J'ai Lu, Septembre 2009

The last two months, as I have mentioned, tended to lack in quantity what they certainly did not lack in quality. This month however, the two classifications reunite (!) as I have finally resumed my 4 a month quota, but at no lack of literary quality whatsoever.
However, I have found that I still don't read fast enough, and my "to read" pile of books gets taller and taller with each both I put back on the shelf...
I have no solution.

Same Kind of Different As Me (Hall) – The story of a wealthy couple and a former slave and what happens when their worlds collide. I found this story moving and powerful and relevant. I also found it slightly predictable. A recommendation from my roomie, definitely worth reading. (8)

Unaccustomed Earth (Lahiri) – This collection of short stories is a strange but beautiful walk through the pains and struggles of life. Lahiri is able to capture the essence of human struggle and make it something that we can relate to and completely empathize with. I can't wait to read more by this author. (8)

The Year of Living Biblically (Jacobs) – A modern day atheist tries to follow the letter-of-the-Old Testament law as an experiment in living as “literally” as possible. What begins as an author’s ploy to win readership while mocking his own ethnic roots develops into a really fascinating struggle between his cynicism and the pervasiveness of the truth that he wrestles with. This is good for some laughs and to brush up on your knowledge of the OT laws, if for nothing else. (7)

Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers (Claiborne & Hartgrove) – I’ve read a lot by Claiborne, and this short study on prayer falls right in line with his other works. The authors, two social and spiritual activists, seek to connect the power of prayer with the power of action. Claiborne challenges his readers to live a life of prayer which will in turn fuel a life of social engagement. If you’ve read anything else by Claiborne, you’ve heard a lot of this before, but if you haven’t, this is a good introduction to what he generally advocates. (6)

In music, this month's winners are:
Bon Iver
Fleet Foxes
(Rediscovering) Sufjan Stevens

Looking forward to:
OU/Texas Weekend Retreat in Dallas
The U2 Experience with H Brew
Ben Folds in Wichita
OU/Nebraska in Lincoln
The Swell Season in Dallas
Battle Studies Nov 17