What's On Your Nightstand - January 2012

RECENTLY READ:

The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers: A King’s Ransom (F) - Jude Watson.  I started reading The 39 Clues series with the boys sometime back, and this is the latest installment. It didn’t hold my attention as well as the others, but it was okay....and, hey, it’s written for a young teen audience, and, let’s face it, I haven’t been a member of that audience for a LONG time now, so that’s probably why the lack of attention.....

The Limit (F) - Kristen Landon. I liked this one. It is also for a teen audience, I guess, but the story was interesting with a chilling premise. I found it...actually my oldest son found it....through a book order. This book is about a world where “kids are being taken away to workhouses if their families exceed the financial debt limit imposed by the government.” (From the back cover) Believable characters and a scenario that I think isn’t really all that far-fetched --I don’t think it’s too hard to imagine a world where such things could happen. Lots to talk to my boys about while reading it - the dangers of an overreaching government, ahem, and the dangers of materialism and unwise use of credit. 

A Journey in Grace: A Theological Novel - Richard Belcher. This was not intended to be the best novel ever, and it isn’t. But, as a vehicle for explaining doctrines of grace in a biblical and understandable and logical manner, it was very effective. I borrowed it from my dad when we were visiting a while back, and at first I thought it might be kind of dull, but I found when I started reading that I had a hard time putting it down. I also found that the very biblical dealing with the doctrines explained was compelling, interesting, and, ultimately, comforting.  Here’s a blurb from the back cover: “This is the story of a young pastor with a typical twentieth century theology and his pursuit of a burning theological question which was triggered in his first experience with a pulpit search committee. He cannot and does not rest until he has answered the challenge of the question, “Young man, are you a Calvinist?” 

READING NOW:

The Fifth Witness (F)- Michael Connelly. One of my favorite authors....another courtroom mystery/drama involving his defense attorney Mickey Haller character. Enjoying it so far. Language caution. 

PROBABLY NEXT UP:

The Poisonwood Bible (F) - Barbara Kingsolver. I picked this one at the library because my mom told me she thought I’d like it. Reading the flap, I think she’s probably right. She usually is about these things. 

A Tale of Two Cities (F) - Charles Dickens. This was the first Dickens novel I ever read and I LOVED it. I want to reread it now that I’m an adult and have forgotten so much of it. I imagine I’ll understand it even better now. I downloaded a cheap (I think maybe it was free) copy to my NOOK. 

What are you reading this month? You can see and join other lists at 5 Minutes for Books.