My Names Is Asher Lev, by Chaim Potok
I loved this. Although it took me a bit to really get into the story and its characters, it had the same feel to me as A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. The coming-of-age. The setting, to some degree. But since I have such a love for Judaism and the Jewish culture (especially in America), and as one who believes in Jesus as Messiah, Asher's story resonated with me on a deeper level. The fact that his Crucifixion was far more offensive to his family and community than his nude paintings gives great insight into their morality. It's sad. And beautiful. For a thinker, I highly recommend this book.
A Room with a View, by E.M. Forster
Yawn. I'm so sorry - I wanted to enjoy this book. I wanted it to be dripping with wit and sarcasm and a more scathing insight into the upper class of England during that time. I wanted The Importance of Being Earnest. Alas, what I was given was a bland narrative with sometime engaging and intriguing and real characters, and hints of wittiness. I didn't finish this one, but knew what was coming. I suppose the end justifies the boringness of the earlier chapters, but I don't care about Lucy and George in the slightest.
What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality?, by Kevin DeYoung
Such an informative read. DeYoung really nails the reader with his knowledge and expansive research. Do not read if you are looking for something other than simply what the title states -- what the Bible has to say on the topic. There is less pastoral heart here (except in the later chapters); he rather focuses on the interpretation of controversial passages. If you want to know biblically what to think about homosexuality, read this. If you don't hold the Bible to be an authority, or know you will disagree with his conclusions anyway, I probably would not recommend it.
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, by Laura Hillenbrand
Oh my goodness. Kevin and I watched this movie the weekend before Memorial Day, and by the end of that following week, I had finished reading the book. A few that I've talked to about it didn't care for the screen adaptation, but I think it was well done and actually spot on with casting and focus. Obviously, it's long. Both the movie and book dwell on Louie's horrific experiences and anguish, rather than on his ultimate redemption and the forgiveness he finds for himself and his captors in Christ. The book delves far more into this. Louie Zamperini was an incredible, seemingly indestructible man. PLEASE READ THIS BOOK.
An Outline History Of the Wesleyan Church, by Lee M. Haines
Maybe the most boring thing I've read since graduating college (when I was forced to read so many uninteresting books and articles for classes). However, as my husband is now employed by a Wesleyan church, and I have no experience with the denomination myself, I thought it wise to get to know our new roots a bit more. So, in that regard, I definitely feel I have a grasp on where the denomination came from, what Wesley himself actually believed and taught, and how the denomination morphed and grew and changed throughout its some odd 200 years of existence. I just could've done without the record of presidents and leaders and Sunday School initiatives and periodicals.
