 The
Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
The Last Lecture
expands on the inspirational, top YouTube hits of 2007,
video of Randy Pausch’s “last lecture”. Many
universities have the tradition of offering professors a
chance to give a “last lecture”—what they would say
about life, philosophy, and their subject if they were
giving their last lecture ever. Shortly before giving
the lecture Randy learned that he only had months to
live. After the lecture, he worked with another writer
to expand the lecture into the book. It’s a book about
how to lead your life; it’s a book he wrote for his
three children. It’s an inspiration and a great
graduation gift!
Reviewed by Landa
Harris Simmons |
 Three
Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen.
Mortensen got
lost climbing mountains in Pakistan and ended up in a
remote village. When Mortensen saw the children of the
village doing their school work outside and working math
problems by drawing numbers in the dirt with sticks, he
promised to build them a school. The book details his
Herculean and often naïve and bumbling attempts to get
the school built. Over the course of 10 years he
eventually builds over 50 schools. He gets charged by
the Taliban and meets with several leaders later taken
captive by American forces in the war on terrorism. He
meets and falls in love with his future wife (you will
not believe this story), and he lives a story of how one
person can change the lives of thousands! Every one who
reads this book loves it. Yesterday I ran into my
daughter’s first grade teacher. She read the book, met
Greg Mortensen and will spend this summer doing staff
development with teachers in Pakistan! This is an
amazing book. Buy it for your graduates—but buy an extra
for yourselves.
Reviewed by Landa
Harris Simmons |
 The Year of Living Biblically by A J Jacobs.
Wow! A J Jacobs
writes for Esquire and if funny! At the same time, he’s
poignant, a little obsessive-compulsive, and inquisitive
about the commandments of the Bible. He pledges to spend
365 days living by all the Biblical commandments. This
book became a “not-to-be-put-down” read for me and also
the source of many interesting comments and observations
for my Sunday School class. This book is recommended for
adult Sunday School classes—it’s an easy way to learn
more about the Bible while laughing all the way through.
Plus, Jacobs does a lot of research. In the process of
reading this book, he visits snake handlers, the
Creation Museum, talks to a polygamist and reads Marcus
Borg, Karen Armstrong and Jack Miles. He’s no
lightweight, but his book is easy to read! A great book
for the beach or the airplane because the chapters are
usually 3-5 pages long. Buy it for the summer!!!
Reviewed by Landa
Harris Simmons |
 Letters Across the Divide
by David Anderson and Brent Zeucher
Why is everything a racial issue with blacks? Why do so
many whites refuse to believe that racism is a problem
in America? Should all whites apologize for the wrongs
committed against African Americans? These questions
aren't asked out loud, except in the closest and rarest
of friendships. David Anderson and Brent Zuercher are
the kind of friends who can candidly discuss these
thorny issues. As you eavesdrop on the discussion of
these two friends, you will see that when blacks and
whites open their minds and hearts to each other,
understanding dawns, healing sets in, and bridges with
eternal significance are built. |
 Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of
Betrayal, Courage and Survival
by Velma Wallis
This book has been selected as the starting
point for the regional clergy women’s retreat at Camp
Christian in August 2007. If you're going to the
retreat, order your copy now! |
  Prayer:
Does It Make Any Difference? By Phillip Yancey
Those of us who love to read Phillip Yancey’s books
(including
Soul Survivor: How Thirteen Unlikely Mentors Helped My Faith Survive the Church
 and
What's So Amazing About Grace? ) have found another great read in his new book
about prayer. As always, Yancey is honest and
penetrating in his search for truth. He shares not only
insights from great Christian thinkers (like Augustine
and Martin Luther) but also he shares the thoughts and
journaling of his friends, associates, mentors, and
fellow authors. His publishing house did an online
survey to determine interest in this book and found that
an overwhelming percentage of Americans pray, and an
equally overwhelming number find themselves dissatisfied
with their prayer lives. Yancey’s work not only tells us
why we pray but also helps us understand why we’re
dissatisfied. This is not a guide to prayer and/or the
spiritual disciplines (try Richard Foster’s
Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth ). Instead Yancey
invites us to reflect on the subject of prayer
and perhaps think of it in ways that hadn’t occurred to
us before.
Reviewed by Landa
Harris Simmons |
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver
The
life of a woman today isn't really all that different from
that of Mary and Martha-we struggle with the demands of
a busy world, but still long to sit at the Lord's feet.
Joanna Weaver shows us how we can draw closer to our Lord:
deepening our devotion, strengthening our service, and doing
both with less stress and greater joy.
Reviewed by: Frances Shumake
|
 Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Sara Gruen's novel tells two stories. One
is set in a modern-day nursing home, where lonely Jacob
Jankowski argues with the staff and begs for food with a
little flavor. Jacob is 90-or 93-he can't remember. But
he does remember the Great Depression when he worked for
a circus, caring for its menagerie. This circus is a
frightening outfit, but Jacob stays because he is in
love. It's a compelling story of what an adventure life
can be.
Reviewed by: Frances Shumake
|
 Gibraltar
by Cami Tapley
Gibraltar is a love story - interwoven with a
thread of intrigue that shows how strong the fabric of
family relationships really is. There is no pat ending
and no romantic swoons and embraces here--except for
that which we all have experienced, if we're lucky, in
the strongest of relation-ships. An eloquently written
story, Gibraltar portrays simple people living out their
faith in spectacular ways. It isn't an overtly Christian
book. There is no self-righteousness here but instead a
story of people not just talking the talk, but also
walking the walk.
Reviewed by
Francine Biere |
 Leaving
Church: A Memoir of Faith
by
Barbara Brown Taylor
Only half-way through Barbara Brown Taylor’s latest
book, and I simply had to put it on the bookstore web
page. Taylor writes beautifully of discovering her call
to ministry and of answering the call to serve both in
urban Atlanta and also in rural Clarkesville, GA. She
shares her triumphs in ministry and also the way that
ministry completely absorbed her life. As I read I want
to weep for her—and
for every minister who answers God’s call and loses
him/her self in
ministry to others. It’s a compelling read and a good
resource for ministers, personnel
committees, pastor/parish
relation teams and elders who want to provide spiritual
support and guidance to their ministers. It’s also a
joyful story of the beauty of knowing God.
Reviewed by Landa Harris
Simmons |
 At Canaan’s Edge:
America in the King Years - by Taylor Branch
It’s on
Cherry Log pastor Chris Michael’s list of what
he’s reading now, that’s all that needs to be said!
Reviewed by Landa Harris Simmons |
 A Year with Dietrich
Bonhoeffer - by Dietrich Bonhoeffer - Daily
Meditations from His Letters, Writings, and Sermons. If you’re a devotee of the writings of Bonhoeffer, and
especially if you’re not, what a wonderful way to be
exposed to his writings. This book is also a wonderful
graduation/ Mother’s Day and Father’s Day gift. Don’t
miss the PBS special on Bonhoeffer which will finally be
aired on April 23rd 2006 at noon on WPBA 30 in the metro
Atlanta area. Other classic Bonhoeffer works include
Life Together and
The Cost of Discipleship
Reviewed by Landa Harris Simmons |
 Teacher Man: A Memoir - Frank McCourt’s
recollections from his teaching days are funny, poignant
and meaningful—what a terrific gift for your favorite
Sunday School teacher this spring!
Reviewed by Landa Harris Simmons |
 Secrets in the Dark: A Life in Sermons -
Frederick Buechner’s latest book, a collection of
sermons he’s preached over the past 35 years, promises
to be a great addition to a lot of home libraries. Just
out on March 1st, we haven’t read it yet, but know
you’ll want a copy, so we’re putting it up already.
Reviewed by Landa Harris Simmons |
 The
Rule of Saint Benedict by St. Benedict
The new Pope has chosen
the name of Benedict XVI in honor of St. Benedict who wrote The Rule
of Saint Benedict. Understand the importance of this great spiritual
leader for the Roman tradition and see why many Christians of
varying churches and denominations also find his writings inspiring
and thoughtful.
Reviewed by Landa Harris Simmons |
 Reading
the Bible Again for the First Time by Marcus Borg
The Christian College of Georgia and The Rev. Dr. Burdette Wantland,
retired professor of religion and philosophy at the State University
of West Georgia, will team up this fall to offer a special lecture
series on reading and interpreting the Bible. Borg’s book, Reading
the Bible Again for the First Time , will be required reading for
the seminar. Get ahead of the crowd; order your copy today!
Reviewed by Landa Harris Simmons |
Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
Not for the faint of heart, but definitely for the faint
of faith. Anne Lamott is as brutally honest as always,
and her language will offend some, but her willingness
to say anything also has great appeal, especially to
parents rearing children. Her searing honesty
about being the mother of a teenaged son calls to mind
a parent who is part Mother Teresa, part Hannibal Lecter.
Kind of like I feel most days.
Reviewed by Chris
Michael - Pastor Cherry Log Christian Church |
 The Heart of Christianity:
Rediscovering a Life of Faith by Marcus J. Borg
Possibly Marcus Borg’s most readable book to date,
The Heart of Christianity gets to the heart not only
of what we believe but why we believe it by changing the
definition of belief from a cognitive assent to dogma to
an understanding that there are certain things that
captivate our hearts. Borg moves Christianity from a
head thing to a heart thing, all the while challenging
us to become who we say we are, disciples, yes, little
d, of Christ. Probably more suited for the college
graduate, but what do I know?
Reviewed by Landa Harris Simmons |
 Testimony:
Talking Ourselves into Being Christian by Thomas Long
Do we have to have the words
of faith before we speak or do we talk ourselves into
being Christian? Tom Long wants us to consider how much
we depend on talking ourselves into the faith. This
book is a fascinating study of testimony, witness and
public discourse about the Christian faith, an
exceedingly important topic in our time.
Reviewed by Chris
Michael - Pastor Cherry Log Christian Church |
 RealLivePreacher.com
by Gordon Atkinson
Contains the best blogs written by Covenant Baptist
Church pastor and Christian Century contributor, Gordon
Atkinson. Not for the faint of heart, the author’s
language is not appropriate for children. Anyone buying
this book for a grandchild or favorite niece/nephew
should review potential content by visiting the author’s
website,
www.reallivepreacher.com. Click on the
preacher’s stories and read a few. If you can get past
the author’s “real live” language, there might be a
meaningful message. Among reviewers everyone seems to
like a different story best; however one of the best
“reallivepreacher” quotes offered reads as follows: "If
the wafers are going stale for you, be the bread
yourself. Break yourself open and nourish the world..."
Now that’s enough to make you buy the book.
Reviewed by Landa Harris Simmons |
 The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd
Lots of women in Georgia read Kidd’s runaway best seller,
The Secret Life of Bees, which became the
monthly selection for many book clubs around the country and left many thinking “now that will preach!”.
According to reviews, her new book cements her place among the best writers in the country. Also by Kidd,
When the Heart Waits: Spiritual Direction for Life's Sacred Questions
,
Love's Hidden Blessings: God Can Touch Your Life When You Least Expect It
and
God's Joyful Surprise: Finding Yourself Loved.
Reviewed by Landa Harris Simmons |
 Amazing
Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith by Kathleen Norris
This book never loses its power to move and engage the
reader of faith. What a great gift for everyone.
Reviewed by Landa Harris Simmons |
 Speaking My Mind: The Radical
Evangelical Prophet Tackles the Tough Issues Christians
Are Afraid to Face
by Tony
Campolo
Kenneth Bradbury reviews this book for Amazon.com saying
"Tony Campolo is infuriating, combustible, outrageous,
and once again on target. In Speaking My Mind he again
tackles more hot potatoes of faith, this time with a
less-sure and thus even more credible effect. Dogmatic,
he ain't. Oh, that the world knew the Jesus of whom
Campolo writes so eloquently and honestly. I would take
a small step out into the world of speculation to
imagine God reading Tony Campolo and saying, "Man, this
guy is confused but finally, somebody's coming close to
getting it right." |
 Solving the DaVinci Code by Brandon Gilvin
Written by recent Vanderbilt Divinity School Graduate
and ordained Disciple pastor, Brandon Gilvin, this book
discusses the assertions made in Dan Brown's The DaVinci
Code by providing historical references, scripture
references and background information not found in other
books which only seek to "correct" or argue against
Brown's book. |
 A Hidden Wholeness: The
Journey Toward an Undivided Life by Parker Palmer
Palmer's latest book is just now filling library
shelves. Be the first to read this book, and send us a
review. |
 If
God Is Love: Rediscovering Grace in an Ungracious World
by Phillip Gulley and James Mulholland
Be the first to read this book and
review it for us.
Gulley and Mulholland are the co-authors of If Grace is
True: Why God will Save Every Person, a book currently
on the reading lists of Disciples across Georgia. |
 If
Grace Is True : Why God Will Save Every Person by
Philip Gulley
Phillip Gulley and James Mulholland met when they both
attended Christian Theological Seminary. Gulley has a
series of books about a mythological town in Indiana.
Now they have combined to write a book which reflects
their theology that all will be saved. Gulley will speak
at the Disciples Men's gathering Session 04 in Lexington
this summer and was featured in the May 2004 edition of
DisciplesWorld magazine.
Reviewed by Landa Harris Simmons |
 Atonement : A Novel
by
Ian McEwan
has collected numerous awards and tells
the story of a 13 year old girl. Recently made
into a major motion picture.
Reviewed by Landa Harris Simmons |
 Life of Pi by Yann
Martel
A great summer read.
Reviewed by Landa Harris Simmons |
 Dismantling Racism
by Joseph Barndt
Racism has reemerged, dramatically and forcefully. All
of us -- people of color and white people alike -- are
damaged by its debilitating effects. In this book, the
author addresses the “majority,” the white race in the
United States. This book does not intend to attack or to
produce guilt, but its message is tough and demanding.
It calls us to begin our next assault on the demonic
evil of racism. The result that it seeks is freedom for
all races, all people. |
Attentive to God
by Karen-Marie Yust
This is a book which we used with the regional board
during the last couple of years. In it I have found
worship resources for groups and something extra for
myself. What have I found?--spiritual direction for my
many committee meetings and work in the region. Yes,
many times I have felt the presence of God during a
meeting.
Reviewed by Michael Weeks |
Spiritual Classics : Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups
on the Twelve Spiritual Disciplines
by Richard J. Foster (Editor), Emilie Griffin (Editor)
A compilation of readings from 2000 years of Christian spiritual
classics, edited by a gifted Christian writer. Foster has written
extensively in the area of spiritual growth, faith journeys, and
spiritual disciplines.
Reviewed by Bill Thompson |
 A
Royal 'Waste' of Time: The Splendor of
Worshiping God and Being Church for the World
by Marva Dawn |
 What's
a Christian to do with Harry Potter
by Connie Neal
No matter what your position on Harry Potter, Connie Neal's book
will help you think thru the issues from a Christian perspective and
help you open a constructive conversation with kids who have read
the book, seen the movie, or plan to. |
 Beyond
Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas
by Elaine Pagels
The discovery at Nag Hammadi in 1945 of many "lost" manuscripts from
the early centuries of Christianity has provided new insights into
the early church and early beliefs. In Beyond Belief, Elaine Pagels
takes a look at The Gospel of Thomas. Many scholars believe that the
Gospel of John was written to refute the beliefs in the Gospel of
Thomas. In her book, Pagels compares the two. |
 The
Other Bible
If you're looking to find "the rest of the story" The Other Bible
contains translations of many apocryphal texts as well as several
infancy gospels and other gospels not found until the discoveries at
Nag Hammadi in Egypt in 1945 and the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947. A
great resource for those who want to learn more about the scriptures
that were prevalent in the centuries before and after the birth of
Christ. Students of the New Testament will enjoy comparing the
familiar writings in Matthew, Mark and Luke with the writings in
Thomas. Many compare the Gospel of Thomas with the Q source used by
the authors of the other gospels. |
