Book 7: Water for Elephants

Wow! Simply wow. The artistry of the circus blended together with murder, mystery and romance places this book at the top of the list, thus far. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen is a beautiful coming of age story for a young boy who looses everything. His world completely changes as he jumps upon the train of the Benzini Brothers Circus Show. Set in the time of the Great Depression, I cannot even begin to fathom this type of life style and all of the implications--let alone circuses traveling by trains! I think about how vastly different life today is compared to then, but that one thing always hold certain: love comes in the most unexpected places.

The story of love and longing in this book show an aspect of commitment and dedication that I feel rarely gets seen. The relationships are not presumed but develop over time, and seeking common care for each other is something that requires work. Maybe I read the wrong books, but it is not very often that we get to experience such initmate levels of care between so many characters. I particularly loved the relationship between Jakob and Rosemary, the nurse. It was touching to see the amount of care that they invested in their relationship and how it grew over time.

Grade: A

Next Book: The Art of Racing in the Rain

Reading Diversion: Ask, Thank, Tell

I am blogging about my reading adventures. They are mostly from my reading list, but now that the semester is beginning there will be more diversions that will be represented.

So, I read Ask, Thank, Tell for my Money and Mission course at Luther Seminary. If you are a pastor person seeking to revitalize your stewardship practices then this book is for you! Charles (aka Chick) Lane is a dynamic writer who convinces the reader that stewardship and giving is NOT about paying the bills but about building disciples. Our giving tells a story about who we are and what we value. As leaders in the church and the world, what we give to others and the church matter. Lane offers a comprehensive plan that is practical, non-invasive, and life giving.

It is a must read for those thinking about the role of money in their life!

Grade: A

The Kite Runner

My latest reading adventure has been The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Wow! This book was incredibly difficult to read. It was not because of the writing or word choices, both of those were fabulous. It was difficult to learn about the realities of life in a culture other than my own. It was difficult to see the corruption of humans brought to indescribable heights. It was difficult to read about broken relationships, longing, anticipation, and how time plays an immeasurable role.
Hosseini weaves a narrative of the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan with the life of a young boy seeking his fathers approval and wrestling with his own guilt and shame narratives. The Kite Runner is a powerful story of love, loss, grief, and coping with societal changes that are beyond comprehension.

I particularly appreciated how the story began before the Taliban took power and how it was originally perceived before it became corrupt. They relieved Afghanistan from the Soviet powers but, as time progress, implemented their own oppressive powers. It was interesting to learn the history through the story of a young man and to be able to humanize areas in the middle east. So often, I feel as though I live in my own cultural bubble with my own assumptions and prejudices. To hear this story, in a voice that is not my own, was incredibly powerful and enlightening.

Grade: B+

Next Book: Water for Elephants