In the past, I have used this space to share some of the books that I’ve read. It’s been a while since I did that so I thought I might catch you up. So, here’s what I’ve been reading:
The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson about the period in WWII when Winston Churchill led the people through the “darkest hour” of the Battle of Britain. I enjoy learning about history. I read two books in a larger series by Patrick O’Brian about life aboard British naval vessels during the Napoleonic wars. I enjoyed Steve Inskeep’s book Imperfect Union: How Jessie and John Fremont Mapped the west, Invented Celebrity, and Helped Cause the Civil War.
I re-read the Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien and All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr, as beautifully written book that won the Pulitzer prize a few years ago.
I read Holding: A Novel a mystery by Graham Norton, the popular late-night host in Great Britain and Ready Player One by Ernest Cline about a future world that is largely lived online in virtual space. I enjoyed In Praise of Paths: Walking Through Time and Nature, by Torbjorn Ekelund and I am working my way right now though Seizing Destiny: How America Grew from Sea to Shinning Sea, by Richard Kluger.
I’ve been reading several books to learn more about racism in America including White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo, Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehesi Coates and America’s Original Sin, by Jim Wallis, the editor of Sojourner magazine.
I’d love to hear what you have been reading. What have you found to be delightful, insightful or uplifting during this crazy time. Maybe there is something that you enjoyed and want to pass on or something that might round out my education and understanding. What would you like your pastor to be reading? I’d love to hear your suggestions.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Steve