BOOKS READ
A Good and Happy Child (2007) - Justin Evans
Recommended by my good friend Kelly, A Good and Happy Child marks the debut of Justin Evans, who has succeeded in producing a disturbing tale of a young child haunted by a demon. Equal parts horror and psychological drama, A Good and Happy Child is an outstanding first novel from a writer to keep a close eye on.
Fahrenheit 451 (1953) - Ray Bradbury
Okay, I admit it: Before last month, I'd never read Fahrenheit 451. This book hasn't lost any of its power in 50+ years. The issues of censorship and government control are still significant, but besides that, it's just a great story.
Three Days to Never (2006) - Tim Powers
Powers really knows how to take you on a wild ride. Who else could combine Einstein, Charlie Chaplin, Southern California, time travel, astral projection, Ouija boards, pyrokinesis, poltergeists, high-speed chases and Pee-Wee's Big Adventure and have it all make sense?
The Ear, the Eye and the Arm (YA 1994) - Nancy Farmer
It's the year 2194 in Zimbabwe. A military ruler's three children have escaped their home's robot servants to explore the world that their father has sought to protect them from. When the children's mother discovers them missing, she hires The Ear, the Eye and The Arm detective agency to find them.
It sounds like a lot of fun, which it is, but Farmer's interested in far more than telling a fast-paced tale of kids on an adventure. Farmer explores the richness of the African culture while not shying away from the gritty and unsavory truths of the darker side of human nature.
Don't Waste Your Life (NF 2003) - John Piper
A blunt title, to be sure, but an excellent (and convicting) read. How do you waste your life? Caring only for yourself and not seeking to take care of others around you whenever the opportunity arises. The Christian church as a whole often does a lousy job of helping others and Piper doesn't hesitate to come down hard. The book is much more than a call to missions. It's a call to use the gifts God has given you for something more than possessions and a comfortable life. I know I was convicted by this one.
The Looming Tower: Al Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 (NF 2006) - Lawrence Wright
The best book I read this month. Wright's very readable work explains the origins of Osama bin Laden, Al-Qaeda, and the events leading to 9/11. This is an excellent place to start for anyone wanting to understand the terrorist mind.
The Truth Is Out There: Christian Faith and the Classics of TV Science Fiction (NF 2006) - Thomas Bertonneau and Kim Paffenroth
I've talked about this one before, so I won't elaborate here. The book was far more scholarly than I expected, but it was nice to see the topic treated in such a serious manner. The authors make a good case for the inclusion of Christian elements in these shows, whether the producers at the time were conscious of it or not. I just wish they'd write a book focusing on more current shows (Battlestar Galactica, Lost, Heroes, etc.).
The Privilege of the Sword (2006) - Ellen Kushner
A home run. Kushner manages to shed light on sexism and gender roles, societal structures and taboos, politics and more while delivering a dazzling adventure full of swordplay. The detail, characterizations and seemingly effortless writing style make this one just about perfect.
That's it for August! Go read something!
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