My Fall 2012
Reading List

I have added a number of books to my Kindle over the past 24 hours.  These books have all been provided by the publishers for the purpose of creating honest reviews over the next few weeks.  I kind of think of these books as being the books on my nightstand - which is not a bad metaphor, since I do keep my Kindle on the nightstand at night.  If I wake up at 3:00 AM, I will then have something to read.  Okay here is the list, along with some comments as to why I chose these particular books.

__________________________

1. Just Politics: A Guide for Christian Engagement by Ronald J. Sider
   
   
   
   Ron Sider wrote a classic book on the Christian's use of his or her finances to make a difference in our broken world.  His newest book is an attempt to do the same for the Christian who is involved with or interested in politics.  I am looking forward to reading this book as we approach what is shaping up to be one of the more important Presidential elections in US history.
   
   
2. Hobbit Journey, A: Discovering the Enchantment of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth by Matthew Dickerson
   
   
   
   
   Just as I completed a review of A Hobbit Devotional, this book crossed my path from Baker Publishing (Brazos Press).  With the soon to be released film version of "The Hobbit", I have enjoyed exploring with these authors the spiritual implications that I enjoyed reading nearly 40 years ago.  I am looking forward to reading this second attempt to explore the Christian themes in J. R. R. Tolkien's classic work.

3. Reading the Gospels Wisely: A Narrative and Theological Introduction by Jonathan T. Pennington
   .
   
   
   
   
   The Gospels introduce us to the life, character, and work of Christ.  Jonathan Pennington attempts to show us, not how the gospels each tell of Jesus Christ, but how they collectively do so.  Written for the academic - whether professor, student, or pastor - the book caught my attention as a Pastor who loves wrapping his preaching in the lives of the men and women of Scripture, including Jesus.
   
   
4. Computing for Ordinary Mortals by Robert St. Amant
   
   
   
   As most know, I spent most of my career in higher education teaching computer science.  The one course I taught semester after semester was CSC 101 - Introduction to Computer Science.  The course was a simple introduction to computing and its impact on society for non-majors.  This book would have been an excellent text or ancillary text for this freshman level course.  Though I am only in the middle of the first chapter, I am looking forward to reading the entire text prior to writing my review.
   
   
5. 52 Ways To Grow Your Faith by Gregg Peter Farah
   
   
   
   

   A number of years ago I preached a series of sermons on the spiritual disciplines.  My sermons focused on the the traditional disciplines as normally used within the church.  This book discusses some of those traditional disciplines, yet it goes a step further in giving the believer tools to use individually, corporately, and within your community.  At first glance, the book is practical - very practical. 
   
   
6. Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi - Volume 1  Force Storm by John Ostrander
   
   
   
   I first saw Star Wars in a drive-in theater with my wife shortly after our third wedding anniversary.  The story has come a long way since then.  This book, on the other hand, serves as a prequel to all of the canonical stories.  Rather than being a novel to be read, it is a comic book.  Eventually to be released as a trade paperback, I will be reading this on my Kindle Fire.  I will be looking forward to again exploring the excitement of the Star Wars universe.   

__________________________

Well, my reading is set for the next few weeks.  The variety of genres, topics, and formats, will make for an interesting fall.  Reviews will follow.