As summer quickly approaches (temperatures in Huntsville have already hit 90 degrees on a few occasions!), I’m anxiously awaiting some down time from the grad school scene to be able to read a few books I’ve been wanting to read. It seems as if I always have a stack of books that I’ll get to someday. And although I still have a few books to read this summer for class (I’ll be taking two courses this summer), I’m chomping at the bit to leaf through something other than the texts I have to read. This is what I want to read, baby. So without further adieu, here is my official summer reading list for ’06:
Grace Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel. At the behest of my good friend, Scott, this will be my first summer read. In fact, I’ve already read a couple chapters and so far, so good. Scott says it’s the best book on parenting he’s ever read and the wife and I are always looking for good parenting resources. I hope this one is as good as billed. Book report forthcoming.
Archaeology & the New Testament by John McRay and Backgrounds of Early Christianity by Everett Ferguson. Two of the books I have to read for an independent study course I’m taking. Definitely encyclopedic reading, but I can tolerate it. Besides, who among us hasn’t wondered about the topography of Thessalonica?
Fantasyland by Sam Walker. Every summer, I pick a baseball book to read through. I’m pumped because this year’s selection covers extremely familiar terrain: fantasy baseball. Walker immersed himself in the world of fanalytics and this book chronicles his season playing roto ball in the expert Tout Wars league. Got it as an Easter gift and I’ve already burned through 60 pages. I’ll have this one finished by the end of the week.
Mere Discipleship by Lee Camp. I’m anxious to delve into this one. My buddy T.H. is a student of Camp’s and he raves about him. Some of my good friends have read this one and they say it’s life-changing. Camp’s call to “radical discipleship” is sure to be challenging, but I’m up for it.
Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. We’ll be reading this one as a youth ministry staff this summer. I read this short little book years ago, but I thought it apropos to revisit it in light of our summer theme. Anything by Bonhoeffer is well worth your time.
Well, there you have it. Considering I’m a full-time youth minister, this may be a pretty ambitious reading list…I’ll keep you posted.
What’s on your reading list? Any other suggestions? Maybe I can pick up some copies of your suggestions for my summer ’07 list!
already & not yet 
That is ambitious, good luck with that.I’m almost finished (after several starts and stops) Anne Rice’s The Christ Child, but since it’s only April I guess I can’t count that as summer reading (but with the temp in the 90s, maybe I can!).On the near horizon: 1)How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization by Franklin Foer (in preparation for the upcoming World Cup)2)Fallen by David Maine (author of The Preservationist, my favorite biblical historical fiction novel so far)3)Gilead by Marilynne Robinson4)Light From Heaven by Jan Karon (This is the ninth novel in The Mitford series. I know all those fancy theological books are necessary, but this series should be required reading for all seminarians and even those who have been out a while but who are representing God in a “professional capacity”).
I will finish Taylor Branch’s civil rights trilogy followed by:–“Velvet Elvis : Repainting the Christian Faith” Rob Bell–“A Critical Introduction To The New Testament: Interpreting The Message And Meaning Of Jesus Christ”Carl R. Holladay–“Paul: In Fresh Perspective” N. T. Wright–“The Challenge of Jesus: Rediscovering Who Jesus Was and Is” N. T. Wright –“The Secret Message of Jesus : Uncovering the Truth that Could Change Everything” Brian McLaren–“The Body Broken: Embracing the Peace of Christ in a Fragmented Church” Jack R. Reese
How crazy is it to think that when you get into your summer ’07 reading list, I will be a college grad. What in the world am I going to do?!?! If you come across any churches looking for a female youth minister… send ’em my way! 🙂 I am going to finish reading ~C.S.Lewis’s Reflections on the PsalmsAlong with that I am going to do some extensive reading on Lamentations.Other than that, my reading list is open for suggestions. I might check out some listed right here.
Scott, I’ve heard mixed reviews on Bell’s book. I’m told he’s a much better speaker. You’ll have to give me your input, though.N.T. Wright? Are you writing a term paper or something? Seriously, he’s great.I thought you said McLaren was a quack.Mike,I’ve never read any David Maine. The Preservationist, eh? I’m intrigued. I’ve told you about Wangerin…that’s about all the biblical historical fiction I’ve ever read.You’re right…my list may be too ambitious…especially considering the fact that I was just assigned two more books to read for my practicum!
I am going to try to read “The Cross Examination of Jesus Christ” by Randy Singer. One of our staff members here read it and loved it.Also on my list, an older book you recommended to me years ago — The Ragamuffin Gospel by Manning. I finally bought it, now lets read it.Other than that, I don’t know that I’ll have much more time to do any reading.
Mclaren is growing on me. More to come on that.We’ve gotta get Brasco going.
Hadn’t thought of it till this blog…but w/graduation in a few weeks…I could spend the rest of my life reading nothing but cheap beach reads and People magazine!!! And there was much rejoicing…Instead, here’s my list:-“The Prophetic Imagination” by Brueggemann-“Down in the River to Pray: Revisioning Baptism as God’s Transforming Work” by John Mark Hicks and Grag Taylor-“Truman” by David McCulloghI’m still wishing you’d read Narnia! LucyPS–2nd post on your blog
Welcome, Lucy! Could she possibly become a “regular” to the A&NY commenting circle?I promise you I will read Narnia. Soon. Add it to the list.Brueggemann’s “Prophetic Imagination” is good, so I hear. Corey picked up a copy of it for a grad class last fall. I’ve read his “David’s Truth”…good stuff. Scott, I hear that this McLaren book is pretty good. I’ve told you before, I love the book he and Campolo co-wrote, “Adventures in Missing the Point”. But I hear McLaren’s latest is his most accesible. I have to say that as an INTJ, I’m going against the grain of my personality by reading two books at once right now. But I’m loving the “Fantasyland” book…it’s a quick read. I’m not about to convert to a “P” just yet.
And you’re right, Scott…we need to revive Brasco. Any thoughts? Discuss the Duke rape case, maybe?
Lane,”Ragamuffin” is still one of my favorites. You’ll really enjoy it. Lucy, do you remember when we read that at Northeast, many moons ago? Wow…Lane, after you read “Ragamuffin”, you should follow it up with Yancey’s “What’s So Amazing About Grace?”.
I can’t read two books at once. Not really into the Duke case.How about a music or movie thread?
Ragamuffin was great. One of my fav. prayers is quoted by Manning in that bk..Joshua Abraham Heschel’s…a line of which forms the title of Eugene Peterson’s new “Christ plays in ten thousand places” bk…Ragamuffin’s sequel ‘Ruthless Trust’ is a “read at least once every year” book for me.Lucy
Lucy, I’m glad you’re posting your thoughts out here “in the void”, rather than conversing with a flesh and blood human! I could never get into “Ruthless Trust”…I read most of it, but I guess I was expecting another “Ragamuffin”. Scott,I could do a music thread. Any ideas?Also, I had a long trip today (Wednesday), so I rented “Christ the LORD: Out of Egypt”, the Ann Rice book, on CD. I’ve listened to about 8 chapters…not sure I like it or not…anybody read it? Is it worth my time or should I just go ahead and return it?
Jason–As I mentioned above (although I had the title wrong), I’m currently reading Rice’s novel. The telltale sign is that I’ve been working on it for 3 months and am still only 3/4 of the way through. In other words, it hasn’t really done anything for me. There have been a couple of passages that have shined, but all in all, the story has really dragged.On the other hand, I finally picked up Blue Like Jazz recently and blew through it in 3 days, loving practically every bit of it.
Mike,I see…I wasn’t sure if you were referencing the same book or a different Rice novel that I was unaware of. I’m like you…I’ve been underwhelemed thus far. Based on your comment, I may go ahead and return the CDs and save myself the 7 remaining hours of listening time.Jazz is great. I read it last summer and thoroughly enjoyed it. I haven’t enjoyed his other works as much…but Jazz is solid.
Use my rule Jason–If a book doesn’t grab you in 30 pages, toss it. If it’s a book that is acclaimed or people say you should love it, give it 50. Life is too short and there are too many books that are worth reading to stick with one that could go either way.Greatest songwriters?Greatest songs?How about one on blog etiquette? Let’s set the standard.
Give me until after tomorrow and then I’m back on Brasco 100%. Gotta finish my final term paper.By the way, I haven’t left you any comments recently, but I love the latest post, Scott. Anxious to hear “the rest of the story”.
Hey,I’ve got an idea for the one on blog etiquette. How about one entitled “To snark, or not to snark?” Or better yet, WJST? (Would Jesus Snark Too?).Jason & Scott–neither of you have left any comments for me lately. Is this the blog equivalent of “disfellowshipping?”Oh for the day when I will finally write a 20 comment post!
Mike,We heard you were a one-cupper, so we cut you off.Seriously, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. After tomorrow, I’ll be done for the semester. No more term papers. Then I’ll be back to leaving comments. Promise.
Mike, waiting for the J.J. Reddick for Senator post to weigh in.Let’s do the blog etiquette thing–could be good.
By the way, Mike, you may notice Jason hasn’t left a comment on my blog lately either.The “king of padded comments” now leaves his comments to me on his own blog.
Ka-ching! Here come’s another pellet Jason!J.J. Redick for Senator…hmmm, I think that one might have legs.
“The King of Padded Comments?” I have no idea what you’re talking about.By the way, I ripped off the headlines post from your wife, Scott. You should leave me a comment and rip me for it.
Hey, Jason. I try to pick a good sports book or bio to read every once in a while too. Of course, I own Favre, Brett Favre’s autobiography. It’s really good. I suggest it to anyone who is a fan of the ironmen of football, because he certainly is one. But the book I want to try to get a read this summer is Shoeless Joe, the book that was inspiration for one of the greatest sports movies, Field of Dreams. Have you read it? And, by the way, we should maybe try to bring back the Top Ten of Everything. We could do a Top Ten Sports Movies of All-Time. Something to think about, my man…
Jake,I read Shoeless Joe a few summers ago. It’s awesome. I actually liked it better than the movie. You should check it out.We should resurrect the Top Ten. Get it going, man.