I haven’t done a books / music / movies post lately, so here are my random thoughts about my latest media consumption.
Books
I read two books last week: William P. Young’s The Shack and Three Nights in August by Buzz Bissinger. The Bissinger book takes an inside look at baseball from the perspective of a manager, specifically the skipper of my beloved Redbirds, Tony LaRussa. The narrative centers around a critical three game series the Cards played against the Cubs in the stretch run of the 2003 season. I try to read at least one baseball book every summer and this one didn’t disappoint. Since Bissinger writes about my favorite team, I probably enjoyed this one more than most people would. But I think even the casual fan would have a greater appreciation for the strategic moves that are a part of managing. (Well, at least in the National League anyway.) I highly recommend Three Nights in August to fans of the game. Even Cub fans.
As for The Shack…well…my review is less favorable. I’d heard several people rave about this book so I was excited when a member of our Honduras mission team let me read her copy on the way home. But I have to say…I don’t see what the fuss is all about. Maybe I shouldn’t have read it when I was so tired. I dunno.
Music
Lately, I’ve been in this acoustic / bluegrass / country mood. Actually, that’s pretty much all I’ve been listening to for the last 3 months. I’ve been absolutely wearing out my playlist of Old Crow Medicine Show and The Avett Brothers. I’m still kicking myself for not going to see them in concert when they were in Huntsville a month or two ago (although I’m seriously eyeing the Old Crow show at the Ryman on October 9). “Go To Sleep” by the Avett Brothers has quickly become my favorite song of the year. If you’re into that kind of music, I’ve come across another great band called
I’ve also been listening a lot to a band called The Two Man Gentleman Band. My friend Scott told me about a free download of their album a few months back; I got a copy but I didn’t have the chance to really listen to it until recently. It’s really quirky stuff, but it’s right up my alley. I particularly like “William Howard Taft” and “The Square Root of Two”.
I’m stoked that the new Coldplay disc will be out next Tuesday. I know it’s either love-’em-or-hate-’em with Coldplay, but I love ’em. I love “Viva la Vida”. I’m a sucker for anything “new creation”, though.
Movies
I haven’t seen anything at all lately. Sunny and I are thinking about seeing something on Friday. I would go see Indiana Jones, but everybody I know says it’s just awful. (How smart does Sean Connery look now for turning down the opportunity to be a part of this trainwreck?) I’d love to see The Happening, but no way does Sunny go for that. The movie I’m really excited about this summer is The Dark Knight, but it doesn’t come out until July. So, any suggestions? Help me out, movie buffs, or I might be stuck seeing Kung Fu Panda.
already & not yet 
I thought the Kung Fu Panda movie looked kinda good actually.There’s also that Guru movie with Mike Myers in it, or Austin Powers part 5.Iron Man was one of the best movies I’ve seen in a while, but I venture to say I won’t be seeing a good movie for a while now.
If I didn’t know you I would take offense at the “pop theology” dig at The Shack, a book I whole-heartedly recommend.I have to counter that it is anything but. Pop theology does not move anyone out of their comfort zone and encourage them to confront their relationship and perceptions of God in new ways, which The Shack does. Pop Theology doesn’t push the envelope on the inclusive, universal power of the love of God. Is it the best written book? No. But it is forcing a lot of people to rethink who God is and realize that there is a richness to His love that we have often soft-pedaled in favor of condemnation and legalism.
I’ll agree that it moves people out of their comfort zones, but it’s the universalist tenor of the book that struck me as popular. I thought it came off a little too cutesy and saccharine IMHO. Maybe I shouldn’t have read it all in one day. I tried to like it. I really did.
Lane,I wouldn’t send my worst enemy to see that Mike Myers movie.
You could try Baby Mama. Its probably better than Indy.
I just finished listening to the new Coldplay album…I LOVE it! twice as good as the last one in my opinion.As far as movies go…I don’t think there is a movie I would pay to go see right now except for Iron Man. I’ve heard great things about it from almost everyone who saw it – and like you I’ve heard almost nothing good about Indy.
I meant to put this in the last comment…it’s a link to listen to the entire Viva la Vida album for free.http://www.iheartmusic.com/cc-common/news/sections/special/coldplay.html
Thanks for the link, T.H. And I should’ve listened to you guys. Indy was pretty bad.