Reading for Me

The Books I Have Read…..Just for Me

May 20

#26: Inferno (Dan Brown)

by kennithfreeman

I have had the release day of Inferno on my calendar for months. I had monitored my reading in the weeks before to make sure that I would be ready for a new book on the Tuesday of the book’s release. On that Tuesday, I found myself driving into the mountain community of Eureka Springs, Arkansas for a few days of relaxation. This is going to be perfect…..I’ll be able to sit in the mountains and in my hotel room and just read all day long. I get directions to the local book shop only to discover that the store has closed for the day. I’ve been driving all day long, but there is NO WAY that I am not going to have Inferno in my possession on release day. So what do I do? I google the nearest Barnes and Noble and make the 55 minute drive to a store just outside of Fayetteville and start reading over dinner. Then I head back to Eureka Springs and lose myself in the book for the rest of the night!

Inferno is quite possibly my favorite of Dan Brown’s novels. This smartly-written tale again features our favorite art professor and symbologist, Robert Langdon. In addition to the usual emphasis on masterpieces of the art world, Brown expertly weaves a fascinating read around the epic poem by Dante Alighieri from which Brown’s novel takes its name. Throw in references to classical compositions by Franz Liszt and Richard Wagner and I am one happy camper!

Inferno features lots of twists and turns that leave the reader wondering who can be trusted and what has actually happened. The only thing that is missing this time around is the graphic violence that I have come to expect from Brown’s novels. (I still find Angels and Demons to be terribly disturbing!) Making the novel timely is the underlying discussion of the world population crisis and the threat of a viral pandemic. Add to the mix a brilliant (or mad?) scientist, a mysterious organization that operates without concern for ethics, and the religious sites in Florence, Venice, and Istanbul and you have the recipe for an exciting page-turner! I am thrilled to have read the book and highly recommend it to thoughtful readers everywhere.

fiction

Leave a comment »
May 19

#25: Charles Spurgeon: The Prince of Preachers (Dan Harmon)

by kennithfreeman

I realize that I know very little about some of the major pioneers of the Christian faith in the 19th and 20th centuries. I decided to read this simple biography of the English minister, Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892). I was struck by his eloquence and the tremendous things that were accomplished for the Kingdom of God despite Spurgeon’s simple beginnings. Though not highly educated himself, Spurgeon placed great value on education and opened a school of ministry for preachers as well as teaching and caring for the orphans of England. Spurgeon was confident in his convictions and never afraid to speak his mind clearly. He addressed the horrors of slavery as well as reforms that needed to occur within the church itself. What most surprised me, however, was Spurgeon’s use of humor.  One of my favorite quotes (taken from his collection of proverbs known as Salt-Cellars) is about knowing when things are not worth trying:

Don’t put a cat on a coach-box or men in places for which they are not fitted. There is no making apples of plums. Little minds will still be little even if you make them beadles or churchwardens. It is a pity to turn a monkey into a minister. Many preachers are good tailors spoilt, and capital shoemakers turned out of their proper calling. When God means a creature to fly He gives it wings, and when He intends men to preach He gives them abilities. (p. 104)

One cannot overstate the effectiveness of Spurgeon’s ministry. Thousands of lives were changed through his presentation of the Word of God. It is estimated that some twenty million people attended services at the Metropolitan Tabernacle during Spurgeon’s tenure there. The conclusion to his final sermon from that pulpit on June 7, 1891 reminds us of  his devotion and concern for the sinful in need of a Savior.

If you wear the livery of Christ, you will find Him so meek and lowly of heart that you will find rest unto your souls. He is the most magnanimous of captains. There never was His like among the choicest of princes. He is always to be found in the thickest part of the battle. When the wind blows cold He always takes the bleak side of the hill. The heaviest end of the cross lies on His shoulders. If He bids us carry a burden, He carries it also. If there is anything that is gracious, generous, kind and tender, yea, lavish and superabundant in love, you always find it is Him. His service is life, peace, joy. Oh, that you would enter it at once! God help you to enlist under the banner of Jesus Christ! (p. 114-5)

 

biography Christian

3 Comments »
May 18

#24: Calico Joe (John Grisham)

by kennithfreeman

Last week, I decided to take a mini-vacation. Since summer is upon us and baseball season is under way, I chose the short novel Calico Joe for the drive to northwest Arkansas. I have seen the audiobook on the shelf many times, but always opted for other stories. I’m not sure why either. I enjoy Grisham’s novels, but wasn’t sure that a book about baseball was what I was looking for.

Calico Joe is the story of a baseball player from Calico Rock, Arkansas who makes his way into the major leagues as a player for the Chicago Cubs. His rookie season is nothing less than magical and the entire baseball world watches with fascination, including a young boy in suburban New York. The boy is fascinated with the skyrocketing success of Calico Joe. Requests for autographed pictures are sent to the young athlete — much to the distress of the boy’s father, a pitcher for the rival New York Mets. Calico Joe and the Cubs find themselves facing the Mets with the disgruntled pitcher on the mound. The infamous game that results will forever change the men’s careers, the lives of their families, and baseball itself. Calico Joe examines how a single moment in time can forever alter our destiny while exploring the healing power of the restoration of broken relationships.

Next time you find yourself on the road, consider picking up a copy of this short novel (roughly 4 hours in duration) and lose yourself in the game again. You’ll be glad you did.

audio fiction

Leave a comment »
May 16

#23: Lit (Tony Reinke)

by kennithfreeman

Since I'm making significant progress on the 3 books I'm reading on this mini-vacation, I thought I should probably write up the review of the other book I read at the end of the school term.

Lit was not exactly what I was expecting. Tony Reinke divides the book into two sections. Part 1 explores the importance of reading in the Christian life and then proceeds to give tips for improving your (non)-reading life in the latter half. While I found Reinke's concept that reading both sacred and secular texts is crucial to the development of a Christian worldview, I thought his logic was a bit skewed at times. I also thought it was an extreme argument to say that EVERYTHING we read should be chosen in light of how it will develop our spiritual walk with Christ. I'm sorry…..there are books that we read that are not going to improve or destroy my Christian walk. That doesn't mean I should not read them because they have no value. After all, we live in a fallen world. I am to avoid what will sever my relationship with Jesus as I walk in the world. Jesus Himself prayed that we would protected from evil while we are in the world, not that we be taken out of the world. (John 17)

Part 2 was geared toward the non-reader and tended to focus on non-fiction works. I did appreciate a few of the recommendations. Always reading with a pen in hand is a great idea. I like to mark my own books with passages I want to remember or that especially moved me, but I tend to avoid it because I never remember where I saw the passage. Reinke also has a solution to this issue (although it seems to be time consuming). The author suggests creating a database of quotes on your computer, organizing them by topic and including author, title, and page. This allows for cross-reference between books that discuss similar concepts. I've committed to doing this for a couple of months to see how it works, how much time it requires, and if it looks promising.

The other suggestions that I found most helpful were about how to raise children who are readers. Two concepts that I especially liked was a daily oral reading time and family book reviews. The oral readings can occur throughout the day and come from a variety of books. (The author was clear that it is not necessary to read only fictional narratives aloud.) The reading is not the most important component; the discussion that occurs in response to the reading is where the learning happens and the love for reading is developed. It sounds like a very involved process, but when you consider that it can take 15-20 minutes at the end of a meal together the time commitment seems to be insignificant.

Reinke offers to keep his children in books constantly as long as they are willing to share the three passages they found most interesting as well as explain why they agreed (or disagreed) with the concept. This insures that children are not simply plowing through the words on the page without comprehension and allows parents insight into the topics that are of greatest interest to their child while observing the moral, ethical, and logical development. While it may not work for every family, it certainly is an interesting concept and one I would like to try with my own children one day.

 

Uncategorized

Leave a comment »
May 13

#22: Safe Haven (Nicholas Sparks)

by kennithfreeman

I’ve gotten behind in my reviews and need to catch up. I actually finished listening to this book while driving back and forth during one of the last weeks of the semester. There was a lot of time on the road and a lot of time to listen.

I found Safe Haven a difficult book to listen to since it told the story of a woman who had run away from her abusive husband. To add to the irony, her husband was a police detective — one who was charged with protecting victims! I wasn’t fully aware of the subject matter when I selected the book. I am especially sensitive to the topic because domestic abuse has rocked the lives of members of my family. My sister and her two daughters suffered at the hands of an abusive monster for nearly 5 years before getting out. (Since many of my Christian friends read these posts, I’ll refrain from calling Gregory Prince her ex-husband the names that he truly deserves. Just understand that I feel that any man who fails to pay court-ordered child support is about as worthy of mercy as the cockroach I squashed under my sneaker. Perhaps someone in the Tennessee Department of Child Welfare will stumble across this post and actually investigate. A guy can hope anyway. Hey….it’s my blog and my opinions!)

Without revealing too much of the plot, when the abusive cop finally chases down his victim in her new home, I was frantic for her to get away from him. I drove extra miles out of my way to get her to a safe place in the story…..I couldn’t leave her hanging! When the animal got exactly what he deserved, I cheered out loud in my car. I was only saddened that he couldn’t suffer more.

It’s a riveting story. It didn’t bring out Christ-like mercy, grace, or forgiveness in me. It certainly felt good to see the bad guy get what he deserved though.

A movie adaptation was released earlier this year. I haven’t seen it and given my emotional response to the book, I’m not sure I want to see it.

audio fiction

Leave a comment »
Apr 27

#21: Malibu Nanny: Adventures of the Former Kardashian Nanny (Pam Behan)

by kennithfreeman

I have very little interest in the lives of the reality stars known as the Kardashians. Honestly, I probably couldn’t pick their pictures out if I was asked. I read Malibu Nanny because I know the author and felt our friendship deserved giving the book a read. What I thought was going to be a typical “tell-all” turned out to be a beautiful memoir of mistakes, loss, and love.

Pam Behan and I were both students at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California where we studied music. Pam was a year ahead of me, but we got to know each other since we were both majoring in piano performance. I always knew Pam’s schedule was hectic because she was a full-time student, waited tables at a local restaurant, and was a nanny for the Jenner family (as in olympic gold-medalist Bruce Jenner), but I had no idea HOW crazy Pam’s life was. Now that I’ve read her memoir, I am shocked that Pam ever had time to complete her degree and maintain a semblance of sanity. Pam later becomes employed by the Kardashians when Mr. Jenner and Kris Kardashian marry.

Malibu Nanny is full of funny stories of the family as you would expect. The central character in the saga, however, is Pam herself. As readers, we watch as this young woman from Minnesota copes with the fast-paced, materialistic southern California society while trying to maintain her Midwestern values. Along the way, Pam faces the challenges associated with attempting to establish a career and start a family. Her difficulties with men throughout her life are tragic and explain why both Bruce Jenner and her father hold such important roles in her life.

As Pam’s journey takes her away from the craziness of Hollywood to Jackson, Tennessee and Aberdeen, South Dakota, Pam finds herself on a spiritual journey as well. Due to troublesome circumstances, Pam finds herself running to the God of her childhood and finds a renewed faith that is based in an authentic and personal relationship with a loving Savior. Pam tells the story of her life with such grace and honesty that her testimony of faith doesn’t feel preachy and comes along rather unexpectedly in the book. I have always known Pam to be a warm and loving person whose smile is infectious. It’s wonderful to see that the smile has grown because of Jesus.

Several passages in the later portion of the memoir spoke to my heart. In one of my favorite passages, Pam is reflecting over mistakes she has made in the area of relationships.  Pam states, “I reflect on some of my poor choices in men, and the years of heartache it caused. Yet, even the worst mistake of all — my choice to stand by Terry — was an integral part of the plan….God specializes in redeeming bad choices.  Now I look at all that pain, and where I am now, and I say this is why! Every bit of that horrible pain was worth it to have this most precious gift.” (p. 175) Isn’t it thrilling to know that “God specializes in redeeming bad choices?” Like Pam, I’ve made more than my fair share of mistakes. I’m so thankful that they have been and continue to be redeemed by my loving Heavenly Father.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever wondered where their life was taking them. While Malibu Nanny shares some stories about the famous people Pam has encountered over the years (including the time Pam was dating mega-star Sylvester Stallone!), the memoir is really one woman’s story of finding herself while chasing her dreams and ultimately finding herself in a place of perfect peace.

memoir non-fiction

Leave a comment »
Apr 27

#20: Do Yourself a Favor…Forgive (Joyce Meyer)

by kennithfreeman

Being on sabbatical from the church job has been a good time to begin looking honestly at my life. I’m learning a lot about myself — both good and bad — and the things that are shaping my emotions. One thing that I have been forced to admit to myself is that I continue to harbor some anger and resentment against people who have hurt me over the years in my ministry role. Some of the attacks were vindictive, aggressive, and intended to destroy me personally. People knew what they were doing and willingly chose to become the very embodiment of evil. In other cases, the pain came from a thoughtless word or action that the person didn’t even realize had cut me to the core. I can’t change the fact that I have been hurt, but I can deal with my feelings after the fact. I suppose that’s why Joyce Meyer’s audiobook on forgiveness jumped out at me. It wasn’t an enjoyable read, but it was something I needed to begin addressing this week.

In Do Yourself a Favor….Forgive, Meyer begins by examining the characteristics of anger. Why does anger appear in our life? Is anger ever justified? Through sharing of personal stories, Meyer presents a clear portrait of anger that is honest, yet is completely non-judgmental and encouraging. In the second half of the book, Meyer speaks about the importance and freeing effects of forgiveness. Again Meyer’s stories (both humorous and life-altering) are coupled with Scriptural instruction that provides a clear map through the journey to forgiveness. Through all of the reading and powerful statements that were expressed, this simple truth was the most powerful for me:  “As long as we are talking about our wounds, we haven’t gotten over them.”

audio Christian non-fiction self-help

Leave a comment »
Apr 21

#19: Gone Girl (Gillian Flynn)

by kennithfreeman

Amy and Nick have it all — the perfect marriage, the perfect jobs, and the perfect family — until everything starts to unravel. Both of them lose their jobs as journalists from prestigious New York City publications. Amy’s parents have lost their fortune and need to borrow money from her trust fund. Nick’s father is demented and his mother is battling cancer. The only thing they can do is return to Nick’s childhood home in Missouri to help care for his parents and together face their challenging financial situation.

While they are enjoying a simpler life, Nick receives a disturbing call from a neighbor: there seems to have been a disturbance at his house. Nick rushes home to find the front door open, the living room in absolute disarray, and his wife missing. As the hours turn into days, the investigation into Amy’s disappearance turns into a murder investigation with Nick as the prime suspect. Let the reader beware! Don’t assume you know what’s ahead….you’ll find yourself surprised.

Flynn’s novel explores marriage, infidelity, and family relationships under the light of “truth.” Gone Girl is an excellent novel intended for a mature audience due to graphic adult themes and strong language.

fiction

Leave a comment »
Apr 20

#18: The Forgotten (David Baldacci)

by kennithfreeman

John Puller is back in this exciting novel.  We first met the character of Puller in Zero Day. This time the Army special agent finds himself in Paradise, Florida to visit his aunt because of a mysterious letter she sent John Puller, Sr. Puller arrives in Florida to discover that his aunt has died, tragically drowning in a shallow pool in her backyard. As Puller investigates his aunt’s death, he discovers that things are not as they seem in Paradise and that several other senior citizens with connections to his aunt are also dying.

Opposite powerful, witty, and insightful John Puller is the character of Mecco, a Bulgarian giant-of-a-man who is in Florida defending the honor of his family and village. The two men’s paths cross in a most unexpected turn of events. Is Mecco a friend or foe?

Once again David Baldacci provides an intelligent thriller with plenty of exquisitely developed characters and enough plot twists and turns to keep your head spinning while you read this fast-paced thriller. You won’t be able to put it down without knowing what happens next! Wonderfully written as usual, Mr. Baldacci!

audio fiction

Leave a comment »
Apr 14

#17: The Chance (Karen Kingsbury)

by kennithfreeman

I tend to avoid Christian fiction. It’s not that I don’t like the morality and presence of God. Generally I just find that the books are poorly written. I have discovered that I can LISTEN to these books with greater appreciation.

The Chance tells the story of two teenagers growing up in Christian homes in Savannah, Georgia. The two have fallen in love.  The boy constantly proclaims that he’s going to marry her; her response is always the same:  laughter!  Tragedy hits both families and the two learn they are going to be separated by thousands of miles. On their last night together, they write letters to each other and bury them in a tackle box beneath an enormous oak tree, vowing to return in eleven years to read the love letters.

Life happens to both of them and the idea of marriage seems impossible. He has become a professional basketball player, enjoying all the success that it brings. She, on the other hand, is a single mother that is estranged from both of her parents and struggles just to make ends meet.  What follows is a beautiful story of healing, restoration, and second chances. I’ve never been a fan of Kingsbury’s writing, but this story along with The Bridge have made me think it’s time to reconsider my opinion of the author.

audio Christian fiction

Leave a comment »
«Older Entries
Newer Entries »
Blog at WordPress.com.