Tag: book review

Before the Throne

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends! This glorious Friday evening, let me pen just a few words on my latest read. Then laptop shall be closed and looked at no more and it shall be time for reading and communion and joy as I rest this night.

68. Why Christianity Makes Sense by Gavin Ortlund. A fantastic book. I believe I’ve heard this book presented as analogous to Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. Perhaps not quite aiming at those heights, but identical in purpose. Presenting Christianity to a skeptical world and giving reasons that may cause one to tilt the head and consider. Why not Christ? Why not Christianity? Is it true? Is it good? I confess as I write these few words that I’m a bit biased coming into this. I greatly appreciate Ortlund’s ministry (both written and on the screen!) and I had no doubts I would be encouraged by this read. And so it turned out to be. I am not quite sure I’m the target audience, as I have no need of persuasion in regards to the claims of Christianity, but nonetheless this book warmed my soul.

I too have an ache in my heart, a longing for that far country. Ortlund identifies this ache itself as a testimony to the truth that this material world is not all there is. I won’t dare summarize this entire book as I fear it would be too unwieldy and not do the book justice, but I will say I heartily enjoyed it all. The middle section of this book – on Jesus Christ and the beauty intertwined with the historical reality that is God made man – was by far my favourite part. Just reading about Jesus and why it is indeed so reasonable to consider him the very answer the universe strains to grasp was indeed rich food for my weary soul. I am grateful for this book. Again, I feel this book is written to people that may be seeking – and perhaps it will be of use for those who cry as they wonder what is beyond the veil. I hope and pray that this book is one that is as impactful to this generation as Mere Christianity was to its own. I have considered Jesus and found him to be that for which my soul longs. I hear the gulls call and look out across the waters and my heart skips a beat as I see the first glimmering star near the horizon. There is beauty that pricks my heart near to bursting and I sigh for wonder that I have found my answer in Jesus. Maybe you will consider him too.

Stamped, Sealed, Delivery Yet to Come

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A few book thoughts this Sunday evening before I dive back into my current. Hope you all are well, my dear friends.

66. God in the Dock by C.S. Lewis. As always with Lewis, an extremely profitable read. This is most likely a lesser known work of Lewis’, comprised as it is of various short essays and articles he wrote throughout his life. Definitely worth the read!! No, I don’t always agree with everything Lewis writes, but he always makes me think. I continually find myself amazed how well he can construct a sentence to drive a point home. I also confess myself a bit jealous as well at the incisiveness of his writing. The articles in this one are about various subjects, ranging from the theological to the moral (though I daresay one could say all topics end up in theological waters by the end), and though there were some topics I found more interesting, I didn’t skip anything here. The one titled “The Grand Miracle” was phenomenal and the essay “On the Reading of Old Books” was simply sublime. Worth reading this entire collection for that essay alone. I love reading Lewis and this collection of essays of his is well worth the read. Strongly recommended.

67. The Fires of December by Brandon Sanderson. Sanderson’s latest “Secret Project” novel. I enjoyed this one but it didn’t thrill me either. Firstly, the artwork was gorgeous. This book is so well constructed and all the art is simply beautiful. This is a book that will look amazing on your shelf. But mere fripperies. What about the content? It was fine? I found myself really enjoying the first part of this book, where Sanderson adopts an almost old-fashioned style, grand and whimsical all at the same time. I loved this. Soon enough, Sanderson slips into his standard narration style and well…I found myself growing ever more disengaged as I read. Perhaps it’s just my continuing disenchantment with Sanderson’s works, but this book was just ok for me. I did find myself amused at the end when Sanderson mentions at the end that the different styles in this one was a contentious topic amongst the early readers and that his switch was deliberate. Understandable. Still though, I wish he had done otherwise. This one is good, but not great.

Shindig

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Hello friends! Have a few minutes so…thought I’d write a couple words on my latest.

65. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. It was an interesting experience reading this one. Obviously I’ve seen the movie (many years ago!), a true classic. And I believe I did read this book way back in the day, likely when I was a teenager or shortly thereafter. So the story framework was there in my head. Yet in my memory, this book was a massive tome dense with science and suspense. In actuality? A fairly typical thriller and not that thick of a book after all. It had some fun original ideas and obviously the Ian Malcolm character performs an important function as both authorial insert and source of the thematic core for the book. Maybe I just have changed in my tastes since I read this last, but this book just seemed remarkably average. The writing was pedestrian and the characters pretty one-note. From what I remember with Crichton, the nerd bits are always the most fun, and so it proved here, from the discussions on cloning dinosaurs to explaining ancient computer systems! I enjoyed those parts and I do appreciate Crichton’s schtick of running to ground the way science and new technologies can go oh so terribly wrong. Now I feel like I need to see the movie again! Also one more note. As someone who is now no longer a teenager or in school, I can speak with a little bit of real-world knowledge as both engineer and someone with knowledge of hazardous operations. The engineering and science reps in this book are absolutely abysmal at their jobs and I found myself horrified time and time again at their attitudes and actions. They still didn’t deserve to be eaten though.

Windswept

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Hello friends! A quick Saturday afternoon post, thought I’d write a few words on my latest.

64. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Well I come to this one about ten years after all the cool kids were reading it! But on a recent ramble, found this one in a mini-library and Dani insisted I picked it up as it was one of her favourites when she read it way back in the day. So I obviously couldn’t deny that request. Took me a few days to read this one and I have to say, I understand why this one hit Dani so hard when she read it as a teenager. This one packs a punch. And it’s easily Green’s best novel – I feel a bit bad that I neglected reading it until now. Really think Green does a great job with the characters here, especially the inimitable Augustus Waters and the wonderfully real Hazel Grace. This story has vivid imagination, pathos in abundance, a very distinct cast of characters and Green’s signature – great teenage dialogue. Yes, the main characters are overwrought and ridiculous and angsty and not a small bit pretentious at times. They’re also teenagers. And dying (most of them). I greatly enjoyed reading this one and appreciate Green’s honest look at some very serious subjects. Yeah, I don’t agree with Green’s philosophy by and large, but I do like seeing an author grapple with the realities of this life we live (and yes, the death we must all face). Well worth the read. Side-note – watched the movie with Dani after finishing this book. It was remarkably faithful to the book and well worth the watch!

Spare

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Hello friends! A few words before I start my reading session this evening. While I kind of wish I could write a bit, I don’t think I feel suited for such tonight. Of course, maybe that is exactly the sort of night I need to be writing? Ah well, we shall see. But for now, let me spill a few words on my latest read. Not many. Then I shall be off.

63. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling. Such a romp. I love this book even though I do feel it didn’t hit quite as hard this time as last time I read it (when I recall wondering if had ascended to being my very favourite of the series!). Still though, it’s a great adventure. It’s an almost perfect transition book, one in which the kids move from the innocence of just being school kids to…well, a world that has changed entirely, one full of evil unmasked and death in all its horror. This book was just a pleasure to read. Still a good book, but maybe not my favourite of the series.

Seven by Seven

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Hello friends! A quick Friday morning post here. It’s early and I don’t want to write too many words but I did want to at least log my latest read.

62. The Works of John Owen, Vol 7, Sin and Grace by John Owen. This book was encouraging for my soul. My life-long march through the works of Owen continues. I shan’t go into this one in great detail, but as always with Owen, I found this book to be a fantastic aid to my daily walk with my Lord. The main discourses in this one are on apostasy and spiritual-mindedness. While the first half on apostasy was good and worth the read, the second discourse on being spiritual minded was truly ever so encouraging and convicting for my soul. I’ve mentioned this before upon reading Owen, but I don’t see his works as being primarily about gaining theological knowledge. Yes, there is that, but I don’t read Owen to gain more facts about God or the faith. Instead, reading Owen spurs me on to think about Christ more and to long to draw closer to my Lord. His writing can be tedious and overly discursive at times, yet somehow even as I wade through these waters, I find myself thinking ever more on what it means to be a Christian and how I want to fill my mind with the things of the Lord over and against the things of this world. Perhaps not for everyone, but for me, this was a beautiful devotional read and a book I’m most grateful to have read.

With a Cherry On Top

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Hello friends! A Saturday morning here. Dani making some breakfast and the plans for the day still to be decided. For now? Decided I would try and catch up on a few of my latest reads! I’m dreadfully behind ahhh!! Well, I will make this quick.

58. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling. Yup, decided it was time for another re-read. I do love this series, it is warm and comforting like a fluffy blanket on a cold day. This first book? It is simple and sweet. Very much a typical children’s book in that classic British boarding school tradition. The writing is pedestrian and the plot is very basic. If this were the only book in the series, I doubt Harry Potter would be the cultural institution it is today. Yet? The imagination in this book is wonderful and all the groundwork Rowling sets up to give the world its colour and sparkle is something to behold. I am always a bit jealous of Rowling’s imagination! There is so much colour in this book, so many little details that make Harry’s world feel so utterly real.

59. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling. Rowling finds her groove in this one. Her writing already feels much more confident and the story itself much more compelling. Yes still obviously a children’s tale, yet I felt myself enraptured by the story yet again even though I’ve read this one who knows how many times! I still find the spider scene one of the most terrifying scenes in all of the seven books. And the end confrontation scene between Harry & Riddle/basilisk is simply top notch. Beyond all that? Rowling continues to fill in her world and once again, I find it so pleasurable simply to immerse myself in it.

60. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling. Another rollicking tale and probably the last one that feels purely like a children’s book. There is some time travel wonkiness yet Rowling does a great job of making it make sense as you read. It’s only after the fact that you start going “Wait a second…” I like seeing the children continue to grow up and their characters continue to deepen.

61. The Door by Magda Szabó. I don’t know if I can exactly call this a beautiful book, but wow is it a good one. It’s certainly one of the finest written books I’ve read in quite some time. I thought this might be a bit of a struggle to get through, yet once I started, the story pulled me in and I never slowed down. This is a challenging piece of fiction. It’s a fascinating character study and relational drama both. And I’m not sure when I’ve last read a book that made me think so much, both about the complex natures of individuals and the way we interact with those we love. Of course there’s a lot here that would likely make a bit more sense if I had grown up in Hungary, yet even so there is much here that transcends culture. This book does not shy away from the darker nature within all of us. Some passages are truly disturbing, some elements that horrify in their brutality and rawness. There are no black and white characters here, each character multi-faceted and understandable in their motivations even as you cringe a bit at their behaviour throughout. I’m grateful I read this one – the prose is truly top notch and the story strong. Will I re-read this anytime soon? Probably not, yet it has earned a place on my shelf. I loved this one. Of course I’m biased a bit, already loving Hungary, its culture and its people. I need to read more Hungarian fiction, I think.

That Ditch Way Over There

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Hello friends! A quick few minutes here before Dani and I are off to do some errands. First thought I’d write a little review on my latest read!

57. Plainsong by Kent Haruf. A beautifully written book. Poignant and sharp, this book does not pull any punches. The prose is simple but perfect, the character work is extremely strong and I found the story oh so gripping, even in its sparseness. I’ll confess there were a few scenes in this one I found challenging (one of those “gritty” books that I’d probably not recommend to everyone), and there was one scene I almost couldn’t make it through. Yet I did enjoy this one. Not all of the characters are likeable and none of the characters are perfect yet they felt ever so real. I wish I had this author’s talent at simply telling a story. I admired the fact he didn’t feel the need to over-explain or put to page every little detail. Instead, he let the story unfurl itself and you really did feel almost as if you were there, witnessing these people live their lives. My favourite characters were probably the McPheron brothers (almost certainly) and they had one scene at the end that almost caused me to break out in cheers. Again, this isn’t a perfect book and not exactly my type of book, yet still I greatly admired this one for what it achieved. I admire a story well told.

fifth row baptists

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends! A sleepy Sunday post is in order, methinks. And as matter of fact, I think this post shall be mostly just me rambling about books. Because of aforesaid mentioned sleepiness, I don’t think this shall be a long post. But as always, we shall see! Be well, one and all.

53. Thank You, Jeeves by PG Wodehouse. Absolutely fantastic. I have heard of Wodehouse and the Jeeves stories before, of course. I knew they were a part of the British literary canon that I was remiss in reading and that I would need to remedy such at some point. Thankfully, due to a fortuitous encounter in a remarkably well-stocked book section at a Goodwill, I decided it was time to read my first Wodehouse and this was it. I was not disappointed. The humour was top notch. Of course humour is subjective and I’m sure some would bounce off Wodehouse. For me though? Perfection. I wish I had half the wit and verve of Wodehouse – I’d read line after line of writing that simply crackled with absurd hilarity and wonder how on earth he managed it. If you like absurd off-the-wall ridiculousness married with near-perfect prose, I think you’d enjoy this. I know I did.

54. The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul – A book that grabs you by the collar and simply won’t let go. I’ve read this once, many years before, and I recall how much this one gripped and shook me. Reading it again now, I marveled anew at the holiness, grandeur and glory of God. I am grateful for this book of Sproul’s, one that does not apologize for the God of the Bible, the God who is proclaimed in all its pages and of whom creation shouts in chorus. Sproul is unapologetic in ascribing a place to God that is far separate from the place reserved for the rest of creation. This book feels at times as if it was written in a time so different from our own, a time when the other-ness of God was not as alien a concept as it seems to be in this age in which we now live. Of course this book wasn’t written that long ago – 1985 – still yet it seems as if the God Sproul preaches would be anathema to the majority of so-called Christian teachers in this day and age.

We at times seem to spend all our time crafting a God that fits our idea of goodness, justice and love – a God that we feel comfortable with and whose ideals mirror our own. This is idolatry, pure and simple, and Sproul calls that out. He doesn’t quite wade into all the depths of ontology and epistemology, yet Sproul does ask that we cease from demanding that God can only be God if he fits our pre-conceived notions of what God ought to be. How often have we heard or uttered the phrase – “I could never worship a God who…” Instead of screaming our rights into the void, perhaps we ought ask the question – Is God real? And if so, who is He? And what is my response? This is spadework and not always comfortable. And I’m not saying Sproul is hand-holding us through this journey. Instead, Sproul simply and faithfully discusses the God of the Bible, the God as revealed in both specific and general revelation, and explains who this God is and why he is worthy of our worship.

At the end of the day, the way we live our life is governed by who we see God to be and who we see ourselves to be. And Sproul clearly and concisely draws back the curtain and shows us the tiniest of glimpses of the reality of the God who made all things. Sproul is just a man and all too fallible and so of course this book is not perfect. Yet it is one that drove me to my knees as I consider what it is that I live and breathe in a world made by a God so utterly holy that to gaze upon Him would utterly undo me. Who am I, a jar of clay and oh so foul and depraved? And yet also am I not one crafted in the image of this God I long to know? There’s a mystery there – how can I be made right and gain communion with this God who seems so far from me? Has God spoken to us and given us a way to be right with Him? The name that is above every name is spoken by my heart and I tremble. I raise my hands and drop any claims I have and bow the knee to the One who made all things. This book is one that I need to read again and again. God is God and I am not. Remember this. Remember this.

55. What Does It Mean to Fear the Lord? by Michael Reeves. A wonderful little pamphlet walking us through the concept of the “fear of the Lord”. This can be very confusing, to be sure. I’ve had conversations with people who refuse to believe that Christians should “fear the Lord”. And part of that is likely due to the inability of the English language to properly define this concept, this idea of trembling joy and awe and love that comes face to face with understanding who God is and what our proper response to Him is. This is a very little book, but Reeves does a masterful job of walking through what fear of God is, and what it isn’t. The fear of the Lord is not a cringing fear that drives us from God in our hatred of who he is. Instead, the proper fear of the Lord is a recognition of the nature of God and the proper response of humility and love that draws us closer to our God. I feel this is a ongoing thread in my reading of late but I shall state it again. God is God and I am not. Let us remember that, and as we understand ever more who God truly is, our fear of Him will be that fear which spurs on a delighted awe and love as we humbly bow before our Creator. A great little read, heartily recommended.

56. Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. This book frustrated me at times. There are some beautiful little moments and I greatly admired the themes of the author and what he attempted to point towards. It is rare to find a modern book which preaches such themes of Christian love and humility and it made me glad to see such praised in this book. There is also such a wonderful focus on the worth of every person and the idea that all of us have a story that is worth knowing. I was under the impression this was a secular book and was pleasantly surprised discovering the Christian themes that lay at this book’s core, even identifying Theo as a little Christ-figure and one who attempts to point us to that light, that fountain, that Jesus that is the only source of life and truth. Yet. Apart from all that, this book was a hard read at times. I admire the author’s aims, but the book wasn’t always an easy read, at times overly twee, at times overly artificial and manufactured. This felt like a book with too many cardboard cutouts, not enough real people. I often found myself struggling to make myself read a few more chapters. And the major revelation at the end of this book does some major damage to the book’s theme of selfless love for the other and make one wonder if the author truly realize that his attempts to tie up all loose ends into a tidy knot actually undercut some of the strongest themes of his tale. Ah well. I enjoyed parts of this book. Unfortunately the book wasn’t particularly well-written and I think at times the author spends too much time telling, not enough time showing. Maybe some people like the didactic hammering on the head. For me, not so much, even when I tend to agree with the author’s belief system. Main problem at the end of the day? The author’s skill was not quite up to snuff to tell the story he was attempting to tell. Still though, I admire the attempt.

Towards Dawn we March ever So Slowly

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends! A few words on a couple of books. I shall not be overly verbose this day, I swear.

51. The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss. Oh Rothfuss. Leaving us hanging, are you? As I neared the ending of this one, I felt a few pangs of sorrow, knowing it is most unlikely we get a concluding book to this trilogy. Alas, but still I enjoyed reading this one, even knowing not all the questions shall be answered! I love how Rothfuss writes and this story continues Kvothe’s tale in all its glory and grandeur. I don’t like this one as much as the first book, perhaps partly because I feel this book stumbles a bit when Kvothe leaves the University. The first third or half of the book at the University is a delight to read, even if possibly it could have been drastically cut simply to move the plot along. The University portion really isn’t necessary to the story. But you know what? I don’t care. As someone who loves all the world-building in-between-filling prose of the Wheel of Time, I can’t hate the fact that Rothfuss takes time to simply show Kvothe’s continued growth at the University. My favourite parts are simply the times Kvothe is spending with his friends in all their ridiculousness. More of this. Less high drama please. I wrote a good bit more about the plot but then realised I really don’t want to summarize the whole book and erased all of it. At the end of the day, I do enjoy reading this one, but really don’t like how the author’s view of sex permeates the latter portions of this book and turn Kvothe into someone who it’s hard to root for. I’m much more on Denna’s side by the end of this, feeling a bit hurt and cast aside by the Kvothe she always felt she could count on. Still a beautiful story well told, even if he probably could have used a better editor to hustle along the plot. We may never get book 3, but at least we always have these first two. I honestly don’t really care about all the big questions – Chandrian, Amyr, Lockless box, Four-Plate Door, Kote/Kvothe mystery, etc. Honestly, I think Rothfuss shines most at the small moments – friends around a table at the tavern playing cards…music soaring through the air as Kvothe plays an old song and everyone sings along…Kvothe on a windy night gently conversing with a moon-bound girl. Rothfuss excels at these intimate scenes with characters you care about. I think Rothfuss should just tell Kvothe’s adventures at the University and forget all the rest of it. Would be a better tale, methinks.

52. The Trellis and the Vine by Colin Marshall & Tony Payne. This book is fine. I have had it on my shelf for a while and thought I may as well read through it. I confess I struggle with “church tactic” books and this one was no exception. I know such books and discussions are necessary. And there’s not really anything wrong with this book, per se. I think I just find myself wearied by books putting forth the newest, latest-greatest discovery of how to do church ministry right. I’m doing this book a disservice. The authors are humble and acknowledge the lineage of church-growth trends and fads and attempt to make it clear that due to the multiplicity of church locations, styles and cultures, it is certainly impossible to impose a one-size-fits-all approach on a local church. Still yet, the book at the end of the day doesn’t contain that much that is new. Yes, discipleship is crucial at a local level. Yes, future leaders and gifted contributors should be identified and encouraged. And I appreciate the authors making it clear that all growth in a church (both spiritual and numerical) depends on the grace and power of God. Of course God does use means and the authors are attempting to put forth a strategy of disciple-making that they feel best fits the New Testament context. But at times, it feels as if the authors are attempting to make the verses they cite say more than they actually do. Even so? This is not a bad book. It is important to remember that local churches should attempt to minister to the people in their midst and part of such will be raising up the next generation of leaders. There were a few times I felt uneasy and that the authors were almost implicitly giving permission for church leaders to ignore the weaker and less-than in favour of the “people to watch out for”. That’s not entirely fair and I do understand any leader has to make hard decisions on how to spend their time. Still yet? Books such as this just give me a little twinge of unease at times. I thank God for his work in the church and that whatever the latest trend du jour is, he will continue to build his church. We must not be passive ourselves and we must press forward to encourage and build up our fellow saints. But always and forever, we lean on our Lord Jesus Christ and worship Him. One of the best things a church leader can do is model what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ and proclaim his beauty and majesty in ways that make it impossible for outsiders to ignore the strangeness and radicality of the church of God. I’m grateful for books such as this that attempt to highlight ways churches have found profitable to glorify Jesus Christ and make Him known. But just know there is no one cookie-cutter way, there is no one tactic that can be deployed blindly in all circumstances and find success. Only through ceaseless seeking of Christ and utter reliance on the Holy Spirit can we in faithful witness strive. We set our hands to the plow and we know we are not alone.