JEFF'S NON-FICTION READING OF 2020

 It's been an odd year. And with all the craziness, I didn't read much non-fiction. That surprised me: I expected with short hours at work not to read as much fiction and having more time to read non-fiction. Nope. The 28 fiction books I read was at the high end of normal, the 8 non-fiction wasn't. And I'll admit - I didn't finish one of the books I included yet.

Two variations. First, this list will not necessarily be my favorite non-fiction read this year. I'm including my first and last favorite in the list. Also, while I normally rank the non-fiction, this year I'm doing what I do with the fiction: putting them in alphabetic order by title. 

1. Building The Benedict Option by Leah Libresco. I've been promoting Rod Dreher's The Benedict Option for years (Dreher wrote the foreword for this book). This book is a follow-up on how to build community among believers. Dreher gives the why, Libresco suggests some hows. Enjoyable and thoughtful reading - she gave me some ideas including Easter caroling.
   
2. Come To The Lord'sTable by Claude King. The author, brother of my good friend and former pastor Dennis King, presents a 4-week guide for preparing for the Lord's Supper (aka Communion, Eucharist). King, who co-wrote Experiencing God with Henry Blackaby, has some practical ideas on getting your heart ready for this solemn Christian sacrament/ordinance. Included are some meditations by Andrew Murray.
   
3. The Gospel Comes With A House Key by Rosaria Butterfield. Excellent book dealing with showing hospitality, a very counter-cultural activity nowadays. I read it after reading the above mentioned Building The Benedict Option, and found it interesting to compare. You may not agree with her views, but she does a good job of showing how you can serve your brothers and sisters in Christ and be a witness to the lost.
   
4. The Knowledge Of The Holy by A. W. Tozer. The classic devotional volume on the attributes of God. I read this as one of the textbooks in Theology I at Bible College back in '85, and finally reread it. Wonderful book. If you haven't read it, you should.
5. The Life Of Christ In Stereo by Johnston M. Cheney. Like the above entry, a textbook from college, this time for Life Of Christ. This is a harmony of the Gospels where the author makes use of every word in the four Gospels. In doing so, he has some conclusions that are non-traditional, such as that Jesus' ministry was four years and that Peter denied Him a total of six times before the rooster crowed twice.
   
6. ReGrace by Frank Viola. This book, subtitled "What the Shocking Beliefs of the Great Christians Can Teach Us Today", has the valid, useful, and needed assumption is that Christian leaders are not infallible and thus we should not write someone of if we disagree with one doctrine.
   
7. Shapers of Christian Orthodoxy, edited by Bradley Green. This is a collection of ten individuals who impacted Christian thought through the centuries. (Technically, eight chapters - the Three Cappodocians were dealt with in the same chapter). If you want an introduction to the Church Fathers, I'd go with Bryan Litfin's Getting To Know The Church Fathers. Then, you're ready for this one. This goes deeper into the theology of these individuals.
8. With by Skye Jethani. This book was recommended by my good friend Josh Jacobs. Jethani mentions that people try to live a life for God, from God, over God, or under God, when His desire is for us to have a life with God.

Have you read any of these books? Are you motivated to read any of them? What books have you read?

JEFF'S 12 FAVORITE FICTION WORKS OF 2020.

 This year, I read 27 novels written by 22 authors. For those interested in statistics, a whopping 21 of the authors are ladies, and 12 of the authors were ones I never read before (one of which I read two novels). As far as genre, 8 were mysteries, 14 were suspense/romantic suspense, and 5 were speculative.

You notice the title said "fiction works" as opposed to "novels." I sometimes struggle with series, and I read parts of 5 series this year. Some of the series were basically a collection of stand-alone novels where it's easy to decide which you like better, and I count each of those novels separately. However, two series were actually big multi-part stories, and one was similar enough in style that I counted those series as a single entry.

One enjoyable thing about this year is that I was able to resume three series that didn't have any new books in them for 4-5 years, including two of my all time favorite series.
As usual, this list is in alphabetic order by title.

1. Act Of Valor by Dana Mentink (True Blue K-9 Unit, part 2). I loved the villain in this story. I also learned that Beagle is French for Big Mouth.
   
2. Against All Fierce Hostility by Donna Fletcher Crowe (The Monastery Murders, part 6). Felecity witnessed a murder in England. But she and her husband Father Antony don't have to worry about the killer as they take a scenic train across Canada. You wouldn't expect the murderer to cross the ocean with them, would you?
   
3. Amish Werewolves of Space by Kerry Nietz (Peril In Plain Space, part 3). Would you believe this series is serious sci-fi? Would you believe it is a good book on building community? If not, it's obvious you haven't read this great series yet. Shame on you. And my tongue is in its proper position as I'm typing this, not in my cheek as you'd suppose.
   
4. Blind Trust by Laura Scott (True Blue K-9 Unit, part 3). A dog trainer who's losing her eyesight is working on a puppy to be her guide dog ... till it gets kidnapped. Good thing a handsome police officer and his Golden Lab are up to the task.
   
5. Cards on the Table by Agatha Chrisie. One of four Poirot novels I read this year (three by Christie, plus the first written by Sophie Hannah). The Belgian detective with three other good guys are invited to dinner by a flamboyant troublemaker with his "tiger collection": four people he considers to be murderers who got away with it. Of course, you know what one problem with a tiger collection is, don't you?
   
6. Cat-groomer Mysteries, parts 1 and 2 (The Persian Always Meows Twice, The Bengal Identity) by Eileen Watkins. A delightful mystery series. Not Christian fiction, but safe reading.
   
7. Dead End by Nancy Mehl (Kaely Quinn Profiler, part 3). The nail biting conclusion of this suspenseful series, where Kaley confronts her serial killer father during a string of copy-cat murders.
   
8. Fatal Reunion by Jessica Patch. Piper runs a karate studio. She can take care of herself. She doesn't need God or her policeman ex-boyfriend. Right? You aren't buying that either?
   
9. The Firebrand Chronicles, parts 2 and 3 (Flare, Burn) by J. M. Hackman. I loved this YA fantasy series, which focuses on Brenna James and includes my hero, the gryphon Arvandus.
   
10. Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie. Was the mother guilty of the murder she was executed for over a decade ago? Her daughter asks Poirot to solve this, with Poirot interviewing the five eyewitnesses to what happened.
    
11. Seeking The Truth by Terri Reed (True Blue K-9 Unit, part 5). No spoilers here, but this was my favorite in this series (I read installments #2-7 of this 8 part series).
    
12. Tales of Faeraven, parts 3 and 4 (Sojourner, Dawn King) by Janalyn Voigt. An exciting conclusion to this fantasy series.

How many of these books have you read? Any that you'd like to try? Any novels you loved reading?

The Fun Of Making Lists

 It is the time of year that I make my lists of my favorite fiction and non-fiction books. These are forth-coming. But I'd like to share my thoughts on making these lists. 

1. Selecting the entries on the list.

This idea hit me when I was asked by my friend Tod Moses to show photos of my ten favorite athletes. I started by writing down the names of my favorite athletes, with a list of what I believe was 72. I then compared them to whittle it down to the top ten. The interesting thing? The top nine were no problem.  The hardest decision was which athlete was my 10th favorite and which was my 11th.

Since then, I've worked on a couple of lists, with set numbers in mind. The same thing happened. The biggest decision was between the last one to make the list and the first one that will be omitted. To me, this is an indicator I did a good job of thinking through that list.

When I listened to ESPN-radio, the hosts often share someone's top 10 lists, and then ask the audience who should be on the list, with one condition - they have to also name who to take off the list to make room for the addition. After all, there may be 25 people worthy to be considered for the top 10 list, but if there's even eleven on the list, it's no longer top 10.

2. The purpose of the list.

This brings me to my fiction lists. My goal usually is to have a top ten list of my favorite novels read that year. It rarely ends up being a top ten, for two related reasons.

First, the authors of the books often see the list. I'm sure that the author of the book I enjoyed the most would love to know their book was on the top of my list. But do they need to know they wrote my tenth favorite and that they almost didn't make my list? I doubt it. One author often writes my second favorite book of the year but never the top one. Does that person need to know they're always the bridesmaid and never the bride? I don't think so. 

Second is that most years, I've read more than ten novels that I really enjoyed and want people to be aware of. So I never leave it at ten. I'll have lists of twelve (this year will be one of those) or lists of fifteen. (And in another point, I'll be pointing out that those numbers are not as literal as you'd expect.)

These items relate to the purpose of my favorite books list, which actually is two. One is to point my reading friends to good books. The other is to encourage the authors. It lets them know their books are read and enjoyed.

3. Avoiding over-working myself in deciding what's on the list. 

Two years ago, I read the first five installments of a six part series which is currently my favorite series. While there was a definite ending point at each of the parts (as opposed to cliff-hangers), it still was one over-arching story. How do I decide in most cases which part I liked best? And should I have 1/3 of my list if I went to 15 be five different books in the same series?

Previously, I'd wrestle over where different books in a series fit. Two years earlier, I had read the first four of another six part series, and in the latter three it was clear the story wasn't over. I wrestled on how to fit them on the list.

This year I've read books in five different series. One of them is the 37 book Hercule Poirot collection by Agatha Christie. (For those who think, "I know who wrote Hercule Poirot," a modern author has been authorized to write new Poirot novels.) Those are easy - even though you have the same main character and often other regulars showing up, they basically are stand-alone stories. Another series was eight stories long (I read six of them last year). There is an over arching story, but basically these novels, written by different authors are practically stand-alone stories as well. So those novels I'll count separately.

But then there are the other three series. I read the final two books in two of the series, and in each case it was a cliff hanger. I'm counting that series as one entry rather than decide which part I enjoyed better. The third series was more stand alone, but the novels were pretty similar to each other. So again I'm counting the series as a single entry.

What kinds of lists have you compiled? Do you approach them as I do? Are you disappointed I don't number my favorite fiction list, or does it matter?

BOOK REVIEW - A LIGHTED LAMP: SCENES OF CHRISTMAS THROUGH TIME

 

 If you'd like a book to get you in the mood for Christmas, look no further.

This is a unique collection. It contains excerpts from Crow's previous novels looking at Christmas. Considering her books range from historical to contemporary, you have a nice kaleidoscope of the wintertime holiday from a medieval Scottish castle to celebrations at a modern day monastery.

In reading this book, you'll find different emotions as you visit settings on both sides of the pond. You also feel the anxieties, fears, and dangers faced by the characters as well as the hope, joy, and redemption of Christ's First Advent on the earth.

I have read short story collections by a few of my favorite authors, and those have turned out to be my least favorite book. THIS IS AN EXCEPTION! I really enjoyed these excerpts, and some of them have me interested in reading the whole book.

You may have noticed that this is the second Donna Fletcher Crow that I have reviewed for this blog. One interesting thing I'll mention - in the two most recent Monastery Murders novels, I was included in her list of rave reviews. But I had the honor of being asked to write a promotional blurb for the back cover.

BOOK REVIEWS: BUILDING THE BENEDICT OPTION AND THE GOSPEL COMES WITH A HOUSE KEY

 

I am in a Facebook group that was discussing The Benedict Option by Rod Dreher, and a memeber asked about any books about building community. I replied by telling them the three books I was currently reading, and allow me to review two of them. I'm still reading the third and will mention it later.

Building the Benedict Option: A Guide to Gathering Two or Three Together in His Name by Leah Libresco and The Gospel Comes with a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World  by Rosaria Butterfield have interesting similarities and contrasts. Both are written by former atheists who as adults converted to Christianity: Libresco to Catholicism, Butterfield to Reformed. Both distinguish true hospitality between counterfeit hospitality (when you pay for that hospitality). Also, both books came out in 2018.

Some of the differences are due to personality - Butterfield admits she's an introvert; I doubt that term fits Libresco. Others come from their theology. The main difference is that Libresco's focus is on how to create community and thus writes a lot about planned gatherings, while Butterfield's theme is that hospitiality is something that needs to be a part of our lives day in and day out.

Libresco's book was fun to read, and gave me some ideas, such as having a group discussing which saints influenced them (her approach was more Catholic than mine would be) and going Easter caroling (I love that idea - wish I thought of it sooner). She also encourages taking a role you enjoy doing. I would definitely recommend it.

If you had time for only one, though, I would point you towards Rosaria Butterfield's book. It deals with the cost of being hospitable, but makes the point that all Christians need to be hospitable. In it, she tells several stories about how hospitiality made a difference. One story was when a friend went in for eye surgery and told Rosaria she didn't need help and could get back and forth there and recover at home. Rosaria showed up at the clinic with her books and knitting, to let her friend know she was there for the long haul. Afterward, the friend stayed with Rosaria where she could recover.

The timing for the above question was excellent. I mentioned both of these books as well as the one I'm still reading: Kerry Nietz' Amish Werewolves of Space. You'll have to wait till I review that book to know if it also is a good book on hospitality. 

And yes, I intentionally am posting this the Tuesday preceding Thanksgiving.

 

IT MAY BE YOU MAY BE HIDDEN (Zephaniah Part 5)

 

    "The great day of the LORD is near; It is near and hastens quickly. The noise of the day of the LORD is bitter; There the mighty men shall cry out. That day is a day of wrath, A day of trouble and distress, A day of devastation and desolation, A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness, A day of trumpet and alarm Against the fortified cities And against the high towers. 'I will bring distress upon men, And they shall walk like blind men, Because they have sinned against the LORD; Their blood shall be poured out like dust, And their flesh like refuse.' Neither their silver nor their gold Shall be able to deliver them In the day of the LORD's wrath; But the whole land shall be devoured By the fire of His jealousy, For He will make speedy riddance Of all those who dwell in the land.  

    "Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, O undesirable nation, Before the decree is issued, Or the day passes like chaff, Before the LORD's fierce anger comes upon you, Before the day of the LORD's anger comes upon you! Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the LORD's anger."

Zephaniah 1:14-2:3, NKJV

 This is a long section, but allow me to deal with two issues.

First, judgment is coming. The term "Day of the LORD" deals with judgment, and often corresponds to the seven year Tribulation period. At times, it also includes the millennial kingdom, but in this case it deals with wrath.

We need to remember God judges sin. Each sin is against God (Ps. 51:4). Jesus died for our sins, and that's proof that sin is not a trivial matter. In 1 John 3 and 5, sin is equated with lawlessness. In other words, you can call sin treason against God.

The other issue is God will forgive if we turn from our sin. The first three verses of Zephaniah 2 is a call to repentance. That theme is throughout the Bible. Isaiah 55:7 states that if a wicked man turns from his ways and an unrighteous man from his thoughts, God will pardon. 2 Peter 3:9 says that He is not willing that any should perish but that all come to repentance. Ezekiel 18:32 informs us that God does not delight in the death of man, and so calls us to turn and live.

The final promise is precious. It may be that God will hide us in the day of His wrath. This is why some believe in a rapture. And note - in Scripture it doesn't mean we will be free from tribulation and/or persecution - John 16:33 and 2 Timothy 3:12 informs us otherwise. But we will be saved from eternal wrath (John 3:16; Romans 6:23), and it may be that we're saved from God's wrath on the wicked world as well.

DR. EEYORE AND MR. TIGGER? OR IS IT THE OTHER WAY AROUND?

 

"You are Winnie the Pooh, and you've won free professional counseling. Since you are well adjusted, you don't need them for yourself. So do you give them to gloomy Eeyore or to bouncy Tigger?"

This was a Table Topics question presented at a Toastmasters meeting I attended fifteen years ago. (Table Topics is a portion where one Toastmaster asks questions to other members and with no prep time they give a one to two minute answer.)

No, I wasn't the one who received this question. But I did come up with an answer: Neither. I would rather get Eeyore and Tigger to work together so they would help balance each other out, and give the counseling sessions to grouchy Rabbit.

But would my idea (the one of pairing Eeyore and Tigger, not the one of sending Rabbit to the shrink) actually work? Or would they irritate each other so much that it would make both worse? 

While you're trying to pin that tail on the donkey, one possible title for my autobiography would be "Dr. Eeyore and Mr. Tigger", with apologies to Jekyll and Hyde. Of course, that would assume that in reality I'm an Eeyore, who changes into a Tigger alter ego. Is that correct? Or is it vice versa, with Tigger being the real me, convinced that I'm really Eeyore instead?

Whichever is the case, this year has brought out my inner Eeyore, with Tigger quarantined - all the social distancing and stay at home orders took the bounce out of him. COVID-19 and the elections are factors, but they aren't alone - this has been a year of change in many ways. 

I don't want to go into all that's going on, but I want to deal with the artist part of me. I finally dusted off my novel, re-worked it, and submitted it to some potential publishers and agents. And I'm still with it published. I would have loved for my Dad to have been able to read the published book, but he passed away last year. I'm wondering if it's that I just haven't reached the goal line, or is it that I'm either not a publishable author or that my WIP (Work In Progress) for the past fourteen years won't have enough of an audience to get the support of a publisher or agent?

Add to this that I'm a former songwriter, visual artist, and ceramist. I've done some drawings off and on (including my favorite characters, posted about a month ago), but I've been too busy with my novel and other activities over the last few decades to write songs, and I haven't touched clay since taking a college level ceramics class in Spring of '78 (unless you count getting to play with Play-Dough once in '86). 

To be honest, this blog hasn't been the most encouraging either. Part of it is time. My goal is to have four blogs a week, and I'm doing well when I get one up. Another part is that I'm still not having a regular readership, with many blogs in the low single digits of being viewed, and even fewer comments. 

May I ask you to help in one of the following ways? 

• First and foremost, please pray for me, that the Lord directs me. 
• If anybody wants to read a few chapters of my novel, and let me know if they want to read more, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!! And should you want to read the rest of it, I'd be glad to let you.
• Please pray for this blog. Should I keep on, or give it up? And if you want to read regularly and leave comments at times, it would be appreciated.

Thank you very much for reading this blog.