Rabbit, Run by John Updike
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was my first John Updike novel, I believe, though I've read some of his short stories and used to teach them university students in China. This is the first of a series of books that Updike wrote about Harry Angstrom, whose nickname is Rabbit (from his fast-paced basketball days). This was not a bad read--I gave it a 3-1/2 stars in my Reading Log. Updike writes very dense sentences, with lots of similes and sometimes a stream-of-consciousness perspective. Story is pretty tragic overall; it involves a young married man dealing with the difficulties of marriage & fatherhood, as well with his questions of faith and inner purpose/meaning for his life. He's pretty confused overall--and consequently there is a lot of running and symbolism wrapped around his running. I am interested to sometime read about Rabbit's future days and how he & his family turn out.


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In the Country of Men by Hisham Matar
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Different, but very interesting, book about life in Libya in another time/age--when political repression was rife and those who spoke out in any way were harshly dealt with. From the perspective of a young kid whose father is caught up in the jaws of the harsh governmental powers.


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Twelve Baskets Full, Vol. 1 by Watchman Nee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hadn't read any Watchman Nee for a long time and enjoyed these challenging & inspiring comments on what true life lived in Christ is all about.


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Hearts in Atlantis by Stephen King
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Overall an interesting story--told in 5 separate sections that have some connection to each other. Not as good as one of King's other books I've read, like _The Green Mile_.


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The Gospel Reloaded by Seay Garrett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Some interesting points made from the "Matrix" triology with regards to faith and spiritual life and Christianity; quite a few symbols/images used in the "Matrix" come directly out of the Bible & Christianity.


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The Ayatollah Begs to Differ: The Paradox of Modern Iran by Hooman Majd
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Liked this book and its insights into the modern paradox of Iran and your Iranian educated class who have been so disillusioned by the overall fraudulent Islamic Revolution of the ayatollahs. Iran has such a deep & rich history and such a vibrant culture; the book reminds us not to think all Iranians are radicals.


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Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I thought this was just so-so, just OK. It had some good parts that were more engaging, but I found a lot of it rather boring and it sometimes seemed to move at a snail's pace.


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The Place of the Skull by Chingiz Aitmatov
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Gave this a 3-1/2 rating. Written by the most famous Kyrgyz author. Very interesting themes and storyline.


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Run with the Horses: The Quest for Life at Its Best by Eugene H. Peterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was a wonderful look at the prophet Jeremiah and his life & message. Really powerful message and a faith-stimulator. Read it!


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Modern Afghanistan: A History of Struggle and Survival by Amin Saikal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An amazing read that had so many good historical insights. The author did an excellent job of laying out the various historical stages in Afghanistan's modern history--and in looking at the underlying reasons why each of them failed to live up to expectations, or how they shot themselves in the foot. Very insightful read.


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Vengeance: The True Story of an Israeli Counter-Terrorist Team by George Jonas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An amazing look at the post-1972 Olympics Israeli massacre and how the Israelis & Mossad handled sending a strong & in-your-face message to those responsible for that evil. The movie "Munich" was based on it and did an excellent job in bringing this book to life accurately.


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Death by Meeting: A Leadership Fable...about Solving the Most Painful Problem in Business by Patrick Lencioni
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pretty good book--told in the usual Lencioni fable style--on how to make meetings count, by clearly delineating their specific purposes and frequencies.


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Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hadn't read this book for some 25+ years. Really enjoyed it again and the magical way that Lewis tackles some serious and life-impacting issues head-on. No nonsense and great illustrations (word ones, that is).


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What the Dog Saw and Other Adventures by Malcolm Gladwell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have greatly enjoyed all Gladwell's books--and this was no exception, even though it was essays written for the "New Yorker." He has great insights and comes at things from the most interesting perspectives--and always has engaging little stories that carry you right through to the conclusion.


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The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Read this probably 30 years ago and didn't remember much. Since I recently read the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, though, I wanted to go back and read this to refresh my memory on Bilbo and the hobbits. Enjoyed it much and am looking forward to the new movie coming out soon.


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The Russia House by John le Carré
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyed this book--my first one by le Carre. I enjoyed his style and characterizations; seemed realistic and well-grounded. Not an action-packed unrealistic story with people who can do it all, all the time, without breaking a sweat. Looking forward to reading more le Carre.


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The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My second McCall Smith book, first in the "Ladies' Detective Agency" series, but surely not the last! I loved this and love Smith's engaging writing & story-telling style. What a cast of interesting characters are so well portrayed!


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Down Under by Bill Bryson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another brilliant Bryson read. So well-written and engaging--so humorous & informative too! OK--now I'm hankering to travel "Down Under" myself and to especially take the India-Pacific Railway across the bottom of this intriguing country & continent.


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Blood Meridian, or the Evening Redness in the West by Cormac McCarthy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Heavy duty--wow--that's about all I can say about my first Cormac McCarthy read. Reminiscent of the dense, heavy, serious, epic writing of greats like Melville & Faulkner--where the land & environment take on characters of their own, fully developed & foreboding. The human personalities loom large & epic-like as they struggle in & against the landscape and those who are bound up with it as intricate, intertwining characters. The story is set in the Wild West along the Texas-Mexican border in the late 1800s. Not for the fainthearted, for sure--some grizzly details involving blood & redness...and the unfortunate cheapness of so many lives & peoples in a lawless border "nether" region. Writing that captivates and intrigues, that unfolds with biblical-like import, full of symbolism and similitude and seriousness...


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The Triple Agent: The al-Qaeda Mole who Infiltrated the CIA by Joby Warrick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

That was a quick read...maybe we ought to lose power more often (from Hurricane Irene). This really was a well-written, fast-paced book, though, with a fascinating story of how a Jordanian doctor got caught up in a daring/brazen al-Qaeda/Taliban (while in the borderlands of Pakistan & Afghanistan on "assignment" for the Jordanian secret police) plan to hit back at the West. Some very difficult & costly lessons were hopefully learned by our intelligence services. Bottom-line: do NOT be in a rush, no matter how good things look. And do NOT trust without carefully verifying/checking. Period.


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