end of the book. Read it and draw your own conclusions. (***)
Robert van Gulik: The Lacquer Screen: A Chinese Detective Story (A Judge Dee Mystery)
Not as good as the other Judge Dee stories, but a fun read nonetheless. (***)
Brad Thor: The Apostle: A Thriller
Another great yarn by Thor. I guess I am totally a sucker for espionage thrillers...especially in the day of counter-terrorism. Can't wait to read the next two books in this series. (*****)
Brad Thor: The Last Patriot: A Thriller
I am really enjoying these thrillers by Brad Thor. Crisp stories. Good detail. Believable. (*****)
Brad Thor: The First Commandment: A Thriller
I quickly read through this book. Again fast paced anti-terrorist thriller. Very interesting insights to terrorism and the counter-terrorist fight. A bit of a stretch in some parts of the book, but still good. I'm already reading his next book in this series. (****)
Brad Thor: Takedown: A Thriller
A very interesting read. Quick, sharp paced thriller. Mostly believable characters. Brad Thor is Tom Clancy taking on terrorists. This book takes place in NYC. (****)
J. Maarten Troost: Lost on Planet China: One Man's Attempt to Understand the World's Most Mystifying Nation
A witty travelogue about China. I laughed out loud several times. His observations over a long trip to China were very similar to mine during our 16 day visit last year. Occasional swear words, but overall worth the read. (*****)
Arthur C. Brooks: The Battle: How the Fight between Free Enterprise and Big Government Will Shape America's Future
Very timely and well-written. I don't do much posting about politics, but this should serve as a wake-up call for all that has happened in the past 18 or so months. (****)
Tim Kurkjian: Is This a Great Game, or What?: From A-Rod's Heart to Zim's Head---My 25 Years in Baseball
Not exactly a literary "tour de force" but a fun read nonetheless. Lots of good inside stories about baseball which is why I wanted to read it. A good summertime read. (***)
Timothy Keller: The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith
Incredibly challenging yet refreshing. I don't want to be the younger brother or the older brother. I am in need of Jesus who restores me to my Father. (****)
Robert van Gulik: The Emperor's Pearl: A Judge Dee Mystery
Another good story by RvG. This one was a bit more violent than usual but still a good plot. (****)
-Joshua Harris-: Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters [Audiobook][Unabridged] (Audio CD)
I listened to this unabridged audiobook on my travels this week. It was an incredibly good book. It was basically a book on how sound doctrine can help us grow deeper in our faith. Josh Harris is a great teacher who helps make complicated things simple without watering down the real meat of the matter. Highly recommended. (*****)
- Robert Van Gulik: The Red Pavillion
This was the most interesting Judge Dee story by Van Gulik. For whatever reason, I am really enjoying these mysteries set in Ancient China. (*****)
Gary A. Haugen: Terrify No More: Young Girls Held Captive and the Daring Undercover Operation to Win Their Freedom
This compelling book tells both the story of International Justice Mission (IJM.org) and their work in freeing underage sex slaves in Cambodia. Gripping stuff. Modern slavery is real and evil, but folks like IJM are doing some incredible stuff setting people free. Read the book. Pray for their ministry. (****)
Ernest Hemingway: The Snows of Kilimanjaro and Other Stories (Scribner Library, SL32)
It has been a long time since I read Hemingway. No doubt he is a great writer. His writing is gritty and sometimes dark. Not easy beach reading but still worthwhile. (***)
Donald Miller: A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life
This was my favorite read of the whole year so far! Donald Miller makes me laugh out loud all the time when I read him. The kids thought I was crazy when I sat on the beach reading this book. The whole main point of the book is that God is writing a story in our lives...are we going to be good characters who leave behind a good story, or are we going to be bad characters who miss out on the good story? Check the book out. (*****)
Bill Bryson: Shakespeare: The World as Stage
Bill Bryson is one of my favorite non-fiction writers. I have usually read his travel books. I was not disappointed in this book. It was a great introduction to the "Bard". Highly recommended. (****)
G. K. Chesterton: The Man Who Was Thursday
This was a very interesting read, part mystery, part suspense novel. This was the first fictional work I have read by this author and I loved it. I will have to check out his other works. (*****)
Robert van Gulik: The Haunted Monastery: A Judge Dee Mystery (Judge Dee Mystery/Robert Van Gulik)
I enjoyed getting back to one of my favorite characters and genres, Judge Dee and Ancient Chinese mysteries. However, I didn't really think this particular story was all that good. Better luck next time. (**)
Tom Davis: Scared: A Novel on the Edge of the World
I really liked this novel as it combined two topics near to my heart: Africa and Adoption. It was a compelling story of a photojournalist and a young African orphan girl and how their lives intersect and change one another. I thought most of the depictions of life in Africa were pretty realistic but there were a few scenes that were less than believable. Nonetheless, I recommend this book. (****)
Flannery O'Connor: The Violent Bear It Away
I know this is supposed to be an American classic but I found it dark and gloomy. The writer was certainly pitting good against evil but when "good" won it was because of some "evil." Not for the faint of heart. (***)
Timothy Keller: Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters
Another powerful and challenging book by one of my favorite authors. This book posits that all sin in one way or another is caused by idolatry - putting something or someone in front of our love for God. (****)
Richard Doster: Crossing the Lines: A Novel
This the sequel to the book Safe At Home. I enjoyed this story just as much. The protagonist in the story, Jack Hall, is a reporter who is in the right place at the right time. This book tells the story of the developing Civil Rights movement in the late 50s, early 60s from the reporters point of view. Very insightful. (*****)
Richard Doster: Safe at Home: A Novel
I really enjoyed this novel. It is set in the rural South in the 1950's. It is about how the first black baseball player to play for a minor league team in the South turned life upside down. It explores the changes for both white and black. A neat story to show the internal and external struggles each person dealt with during the Civil Rights period. (****)
Steven D. Levitt: Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything (P.S.)
This was definitely a different kind of "economics" book. This author challenges conventional wisdom in a big way. He strings together some very interesting theories. He also gives insight to real estate agents, sumo wrestlers, drug dealers, school teachers, parents, and criminals. (****)
Malcolm Gladwell: Outliers: The Story of Success
Another fascinating book from the author of two of my favorite books The Tipping Point and Blink. Gladwell makes some fascinating observations and insights to success. He challenges the conventional wisdom about success. A good read that will make you say, "Huh, I hadn't thought of that." (*****)
Khaled Hosseini: A Thousand Splendid Suns
This is the second novel I have read by this author. Another stirring account of life in Afghanistan. It was incredibly appealing while at the same time appalling. A definite good read. (****)
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