Disciples of All Nations: Pillars of World Christianity by Lamin Sanneh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A good overview of the progression of Christianity (of various stripes) in the past few 100 years, as it moved from being primarily a western (N. Hemisphere) religion to a more eastern (S. Hemisphere) religion. Good insights about indigeneity and the issues/problems with the past's overbearing mixture of colonialism & Christianity. Mostly focused on developments in Africa, but a good bit also on the recent growth of Christianity in China.


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The Fellowship: The Literary Lives of the Inklings: J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Owen Barfield, Charles Williams by Philip Zaleski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thoroughly enjoyed this book on the Inklings. It's been many years since I read the older Carpenter book on the Inklings. This was a very well researched and written book on these amazing writers and good friends who had great literary influence in their day. The treatment of these literary giants is no hagiography--they are seen with all their warts and foibles.

Lewis & Tolkien's influence and literary classics are still popular and having great influence today. This got me in the mood to do some more reading from these writers--and one day to tackle Tolkien's Sillmarillion.


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A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My first John Irving novel. Gave this 3-1/2 stars in my Reading Log. A bit long & bloated--probably could have been 1/2 as long and been better.

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The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Timothy Egan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An amazing story and read to the last page. What a story of the "Dirty Thirties"-- the greatest man-made American disaster and its devastating impact on so many families and such a vast territory. Them that stayed were some tough nuts...


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Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem by Kevin DeYoung
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Excellent diagnoses of the busy-ness disease which so many of us are easily susceptible to--with some very good suggestions of what to look for in diagnosing the sickness and in treating it.


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The Lost Art of Gratitude by Alexander McCall Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the #6 volume in the Isabel Dalhousie series--about the ups & downs in the life of Edinburgh's resident philosopher. Really liked this one.


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Persian Pilgrimages: Journeys Across Iran by Afshin Molavi
My rating: 3 of 5 stars




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The Lazarus Life: Spiritual Transformation for Ordinary People by Stephen W. Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another great book on taking care of our souls.


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Bruce by Peter Ames Carlin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyed learning the details/specifics of how Bruce got to be the Boss.


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At the Villa of Reduced Circumstances by Alexander McCall Smith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars




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Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My first Charles Frazier novel (author of Cold Mountain). I gave it a 3-1/2 stars on my rating scale. Set around the forced "re-settling" of the Cherokee Indians from western NC to the far west. Pretty interesting and well-written, though I thought it dragged in parts.


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Allah: A Christian Response by Miroslav Volf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Very worthwhile read that gives great insight into the both the similarities & differences of the One God from the perspectives of the Christian & Islamic (as well as Judaic) faiths.


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Unto a Good Land by Vilhelm Moberg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Loved this 2nd volume of Moberg's classic Emigrants series, which focused on the group of new Swedish emigrants' arrival in New York City through to their settling their land claims in the Minnesota territory in the year of 1850.


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About Grace by Anthony Doerr
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A Kindle read-aloud by my wife on our drives through Boston.


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Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another read-aloud from the Kindle by my wife on our rides in/out of Boston. Excellent book with fascinating characters. We're going to read more of this Australian writer, for sure.


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The Charming Quirks of Others by Alexander McCall Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another enjoyable read from McCall Smith in the Isabel Dalhousie series.


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The Dylanologists: Adventures in the Land of Bob by David Kinney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Very interesting book that focuses on some of the most rabid Dylan fans, as well as some of those who have chronicled his career & life.


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Cloudstreet by Tim Winton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A novel about two Australian families in hard times who end up sharing the same building in Perth. Set around WWII and going up into the 60s. Had an element of magical realism in some chapters. Got better as it went along. Lots of old Aussie slang and language.


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The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My first Franzen read--enjoyed it. All about the midwestern Lambert family and the evolution of their lives over the years. Very interesting writing style. Have to read a David Foster Wallace novel next.


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Bob Dylan in America by Sean Wilentz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars




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