I just read about the referee shortage across the country. Guess what? It’s hard to recruit new refs and to convince experienced ones to remain with low pay and poor sportsmanship. Of those who quit, 76% cite poor sportsmanship of the fans, while 68% point to the poor sportsmanship of coaches and players.
While I was in graduate school in Memphis, I refed a few girls’ basketball games for a Christian academy there. We’re not talking high school ball; the girls were maybe nine or ten years old.
And it was eye-opening. The things “Christian” parents would scream at you! Several times people accused me of wanting the other team to win.
As if I cared. I was a poor, married grad student trying to pick up a few bucks. Was I a great ref? Undoubtedly, no. But you get what you pay for.
I decided right then and there I couldn’t spend my life in a profession where people got upset and questioned your motives. So I entered ministry.
- - - -
I’m going to need a good beach read here in a couple weeks. Here are the two requirements: good and nothing-that-would-be-required-in-a-graduate-class-anywhere. Any suggestions?
From one runner to another, a couple good reads:
Have you read Ultra-Marathon Man by Dean Karnazes yet? If not, there’s your beach read.
Also, I just started Running the Spiritual Path: A Runner’s Guide to Breathing, Meditating, and Exploring the Prayerful Dimension of the Sport, and it’s great so far. Maybe a little too “grad schoolish” for the beach, but worth a look.
“I decided right then and there I couldn’t spend my life in a profession where people got upset and questioned your motives. So I entered ministry.”
Doh!
*chuckle*
*rimshot*
qb
Anything by Krakauer would be a good beach read. The boy knows how to spin a tale. qb
Good beach reading: anything by Jeffrey Archer–I recommend Cain & Abel or Prodigal Daughter; Welcome to the Monkey House or Bagombo Snuff Box by Kurt Vonnegut (these are collections of short stories); and for a bit of sci fi, I love Star Trek and the Imzadi book is my favorite.
If you are looking to go spiritual (and I know this book is super trendy right now, but…): I’ve been through Blue Like Jazz about 3 times now, and it is so easy to read. Also good is Arrow Pointing to Heaven-a sort of biography of Rich Mullins.
Nonfic: Best nonfic I’ve read in a while is Monopoly: The World’s Most Famous Game and How it Got That Way. I’m a collector, so it was interesting for me. The book goes all the way back and traces the history of the game, it’s various incarnations, presentation to the general public and rise to popularity. Total brain candy. I finished it in less than two days. I should say that Matt and Josh have beat me at playing the game. However, I am not shaken. I will keep on!
You’ve likely read many of these, but here goes:
“Life of Pi” by Yann Martel
Any Pat Conroy, but you might particularly like “My Losing Season,” a wonderful non-fiction account of playing basketball his senior year at The Citadel. Other faves of mine by Conroy are novels: “The Lords of Discipline” and “The Prince of Tides”.
Chaim Potok’s “The Chosen” or “My Name is Asher Lev”. You won’t regret reading either of them. Two of my favorite books.
Or revisit some Twain — “Huck” and “The Prince and the Pauper” are great re-reads.
Good call on Life of Pi, Matt.
(Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is not a running book, btw.)
(Note from Mike: Steve’s comment was on here twice. The first one got moderated because of the links. I deleted the repeat. But this second time he added this additional book. Sorry, Steve. I should have deleted the first one.)
Kite Runner..an amazing book. It helped me to understand Afghanistan and its a beautiful story.
Man, I know what you mean about the ref thing! When I was at Harding I refed a few club softball games. I was shocked at how rude and tacky my FRIENDS were to me! These were Christian brothers in my dorm and even my own social club (read, fraternity, for those of you who didn’t attend a small Christian university).
Beach reads:
When is that Harry Potter book coming out?
I imagine you have read “The DaVinci Code” by Dan Brown. You probably blogged about it back when all the controversy was swirling (I wasn’t a reader of your blog then). If you haven’t read Brown’s first book, “Angels and Demons,” it is about as gripping a novel as I have ever read. I think the biggest reason it didn’t make as big a splash as DaVinci was that it was so poorly named.
Kite Runner and Life of Pi are excellent choices for fiction.
I’ll also second Blue Like Jazz for a “spiritual” choice. Or Miller’s third book, Searching for God Knows What. Both are excellent.
Stephen Lawhead is one of my favorites. You might enjoy Byzantium. (Historical Fiction)
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. (Science Fiction)
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (Not sure how to categorize this one. Modern Drama/Mystery?)
A lot of the books I’ve read and enjoyed have been ones you’ve recommended, so I’d feel a little silly recommending them back to you.
You have to read the new Harry Potter, Mike! What else?!
Someone already mentioned Kite Runner by Khaled Husseini, and it is a great book. His newest release, A Thousand Splendid Suns, is also about life in Afghanistan but whereas the main characters in Kite Runner are male, Splendid Suns focuses on the lives of women in Afghanistan. As I was reading it, I kept thinking about how hard life was for women in Afghanistan “back then,” and I had to keep reminding myself that, no, a lot of the story is set in present-day Afghanistan. Husseini immigrated to the US from Afghanistan in 1980, so his being an insider adds weight to the story.
I’ve seen a lot of people reading Kite Runner on the train. Maybe you should go with that one, Mike.
Then again, I’ve seen a lot of people reading He’s Just Not That Into You, so who knows…
I’ve been refereeing football and basketball off and on for 7 or 8 years now from the little tiny kids to the Division II college level. I can tell you that for me the low pay is the biggest detractor. If you referee a football game in town at 7PM you are required to be on the field at least 30 min prior to kickoff. Really you end up leaving for the game at least 1:30 min prior to kickoff to give yourself time to drive/change/stretch. Normally a 7PM start will be over at 9:00-9:15. This means getting home by 10:00 is pretty good by the time you break the game down a little with your crew. All told for one game a guy will give a minimum of 4-4.5 hours. I’ve been paid anywhere from $30-$70 for this. $70 isn’t bad, but I can tell you that alot of nights it’s not worth it due to the bad sportsmanship.
I find it funny that parents will gripe when it begins to cost more for their kids to participate in sports because they couldn’t stop griping when it was cheaper.
As far as books, I really enjoyed A Painted House by Grisham a few years ago.
First, I’m moving to Delaware, where they give out sportsmanship awards to high school teams. The schools I interviewed with were very proud of receiving those awards. I’m sure part of that is to help with the referee situation.
Second, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is excellent, easy and brief (about 165 pages). Also, I also recommend Kite Runner. It is very well written and gives an insight into the Afghani culture that most Americans have never seen.
I was told by an older preacher when I was a kid that, “you sould become a preacher kid, preachers only work one day a week.” So that’s why I got in. Mean old guy tricked me. Can’t wait to get to heaven and give that man a piece of my mind … OH WAIT … he probably won’t be in heaven.
kidding
I coach my daughter’s team of 11 year olds. I always insist on going to the refs after the game to thank them. Without referees, we could not play.
At one tournament we were playing in, between games, one of the referees was berated by the losing coach. Afterward I jokingly asked him, do you do this for the money or the accolades? He just smiled and shok his head.
-j
Donnie Mclaughlin had me read “Left To Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust” by Immaculee Ilibagiza. You won’t regret reading it.
Everybody should read “The Power of One” by Bryce Courtney
Have fun!
DU
Singer Songwriter Derek Webb, just wrote a novel by the same title as his new album, The Ringing Bell.
It’s all good stuff, music, lyrics, book. I’d take it all to the beach with me!
And did you read the bible before you decided to go into ministry to escape ridicule? J/K
Your preacher comment was really funny.
When I go to the beach I totally stay away from anything religious. If I read nonfiction it is usually military history, but I usually read a novel, and for some reason I have ended up reading several medical mysteries by Michael Palmer. Palmer is was a practicing doc who has written a bunch of cool books. Have a great trip.
Thats funny. I thought at one point that ministry would be that easy. I learned quickly that wasnt the case. I got fired from my first preaching job and they told me that it was because I was too liberal and that they needed someone more conservative so that they could get more people who would give money in the offering. They also apparently thought I was trying to sabatoge the churches of Christ because, in their words, I didnt just preach uplifting sermons.
As far as a book goes, I love “Velvit Elvis,” by Rob Bell. It is a fun easy read, but challenging at the same time.
“Godless” by Ann Coulter or “Frankenstien” by Dean Koontz
“Cell” by Stephen King is quite good as well.
I think you should read “Blink” by Ted Dekker. It’s a good one.
I forgot to suggest a book.
One of my favorites is “Green Eggs and Ham” Dr. Seuss
One of my oldie-but-goodie favorites is Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams (the author of the Hitchhiker trilogy). I also recommend the sequel, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul.
The stories are brilliant, the breadth of material is gratifying, and some of the passages are masterpieces of comedic writing. Both list as $8 paperbacks on Amazon.
I have been coaching now for 16 plus years from little kids to Division I. Sportsmanship has always been a problem and will continue to be unless the coaches take a stand for what is right. We must lead our teams by demonstrating good sportmanship ourselves and demanding it from our players and their parents no matter the situation. Unfortunately the whole world is suffering from bad sportsmanship- from road rage to air rage to students going off on teachers, etc… It isn’t just in athletics.
Along these lines, a good book to read and pass on to your players is Playing Beyond the Scoreboard by Craig Hillier. Great, simple book on leadership skills.
If you haven’t read The Last Convertible by Anton Myrer, you need to sell some of your commentaries and get it. It’s the best novel I’ve ever read. It’s fiction, but this story has repeated itself many times over and I think that’s why it resonated with me.
For sheer fun and laughs, read Who’s Your Caddy by Rick Reilly.
Thanks to your request I now have some books to read my own self from all the suggestions here.
Peace.
I second reJoyce’s recommendation of Ender’s Game, although I’d recommend its three sequels even more strongly. They actually represent the main story, Ender’s Game is sort of a novel-length prologue, although it’s still one of the better novels I’ve read.
Jayber Crow
Karl Barth–Church Dogmatics
Steven Pinker–The Blank Slate
William Brown–The Ethos of the Cosmos
William Cavanaugh–Torture and Eucharist
(Just joking)
On a more serious note:
James McBride–The Color of Water
John Rucyahana–The Bishop of Rwanda
I remember reffing a couple of games while at Harding. I think many of the students thought that what they said and did on the field (or in the bleachers) didn’t count (kind of like Wednesday nights).
Regarding a good read:
If you like mysteries, I recommend the entire Dave Robicheaux series by James Lee Burke (start with “Heaven’s Prisoners”) or “Right As Rain” by George Pelecanos. If you want non-fiction, I recommend “The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down” by Anne Fadiman or “All Over But The Shoutin’” by Rick Bragg.
Is “Godless” Ann Coulter’s autobiography? She’s about as godless as anyone I’ve heard.
Like Trey said, “Green Eggs & Ham”, “Where The Wild Things Are”, “The Giving Tree” by Silverman is a good read.
Oh, Game of Thrones. You will get sucked in and then have to read the other 3 tomes out there in the series.
Mike,
If you haven’t read Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. (Science Fiction) you have to. It is one of the best Sci Fi Books that I have ever read and I don’t read Sci Fi. Trust me on this one.
For your second ready get The Wild Trees by Richard Preston. It is a gripping novel of passion and daring about the men who have found completely new ecosystems in the tops of the giant redwoods of Nor Cal and Oregon. FASCINATING!
Funny post!
I am going to suggest a juvenile lit. book: The Giver by Lois Lowry. It was a great read, quick and entertaining. You might have read it; it is quite old. And, if you want something more adult, I recently read The Known World by Edward P. Jones. It is very compelling. Enjoy your time to read and relax.
Hope for the Flowers, Who Moved My Cheese (best seller list for a long time), or books you will eventually read/tell to Reese…Peter Rabbit, Three Little Pigs, One Happy Family (may be out of print…about Harriett the Hedgehog’s happy family), etc. You need to be boning up on these kiddie books!
Mike - If you want a good whack on the head - check out FREAKONOMICS, by Stephen D. Levitt and J. Dubner (Morrow).
This is not heavy reading - Levitt’s theories are interesting and usually offend everyone!
The Brother’s K by David James Duncan
“I decided right then and there I couldn’t spend my life in a profession where people got upset and questioned your motives. So I entered ministry.â€
Hilarious!
Kudos to Odgie for mentioning Bragg’s “All Over But The Shoutin’â€. I think you’d really love that one, Mike.
I think you would like “A Holy Hunger” I really like the author of that one. Also, “Righteousness Inside/Out”, oh wait, you might have read those before.
“In Search of Wonder” is also a very good read.
Ha. I laughed out loud. Thanks.
Last year I attended a regional final football game between Allen and Spring Westfield with a buddy. We sat on the Allen side and enjoyed a great game that went into OT after the Wesfield kicker missed a chip shot to end it in regulation. As total bystanders, we laughed (to ourselves) to no end at the things we heard directed toward the refs. The Allen folks were convinced the refs were from Houston, while I’m sure the Houston fans would swear the refs were from Dallas.
Here’s the bottom line - teenagers are bigger and faster today than they were 20 years ago. Most refs are either older, or greener - so neither can keep up just great. Let’s pay the refs more; and have stricter guidelines on coaches complaining - which would keep the fans in check. Thank you.
Fiction: “Kite Runner” by Hosseini[sp?] and I’ve heard the new one is also great. “The Righteous Men” by Bourne
Non-fiction: “Tempting Faith” by David Kuo, “Surprised by Jesus” by Tim Stafford, “Myths America Lives By” by Richard Hughes, “flashbang” by Mark Steele [Funny!], “A Heretic’s Guide to Eternity” by Spencer Burke, “The Forgotten Ways” by Alan Hirsh, “Exiles” by Michael Frost, “The Lost Message of Jesus” and “Intelligent Church” by Steve Chalke
I’ve been reffing for longer than I’ve been preaching and it’s a great way to keep in touch w/ people’s uncanny ability to not sin and to claim that their family/friends don’t either. The worst leagues are always “church leagues” because those guys don’t foul and think they should be forgiven if they do…
Blessings!
TLC
Let me suggest , The Fight of Faith - 1939 - 1981. Ian Murray , the second volume on the life of D.Martyn Lloyd.Jones. It would be a good book for anyone to read that is in ministry.
Jayber Crow still
Simply Christian, by N.T. Wright.
Mary Poppins????
I agree with reJoyce and recommend Ender’s Game and its sequels.
For some Jack Bauer like action try any of the Mitch Rapp novels by Vince Flynn or the Jack Reacher novels by Lee Child.
If you’d like to read a about a half Japanese half American assassin who does his dirty work against the backdrop of the Tokyo skyline try the John Rain novels by Barry Eisler.
None of these books will give you fodder for sermons, make you think, or enrich your vocabulary. But they will teach you how to kill someone up close in every way imaginable.
Your welcome.
Well Mike as you know I officiated softball for over 20 years and here in Abilene the girls softball is usually quite polite. Especially the girls. I hear it is much worse in little league but I can’t say so personaly. The adult slowpitch softball league however is filled with gripers and complainers. I would much rather call games for 7 year olds than for adults. You are right about the poor sports though I would have thought the percentages of Umpires quitting because of that would be higher.
As for books to read I am into fantasy so Anne McCaffrey has a good series called the Dragon Riders of Pern you might check out
Everyone on this blog who reads Jayber Crow will thank me.
If you haven’t read Paul Rusesabagina’s autobiography, An Ordinary Man, check it out.
Or, Ishmael Beah’s A Long Way Gone.
Good call on Stephen Lawhead, ReJoyce, especially the Byzantium recommendation!
Roland.
Mike will not read anything by Ann Coulter because she was invited to speak at his Alma Mata and he was not
Yes, Leland, _Jayber Crow_ is a wonderful book.
I just finished Annie Dillard’s new novel, _The Maytrees_. She says it is her last book. That’s bad news to me. This one was eight years in the making. It is a spare lyric meditation on a marriage.
Recently read _1776_ by historian David McCullough. I can see why he has won a couple of Pulitzer Prizes.
I suppose you’ve seen Darryl Tippens’s _Pilgrim Heart_ already, Mike. If not, I recommend it, too.
“Divine Nobodies” by Jim Palmer if you haven’t read it already.
I’m just a third of the way through but I think it’s really going to “put skin” on a lot of what Rob Bell and Brian McLaren talk about.
Going to Destin?
I recommend “America Alone” by Mark Steyn. He writes with a lot of wit in his pursuit of politically incorrect truth.
Wendell Berry wrote Jayber Crow
“Godless” by Ann Coulter really was a good book. You will understabd why certain people hate the fact that she gets the facts the press never tells us.
“Under the Tuscan Sun” is a nice, slow read, and can be put down and picked up again and again (I’m still not through). The author’s best descriptions are of the culture she’s immersed in, not the actual house being remodeled.
Speaking of remodeling, I’m in a fast, entertaining read called “Reconstructing Natalie” about a 28 yr old women who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer…An out-of-body experience perhaps for you, Mike, but a good read nonetheless. Other than the obvious she has to go through, two things strike me: how different her generation is from mine, yet she’s just 10 years younger, and how her home church where she was born and raised is not where she finds what she needs as she undergoes her treatment. I’m not finished yet, and it may turn out to have no redemptive qualities, but for you it may be worth the quick read just to undertake an examination of the later of the two points. I think it’s also a good window into the twenty-somethings and the writing shifts well portray the myriad of thoughts going through the mind of someone dealing with long-term treatment for a disease. Her portrayals of watching the people around her as she rides the cancer calliope are on target as well. It’s a cheap ticket to more sympathy if one’s life experience has not presented him/her with situational empathy! And for those of us who can empathize…well, I’m laughing my way through it.
For the record, I also enjoyed “Seabiscuit”, but it’s a little technical on the horse racing knowledge, and given your life’s work in the C of C, it would surprise me if you’re up on that. (And before anyone shouts, no, I don’t bet. But I hear they do that on ball games, too, not just horse racing!) I grew up watching horse racing, and it was enjoyable to me. The author’s writing style is great.
No matter what you read, enjoy it! And be sure to tell us about it!
Granted I haven’t read it yet, but “To Own a Dragon” by Donald Miller comes highly recommended by Sally Gary. It sounds like a must read and who wouldn’t want to read anything DM wrote?
“Cold Fire” or “Lightning” by Dean Koontz (I flew through these.)
“Fever” or “Outbreak” by Robin Cook
“The Negotiator” by Frederick Forsyth
Jayber Crow is about a single barber in a small town. No one gets blown up, no ring gets infiltrated, real simple life (Non-Paris) gets lived and Berry does a wonderful job of capturing several levels of meaning for a life well lived. Its about the value of everyone sitting in the pew and in the bar, doing what they do.
Come on man, read it!
Just to weigh in with another perspective………I read Jayber Crow and wasn’t all that impressed. It’s ok, and for sure not a waste of time…….but I wouldn’t include it in my top 100 books.
Are you old enough to know who Sly is?
Sorry Leland. Hey, this is what makes the world go around…….different strokes for different folks. Sly and the Family Stone type stuff!
DU
DU,
Fair enough. I know who Sly and the Family Stone are. The book spoke in a very profound manner to me but I shouldn’t expect it to speak to others in the same way. Point taken, I’ll shut up about Jayber Crow.
I would recommend “First We Quit Our Jobs” by Marilyn Abraham. The other is by Nicholas Sparks, “Two Weeks With My Brother.” They are both about travel and allow you to travel far and wide without leaving where you are. They are easy reads with fun information and pleasant surprises. Enjoy!
Rhythm Of Life by Matthew Kelly
Uncle Johns Bathroom Reader
I have to go with Harry Potter on this one!
Jeffery Deaver - The Cold Moon
David Baldacci - Last Man Standing
Both very good beach reads!!
Any thing written by Gary Hollaway is great.
Have to read Kite Runner and his new one A Thousand Splendid Suns. AMAZING. Wasnt interested in the topics but after much prompting I read “Runner”….They are both on my top ten list now! Just amazing.
Anything by Larry McMurtry…great Texan and he really paints a realistic picture of small town Texas…I also vote for Pat Conroy…
Almost forget…Anne Lamott has some good fiction and one of my favorites is Anne Tyler’s Saint Maybe…actually anthing by Anne Tyler
Confederates in the Attic will make you laugh out loud.
The History of Love is a good one also.
Great insight of ministry.
A great book is “The Dangerous Book for Boys” by Hal and Conn Iggulden. It’s non fiction and contains all the essential knowledge for boys 8 to 80
Although not as critically acclaimed as some of the other books listed, A classic Ian Fleming James Bond is always a good call for beach entertainment.
Oldies but goodies:
John Irving’s _The World According to Garp_ and _A Prayer for Owen Meany_.
Emily72: “Is ‘Godless’ Ann Coulter’s autobiography?”
Hee hee!
:) 
Leland:
I just reserved a copy of “Jayber Crow” at the public library based on your recommendation. You seemed quite passionate about it, so I thought I’d give it a look. At least you convinced SOMEBODY, huh?
“The Life & Times of the Thunderbolt Kid” by Bill Bryson—funny, light-hearted read for the beach! Have a RELAXING trip.
I have to agree with Matt when he said anything by Pat Conroy. The Lords of Discipline and My Losing Season are classics!
Mike,
If you are still looking for a book may I suggest this one - Once Upon A Town by Bob Greene is a delightful little book about the Miracle of the North Platte Canteen set up at a train depot in a small Nebraska town during World War II. The citizens decided to do something to show their support for the soldiers passing through on the military trains and so from coffee to fried chicken to cakes and magazines to friendly conversation this town ministered encouragement to the soldiers passing through. It is a wonderful testimony to the goodness of mankind. The canteen was fully staffed by local volunteers opening at 5:00A.M. every morning and closing after the last troop train pulled away after midnight from Christmas Day 1941 to the end of WWII.
“Wire to Wire” by George Cantor — A great book about the Detroit Tigers’ 1984 championship season.
The finest novel ever published - A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irvin. Its an oldie, but a goodie . . .
Life of Pie.
It’s a story that’ll make you believe in God
Wow, looks like we’ve narrowed it down to half the Abilene public library for you!!! Now you’re gonna have to tell us what you selected and how you rate it. I can feel the anticipation mounting. ;)`
Oops it’s Pi not Pie
No one else has recommended this, but it’s the best book I’ve read in several years. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Set in WWII Germany and narrated by Death. I read constantly and this is the first book that’s made me cry since reading Safely Home by Randy Alcorn. Not just ooh- that’s-touching-I-have-a-lump-in-my-throat crying, but rather tears-running-down-my-cheeks-why-did-I-wear-mascara-today crying.
So, yeah. Book Thief. Markus Zusak. Or it’s always good to revisit things. Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver or East of Eden by Steinbeck are always worth a reread.
WOW, almost 100 hits, 1,700 from 2,000,000 total hits and no one is hitting each other. What’s up with that?
I suspect that being a referee was part of your training for your ministry.
One that I haven’t seen mentioned (could have missed it) is “Gilead” by Marilynne Robinson. It won the Pulitzer in 2005 for fiction. It is a beautiful, gentle book about the love a “late-in-life” father for his very young son, written as a journal for the son. I just can’t say enough about this book.
The Kite Runner has been mentioned so many times, with good reason. Wallace Stegner’s “Angle of Repose” is also a good read.
You’re going to need a long vacation to fit all of these in.
I think everyone is way off base in the book suggestions. I really wish that you would pick up a Danielle Steel love story. They are simple, a little trashy, a very fun and quick read…and it will do wonders for you married love life…if you know what I mean.
Enjoy. Although I seriously doubt you will do this! Let us know your pick!
Fiction suggestions:
Any of Charles Martin’s:
My favorite is Wrapped in Rain (Miss Ella is more than memorable), but these by Martin are good, too: The Dead Don’t Dance and the sequel Maggie; also, When Crickets Cry
Other fiction by Francine Rivers:
Mark of the Lion Series (3), setting after 70 AD
and Redeeming Love, inspired by Hosea’s call to wed Gomer.
The Last Sin Eater, movie release in Feb. 07, now out on DVD
If you are like me, you read religious books all the time, so during the beach trip, I try to go non-religious. Need a break every now and then, try Collapse by Jared Diamond or The World is Flat.
http://www.matthewsblog.waynesborochurchofchrist.org
P.S. Check out my blog for reviews of many books, I read from all different fields.
Recommend: Last year I read a book that is now getting favorable reviews, though you may have read it already - _The Kite Runner_ by Khalid Hosseini (truly a good book). I also recently re-read _East Of Eden_ by John Steinbeck, which I had read in high school. It should be required to reread our high school and college fiction in our forties (or later). (smile) It is a different book. TIMSHAL!
Blessings,
D. Oden
Sounds vaguely like the story of my life.
A good friend of mine highly recommended: “Here’s a book you should read for kicks………..it’s a kid’s book but well worth your time……will take you only several hours to read. It’s called “The Teacher’s Funeral” . It is a comedy and something I was going to read and consider using in school. I had heard at a book workshop that it was good. I read it last week-end and was it a treat!!! Jill was with me at Daniel’s and I insisted she read it too. What a hoot! I will definitely use it at school. I haven’t been so entertained in quite a while.”
If you don’t read my other suggestion then here are the best alternatives:
War and Peace
Rise and Fall of the Third Reich
DSM-IV
Bring a spotter.
Started “Jayber Crow” today, Leland.
Mike,
My very first childhood friend just introduced me to your blog:) Heard you preach back in Abilene in early 90’s.
Books to read and not have to think too much…hmmm….
I think ANY books by T. Davis Bunn are winners! Spiritual, smart, great characters, plots, places! Only problem is, you might not notice the tide coming in!
Really enjoyed “Jayber Crow.” Thanks for the recommendatino, Leland. I will check out some other Wendell Berry books as a result. (Crow has some interesting and challenging insight on faith, I might add.)
Followed it up with Jeannette Walls’ “The Glass Castle” — WOW! Couldn’t put it down. I highly reocmmend it, Mike. One of the best book I’ve read in several months.
Thanks Matt. It wasn’t the “Jayber” Supremacy or Ulitmatum as far as exciyement but it did say alot to me about faith and redemption. I related very closely with this book. I want someone to dig my grave (in book, not cry for help).
did somebody already say “Blink?” — great intellectually and spiritually and a quick read