Thursday, August 24, 2006

This book is SO overdue from the library!!
My latest read The Mighty and the Almighty: Reflections on America, God, and World Affairs by former Secretary of State Madeline Albright was well worth the overdue fees I am going to have to pay on it. This book took me a very long time to read because I had to stop every few pages to reflect on some idea she proposed, to write down a thought for later consideration, and mainly to simply digest what I had just read. It was a wonderful, albeit long, experience.
The Mighty and the Almighty is not pro-America propoganda, nor is it anti-Bush rhetoric, but is a thoughtful and thorough discussion of the rightful role of faith and religion in foriegn policy, but also in the quest for peace.
If you choose to read this book, and I do hope you do, make sure you give yourself enough time and remember to renew it when it's due.

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

I WILL BE BUYING THIS BOOK!
As much as reading and books consume such a large part of my person, in actuality, I very rarely purchase books. For the most part, the books on my shelves fall into three distinct categories: 1. books that have struck me at such a deep place in my soul, that have made me cry, laugh and think (In the case of Anne Lamott, all at the same time) and those that I want to read over and over again, 2. books from the collections of people I love that were given to me as tokens of rememberance and affection, and 3. books that I bought when I was much less responsible with my finances and bought books as some buy groceries.
My latest book, which must go back to the library tomorrow, falls wholly into the first category. I have just finished "Searching For God Knows What" by Donald Miller. I first read Don Miller at the beginning of the summer when I devoured "Blue Like Jazz", which I will be purchasing also. Maybe there will be a buy-one-get-one sale at Amazon. His view of what it means to be one who follows Christ is both revolutionary and at the same time, it is the very core of what Jesus taught; a lesson that He himself never changed. Every chapter challenged me to consider "Am I a Christian in name only? Or do I truly desire to follow Him?" Big questions. Great Book. Very funny too.
If you want to borrow either one of these books, just ask, I will have them on my shelf at home.