February Picks: Books We Love

With St. Valentine’s day this month, our February theme for 2015 is “Books We Love.”

Ed loves: The Cross of Christ by John R.W. Stott

Cindy loves: The First Phone Call from Heaven: a novel by Mitch Albom

Cindy says:

“I read this novel over the Christmas holidays and thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so that when I finished, I passed it on to my husband to read. He also really liked it. The book is a mystery with a little romance and a hard look at “faith” and “belief”. What would happen if you received a phone call from heaven from a loved one that has passed away? What if more than one person in the same small town received calls? After the phone calls begin and the story gets to the media, the town and the people in it will never be the same. If you like Mitch Albom’s other books, Tuesdays with Morrie or The Five People You Meet in Heaven  you will love this one.”

Dr. Heather loves: Why Study the Past? by Rowan Williams

Dr. Heather says:

“The subtitle of this little book is The Quest for the Historical Church. In this book Williams communicates clearly the idea of “the communion of saints” — the idea that the Church extends not only through space, but through time. We can easily forget the time dimension of the Church. This book reminds us that we cannot afford to forget the past.”

Carolyn loves: The Sickness Unto Death by Soren Kierkegaard

Carolyn says:

“This is a book that I love. It’s also a book that is hard to read. I don’t mean so much that it is difficult to understand, although the first page and a half are notoriously dense (just keep on going, even if you don’t understand it!); rather, it is hard to read because it is a book that unmasks me and brings me close to myself. Kierkegaard’s premise is that each of us is in despair, and those of us who are unaware of this despair are likely in a worse state than those who recognize their problem. Ultimately, a recognition of despair will point us in the direction of that which we need most — God’s grace!”

 

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January Picks — Reading Resolutions

Happy 2015 from the staff at Crux.

Well a new year means a new start, right? For January our staff pick theme is “Reading Resolutions.” We share with you books we’ve been meaning to read, and have resolved that 2015 is the year we are finally going to get THESE books off our reading lists.

Cindy Resolves to Read: C.S. Lewis – A Life by Alister McGrath

Cindy says: “I have resolved to read C.S. Lewis: A Life by Alister McGrath. I have picked up the book several times, begun reading, then gotten distracted by other books that “needed” reading. This meant I put down the book I really wanted to read. I plan to start the new year off right by reading this book from cover to cover. The few pages that I have already read were an engaging and insightful look into the life and background of C.S. Lewis. I look forward to actually finishing the book!”

Ryan Resolves to Read: The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky (ooo, a big Russian novel, go Ryan!)

Ryan modestly says: “The Brothers Karamozov is the final novel by  Fyodor Dostoyevsky.  This year I plan to read this book because it is a great work of literature that treats philosophical and religious issues in great detail.”

Rev. Heather Resolves to Read: Leviticus by Ephraim Radner (ooo, a book by a professor, nice move Rev. Heather.)

Rev. Heather gushes: “In this New Year with all of its infinite potential and shiny new possibilities I – The Reverent Miss Heather Kathleen May Liddell – resolve to read the infamous Radner commentary on Leviticus! Wish me luck! Keep me in your prayers! Consider joining me on this adventure? Can Ephraim Radner really make Leviticus intersting? I’ve heard good things but I’m skeptical. Are you? Let’s find out!”

Sheila Resolves to Read: Uncommon Gratitude: Alleluia for All That Is by Joan Chittister and Rowan Williams. (ooo, Sheila how very ecumenical with that pair of authors!)

Sheila notes: “This year, I am starting off my reading with Uncommon Gratitude: Alleluia for All That Is by Joan Chittister and Rowan Williams.  This is a book that has been on my “intend to read” shelf for longer that I would like to admit.  Now seems the optimal time (o chairos) to begin again the practice of gratitude.  Chittister and Williams seek to guide the reader in the offering of praise regardless of one’s particular circumstance: ‘To define life by its pastoral moments only — the goal of a feel-good society — is to understand vey little about life at all.  Life calls for stronger stuff than that.  Life is dirge as well as symphony, lament as well as hymn.’ [p.94] Amen.”