Hearts & Minds Books

I did my clever little intro in the last post, admitting that I'm not quite able to come up with that One True Best Book Of The Year.  Not even a top ten list.  Yet, I explain, we do want to give honorable mentions---I'd like to think a mention from Hearts & Minds is honorable, but some may disagree about that.  Here, then, is PART TWO of our declarations of distinction for non-fiction books in the year of our Lord 2011.

As you can see at the easy to use links at the end we have these all on sale at 20% off.

THE PUBLISHING EVENT OF THE YEAR

Four Holy Gospels  Makoto Fujimura (Crossway) $149.99  We promoted this several times this year, and had the great privilege of being with Mako at his premier IAM Encounter event early in 2011.  The abstract art is evocative and the illuminations are both ancient and yet very contemporary.  The publisher reports that this is the first time a single artist has been commissioned to do an illuminated Bible portion in centuries.  This deserves awards for the clear and accurate translation of the ESV, the good binding and print job, but mostly for this extraordinarily creative, lavish, and reverent art done in serve of the Word.

THE ALL AGES AWARD FOR BEST BOOK FOR ANY GENERATION

The Next Christians: The Good News About the End of Christian America Gabe Lyons (Doubleday) $19.99  I must say this is one of the best books of the year for the sorts of things we most care about and the kinds of books we care to promote.  It is easy to read, but not lightweight; it is thoughtful and provocative, but not weird or unusual; it is Biblically-rooted, faithful, and orthodox, but not hidebound or stuffy. This is a book for all kinds of readers and it does two great things.  The first part is a good bit of important "finger to the wind" assessment of our time.  Jesus advises us to be able to read the signs of the times, and Lyons does this well: he notes how the culture wars are nearly over, the notions of a "Christian American" losing cache in even evangelical circles, and how such civil religious assumptions are certainly irrelevant to today's rising generation of Christian younger adults.  He tells stories galore, offers just enough astute scholarship and footnotes, and in a few good chapters brings us up to the minute on where we are culturally.  This itself is laudable--and, on a second recent reading, more important than perhaps I first realized. Great stuff! 

The second half of Next Christians, though, is even better as Lyons shares his sense of how younger Christians see their life and times, what discipleship means these days, how being involved in the real world--living out Christ-like service by making the world a better place--is seen as central.  Lyons is being, I think, a tad proscriptive here, telling us what we ought to be thinking, how faith ought to be construed as we live under the Lordship of Christ in all areas of life and he is spot on.  However, he also is convinced this is the tone and vision of younger Christian folks, it is the heartbeat of the rising generation, the sort of activist folks he mets in his symposiums, his speaking at Christian colleges, those who read his award-winning website Q Ideas, or who attend his classy networking conference, sort of a Christian TED event, called Q.  These specific shifts about which he writes beautifully---embracing ideas of vocation, of lived practices, of spirituality, of being culture-makers (not critics),  of living in community, of making a difference---could largely be summarized by the term "restoration."  Younger adult Christians are taking their cue from some older leaders and edgy new books and the conversations happening all over the country insisting that faith is shaped by the whole story of God--Christ is redeeming His planet---and that influences how we engage the world, as agents of transforming change.  We are called to be signposts pointing towards the restoration God is doing in the world. This is sweet stuff, radical without seeming pushy, exciting without being overheated, hopeful without naivety.

 Do you mind if I shout about this a bit?  This is truly one of the best books of 2011, a Hearts & Minds favorite, and an invigorating wake up call to us all---if this is, indeed, the direction the Spirit is moving (and I attest that it is) we should get on board.  Join us in celebrating this good title, honoring this good work. Buy three: one for yourself, one for your church library, and one for anybody you may think that faith is stuff, out of touch or socially irrelevant.  As your proper mother might say, warmest congratulations.  As a younger reader might shout, "boo-yah!"  Or as the kids say, ridiculous.   No matter your age, you need this book. Buy. It. Now.

SMALL AWARD WITH GREAT LOVE

Small Things With Great Love: Adventures in Loving Your Neighbor  Margot Starbuck (Likewise/IVP) 15.00  I wrote about this recently, offering a long review gushing about this book, the joy it brings (it is a fun, fun read) and how well Starbuck writes. Beyond the zany tone, though, this is a very serious book, challenging.  It pushes us, calls us, invites us, teaches us, shows us, how to reach out to others, how to see the alienation and poverty and sadness around us and to take up the vocation of being Christ's hands and feet in this world of need.  There is literally something for everyone (young marrieds? She has your number!  Senior citizens?  You can't get out of this. either. Singles, men, women, introverts. left-handed plumbers from Idaho?  (Okay, I made that last part up.)  She has written this to be helpful, offering real insights along with the wit, and it offers such a valuable new vision of taking steps to serve the poor that it simply must be listed in this Best Books of 2011 list.  Ours is a small award, and in some ways, this is a small book.  Written with such great love.  Yes!

A NOT NORMAL AWARD

Folks, This Ain't Normal: A Farmer's Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a Better World Joel Salatin (Center Street) $25.99  The New York Times called him "the High Priest of the Pasture" (he was featured in several recent foodie documentaries, and was cited in Pollen's Omnivore's Dilemma.)  I think of him and this remarkable book as less of a priest but, rather, as a prophet, denouncing the unsustainable and unhealthy way we think about food and where it comes from and how we get it.  He's a hoot and a half, a vibrant writer that makes very serious stuff very enjoyable to learn about.  One reviewer said it well, that it is "as practical as it is reflective."  Highly recommended for anybody who eats.



BEST COFFEE TABLE GIFT BOOK

Indescribable: Encountering the Glory of God in the Beauty of the Universe Louie Giglio & Matt Redman (Cook) $24.99  This nice sized hardback printed on heavy, glossy paper, offers some of the most amazing photographs of outer space that you will ever see.  Using the latest telescopes of the Hubble spacecraft, this shows the grandeur of the universe, the awesome glory of our home planet--even as it seems like a tiny speck of dust.  Giglio is a passionate preacher, Redman a fine and thoughtful contemporary worship leader.  Together they have given us a book full of theology and science, wonder and delight, a classy gift and a truly God-honoring, Christ-exalting, Spirit-driven look at creation.  God is amazing to create such amazing things, and Christ is to be praised for entering our tiny little world.  This is moving stuff, but alongside the enriching homilies is fascinating data, good stuff about science, and these wonderful, indescribably good pictures.  There is a brief forward by Joe Tanner, one of the most accomplished NASA astronauts (who has logged over 1000 hours in outer space and has done space walks) and Dr. Jennifer Wiseman, an astronomer who is currently the Senior Project Scientist for NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.  Nicely designed, this is an award winner if I ever saw one.  Congratulations to all involved in bringing such a fine book to our coffee tables.

A FULLY HUMANE AWARD OF GREAT HONOR: BEST NEW BOOK ABOUT WENDELL BERRY

The Humane Vision of Wendell Berry edited by Mark Mitchell & Nathan Schlueter (ISI Books) $29.95  Any time there is a new book about Wendell Berry, it is cause for celebration.  We have several good ones about him, a few real favorites.  This could be the very best yet done, it is that good!  It came out just at the end of the year and while we do not hesitate to honor it was our feeble little award, I haven't read all the chapters yet.  Believe me, I surely will---this is a truly provocative and fascinating collection, including some folks who really understand the agrarian populism ideals of Mr. Berry, linking him to a more conservative, Jeffersonian vision and rejecting the notions that only liberals who are against big business, say, should embrace him. (It does seem that conservatives have not paid as much attention to Berry as they might.) As the thoughtful editors of this extraordinarily rich volume note, "Berry's work defies easy categorization and provides an alternative to the hackneyed left-right divide that typifies our national debates. In fact, Berry's clear-eyed and deeply humane view of human existence offers a vision of the good life that is desperately needed in these uncertain and unsettled times."  You won't believe the array of interesting writers, social critics, farmers, poets and theologians who have pieces here--including a few friends of ours! It isn't every day we see Allan Carlson, Matt Bonzo, Anne Husted Burleigh, D.G. Hart, Rod Dreher, Wallace Stegner and Caleb Stegall -- and many more -- all together.  One person quipped this is about conservatism, conservationism, and community.   Anybody who labors to create a book this handsome, with such a range of voices, exploring with such depth, the writings of one of  our greatest writers, surely deserves a distinguished honor.  Maybe some more important source will give them a prestigious prize.  For now, we are among the first to holler out from our small town that that this is an amazing, great book. 

A BIG OL' DELUX WASHING MACHINE AWARD: (GOTTA HAVE AN AGITATOR TO GET THE CLOTHES CLEAN)

Love Wins Rob Bell (HarperOne) $24.99  I don't know if Rob is an agitator, per se.  I don't think that is his intent.  But I hope he'd relishe this award--an agitator in a washing machine does the job of getting the job done, and in this sense, he deserves applause for getting an important conversation started, for stirring things up, for rocking and rolling us all a bit.  It is my belief that some bloggers overstated their criticisms and too many were unkind. I am equally sure that some folks too readily agreed with his position without adequately thinking through all the issues.  But (I hope, I hope) most readers are thoughtful, wanting to be faithful and true, and studied the book with an open heart and critical mind.  Most readers took him seriously, but perhaps with the proverbial grain of salt.  By the way, if anybody out there is giving awards for anything, I think I deserve at least to be a finalist for contributing too many words to the blogging Bellapalloza the week the book came out. I stand by what I wrote---the call for civility, for critical engagement, for wide reading, for placing Love Wins in the context of Bell's other books and the strengths and deficiencies of his brand of hip neo-evangelicalism.  You can read my many posts about the book if you want, but know this: I think this is a great book to read, even if one doesn't agree with it all.  We are happy to sell it, although invite you to prayerful and honest struggle with what the Bible does and doesn't say about all this, reading other resources too.

We have four or five books that are written in contrast to Rob's book, including Christ Alone: An Evangelical Response to Rob Bell's Love Wins by an author I very much respect, Michael Witmer (Edenridge press; $14.00)  Mark Galli's God Wins: Heaven, Hell, and Why the Good News is Better than Love Wins is a good reply, too, and I'd highly recommend it.   There is a discussion guide in the back of that, too.

AN EVEN BETTER BIG Ol' DELUX WASHING MACHINE AWARD: LAUNDROMAT EDITION (WE GOTTA HAVE A BUNCH OF AGITATORS TO GET ALL OUR THE CLOTHES CLEAN TOGETHER)

The Love Wins: A Study Guide for Those Who Want to Go Deeper (HarperOne) edited by David Vanderveen $13.99  I hope you don't mind my goofy analogy: yeah, it is clever to say we need an agitator in a washing machine (and how Bell's book served as that agitator.)  Get a whole bunch of machines together and it is a communal place for lots o washing, a laundromat.  This study guide is kind of like that.  (Okay, maybe it isn't, but I'm in my awards show mood here, so bear with me.)  As we said when we first got it in this volume offers overviews of each chapter of Love Wins, study questions, Bible verses, things to ponder, and excerpts of articles or chapters of books by others, like having other folks walking with you through each chapter.  There are pieces included by creative types like Anne Lamotte and Fred Buechner, excerpts from theological straight arrows like Pope Benedict and Oswald Chambers, solid, contemporary voices like Richard Mouw and N.T Wright. There are great creative writers like Cathleen Falsini and edgy thinkers like David Dark and Peter Rollins. This study guide is worth having just for this handy anthology of these short chapters and articles.  Add an interview with Bell, follow-up exercises, group activities and an appendix of quotes from some church history greats and you have one fabulous resource.  In many ways, this chapter by chapter supplement is a model for what a study guide can be, and curriculum writers and other authors or publishers of Christian growth books should take notice.  Best study guide resource just isn't as much fun as a laundromat award, though, is it?  

TALKIN' 'BOUT "ANCIENT FUTURE" AWARD FOR THE BEST OLD AUTHOR NEWLY RE-ISSUED IN A CONTEMPORARY NEW FORMATE

Wisdom & Wonder: Common Grace in Science and Art  Abraham Kuyper (Christian Library Press) $14.99  I suppose you know the current hip phrase, popular among emergents and missionals and all sorts of serious types wanting to go back to older ways in order to move faithfully into our own upcoming times --- "ancient/future", get it?   Well this is just that, the fresh translations of newspaper columns--deep theology by our standards--written more than a century ago in Holland about common grace, about how the creation can sustain science and art, as we approach our involvement with wisdom and wonder.  This is not the place to explain the significance of Kuyper's serious, dense ideas, nor why both liberals and conservatives ought to familiarize themselves with the contours of his arguments.  But this well designed book, with nice editing and some modernizing of the text, brings a sort of theological muscle that is going to be increasingly needed as Christians who may be unmoored to the deepest theological traditions (or coming out of dysfunctional or unhelpful ones) are yearning for a comprehensive, foundational worldview to sustain their efforts for cultural restoration.  Dr. Kuyper's old-fashioned voice is important these days, his neo-Calvinist legacy extraordinary, and this book is the first new Kuyper work to appear in English in decades.  Kudos to the team that did this and the good folks at the Acton Institute who are enthusiastically promoting it.

SWORDS INTO PLOWSHARES PEACEMAKING BOOK OF THE YEAR

Christian Peace and Nonviolence: A Documentary History  edited by Michael Long (Orbis) $40.00  This is the most comprehensive and diverse survey of two thousand years of Christian voices for peace that we have ever seen and I was excited as I described in a day or so after Christmas in a BookNotes listing about peace resources.  I suppose most people don't think about this much but, given the visions of Scriptures, the commands of Jesus and the horrific needs of the world for peacemakers, we should.  Who knew that the peace witness has been so deep and diverse?  In this book you will learn that there is more to the story than the pacifism of the first centuries and the peaceable witness of the Anabaptist and a couple of cranky prophets of the Catholic left.  As this book remarkably shows, there are sermons and letters and studies and stories in every century, and some are very persuasive.  Some could have been written last week.  A labor of love, documenting so very much from our past, this work is not the only resource for fully faithful overview, but it is a part of the story that has not been told as well as it may have been.  I am personally glad and trust this will help those who want to deepen their discipleship to take up their places as ambassadors or reconciliation, agents of grace, peace-builders, citizens of shalom

SPEAKING IN THE SILENCE WHILE ON THE ROAD AWARD:  THE BEST BOOK OF SPIRITUAL TRAVELOGUE
 

Peace Be With You: Monastic Wisdom for a Terror Filled World  David Carlson (Nelson) $15.99  This book works on several levels and I've read much of it twice or thrice.  Carlson sets off to visit monasteries--some of them pretty out of the way and off the map (if you get what I'm saying) to see if those schooled in silence and the rhythms of prayer had insights about how to think about the tragic crimes of 9-11.  Of course, those schooled in silence often don't have much to say, so his anxieties about getting these monks and nuns to open up are in almost every chapter.  (Can't say I blame him.)  This is a book about monastic wisdom for daily living, about how the soul gets shaped, about the authors own self-discovery as he visits these places that seem out of touch with the haste and violence of modern life.  There is no simple spoiler, but he does find that those called to the monastic life are, like any other grouping of people, hold various sorts of political views and some knew people who died in the attack on the WTC. Many were quite aware of the pacifist notions of their brothers and sisters but not all shared the same sort of biases.  One important thing is how most had desires to truly allow God to shape their hearts and how Christ-likeness and the Spirit's work in their lives, even on these questions of politics and war and tensions with Muslims, was evident.  There is much to learn in this story, much to enjoy, and, as Phyllis Tickle writes, this is "one of the richest, most insightful, and most instructive books I have ever read."  Gee, I almost ought to give that an award for best blurb of the year!  Yay.

THE VERY BEST BOOK WITH A  AWFULLY QUESTIONABLE TITLE

Beauty Will Save the World: Recovering the Human in an Ideological Age Gregory Wolfe (ISI Books) $29.95  Okay, first this: forgive me for being inhumanely ideological here, but I'm convinced this line in the title is unhelpful, at best, and I don't care if Dorothy Day loved it.  Yet, I'm also convinced that one bad line (even if it is on cover) doesn't preclude a great book from being award winning.  And this is a great book!  BWStW just shouts a Hearts & Minds Award: ahh, but what category, really?  It is more than a study of the arts and isn't exactly about aesthetics, or not only about aesthetics.  It includes social analysis by one of our most astute advocates of Christian thinking about culture (Greg Wolfe edits the brilliant, serious Image journal) and in many ways this book is a broad, rich, conversation about what secularization means, what cultural renewal looks like, how a faith-based vision of the imagination might counter the reductionistic and inhuman consequences of modernity,  why people of faith should encourage mature and nuanced thinking, seen, especially, in the work of artists.  By way of serious exploration of particular contemporary Christians who are commendable in their use of imagination, Wolfe points us towards a Christian humanism, inviting a new renaissance.  The first half include a lot of Greg's own story away from culture wars and towards a deeper less polemical view of the imagination, and that alone is award-winning stuff; just wonderful, and so well written!  The last half about six writers, three artists and four men of letters is a book itself, packed with insight and inspiration.  This is a remarkable book, important, valuable, morally serious and a true blessing.  It may not save the world, but it sure will help.  Kudos!

BEST TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE--WHETHER IT IS YOUR MEMORY OR NOT

The Best of the Reformed Journal  Edited by James Bratt & Ronald Wells (Eerdmans) $20.00  I love how this cover looks just like the old classic b/w covers in that font that Sojourners used to use that immediately caught my eye when my Reformed Journal used to come each month.  Two things you should know: first, this is not fire-breathing arguments about predestination or exclusively the sorts of Puritan stuff when one things of the recent interest in Calvinism among the young, passionate set.  (No, sorry, but film critic Roy Anker and South African freedom fighter Allan Boesak and C.S. Lewis scholar Kathryn Lindskoog and poet/essayist Virginia Stem Owens  most likely don't read John Piper or have any hip "Jonathan Edwards is my Homeboy" tee shirts.  I don't mean to suggest this is a more intellectual sort of Reformed view (not at all, since you don't get much brainier in American history than Jonathan Edwards.)  No, this is more worldviewish, a broader, more nuanced, sometimes a less confident, Dutch sort of neo-Calvinism than the strict and more narrowly focused Piper, Sproul, or Grudem sort.  Published by Eerdmans from 1951 through 1990, this has been a vehicle for the voices of the likes of Lewis Smedes and Nicholas Wolterstorff and Bert DeVries.  Poet Lawrence Door and Roderick Jellema are here, so are literary types like John Timmerman and Henry Zylstra.  I read anything by Cornelius Plantinga and Richard Mouw, and of course they are here in all their Kuyperian glory.  There are pieces about politics and science, gender and prayer and worship and great books and film reviews. This is like spending a few hours rummaging through my old copies--what a great resource, a fine collection for inspiration and learning and worldview formation.  What a great gift!  Highly recommended for anyone who likes thoughtful, shorter pieces, quintessential essays, articles that speak in a robust, Reformed voice, about God's rule and grace in a fallen world.  A few non-Reformed contributions are here, too. Award winning, for sure!

THE EAGLE AND THE CHILD LEWISY AWARD FOR SOMETHING, WELL, QUITE LEWISY

Surprised by Laughter: The Comic World of C.S. Lewis  Terry Lindvall (Nelson) $16.99  I've reviewed this elsewhere so won't go on and on which wouldn't be becoming when awarding a book about a demure, dignified Brit, a scholar and a gentleman.  Although, maybe he wasn't always that demure---this book makes the wonderful claim that Lewis had a good sense of humor and that he often used a bit of "comic relief" as he himself put it.  This is a studious book (pushing 480 pages), and altogether good, quite enjoyable, noting that, for C.S. Lewis, "merriment was serious business."  Lindvall has worked on this for years (and, I admit, this is an older book re-issued.)  Hahaha, I'm awarding an old title as a new book.  This isn't funny or ironic, just true: this mirthful book unlocks insights about Lewis that we should appreciate, and that will warm the heart of any serious Lewis fan.  Hip, hip!


A WEIRD AND WACKY AWARD FOR EXPERIMENTS IN TRUTH

Practicing the Way of Jesus: Life Together in The Kingdom of Love Mark Scandrette (IVP) $15.00  I'll admit it: I wasn't sure about this.  (Sorry Mark.)  It is a little odd.  He talks about his "experiments in truth" (and no credit to Gandhi?) such as the cool effort to use a martial arts center's style of training (called a dojo) as a way to do disciple-making; he calls it the Jesus Dojo. I don't get that, but I've never karate chopped anything in my life.  There are nifty little bicycles on the cover, which I don't get either, although I guess it comes from the good story on page 84.  Debbie Blue is an amazingly creative writer and bohemian preacher so when she said it was "immensely practical" I figured I should take that with a grain of pink Himalayan salt.  But you know, I just came to love this book, realizing it has some creative thinking, some hipster vibe, and, yet, at the end of it all, is offering much needed help in forming community, in loving like Jesus, in being disciples actually formed in the practices of Christian living.  It covers so many topics and, without being pushy, it does offer very good guidance on how to initiate and move towards greater faithfulness in daily living in the ways of Christ.  Grandpappy of the hip missional movement, Aussie Michael Frost, says this book "gave me goose bumps just thinking about the possibilities that could arise if a group of people really did find a space where they could work out the vision and teachings of Jesus in real life."  Scandrette is cofounder of ReIMAGINE, a center for spiritual formation, and his poetic, artsy and socially progressive approach make this a rare and important contribution.  You know what? I think there are enough basic boring books on discipleship.  I'm awarding this a Best Book distinction for how rowdy and compelling and inviting it is, calling us to stake our lives on this good, good news we call the gospel.  

JOY TO THE WORLD: THREE---NO, FOUR---CHEERS FOR THE BOOKS THAT MADE ME HAPPIEST THIS WHOLE YEAR.

I have to explain this.  There are books I am so glad to see I almost pee my pants when they arrive.  I'm like a kid in candy store some days (and I am sad to say it doesn't keep me from being cranky about too many bad books, or books that come wrongly, but that is another story.)  Happy.  Happy making.  Great gladness.  I hope you know that at my best, through God's mighty grace, I live for Christ's Kingdom, and will not be truly glad to see a book that I think is not good, that doesn't advance the reputation of God and help bring healing to this broken world.  I like a lot of books, but only a few fill me with great joy.  Not every really good book makes me fully happy, giddy in my bones.  It may be, as you will see, that I have a particular connection to the book or the author or topic.  It may be a special alchemy of cover and title, of author and topic, of need and hope.  If the world doesn't need this book, I suppose I wouldn't be so jazzed, no matter who wrote it.  These, then, are beyond my personal favorites of the year, but they stand out as the ones that I truly was most excited about.  Any one of them would remind me why I got into this business and why I still count it as an important ministry.  These are books that made me happiest this year.  Rejoice!

Make College Count: A Faithful Guide to Life and Learning  Derek Melleby (Baker) $12.99  You know how we celebrated this, how we pushed this, and if you didn't give this to your college-bound graduating high school students this year, I trust you will consider doing so soon.  It is without a doubt the best book for students heading off to college; many have found it helpful even once they get to school.  This makes me happy mostly because of the glad collision of two important things, and a minor third: Derek is one of my best friends and Beth and I think he is one of the finest young Christian leaders we know. Secondly, he knows what he's writing about and this fine, little book came from his well-respected, practical work of the CPYU's College Transition Initiative--he has done excellent research and gleaned the best information, putting together a book unlike any other.  The minor bit? Hearts & Minds BookNotes is mentioned, and I'm thanked, which is nice, even though the book would have been fine without my opinionated input on everything from the cover to the books listed in the resource section.  Derek is the man, this is a great book, it ended up being a work of graceful substance, small enough to be read, and serious enough to be truly helpful.  So few students have a book that they will read that will help them grapple with the biggest questions of who they are and why they are in college.  This is a book we've needed for decades, and once it came out, and saw how cool it was, and realized how it would help, I almost cried tears of joy.  Hooray!

Art That Tells a Story: The Gospel Through Shared Experience  compiled by Chris Brewer (Gospel Through Shared Experience) $24.99  You may know of our involvement in this genius project, a collection of modern art that walks viewers through the unfolding meta-narrative of the Bible.  That is, there are moving, modern art works here that explore the goodness of creation, the facts of the fall, the gift of salvation, and the promises of new creation.  Each art piece is briefly highlighted or described with an accompanying note or verse or poem.  Each of the major sections are introduced by Michael Witmer, who gets the full-orbed, creation-being-restored, Kingdom vision of the Bible as well as anyone.  The hope is that the art will invite pondering, conversation, transformation.  The coffee-table sized paperback gift book is artfully formated by an excellent art critic and graphic designer and achieves its goal of being a suggestion-rich, allusive invitation to think about the fullest implications of the core gospel message.  To see our name affiliated it is certainly one of the great privileges we've ever had in our 29 years of working in the book world.  Thanks be to God for art that makes me smile deep down.

Kicking at the Darkness: Bruce Cockburn and the Christian Imagination  Brian J. Walsh (Brazos) $18.99  I did a short review of this earlier, explaining that folk-rocker Bruce Cockburn is one of my all time favorite performing artists and that I own every one of his 30 some CDs; his songs and voice have meant more than me than I can say here.  It should also be known that Brian Walsh is a friend of mine, a good friend.  I appreciate his work, agree with almost everything he says--don't ask me what I don't agree with as that changes each time I read his stuff, which is regularly and often.  One of the things about Brian's several important books that means the world to me is how he uses lines from Bruce Cockburn to illustrate his points, how he ruminates on Cockburn's allusive rock poetry and sees his songs as a part of his own passionate and prophetic writing. Years ago, Brian said he was going to write a book about Cockburn's music, putting his lyrics and vision into conversation with the Bible.  It was on-again and off-again, and when I was sent an almost finished manuscript to scribble on and offer feedback, and then was asked to do a blurb for the back cover, well, I was feeling as blessed as can be.  What a gift to have even a tiny hand in something I was so interested in, something so important to me, a book I  believed in.  Of course, this may sound a bit obscure, and as a bookseller I had to wonder about the fiscal viability of this book.   Would those who don't follow the Canadian folk-rock star care about this book?  Will those who found  Brian's books a bit heavy be willing to go with him on this journey through Cockburn's work, discussed in the context of our anguish about a hurting, dislocated world?  Well, call me naive or idealistic, but I think yes. Yes!

This is an amazingly rich and thoughtful book and to hold it in my hands for the first time, was a true blast. How fun it was to see good friends cited and important authors endorsing it (Richard Hays, New Testament scholar at Duke? Bible scholar, cultural critic, liturgical leader and church lady Marva Dawn? Who knew they were Cockburn fans?)  This is certainly, without a doubt, one of my own personal favorite books. Ever.

Abraham Kuyper: A Short and Personal Introduction Richard Mouw (Eerdmans) $16.00  I wrote about this at great length at the website, a heart-felt, two part explanation of why this means so much to me.  Mouw has been influential in my life and part of why I adore him (which I explained in a bit greater depth) is because of his being so influenced by this late 19th century, early 20th century Dutch statesman, a pastor who became political activist and eventually Prime Minister, Abraham Kuyper.  He had some very distinctive idea that I can only summarize like this: because Jesus is Lord of all creation and the unfolding of history, we should be grateful and involved in society, bringing faith to bear in every zone of culture.  However, to do this wisely, we have to think through what each sphere of life is to be about: what is the task of the state, after all?  What is the relationship  of education, say, or sports.  Should businesses be regulated by governments?  You know, that sort of thing, the big questions about what we believe God intended for each thing in life.  Mouw explains that so clearly, and so helpfully, it makes you want to have a third way political party, like Kuyper started in Holland, that is neither left wing or right wing, but is somehow uniquely normative.  Anyway, I was so glad to finally have an upbeat and clear and brief overview of this still virtually unknown Dutch neo-Calvinist, the grandfather of the movement we now called Kuyperianism.  Many of the places for which I write (Capitol Commentary, Comment) have Kuyperian roots and our bookstore simply wouldn't be here today doing what we do if we hadn't read Mouw, I'd say, or hadn't heard of Kuyper.  Wanna see what we're all about?  This book is a good indication, written by a man who makes us  glad to be a Presbyterian, about a leader who makes me glad there is some Dutch heritage somewhere in my long-lost family tree.

RUMORS OF AN AWARD: YES, THE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR WRITERS

Rumors of Water: Thoughts on Creativity and Writing  L.L. Barkatt (T.S. Poetry Press) $15.00  I've mentioned this a time or two before and couldn't wait to announce that we think it is truly one of the best little books of 2011.  It is an indie press, so may not be as known as it deserves, but it is a hidden treasure!  Barkatt is a devotional writer, a memoirist, a poet, and involved in a number of blogs and social networking sites that help on the art/faith interface. Here, she offers lovely little glimpses of insight about the creative process, about paying attention and writing well. I hope you believe me: this is a great read, a fine resource for creative living, whether you are an artist or not.  Maybe especially if your not. I love Leslie Leyland Fields ringing endorsement: "The real beauty of this book is the truth it teaches slant: good and beautiful and honest writing comes from a life that pursues the same. This is not just a book about writing well, it's a book about living well."

HAPPILY EVER AFTER (THROUGH COMMITMENT) AWARD FOR BEST BOOK ON MARRIAGE

The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God Tim & Kathy Keller (Dutton) $25.95  There are wonderful books in this category although there is no doubt in my mind that this is the best one in years.  It's strength, and what catapults it to the award-winning category, is how it is so reasonable, teacherly, theologically-based, clear-headed about, well, the meaning of it all.  I suppose there are some folks who need even more basic, simple steps to recovery from years of tragic dysfunction in a bad marriage.  But for most of us, frankly, I think we would do well to explore the deeper essence of this mystery, pondering well how to get the most foundational things right.  My wife and I do not share all of Tim and Kathy's convictions (we are more egalitarian than they, although they qualify their views of headship so much it doesn't seem to offer much particular daily difference in how they live their lives.)  I loved this sober book--although a few of the stories about their own troubles were touching, and a few made me chuckle.  If one of the great Christian writers of our time and most effective and balanced pastors can be such a goof, well, there is hope for all of us.  Highly recommended.  By the way, how about that sub-title--"the complexities of commitment."  

SON OF ISSACHAR AWARD FOR WORK ON THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS
1 Chronicles 12:32 names the legacy of the sons of Issachar. They "knew the times and knew what God's people should do."



The Crisis and the Kingdom  Economics, Scripture and the Global Financial Crisis  E. Philip Davis (Cascade) $18.00  I must admit that I am ill-equipped to vote for the best book about global economics and high finances.  Still, there are simple very few books which have--out of an intentionally Christian, deeply theologically and wisely Biblical starting point--analyzed the great financial collapse of a few years ago.  Donald Hays (who wrote about Christian views of economics years ago) says Davis is "careful and judicious" and affirms the insight of his Biblically based critique.  (I was glad that somebody I trusted said that "it would be hard to find someone better qualified" to do this kind of a book.  Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury has a blurb on the back, again, affirming that the importance of this uniquely Christian voice about the global financial crisis.  David is Senior Research Fellow at the UK National Institute of Economic and Social Research, a Professor of Economics and Finance at Brunel University, London, and a Pastor of Penge Baptist Church.  He has two scholarly books on finances on Oxford University Press.  Not too shabby.  We say, he deserves an award, just for showing up with Bible in hand and these good notes.  I am sure there is more to be said.  Serious Christian thinkers, though, will have to at least start here.

AN AWARD OF GRATITUDE FOR AN AUTHOR WHO HAS SUFFERED FOR HIS WORK OF REPORTING ON THE CHURCH OF CHINA--THE BEST BOOK ON THE GLOBAL CHURCH

God Is Red: The Secret Story of How Christianity Survived and Flourished in Communist China Liao Yiwu translated by Wenguang Huang (HarperOne) $25.99  I am not the first to name this as a significant work (the prestigious Books & Culture named it the Book of the Year!)  Those who know China know that Yiwu is a known literate figure, a dissident, and a person who does not call himself a Christian.  Yet, this is one of the best accounts of the extraordinary work of the Spirit (and the suffering of the people) in mainline China.  This work is beautiful, and has been acclaimed by the likes of Liu Xiabo (2010 Nobel Prize Winner) and scholar of the global church, Philip Jenkins. The texture of daily life is shown, the stories of ordinary religious folk, the drama of the explosion of faith amidst the communist repression.  Perry Link, professor of East Asian Studies at Princeton offers a tremendous endorsement when he notes that "Humanity oozes from every vignette, and every detail rings true."  Congratulations for an excellent book which is both a page-turner and heart mover.  I invite our readers not only to support this important book but to pray for the courageous author.

THE HUTZPAH AWARD FOR THE BEST THEOLOGICAL BOOK OF THE YEAR ON A VERY COMPLICATED AND HEAVY SUBJECT  

Laying Down the Sword: Why We Can't Ignore the Bible's Violent Verses  Philip Jenkins (HarperOne) $26.99  I do not think I would have written this book quite in this way.  I'm still pondering it, long after having read an advanced copy a half a year ago.  Nonetheless, when one gets rave reviews from liberal Episcopalian Diana Butler Bass and evangelical Methodist Bible scholar Ben Witherington and kindly, activist Muslim peacemaker Eboo Patel, you know you are on to something big. And this is big--tackling what is obviously one of the hardest aspects of Biblical hermeneutics: handling the violence and brutality in Holy Scripture.  This is interesting--and gutsy, too--in part because of how Jenkins does some "compare and contrast" work with Islamic texts as well.  Surely there is direct commandment in the Koran to murder infidels.  The even more gruesome texts in the Bible are equally disturbing but one might say they are mitigated by the fact that they are usually historical narratives, not ongoing commands to be obeyed today, and they are mitigated by powerful counter-texts, most obviously the ones that call for justice and mercy, even nonviolence.  So both sets of Holy Books are troubling on this score and it simply will not do to be simple-minded about the damage such violent texts can wreck.  Jenkins is a world-renowned historian, scholar of religion, and here his looks "unflinchingly at biblical stories of mayhem, murder, genocide and war" (as Butler Bass puts it.) This is provocative, it is serious, and, oddly, pretty darn interesting.  It offers a hopeful vision for how religions can grow from terror to mercy.  We can't help but be impressed with the tone and approach of this audacious project and want to give Dr. Jenkins a holy shout out.

GRAY HAIR AWARD: BEST BOOK ABOUT PASTORAL CARE FOR THE CHURCH TODAY

A Vision for the Aging Church: Renewing Ministry for and by Seniors James Houston & Michael Parker (IVP Academic) $24.00  For starters, just know that gray heads are usually good things in the Bible--a sign of wisdom, worthy of respect.  This book is full of wisdom, worthy of respect, big time, as the kids say.  There simply isn't any book that has even come close to the depth, insight, theological soundness, and usability as this great, great resource.  Houston has a stunning breadth of knowledge about spiritual formation, drawing on his evangelical roots and his wide, wide, reading in the spiritual classics.  Parker is a professor in the Division of Geriatric Medicine & Palliative Care and Center for Aging at the prestigious University Alabama.  This is one of the most urgent and un-discussed topics in the church today and this theologian and gerontology prof remind us that seniors aren't the problem, they are the solution.  There are hard, even painful, matters, though.  (This book not only includes serious thinking about all manner of things, but has about 40 pages worth of appendices, practical sheets, hand-outs, surveys and such.  Very useful.) If you are a pastor or educator or church leader and don't read this--or something like it--you will regret it soon.  

AN OPEN-HEARTED/OPEN-HANDED AWARD FOR BEST BOOK ABOUT CONGREGATIONAL HOSPITALITY

Amazing Gifts: Stories of Faith, Disability, and Inclusion Mark Pinksy (Alban Institute) $18.00  Released just under the wire at the end of 2011, lie those great movies being released for holiday enjoyment, this book ought to be a blockbuster.  But let's face it, it won't be.  But it ought to be.  It is well written, the author is a hoot (you know him from, for instance, The Gospel According to the Simpsons and other thoughtful, zany works on the interface of faith and American culture.)  But beyond how lovely it is to read, how many inspiring stories are so nicely told, this speaks powerfully to our fast-paced and idolatrous culture that values efficiency and strength and success; to make room for others, in this case, those with disabilities and difficulties, is a counter-cultural, nearly prophetic act.  Those in this little book, though, may not see all the political implications of their choice to be welcoming to those who are different (although some surely do) as they are just being busy caring for those with lupus, or chronic pain, or traumatic brain injury or mental illness.  Three big honorably cheers for this great reportage of churches and synagogues and mosques who create space for those with handicapping conditions, who show love in action.  Bravo.

BEST OVERVIEW OF THE BIBLE: BOHEMIAN EDITION


The Story of God, The Story of Us: Getting Lost and Found in the Bible  Sean Gladding (Likewise/IVP) $17.00  Oh my, how I resonated with this, how I loved his creative retelling of the stories of Israel and church, how he offered this edgy, energetic vision of how getting lost in this story is the way to life.  As missional hipster Alan Hirsch says, it is "as artful as it is significant."  Fresh is an overused word, so is creative.  So is pointing out he has a uber-cool uber goatee or chin beard.  And that the DVD curriculum to go with it is a hoot and a half, a very creative documentary of his realizing this story has coherence, from a garden to a city.  This is cool, insightful, wise, and very helpful for those who don't mind a bit of drama.  Literally.  Gladding should get an award for best screen play.

BEST OVERVIEW ABOUT THE BIBLE: SHORT AND SWEET EDITION


Welcome to the Story: Reading, Loving and Living God's Word  Stephen J. Nichols (Crossway) $15.99  Nichols is a fine writer, prolific, and very knowledgeable, with seemingly endless imagination and energy.  He has nice biographies of a handful of Christian leaders, he has a book on the earliest church creeds.  He has written about the academic shifts in evangelical views of the authority of Scripture and he has a great kids book, one we often show as it is illustrated by Hearts & Minds pal Ned Bustard (Church History ABCs.)  He has a big book on how Jesus has been seen in American popular history.  He has a book about the blues. I make my point;  he has the ability to craft good books about any number of things. The reason this one wins an award is simple:  I think it may be the best single book about the Bible that is not too much over 100 pages, adding in a few chapters on how to read, how to apply, and how to live the Bible. (Ahh, the chapters "Loving the Story: What the Bible does To Us" and "Living the Story: What the Bible does Through Us" are great.) This is delightful, solid, a bit playful, uses some nice literary quotes, and deserves great accolades.  Cheers!

LADY WISDOM-WISE GUYS AWARD: BEST BOOK OF OLD TESTAMENT STUDIES

Old Testament Wisdom Literature: A Theological Introduction  Craig Bartholomew & Ryan O'Dowd (IVP Academic) $30.00  I have told groups throughout this spring and summer that I read the first 30 pages of this and was so moved, I read 'em again.  This is a splendid example of what a serious Biblical commentary can do, and how can be so good to have such a commentary at your side from time to time.  You may not zip through this like a page-turning memoir, but I assure you it is award-winning caliber: we honor Bartholomew & O'Dowd for being so very Biblically-wise--the whole story of God just seems to be in their bones and their detailed study of any given piece of wisdom literature is shaped by their deep worldview (even as they contrast certain ideas with contemporary philosophy, another field in which they are particularly fluent.)  Further, they have this fabulous way of showing that they have one foot solidly in the academy (oh my do they know their stuff!) and yet desire for ordinary church folks to be shaped by the truest truths of the God of the Holy Scriptures.  Interestingly, God teaches (also in the wisdom literature) that God speaks through creation, so these master exegetes keep an eye to the night sky, too.  I commend this book (that carries ringing endorsements by the likes of Bruce Waltke, John Goldingay, Jamie Grant and Tremper Longman.)  

BEST BOOK OF OLD TESTAMENT STUDIES: THE ANNUAL BRUEGGY AWARD

Disruptive Grace: Reflections on God, Scripture and the Church Walter Brueggemann edited and introduced by Carolyn J. Sharp (Fortress) $35.00 Yes, this is a book by Brueggemann, and yes we award something of his every year; he publishes a lot!  Admittedly it is sort of a greatest hits album, an anthology of great and helpful, fairly academic pieces.  But it is more, much more, and it deserves special commendation here.  Carolyn Sharp (who teaches a course on Brueggemann at Yale Divinity School) has chosen to guide us through some illustrative pieces of Brueggemann, describing how they fit into his bigger project.  That is, it is a guided tour---arranged in four main sections.  She shows how he handles Biblical texts from the torah, from the prophets from the writings, and, lastly, about how he relates these questions of canon to churchly life.  It is helpful to have a Brueggemann scholar explain a bit what to look for, name the importance of these themes, and select key chapters, essays, magazine pieces, or scholarly journal articles, showing why they are emblematic of this world-famous, prolific scholar's overall project.  

BEST BOOK ABOUT JESUS

Simply Jesus: A New VIsion of Who He Was, What He Did, And Why He Matters (HarperOne) $24.99  Not to many people agree with me, I've heard, but I think it is an excellent practice to commit to reading (at least) one new book about Jesus every year.  For those who claim he is there best friend, their living Lord, their cosmic King, there graceful savior, their wise teacher, geesh, you'd think we'd want to know as much about him as we can.  Okay, enough with the guilt-tripping---this is an awards show, right?  We'll let's bring N.T. Wright up yet again; he's on the top of our list most years, and I do not tire of saying it.  Wright brings some of the most balanced and insightful work to bear on his task of calling church folk to take Jesus more seriously, to know Him as the restorer of creation, the long-awaiting Messiah and Risen One.  Can we, as the back cover puts it, "unleash the full story of Jesus?"  A few friends get hung up on some small thing they don't like about Wright and give up on him (and on us since we endorse his work.)  A few folks think he's too conservative and fail to see the radical, transforming vision of His work.  To one and all I say, enjoy this basic, introductory book about Jesus and see if it doesn't ignite your faith, enhance your commitments, deepen your discipleship.  I'm giving it the Best Book in this category for 2011.  I'll give ya your money back if you don't agree.

THE SECOND BEST BOOK ABOUT JESUS

The King Jesus Gospel: The Original Good News Revisited Scot McKnight (Zondervan) $19.99  Look at it this way: N.T. Wright is about the most important Bible scholar and pastoral leader on the planet. He writes a book about Jesus, he wins the award.  So, having said that, Mr. McKnight's fine book is just about the best book; maybe I should call this the best book on the gospel's outside of N.T. Wright. Ha. I think McKnight's good gift is to take his scholarly mind (he reads about as much as any scholar I know) and re-tells what he learns in ways that less academic folks can appreciate.  I don't mean he is a cheap hack who dumbs everything down; not at all.  Dr. McKnight is an original thinker, too, and a fine writer in his own right.  But this really is a summary of much of the best thinking about Jesus these days (the duel forwards by N.T. Wright and Dallas Willard seem to illustrate this.) I like what Wright writes: "Once, long ago, I heard John Stott say that some people had been talking about "the irreducible minimum gospel."  He dismissed such an idea. "Who wants an irreducible minimum gospel?" he asked. "I want the full, biblical gospel." Well, hold onto your seats. That's what Scot McKnight is giving you in this book.  And for that, he deserves a very dignified Hearts & Minds honor of recognition.  Thanks, Scot!

BEST BOOK OF NEW TESTAMENT STUDIES

Jesus Has I Loved, but Paul? A Narrative Approach to the Problem of Pauline Christianity J.R. Daniel Kirk (BakerAcademic) $21.99  There is much knee-jerk blather about the so-called "New Perspective on Paul" and there is also some very astute critiques of various versions of this newer perspective.  I hope nobody distrusts this book because of any assumptions that it is connected to a controversial school of thought (let alone because of the unique title.)  This is a fine, fine, book, award-winning, if you ask me.  You want a storied gospel, shaped by a view of Jesus' coming Kingdom?  Then you'll  want a narrative understanding of Paul, too.  Some scholars perceive a tension between Jesus and Paul, and this book puts that to rest, but yet continues to press the need for seeing Paul in his place as architect of the storytelling of the meaning of Jesus for the early church.  Listen to this blurb by New Testament scholar Michael Gorman of St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute of Theology, "If a book about Jesus and Paul could ever be a page-turner, this is that book....if we listen to his wise counsel, we will  become more faithful communities of the cross-shaped life-giving gospel."

BEST BOOK OF BIBLICAL STUDIES

Jesus, Paul and the People of God: A Theological Dialogue with N.T. Wright  edited by Nicholas Perrin & Richard Hays  (IVP Academic) $24.00  This rewarding book includes the transcripts from an extraordinary conference held at Wheaton College in 2010 which brought together amazing, important scholars to discuss (and offer friendly critique) to the famous Rev. Wright.  The first day was dedicated to unpacking and doing some incisive evaluation of his work on Jesus; the next offered evaluations of some specific aspects of his work on Paul.  After each days' panel, Wright responds, and it is all here.  What a great way to learn, what a model of gracious conversation and discussion, even when the conversation turned a bit blunt (Sylvia Keesmaat is a very close reader of Biblical texts, and she and her husband Brian Walsh--both good friends of Wright---not only tangled nicely with his interpretation of a text or two, but called him to follow his more recent work in making social justice an increasingly clear aspect of his ringing call to Biblical faithfulness.) Other good folk are here---Edith Humphrey, Richard Hays, Marianne Meye Thompson, Kevin Vanhoozer, Jeremy Begbie and more.  This is a very important book for several reasons and I want to invite others into the conversation about Wright's project by naming this as one of the best books of the year.  

BEST BIBLE COMMENTARY



Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes: Cultural Studies in 1 Corinthians  Kenneth E. Bailey (IVP Academic) $30.00 There are many workable Bible commentaries, some that sing, some that are beautiful, some that are deserving of accolades.  I don't know much about the heavier ones, but I know when a deep Bible commentary has "genius" written all over it, when the author is an elder statesmen in the global Christian community, and when a work is so insightful that it can be easily called a "must read" resource.  Yes, this fits Ken Bailey's new book, the first he has written on Paul, somewhat of a companion to his fine collection of pieces, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes.  This, though, is a straight study of 1 Corinthians, bringing all of Bailey's cultural insights to bear on the text.  This is over 550 pages, and is simply in a class by itself.  I don't want to scare the casual reader away, but to underscore that I'm not just making this up because I know Dr. B, listen to Gary Burge, "Bailey's work opens a new genre in the rhetorical analysis of this famous and difficult letter. Bailey uses tools unavailable to the average NT scholar: ancient translations of 1 Corinthians in Arabic, Syriac, and Hebrew, as well as commentaries as far back as ninth-century Damascus. This book is a gold mine of astonishing new discoveries and will inevitably join the ranks of the great and important books on this epistles."  Told ya so.  

THE TURN TURN TURN, THERE IS A SEASON BEST BOOK ABOUT YOUTH MINISTRY

The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry  Andrew Root & Kenda Creasy Dean (IVP) $18.00  Okay the classic Byrds song has the phrase turn turn turn, and the word turn is in this book.  Clever award, eh? No, I'm not grasping at straws here: it is a song from Ecclesiastes and the reminder that there is a "time" for new things is vital: we simply can't do outreach, youth ministry, even church life, necessarily the same old way, generation after generation.  There is a turn afoot; we may be in a season of new views of faith and theology and the nature of our time.  Is this a trendy book just hopping on some emergent bandwagon?  No.  Is it arcane and deep, something ordinary youth workers maybe needn't take time to wade through?  Again, no.  Mike King, himself an important voice in youth min circles, says "I am euphoric over this book.  It is a seminal work that will stir up the prophetic imagination of youth workers. Kara Powell, executive director of the Fuller Youth Institute (perhaps the West coast counterpart to the justly famous Ms Dean of Princeton) say that it is "a practical theology winner" and notes it's "masterful synergy of breadth and depth."

If the thesis of Christian Smith's important work (Soul Searching, upon which Dean built her famous book Almost Christian) is true--namely that churches are not doing a very good job helping youth name their spiritual yearnings or giving them categories to think theologically about life and discipleship--then this is a rich and vital answer, to that strong critique of our thin approaches.  Can youth be practical theologians?   Can we shift in our approaches, turning towards a more "rigorous and meaningful" youth ministry, one that is theologically grounded and engaged in and with the work of the church?  The time for this is overdue, my friends.  It is the least we can do to give it a very honorable mention, awarding it the Best Book in this field in a long, long time. By the way, I hope to review this in greater detail soon, but you should know that as serious-minded as this it, it is fun to read, and hugely helpful--there is a chapter about outdoor trips. There is a chapter about mission trips.  There is a chapter about adolescent hormones and sex. There is a chapter about summer camp, a theological piece about confirmation (and doubt!)  I'm telling you, this is one of the best books of the year.  If you are not in youth ministry, buy it for somebody who is.

THE SETH ROGEN AWARD FOR THE BEST SCHOLARLY BOOK ABOUT YOUNG ADULTHOOD

Lost in Transition: The Dark Side of Emerging Adulthood Christian Smith (Oxford University Press) $27.95  Okay, I admit, Seth Rogen doesn't come up in this book.  Although I trust you get my drift. In Part One of our Best Books post we celebrated the great book You Lost Me based on research done by the Barna group on young adults who have drifted from the Christian faith.  It is a must-read for anybody who cares about the church or has young adult friends in their lives.  This more weighty, academic treatise is based on very rigorous research by one of the best social scientists writing these days, published by the world's premier scholarly press, so we need to pay attention to it, too.  Tim Clydesdale (whose First Year Out is the best book on following what happens to teens their first year out of high-school) says it is "public sociology at its best." Jean Twenge, a very important cultural critic and author of Generation Me says it is "groundbreaking, compelling, and deeply necessary...courageous, nuanced, deep-dive look at today's youth."  Think she likes it some?  We do too.  Not unlike last year's must-read book by Kendra Creasy Dean (Almost Christian) this shows that there is widespread moral relativism, ethical confusion, and spiritual hunger that does not bode well when one considers the striking problems older youth are now facing. Based on well-researched surveys with 18 to 23 year olds, who almost uniformly like the raunchy vulgarity of Rogen, Apatow, et al.  Could this book explain why?  Granted, it isn't very funny, but we are happy to award it a Best of anyway.

BEST BOOK ABOUT CONGREGATIONAL LIFE 2011

Grace for the Journey: Practices and Possibility for In-Between Times  Beverly Thompson & George Thompson (Alban Institute) $17.00  We remain grateful for all the good resources published by the Alban Institute, a primary source for books that are professional in nature, mostly for pastors and leaders in mainline denominational churches.  Here, two esteemed pastors tell of their own journey towards joy as they trust God in the midst of congregational difficulties.  Every community of faith journey's through periods of transition, they tell us, and this wonderful little book invites congregations to open themselves to the possibility of knowing God more deeply in these periods "between the times."  It has good Biblical study, lots of contemporary stories and seems to me to be helpful for those who realize that many congregations are in times of transition.  What does it mean to be the people of God in a place? How can we develop deeper spiritual disciplines, offering practices of attentiveness to God's Spirit and what might need to be discerned within the congregation?  I like how Joanna Adams notes that this is a "refreshing alternative to anxiety."  Endorsements from Alban leader and respected scholar of congregational change, Alice Mann, assures us that his is a gem.

AN "ENDLESSLY BEGUILING..." AWARD FOR BEST COLLECTION OF SERMONS



The Collected Sermons of Walter Brueggemann  (WJK) $30.00  WJK has a few other volumes in this uniform set of great sermons by leading preachers of the 20th century (William Sloan Coffin, Fred Craddock, Will Willimon, for instance.)  Gathering messages from this prolific and active preacher was a blessed chore, I'm sure, as they had several volumes worth from which to chose.  So, it could be said these are the cream of the crop, the most prophetic, the most imaginative.  You get my point.  Agree with him all the time or not, appreciate fully his cadences and rhetoric and vocabulary or not, he is a master of the language, a student of the text, a fearless teacher of gospel truth to today's church.  Anyone who cares about the breadth of their library of theological and religious books should consider this ample, first-rate collection.  Oh, maybe we could consider living into this vision, too---say a prayer, read them aloud with your friends or small group and hold on for dear life.  We offer our little award with hope, believing this stuff matters.  Kudos.

BEST RESOURCE FOR LECTIONARY PREACHERS--OR ANY PREACHERS WITH GUTS

Preaching God's Transforming Justice: A Lectionary Commentary, Year B, Featuring 22 New Holy Days for Justice  Ronald J. Allen, Dale Andrews, Dawn Ottoni-Wilhelm (WJK) $50.00  Okay I know some of our readers don't preach; a few don't care in the least for this sort of stuff.  But I am convinced this is a bold and helpful move by this publisher, offering lectionary based Bible studies that show how to bring justice issues into sermons and preaching.  Nobody suggests that preaching should always be about social justice or that economic injustice is always in the Biblical text or that we always have to be direct in talking about racism or sexism.  But it is true that these things come up in the texts fairly regularly, and few commentaries emphasize them faithfully, or all that helpfully.  This book not only offers socially-engaged ways of thinking about issues of race and class, poverty and power, justice and hospitality, and the like, it offers ways to celebrate justice and social righteousness within worship services and other congregational events.  Key figures are held up (Cesar Chavez, Martin Luther King, etc) and reminds us of holidays that may be worth noting---Juneteenth, Earth Day, World AIDS Day and the like.  Besides the essay for each lectionary entry there are contributions by homileticians, pastors, biblical scholars, theologians and social activists.  Wow, this surely deserves some kind of award, and we are happy to honor it.  As Walter Brueggemann says of it, "The book surely holds promise of transformative energy for preaching, teaching, interpreting work of the church. Welcome indeed!"  

WOWIE ZOWIE HOLY MOLY BEST KID'S BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2011

Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow: Four Novellas  Daniel Nayeri (Candlewick Press) $19.99  Okay, I got me some 'splainin to do.  This is over 400 pages (written entirely on his iPhone, but more on that later.)  It is a quartet of four YA novels, so it isn't for little kids.  It is demanding, each story written in a particular style, a genre, if you will.   Some of the PR pieces for this intriguing, ambitious work, says each chapter is a "riff on classic genres" and it introduces readers to a broad range of writing styles.  Oh yeah, that's putting it mildly.  The first chapter is a sizzling suspense story, a cowboy story, really, complete with a showdown at high noon (and a sheriff) but it's a bit odd since the setting is a farmer who grows living toys (and rather soulless humans, I think.)  The second section (Wood House) is a science fiction tale, and if the first story was a bit eccentric, this one is even more complex--a roadtrip story with a teenage girl who must save the world from a technological revolution thing going down. (The big bad corporation is called ReCreation. Ha!) Brick House brings us a detective story, set in the author's current home town, the big, bold New York City.  (He is, interestingly, a Reformed evangelical, now on staff working with youth at Tim Keller's Redeemer Presbyterian Church.  He is also a fan of hard-boiled detective fiction.)  Did I mention it is creative?  Written on an iphone? A whole lot of genres?  This third piece takes the cake with the "wish police" but I can't say more; it is morally serious, important, even.  Blow?  Well, that one is funny, in an old Woody Allen sort of way, where the narrator of the tale is Death himself. It's nearly Shakespearean.  I like what it says on the jacket about the handsome and charismatic hero " who may steal your heart in more ways than one." Uh huh.  There is a bit of spicy language here (although nothing that unusual) and there is a deep moral center to the whole affair.  There are universal themes, as in any good children's work, and Daniel reminds us that these stories include themes such as identity and belonging, betrayal and friendship, love and mortality.  For those who have ears to hear, as another great storyteller once said, there is immense truth here.  SH, WH, BH, B is a wild ride; I read a bit of it out loud, just for the fun of it.  It is imaginative (obviously) and giddy as it plays with words, images, ideas, and perhaps some interlocking relation between the four stories.  The characters are inventive and it surely deserves honors for sheer creativity and playful energy.  It isn't immediately clear how all four hold together (except maybe the epigram from the Three Little Pigs before each chapter.)  It isn't for the squeamish, those who want obvious religious symbols, or tidy stories that they think are safe against the big bad world.  This takes you into the big bad world, in a clever and whimsical and sometimes even scary and disturbing way, and says, blow.

Daniel is a sweet, sweet guy, besides his church work, he works in publishing, and knows books extremely well. He's a fascinating fellow with very wide interests. It is wonderful to know of such a thoughtful person so fluent in the world of contemporary literature who is also a thoughtful, happy Christian. He loves his iPhone and, as we said, used an early Notepad app to write this large work. He was the first to do this, it seems, inspired by how some critics were dismissing the now-famous teenage girls in Japan who were doing short serial stories on their cell phones. Serious critics were all alarmed that this medium would ruin the idea of the novel, so he wanted to work in this form that some saw as transgressive.  I told you he's a smart guy, and, no matter how gentle, a thoughtful artist, doing serious work.

For anyone who wants to learn more about this, by the way, here is a great interview with Daniel done by our friends at the International Arts Movement. Do give it a listen.

Don't miss it when Christy Tennant of IAM asks Nayeri if there is theology in the book,which leads to a brief discussion of Tolkien and allegory, and a David James Duncan quote (and the possibility of misinterpretation.)  She notes that there is no fear that his is a "shallow river."  Nice.

You can scroll down his blog a bit to find four trailers for the book. Very cool.

Here is a discussion guide that is very helpful in using the book in groups, in families, or for your own reflection.  Check it out:

You may know how much we esteem and enjoy the Newbery Award winning children's author Gary Schmidt, whose wonderful follow up to the fabulous Wednesday Wars, Okay for Now, is certainly one of the finest books of the year, has said this about Daniel Nayeri,

Whenever we invoke this title -- Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow -- let us breathe this word soon after: virtuosity. In a remarkable collection of four novellas, Daniel Nayeri plays a modern Lewis Carroll, pulling us down rabbit holes where the world is cockeyed -- disturbingly cockeyed -- and anything at all can happen. In one, toys planted by an absent creator are left to fend for themselves when evil arrives; in another, the very air we breathe has been infected with a technology that allows us to create our own reality--or others to create it for us; in another, the narrator Death is moved to play the jerk by powerful love. With characters deft and real, with language quick and clever, with insight deep and full, these stories lead the reader to wonder, Is this possible? Whatever is going to happen next? And then, incredibly, it is possible, and it happens. Dare to read this

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Book. Of. The. Year.  2011. Nope, not gonna do it.  First, I'm not sure there is such a thing.  Yes, I know we like our lists, like to name stuff. Maybe God gave us humanoids the task to name the animals, but that was before the fall.  And I'll bet there are more new books each year, nowadays, then there were animals in the antediluvian Paradise.  And, anyway, even if there was some One Best Book, I would hope you wouldn't trust me to tell you what it is.  I'm aware of a lot of books and read pretty widely and have tons of opinions (as if you didn't know.) But a Best Book Picker I am not.

So, here are some.  Some. Good. Ones.  We like to talk about awards and winners and best in a category, honoring and celebrating, but do take it with a bit of tongue in cheek.  In case you don't get it, many of my categories are supposed to be a little funny, but my accolades are sincere.  Please do help us spread the word about these lists, because the authors we commend are deserving.  I've pondered this year's great titles pretty seriously. 

You don't know the anxiety creating this list causes me; I esteem our readership and know there are some smart folks out there (not to mention a few authors and publishers---hey, guys and gals. Thanks for being with us, but realize you're making me even more nervous!)  So I guess I have to admit I maybe missed a few that deserve some prizes.  Sorry.  But I do affirm a lot, and this is only the first part of the list. More are on the way. We've got some great books to celebrate, there will some big winners, and a few that might surprise you.

I do work hard to choose important and great titles, and trust that our fans and friends will appreciate it. 2011 as a great year for books, if less so for bookstores.   I don't think we're steering you wrong.  How's that for a grand claim?  

Having said that, here we go.

BEST BOOK OF SIMPLE AUTOBIOGRAPHY BY AN OTHERWISE EXTRAORDINARY  SPIRITUAL THEOLOGIAN OF GREAT NOTE.

The Pastor Eugene Peterson (HarperOne) $25.99  How can this not be listed, and listed loudly? We have been blessed to tell people about this for almost a year, now, and we remain convinced it is one of the finest books of 2011. (And what a joy to be the booksellers at a large event with him this spring and to chat with him about this writing project!)  Well, as those who know him can attest, Peterson speaks slowly, and writes carefully, often beautifully, usually with great substance--his are not usually books that are read quickly.  This, though, was at times breezy, quite enjoyable as the beautifully-rendered story tells about his journey from Montana son of a butcher to highfalutin' bit city seminary student to lover of literature and suburban church planter as a perplexed, struggling, ordinary working pastor.  Sure, he becomes known for his famous paraphrase of the Bible The Message, and he has done meaty, mature books of spiritual theology in recent years, after a fruitful stint at British Columbia's Regent College.  But the true heart of this memoir is how a call was discerned and embraced by Pastor Pete and his wife Jan.  As a nod to Baltimore novelist Anne Tyler's Saint Maybe, he wanted to call this Pastor Maybe.  It is about being a humble pastor, and that is exactly how he most wants to be remembered.  With this great, sensible book--a delightful read, interesting and no-nonsense--being so widely acclaimed, he just may be most known for esteeming the hard work and vital role of the ordinary pastor in our time.  A big Hearts & Minds shout out for that!

THE KINDA,  SORTA,  ALMOST, BEST BOOK ABOUT SPIRITUALITY AWARD

Flunking Sainthood: A Year of Breaking the Sabbath, Forgetting to Pray, and Still Loving My Neighbor Jana Riess (Paraclete) $16.99  I loved this book the minute I heard about it, loved it more the minute I saw it, with the cover that still makes me chuckle, and loved it for sure  after having read the forward twice.  (The second time I read it out loud to Beth, admittedly because part of it was about sex, and, well, since it was a Godly book and really funny, I figured I could get away with it.)  By the time I was a few chapters in I knew I had a soul mate, a best book of the year contender, and a title I just had to tell almost everyone about.  As you've surely heard, Riess sets out to read a spiritual classic each month, with an attendant spiritual practice.  Spoiler alert: it does not go well.  It made me laugh, reminded me of myself a bit too often, and shouts that we don't have to take this spiritual disciplines, contemplative spirituality, neo-monastic stuff quite that seriously.  Perhaps God is in our less than stellar efforts, our failures, our human foibles.  We've all got a lot to learn, and it's okay if we're not super-spiritual saints.  Perhaps, you would find this freeing, as did Lauren Winner who called it "surprising and freeing, fun and funny."  The "kinda, sorta, almost" phrase in the name of the award is a joke---can 't award a book about failure now can we?

THE INEFFABLE AWARD FOR, WELL, I CAN'T QUITE SAY....



Sanctuary of the Soul: Journey Into Meditative Prayer  Richard Foster (formatioin/IVP) $13.00  Foster's Celebration of Discipline and Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home are among the most important books in my life, and many others would also testify to Richard's important role in their lives.  I've really like his last three or four, but this is the best little book he's done in a long, long time.  It simply teaches us how to meditate, what that means from a Christian view, and gives some fabulously written examples of times when he found God's presence in immense silence. Need some tender guidance on contemplative prayer?  Ineffable, yes.  




LECTIO DIVINO AWARDO--AND SO MUCH MORE-O

The Fire of the Word: Meeting God on Holy Ground Chris Webb (formatio/IVP) $15.00  There were so many great books put out on the formatio label this year, it is hard to name only a few. (Formatio is the imprint of InterVarsity Press that does the most consistently insightful, attractive, and Biblically-faithful books on spirituality of any current publisher.) This one, though, doubtlessly moved me, and I found myself inspired and instructed.  Webb tells moving stories of his own encounters with the Word of God, shares much about how to read the Bible devotionally--to hear God speak!---and teaches us about others who have done so well.  I suppose this is a book about how to read the Bible, but it is so gently and evocatively spiritual, it seems to be about prayer.   And so it is.  With blurbs from Eugene Peterson and formatio authors Ruth Haley Barton and James Bryan Smith, this is indicative of the best of evangelical thinkers about the interface of the Bible and spiritual formation.  Very, very good and deserving of special mention in this list of the best resources of 2011.

THE 'I BET THEY DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING' AWARD FOR UNSUSPECTED CHURCH TRANSFORMATION

Renovation of the Church: What Happens When A Seeker Church Discovers Spiritual Formation  Kent Carlson & Mike Lueken (IVP) $15.00  A few, well, a lot of our readers might say "I told you so" but beg you not to be snooty.  This book is about an independent church that grew and grew using contemporary worship, spiffy drama, seeker outreach and very exciting, well, very exciting everything.  They soon realized their growing numbers and large staff and extraordinary effort was not sustainable.  They pastors were burning out.  The community of faith was vibrant but seemed dependent on the sensational and exciting and their faith might have been lacking in depth or maturity.  They did an about face, began to learn about spiritual disciplines, taught a different approach to evangelical faith and, as they deepened, they lost members.  But they nurtured disciples. "This is an honest story," writes James Bryan Smith, "of two courageous pastors who dared to change the ethos of their church..."  Smith describes the shift from "catering to consumers to creating Christ followers." This story of Oak Hills Church is a great example of not only how to get a church started and fired up, but now to navigate consumerism and an unbiblical entertainment ethos, finally pointing the way to resist ambition and embrace a more humble and historic vision of faith formation.  Kudos, again, to IVP for offering these kinds of resources, and kudos to Carlson & Lueken for being honest enough to tell their stories with candor and hope.  (Although I did see this coming, kudos, too, to IVP graphic designer Cindy Kiple for this classy cover design with the pomegranate. It's a photogenic and fashionable fruit, and a fabulous cover.)

THE "THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS UP AT LAST" MOST URGENT BOOK ON THE LEAST TALKED ABOUT TOPIC IN THE CHURCH AWARD

You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving Church...And Rethinking Faith $17.99  David Kinnaman (Baker) $17.99  I'm so happy about this book and so glad it was written and we felt so privileged to host David here talking about the book when it first came out. It was one of the highlights of the year for us.  I know others have talked about this topic of young adults leaving church, and several books have been written.  Maybe the goofy name of our award isn't quite right, since this isn't the first person to bring this up, but the Barna Group did do good research on this, and David explored it as robustly and as helpfully as anyone. So this book has become a tipping point of sorts, the conversation has now become, or could become, more mainstream and helpful than just fretful observations and hand-wringing.  Kinnaman documents with solid research the various reasons young adults who are raised in the church tend to leave it, or drift from vibrant faith or renounce belief, and invites us to open-mindedness to hear the voices of those who feel that have to somehow reconfigure their faith experiences in these critical years of their lives.  It has substance and stories, statistic and strategies. This is simply the most useful book for congregations on this topic that has yet been done. It was one of the Hearts & Minds favs of the year!  Hey, the 50 suggestions at the end offered by 50 various authors and leaders are themselves nearly worth the price of the book.  Now let's get busy -- reading, talking, listening, thinking, adopting our ministries in ways that might be faithful and true, helpful and effective. This award really is a heart-felt "thank you" for this important work.


THE ABSOLUTE MOST FUN YOU CAN HAVE READING A LONG SERIOUS BOOK AWARD

The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement David Brooks (Random House) $27.00; just out in paperback, $16.00  Okay it isn't true literary fiction; the story is mostly a device.  And it isn't quite as clever as his fabulous Bobos in Paradise, which is hard to top.  But, still, this offers so many summaries of research, so much data, lots of learning about human behavior, brain studies, gender, culture, work, sex, religion and so many topics that one simply ought to read it in case you're ever asked to be on Jeopardy.  And, as I've suggested, it is mostly, or at least partially, written as a very interesting novel!  Brooks' major points (which he deduces from the research, but fleshes out in the story) have been so much discussed--including in religious circles--that it deserves an extra award for raising so many important questions about the search for meaning and how people find fulfillment and values, important stuff all in a well-told fable. Part analysis, part story, lots of cleverness and tons of substance.  This was, in Academy Awards parlance, one of the 2011 blockbusters, and on everybody's short list of contenders.  Congratulations.  By the way, the High Calling blog community is having an on-line book study of this.  Check it out here.


THE "YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING, WE GET A TWO SCOOPS!" AWARD FOR TWO SPECTACULAR BOOKS ON THE SAME TOPIC

Remember that feeling as a child when you were being treated to a rare ice cream cone  and they said you could get an extra scoop?  Well that isn't even half of how I feel announcing two spectacularly great books on the same topic.  Seeing either one come to publication would have made this a stellar year, each vying for a best book award.  And thank goodness, in 2011 we got two scoops!  Try 'em both!  Mix 'em together.  This is almost too good to be true!

Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good  Amy L. Sherman (IVP) $16.00  Certainly one of the very best books of the year and, if heeded, a game-changing, church-changing, world-changing book.  Written mostly (but, please, not exclusively) for pastors and church leaders, this unique study offers a very astute exploration of work, calling, career, service, inviting us to realize that our gifts and passions and vocations should be offered for the common good.  Not only does she do good Bible study, but she tells good stories, and offers very wise counsel about how to get at least one of four visions of meaningful labor into people's minds.  Her four channels or styles of relating faith, work, and the hope of making an impact in a needy world are excellently described and she offers tons of good ideas.  We couldn't be happier than to give this an award, and to proclaim that it is very highly recommended.

Work Matters: Connecting Sunday Worship to Monday Work  Tom Nelson (Crossway) $15.99  I've been touting this all fall, happy it offers a splendid, rich, wise, account of a Christian perspective on work.   It is, I think, the best book yet written on this topic of daily toil, the joy and purpose of work, and how to see our jobs as extensions of our worship.  Not only are there great stories and illustrations and helpful case studies, it is written by a pastor who has done this well in his congregation.  Nelson tells of many years not inviting his congregants to think about their work-world and he movingly shares how he came to realize that he must pastor his flock in ways that empower them to serve God in their various spheres of influence, careers, and callings.   I could hardly be more excited about a book and we are very sincere in insisting it is one of the most important resources to be published in 2011.  Excellent!


THE BEYOND THE NAKED PUBLIC SQUARE AWARD FOR BEST BOOK ON CHRISTIAN PUBLIC WITNESS

A Public Faith: How Followers of Christ Should Serve the Common Good  Miroslav Volf (Brazos) $21.99  This is quite simply the right book at the right time, by a well-respected Yale theologian who draws on some of the best writers among both mainline Protestant, evangelical, Catholic and Orthodox thinkers, helping us navigate the complex cultural setting of pluralism, resentments about fundamentalisms, theological violence, and--still, at least until people read this book--a quietism that suggest we needn't think much about pubic life.  This is a book about culture, about human flourishing, about politics and justice but mostly is an articulation of and exploration of the implications of the claim that Christ is Lord in the 21st century.  Rave reviews on the back from Nicholas Wolterstorff and Richard Mouw give an indication that this is serious, nuanced, evangelical in the best sense.  Mouw says it is an "important book packed with wisdom!"  Wolterstorff says it is "a wonderful guide. for our times."  I guess I don't have to note the urgency of this topic this year of uncivil politics and renewed discussion about faith in the public square.  Please, give this to anybody you know who is active in activism or public discourse... 

A PURPLE HEART AWARD FOR ON THE GROUND FIGHTING TO END THE WAR BETWEEN FAITH & SCIENCE

The Language of Science and Faith: Straight Answers to Genuine Questions  Karl W. Giberson & Francis Collins (IVP) $20.00  I suspect these guys have felt a bit wounded even as they are insisting to be conscientious objectors in a war they don't believe in--there is no battleground between Christian faith and good science!  Of course, as in any academic discipline, there are questions, tensions, confusions, and they tackled all the usual matters, with clarity, thoughtfulness, and grace.  I honor this not because I agree with every word or because it is the final, best text, but because it seems to offer a comprehensive Christian framework for thinking about science in a way that is simple to understand and very interesting.  One of the very best entry level books in this large, complex field.  For what it is worth, endorsements for the author's BioLogos Foundation come from N.T. Wright, Philip Yancey, Os Guinness, Tim Keller, and more, including many prominent, moderate evangelicals.

THE BIG BRAINIAC AWARD FOR HIGH-LEVEL EFFORTS TO END THE WAR BETWEEN FAITH & SCIENCE

Where the Conflict Really Lies: Science, Religion, & Naturalism  Alvin Plantinga (Oxford University Press) $27.95  There is little doubt in the rarefied world of the philosophical guild that Alvin Plantinga is one of the most important philosophers writing today.  He is doubtlessly the world's leading scholar on the philosophy of religion.  In this very nuanced and specific book--about the philosophy of naturalism--Plantinga makes a very persuasive case that there is simply no intellectually credible reason to think that religious convictions are at odds with doing science.  If the above books was written perhaps to help conservative Christians grapple with the world of science, this is written to help the scholars of the philosophy of science grapple with differing ideologies that influence the sciences.  This is a very important book and we are sure it will get acclaim from sources more substantial than we.  For now, though, a "brainiac award."  

THE "WHEN I HEARD THE LEARN'D ASTRONOMER" AWARD FOR BEST BOOK TO HELP US EXPERIENCE CREATION AND TRANSCEND THE WAR BETWEEN FAITH & SCIENCE

Nature as Spiritual Practice  Steven Chase (Eerdmans) $18.00  An award named after the famous Whitman poem?  You're very welcome. You know there are lovely little books of devotional reading or spiritual exercises to use on hiking trips, resources for seeing God in the great outdoors and we stock a lot of them.  This is not altogether unlike those, but yet it is something bigger and deeper: a thick theology of the experience of nature.  It uses the developing language of practices and ponders a remarkable array of ways to be morally and spiritually formed by attending to the rhythms and ways of creation.  We have a lot of books about creation-care, green theology, and outdoor life, and there is nothing like this.  Kudos!  Also, then, when you really do go into the "mystical moist night-air" like the poet says, bring with you the more practical guidebook that Chase also wrote, a fine companion volume that that also deserves honorable mention: Field Guide to Nature as Spiritual Practice (Eerdmans; $8.00.) 

MY FAVORITE, MOST-LOVED, MOST-RECOMMENDED MEMOIR OF THE YEAR

Jesus, My Father, The CIA, and Me...A Memoir, of Sorts  Ian Cron (Nelson) $15.99  I don't think I've enjoyed a book this year as much as I did this one and I don't think I pressed it into so many people's hands, saying "you have to read this, you'll love it!"  And, they do!  This is accessible, funny, moving, insightful, very well written, and just what you want in a memoir---a great story well told, a bit of universal insight, some great laughs and some tender tears amidst very captivating prose.  You won't forget this guy's childhood, his weird family, his hard-earned faith, and his journey to healing and hope.  Not only was it my favorite memoir of the year, it was up there among my favorite books of any sort!   I'll read whatever Ian writes next, guaranteed.  And I bet we'll award it a prize as it, too, is sure to be good, whatever it may be.

THE KNOCK ME DOWN AND RIP MY HEART OUT AWARD FOR MOST AMAZINGLY STUNNING PAGE TURNING MEMOIR OF THE YEAR

House of Prayer No. 2: A Writer's Journey Home  Mark Richard (Nan Talese Books) $23.95  I can't remember how many times I sat this book down to catch my breath.  How many times, lying next to my wife in bed, she'd say "What?" as I sighed or smacked my head or wiped a tear or when I exclaimed "Holy sh....")  Holy shit. Yep, that pretty much sums up this crazy story of a handicapped kid whose life is troubled and graced, who becomes a writer, still troubled, still graced.  Novelist Pat Conroy--no stranger to some heavy-duty, heart-rending stories--says that Richard's prose style is "both hammerblow and shrapnel.  He has written the book of his life." Any Hembel (who says "this is some of the finest writing you will ever read") notes that "in this unconventional memoir, we see the yearning of the artist transfigured into faith---an authentic faith that is both struggled for and struggled against in the midst of ceaseless and necessary doubt."  Stunning.

HONORABLE MENTION FOR AN HONORABLE, GOOD STORY



A Good and Perfect Gift: Faith, Expectations, and a Little Girl Named Penny  Amy Julia Becker (Bethany House) $14.99  Sometimes joy shows up when you least expect it, the back cover says.  Andy Crouch--a good judge about good books--writes that Becker "has the courage and grace to tell the truth. Whether you are a parent or not, whether the children in your life are 'typical' or not, this story will shake you, change you, encourage you."  Joni Eareckson Tada, who has written much about the dignity of those with handicapping conditions, says it is "poignant and powerful, the world needs more stories of inspiration like this one."  Lovely.


 

HONORABLE MENTION FOR A HARD, HOPEFUL STORY

A House With No Roof: After My Father's Assassination, A Memoir  Rebecca Wilson (Counterpoint) $16.95 Two things drew me to this sad story of a girl growing up with a drug dealing, violent brother and a hippie-dippy San Francisco mom: Anne Lamott, who cared for the author's mother in her final stages of cancer, and wrote a remarkable forward, and the fact that it was on the esteemed publishing house, Counterpoint (Wendell Berry's publisher.)  In 1966, Ms Wilson's father, a radical union organizer, was murdered because of his efforts to expose corruption in the local union. How does a kid grow up in the hippy sub-culture of crazy politics and drugs and sex, raised by a mother undone by grief? How does a young adult, years later, cope with family secrets of this sort? She rides horses, becomes aware of the complexities of domestic violence, explores--and disavows religious faith--becomes a writer, and lives to tell about it.  Anne says "I think her story will blow you away."  Then she writes, soberly, "Rebecca Wilson's is a new voice in American letters, at once pure and heartfelt, rough and jaunty.  She's a natural storyteller with an amazing story that she tells with plainness and elegance. I don't quite know how she pulled this off, but I love and admire this book, as I do its author.  I believe you will too."

HONORABLE MENTION FOR A FASCINATING, ILLUSTRATIVE STORY

Raised Right: How I Untangled My Faith from Politics  Alisa Harris (Waterbrook) $14.99  I've reviewed this riveting memoir in several places this year, and raved here at BookNotes.  It is a feisty and fun memoir, by a great young writer, telling the tale---truly fascinating, and quite enlightening---of her being raised among strict fundamentalists of a very politicized, right-wing sort.  As she grows into adulthood she learns some things, unlearns some things, sets out for a new way to more faithfully relate faith and public life.  I grew to care about this story and want to follow this important young voice, hoping she emerges as a thoughtful, balanced thinker about public justice and evangelical social engagement.  A few parts are really funny and a few parts are mouth-droppingly shocking.  Highly recommended.

HONORABLE MENTION FOR AN IMPORTANT, HEROIC STORY

Tutu: Authorized  Alister Sparks (HarperOne) $29.99  Agree with him on every point of theology or politics or not, there is little doubt that the South African Bishop Desmond Tutu is one of the great world leaders of our lifetime. Tutu rose to prominence in the anti-apartheid efforts decades ago and has grown in stature as an Anglican theologian, global churchman, and pastor, a kindly and joyfully winsome follower of his savior, Jesus the Christ.  This is a riveting (authorized) biography, detailed and complex when it should be, upbeat and inspiring at times, insightful and captivating throughout.  A fine biography, not overly detailed and never tedious, but thorough about his life and times.  Tutu's faith and hope and love are nearly contagious, so reading this will surely be salutary, as a high Anglican might say.  The great cover doesn't hurt, either.  A very notable, long-awaited, heroic, biography.

HONORABLE MENTION FOR AN EVOCATIVE, SPIRITUAL STORY

Shirt of Flame: A Year With Saint Therese of Lisieux Heather King (Paraclete) $16.99  I was very much taken by the two previous elegant and eloquent memoirs King wrote, Parched and Redeemed,  her passionate story of bottoming out and moving into recovery from alcoholism and its sequel telling of her conversion to Christ and the Roman Catholic church.  So now I'd read anything she wrote.  But a book about her reading a book, the curiously passionate French Carmelite (that Jana Riess so roundly mocked in the beginning of Flunking Sainthood)??  Well, yes, even that. And it is so good.  As one reviewer---himself in gritty ministry in Ramallah, the West Bank of the Palestinian Territories---writes, "This book brings out the grit of sanctity, how it is a continuous, no-holds-barred full-on contact engagement with reality."  This is mostly a quiet book, gentle and very finely written.  Ronald Rolheiser wisely invites, "If you are aching at some very deep places, let this book be  your doctor."  

HONORABLE MENTION FOR FAVORITE LITERARY MEMOIR

Thoughts without Cigarettes: A Memoir  Oscar Hijuelos (Gotham Books) $27.50 You may know this wonderful Latino novelist, or have heard of his Pulitzer Prize award-winning, best-selling Mambo Kings...(or his wonderful Mr. Ive's Christmas.)  This is his life story, a memoir of growing up Cuban in New York, his immigrant experience, showing how he became the person and writer he is.  Jose Miguel Oviedo writes that Hijuelos "achieves the miracle of transforming ordinary daily events into extraordinary happenings while recovering the lost time of childhood."  I'm drawn to the experience of those coming of age in minority cultures, and more, to those who grow up to become artists.  I'm not only in naming this as one of the great books of the year.

TRIPLE CROWN AWARD: THREE VITAL TOPICS IN ONE GREAT BOOK

The Cost of Community: Jesus, St. Francis and the Life in the Kingdom  Jamie Arpin-Ricci, CJ  (Likewise; IVP) $16.00  I mostly love these sorts of books that aren't simple to categorize or shelve because they cover so much territory.  When they do it in a slim, well written volume, that is all the better.  This about intentional community, about what we can learn from St. Francis, and a study of the Sermon on the Mount.  Yes, it is also a memoir, but that wouldn't fit my "triple crown award" designation, and  calling it quadruple sounds dangerous.  Arpin-Ricci and his family--solid, evangelical  folk--end up being called to urban ministry, discover St. Francis who naturally rocks their world, and start taking the Sermon on the Mount as their primary document for living faithful Christ-shaped discipleship.  There are lots of good stories of their journey (and the dramatic stuff that happens in urban ministry) and there are upbeat examples of great joy in the journey.  But, too, this is serious stuff, inviting us--challenging us--to take Christ seriously, as Francis did.  And as do his pals at the Little Flowers community in Winnipeg.  A wonderful example of what some are calling the movement of "new monasticism at the forgotten places of the Empire."   Three cheers.

THE SCHOLARLY GREATEST HITS ALBUM, I MEAN, BOOK, OF THE YEAR

Taking Every Thought Captive: Forty Years of the Christian Scholars Review edited by Don W. King (Abilene University Press) $ 25.00  I've touted this at BookNotes and in a few other places where I've been asked to submit reviews.  I'm trying to be clever, and in no way intend to demean this fine anthology, to say that it is like a greatest hits album, long enough to be a double album---with year's worth of wonderful cuts, deep tracks, stuff you forgot about, classics. There are older essays, more recent ones, all by leading Christian scholars of the last 40 years, and that have appeared in the important but little known journal The Christian Scholars Review. This includes important essays by Mark Noll, Nicholas Wolterstorff, Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen, Ronald Sider, Brian Walsh, Arthur Holmes, and dozens more. Anyone who is a nonfiction book worm, anyone interested in honoring God in the modern academy, anybody interested in learning how to better integrate faith and scholarship, anyone who wants to reflect seriously on the implications of a Christian worldview, simply must get this award winning collection.  Like a good greatest hits disc, you'll use it a lot! Some parts you'll share with others. It deserves a lot of acclaim.  While we're at it, I'd give the producers a 2011 Grammy if I could...

THE BEST BOOK WITH WISE-CRACKING WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT

Socrates in the City: Conversations on "Life, God, and Other Small Topics"  Edited by Eric Metaxas  (Dutton) $27.95  Okay, the Yalie has his white ascot-like hanky in the breast pocket of his very Navy jacket making him look oh-so-dapper.  But he's a VeggieTale pirate at heart and just can't help himself. He cracks wise, even when introducing some of the world's smartest people. In the preface he asks why intellectual pursuits can 't be fun.  Yeah, that's what I always say when I'm introducing the founder of the not very funny First Things or a brilliant British theologian like Alister McGrath.  This great book compiles transcripts of lectures given at Metaxas's side hustle, his Socrates in the City lecture series in NYC.  And, yep, there are spectacular chapters here by Sir John Polkinghorne and Jean Bethke Elshtain and Os Guinness. Peter Kreeft and Alister McGrath are here and Francis Collins and more. I love the hint of a sly grin on Eric's cover mug and I like his upbeat opening chapter and the small hints of zaniness as he does the introductions for each eminent lecturer. But that doesn't alone earn a Hearts & Minds accolade.  Oh wait, maybe it does.  Sure this has some of the best arguments for a Christian view of life, for truth and goodness and justice, but, well, who needs sober erudition when you've got Metaxas channeling Socrates in his city?  Ha.  This is a spectacular book on all counts.  Buy two, one for your own edification and one to give away.  I'm not kidding!

BEST BOOK OF REFORMED THEOLOGY 



Life in God: John Calvin, Practical Formation, and the Future of Protestant Theology Matthew Myer Boulton (Eerdmans) $28.00  There are lots of good theology texts and we have lots that deserve mention.  This one stands out for being so very interesting, and well written and for insisting that serious theology should matter for ordinary folks.  Erudite and scholarly (this guy knows his stuff, believe me!) it makes the case that Calvin, especially in his famous Institutes, is most interested in the spiritual formation and timely discipleship of God's people.  This is a great example not only of some of the latest scholarly opinion about Calvin and his work but of why good doctrine, then, and now, really matters.  Calvin biographer and director of Refo500 notes that it is "a stimulating and fresh approach... Boulton succeeds in demonstrating that for Calvin doctrine is itself practical---and that Protestant theology today can gain much from reading Calvin."  If that ain't worthy of an award...

BEST BOOK OF ECUMENICAL THEOLOGY

Evangelicals and Nicene Faith: Reclaiming the Apostolic Witness  edited by Timothy George (BakerAcademic) $24.99  My, my, this should have wide appeal and could be a huge blessing if it were studied and discussed.  Fastidious patristics will love it--it is about orthodoxy and the apostolic faith, and those who wish that evangelicals were more deeply rooted will find this useful, and liberal Protestants who are in need of perhaps insight from both will, also, find this really helpful.  There is a bit of an emphasis, too, on just how the Creed's truths can be lived out -- even in worship and mission and pastoral work.  Authors from a variety of perspectives gathered at Beeson Divinity school for a major conference and this work brings a large amount of insight about historic faith of the 4th century to the 21st century.   The book was dedicated to Jaroslav Pelikan.

HONORABLE MENTION AS BEST BOOK OF THEOLOGY--FOR GENERAL READERS

Salvation Means Creation Healed: The Ecology of Sin and Grace  Howard Synder with Joel Scandrett (Cascade Books) $31.00  There is another subtitle here and it is important to me and important to the thesis of this fascinating, creatively-done work: "Overcoming the Divorce Between Earth and Heaven."  This thought-provoking and well-done book shares much, but adds new vigor to work such as Surprised By Hope by N. T. Wright, Transforming Vision by Walsh & Middleton, and even Creation Regained by Al Wolters, three books I return to again and again.  I have long admired the radical Wesleyan, Howard Snyder who has given us books on the relationship of the church to the Kingdom  such as Community of the King. This recent book has a broad and thoughtful tone, a global vision, and is deeply committed to the Biblical story (I almost thought I should award it in a Biblical studies category.) As David Fitch writes, it "crafts a stunning vision of the breadth of God's Reign in Jesus Christ."  Is the missio dei the restoration of all creation?  Do we need a fuller understanding of the gospel, rejecting the dualism between heaven and earth?  Can the bodily resurrection of Jesus shape our own sense of mission and purpose?  Should sound theology lead to an "ecological worldview"?  This is not arcane, heavy, theology, but it is more than another restatement of God's call to social involvement.  It is a richly develop, artfully produced, mature, provocative formulation of how to think about faith, life, discipleship and the nature of our churches.  Highly recommended.

THE NOT SURE AWARD

Not Sure: A Pastor's Journey from Faith to Doubt John Suk (Eerdmans) $18.00  I was only half kidding in awarding this the "not sure" award.  I'm not sure what to call this, and I am not sure I want to commend it to all---it is rooted in memoir, thoughts the pastor and CRC church leader and writer had when he went on a year-long cross country tour with his wife in their RV. It is serious stuff, as significant doubt is.  As a learned theologian and a contemporary, philosophical thinker, Suk gives us more than a sentimental journal, let alone a travelogue: it is a critical study of the shift in culture (what some call the postmodern turn) and how religion has been seen in different ways in these days.  And in his own life.  I think it is fair to say that this is a painful book about a church leader owning up to the fact that he didn't believe what he once did.  He's seems now okay with his admission of a Christian sort of agnosticism, and his graceful, poignant telling of the tale is admirable, if a bit troubling.  Cornelius Plantinga writes "John Suk is as honest as the Bible. With an angular, unforgettable voice he joins the psalmists who dare to lament their losses before the face of God because even lament is at bottom an expression of faith. A memorable book!"  Oh yeah, that is putting it mildly.  Nic Wolterstorff calls it a "rich, eloquent, beautifully-written book...seldom has personal story been so imaginatively interwoven with cultural history, analysis, and critique." One sure thing-- this is an award winning piece of work, whatever category we call it.

A SWEET "FAITH AND FAITHLESSNESS" AWARD FOR THE BEST WRITTEN, MOST SURPRISING, SERIOUSLY UNCONVENTIONAL SEARCH FOR FAITH BY A PRETTY ANTI-CHRISTIAN AUTHOR WHO TAKES US ON ONE HECK OF A ROAD TRIP

Sweet Heaven When I Die: Faith, Faithlessness, and the Country In Between  Jeff Sharlet (Norton) $24.95  I think this was one of the most captivating, wonderfully-written, artfully engaging, entertaining, heart-breaking books I've read all year.  I loved it, or most of it.  Sharlet made a name for himself documenting--and overstating, I'd say--the influence of some conservative evangelicals and others in the Christian right.  He has drifted from traditional Christian faith (by his own admission) but can't avoid the big questions, the search for meaning, extreme religious folks, or extremely anti-religious folks.  Drawn as he is to the odd-balls and weirdos, the noble and amazing folk at the fringes, he ends up with a collection of pieces that take you to some places where some sort of faith or faithlessness holds sway (sometimes by a thread.)  The New Republic was right to call him "fearless and fantastically talented" (an assessment that itself is almost award-worthy, given how fearless and how fantastically talented Sharlet is.)  Peter Trachtenberg says "he scours the desert margins of our culture, politics, and religion, training his eyes on outlaws, anarchists, fanatics, and saints. In this way he reveals the unexpected shape of our nation's center, which is to say, our heart."  I sort of hope not.  Still, what a book.  

THE FUNNIEST, MOST TOUCHING, GLOBAL SEARCH FOR TRUTH THROUGH WORLD RELIGIONS MEMOIR AWARD

Man Seeks God: My Flirtations with the Divine  Eric Weiner (Grand Central) $26.99 Well, maybe this isn't the one you've been waiting for, but I've been looking for a book like this for a long time and this one is so good that it wins a coveted Hearts & Minds best book of 2011 award.  Halo or no, this dude is funny, honest, neurotic, and one heckuva writer.  (Do you know his acclaimed Geography of Bliss?) In what ends up being a bit embarrassing, the book starts with Weiner in the hospital, thinking he's dying.  A nurse asks him matter of factly if he has found his God.  His God?  He's smart enough to know that this is sort of odd--God is either the real God or not, not his own personal made-up cosmic friend.  But something about it strikes him.  He's all agnostic and unsure and yet eager and open.  He wants to experience the Real, he's a postmodern Jew in search of the religious experience that William James wrote about so importantly, but never experienced himself.  He is an award winning NPR journalist so has traveled around the world and has friends who are practitioners of every world religion in some pretty exotic places.  He seeks them out.  He tries things out---learning to whirl like a dervish in a remote outskirt of Istanbul, for instance meeting a Rinchope in Kathmandu.  It loved this book which--although I've got less interest in the subject than I should, I suppose--had me up late turning the pages, laughing myself silly, and wiping tears.  And, oddly, longing for my God.

A NICE SHINY APPLE AWARD: THE BEST BOOK FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS WHO ARE CHRISTIANS---A GREAT AND RARE BOOK.

Making a Difference: Christian Educators in Public Schools  Donovan L. Graham (Purposeful Design) $16.95  Those who follow Hearts & Minds know that we love offering resources for professionals who want to "think Christianly" about their callings and careers.  We think the Bible calls us to develop unique and redemptive ways to live in the world, and relating faith and work is urgent.  Alas, there simply have not been many books about serving God as a public school teacher and how to take Biblically-based principle on education, knowing, learning, teaching, and forming communities of character.  This is a wonderful book, head and shoulders above anything else in the field.  Graham has taught in public schools, in Christian schools, and has taught education majors in a college setting.  Get the guy an apple, he deserves it!

BEST BOOK OF PHILOSOPHICAL STUDIES

Justice in Love  Nicholas Wolterstorff  (Eerdmans) $35.00  Try as I might, I can't think of a witty name for this award nor anything to be a wise acre about.  Straight up, this is serious Christian scholarship, written by one of the most imminent political philosophers of our day, addressing themes around the relationship between love and justice.  You may know his significant, truly award-winning book of 2008 published by the prestigious Princeton University Press, Justice: Rights and Wrongs.  This, in a way, is a nearly 300 pages that didn't quite fit the tight format of that magisterial work.  Those of us committed to a Biblical worldview certainly ought to care about the nuances and implications of a Christian view of love, and most of what it written tends towards the devotional or sentimental.  This will give you mature insight, get you thinking more deeply, carry you into months of good conversations and ruminations.  May it help many, even if it is demanding. 

HERE YA GO: AN AWARD ABOUT PLACE

Where Mortals Dwell: A Christian View of Place for Today Craig G. Bartholomew (BakerAcademic) $29.99   This category had several titles on a short list and there are many who are writing important stuff about our sense of place and why we should care about our locale. This, though, was the hands-down winner. As Bill McKibben writes, Where Mortals Dwell is "a unique book. It takes the deeply biblical identification with place and maps in onto our homogenized world to see what possibilities we have for new depth, new beauty, new meaning."  He exclaims, "I found it unrelentingly fascinating."  Well, so did I, and with blurbs and raves from esteemed cultural critics such as Bob Goudzwaard and Norman Wirzba, I was hooked even before it arrived.  Granted, it is perhaps a bit more philosophical than what most readers will want to wade through, and it covers a lot of ground.  Still, it is very interesting, well written and is delightfully interdisciplinary which should give it a wide appeal. As Duke Divinity School prof Ellen Davis notes, it may well be unprecedented. This is called a "here ya go" award...with the emphasis on here.  But also on why we go. This is one of the most important books of the decade and will only increase in urgency.  Years from now, you'll recall we gave it a holy shout out in 2011.  

BEST GOSPEL CENTERED BOOK ABOUT A SOCIAL ISSUE (WITH A GREAT TITLE)



Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian  John Piper (Crossway) $22.99  I have written before about what is in some circles being called a "gospel centered life."  That is, an unrelenting emphasis on the saving grace of the gospel, seen in how God works out our justification through the death of Christ who becomes sin and takes away our condemnation and imputes to us his own righteousness, freeing us to living for God, properly so, now, by making much of Christ who shows us how to serving all with gladness.  Or something like that.  The prolific John Piper is the Patron Saint of this movement, if such Reformed Baptist types had patron saints.  Now, wonderfully, St. John shows how this deeply Christ-centered vision of the gospel effects our own complicity in the sins of racism and how the cross is the only true hope for ethnic and cultural reconciliation.  I am astonished at this book, happy that those who spend sometimes a bit too much time arguing about the details of atonement theories can now see how, in fact, God's good gospel leads us to take a stand for justice, renouncing all that would demean others due to race or ethnicity.  Piper knows the demonic influences of racism in black-and-white issues the best, and he talks about his own racist youthful years, so he mostly speaks to that.  This book has its quirks, as Piper almost always does, but it is significant in so many ways, that it surely is my pick for best book this year about race, best book about the gospel, best book to explain the implications of the gospel centered life.  As Tim Keller notes in the moving forward, this is, ultimately, not a book about social problems, or even a book about sin.  It is a book about moving more deeply into grace.  Kudos.

BEST GENERAL MARKET BOOK ABOUT A SOCIAL ISSUE (WITH THE BEST PUNK ROCK TITLE)



Rock the Casbah: Rage and Rebellion Across the Islamic World  Robin Wright (Simon & Schuster) $26.99  We have learned to be a bit suspicious of books that come out too quickly, rushed to press, to capitalize on a current event or recent trend.  Current events junkies the world over, though, were glad this came out when it did as many are interested in the "Arab Spring" and we needed an insightfu, reliable guide to the various countries and cultures, the diverse ideologies and players, and how to best think about the rage and rebellion that is rocking the Arab world.  Kudos to this world-class, highly regarded journalist for writing a book so informative, so important, and so very, very, edge-of-your seat interesting.  Those who follow these complex and exciting and dangerous things assure us that Ms Wright is singularly gifted to write this book.  I'm very impressed.


BEST BOOK WHICH TACKLES ONE ASPECT OF THE THREAT OF RADICAL ISLAM (WITH A TITLE THAT SAYS IT ALL)

Silenced: How Apostasy and Blasphemy Codes Are Choking Freedom Worldwide  Paul Marshall & Nina Shea (Oxford University Press) $35.00  Okay, it isn't the sexiest category to be awarded.  I tried to not go over the top in finding a clever award title, because this is truly serious stuff. There is amazing research here, deep political analysis, important reminders of how worldviews work, and remarkable global reporting. Much of this is important work is truly up-to-date reporting about the threats to freedom presented by those who want to demolish any notions of religious freedom.  Blasphemy and apostasy laws are not essential to mature Islam, however, as several Islamic scholars write in the guest chapters of this ground-breaking work.  Although the authors are theologically-informed Christian scholars, this is not a general book about Islamic doctrine or world missions, but simply about whether this trend against religious freedom is a threat to the West and what we might do to respond to this nasty new reality.  There are gruesome stories here, and the threat is real, so it is to the author's great credit that they are mostly sober and even gracious through-out, resisting the cheap shot of sensationalism that lesser analysts might offer.  A brilliant book, very urgent, well done.

AND, FINALLY...
 
THE "FINALLY" AWARD TO WESTMINSTER/JOHN KNOX PRESS AND N.T. WRIGHT FOR THE LONG-AWAITED COMPLETION OF THE FOR EVERYONE SERIES


The Early Christian Letters for Everyone: James, Peter, John, and Judah N. T. Wright (WJK) $15.00

Revelation for Everyone  N.T. Wright (WJK) $15.00

With these two volumes out in 2011 we now have the complete multi-volume set of the "For Everyone" New Testament commentaries done by N. T. Wright.  These have been very helpful for lots of ordinary folks and informed Bible scholars enjoy checking them too for the way Wright offers his own unique translations, does astute Biblical exegesis, and shares lots of great pastoral insights and helpful, teacherly illustrations. We weren't sure when these final two were coming, and this is the year we can shout out Hallelujah for this great gift to God's people.



Well, time for a stretch break.  Operators are standing by if you want to join the celebrations by buying a few of these books.  Buying stuff is sort of like voting: let that invisible hand know you appreciate these kinds of quality titles; your vote in the marketplace is noticed.  Accolades and awards---especially of the sort that comes from a certain book shop in central Pennsylvania---don't pay the publishers bills, and if we want them to publish great books, well, we've got to buy the great books.  These are some of the best of the year, I'm sure of it. 

Tune in soon for the Hearts & Minds awards, Part Two.  There will be announcements; oh my, will there be announcements.  Will Rob Bell make the cut? Will I announce my truly favorite read of the year?  What crazy new kid's book will I award? Might I share what book made me the happiest?  What author might get two big Best Book designations? Should I get cranky and give a few bad book awards?  There's so much more coming.  But first, I've got some reading to do!   

 















 





Oh baby, what a way to usher in the New Year here at our workplace.  Although we don't usually answer emails on Sunday (as we say at the website order form page) every other day we always answer each email, promptly and personally, human-to-human, if only to confirm that the order was received. And to offer a greeting and blessing.  Betcha don't get that kind of lovin' from  Amazon.

Alas, on Monday (January 2nd) and into today, Tuesday, we couldn't reply to anyone or confirm any orders because our account at an email server went indescribably bonkers. 

If you sent us any emails from mid-day on January 2nd, until noon on January 3rd, please be advised (he says rather formally) that your communication with us was lost. Gone rogue, AWOL, prodigal, disappeared. Zip.

Please, please re-send whatever you sent.  I'll be on the edge of my office chair here, eagerly awaiting whatever we missed.

We do hope you will contact us again.  We do, quite humanely, apologize for this dumb hassle.  And we'll be sure to respond personally, like the good old days of 2011.  Thanks.


                                               

A number of people sent facebook comments, tweeted, or sent emails saying they enjoyed my comments about book cover design and how we showed in our last BookNotes post some jackets that we think worked well.   I chose non-fiction books from Christian publishers; I not only highlighted some good design work and revealed a bit of my own tastes, I guess, but it showed the real variety of publishers we appreciate. And the variety of ways to do book covers well.

There are, as we said, a bunch of "best covers of 2011" lists out there, and some of the mainstream publishers have done stunning work.  You can find those that are widely recognized and hope you do.  Cover art and jacket lettering--and, increasingly, the inside design--is a vital part of the real book experience.  As I've often said, the size and shape and feel of a book matters, too, for a pleasurable reading experience.  Of course the old adage that "you shouldn't judge a book by its cover" remains true, but that is not to say we shouldn't judge the cover.  I sometimes say that whoever coined that truism must never have tried to sell books, because people do.  All the time.  

So, here are  just a few from mainstream, general market publishers that I pulled off our shelves or have stocked at some point this year.  They are a few of my favorite covers this year, mostly non-fiction.  Enjoy.

Sweet Heaven When I Die: Faith, Faithlessness, and the Country in Between  Jeff Sharlet (Norton) $24.95 cover design by Mark Melnick  Not only is this just about the best-written book I've read all year, I love the cover.  It may seem a bit busy, but on closer look, the rugged terrain and the picture on the billboard just strikes such a chord.







 

My Dyslexia Philip Schultz (Norton) $21.95 cover design by Mark Melnick  I didn't realize it until I checked to type it just now, but this is the same designer who did the Sharlet title.  A very different use of color hue on the typography, very different fonts, an obviously very different feel.  The way the author's name and the notation that he is a Pulitzer Prize winner are all arranged, it almost gives the sense of being dyslexic, but it isn't misspelled, which would have been a too-obvious, cheap move. The upside down title on the spine, though, is a wild touch that really works.  A very, very moving book with a very creative but classy cover.





House of Prayer No. 2: A Writer's Journey Home Mark Richard (Nan A. Talese/Doubleday) $23.95 cover design by Michael J. Windsor Nan Talese's imprint is impeccably prestigious, or so I gather, so the writing would not only have to be top-shelf impressive (it is!) but the cover would have to be excellently executed.  The hectic scribble, the nostalgia of an old photo, the color, the print sizes, the odd font choice all are well suited for this allusive title. What the heck is the "house of prayer no. 2?"  The look is maybe a bit edgy, a bit risky but it works. This is one of my favorite memoirs of the year and one of my favorite covers.






Peace Meals: Candy-Wrapped Kalashnikovs and Other War Stories Anna Badkhen (Free Press) $25.00 Cover design by Eric Fuentecilla  I may wax eloquent about this foodie travelogue through war zones later, but the juxtaposition of the worn, soiled hands, those lovely little fruits, and the lacy tablecloth makes this a very evocative cover for me.  Love it!   I wish the back jacket was a bit more interesting, but don't you love that photo by Spencer Platt?  Kudos.







The Age of Persuasion: How Marketing Ate Our Culture Terry O'Reilly & Mike Tennant (Counterpoint) $16.95 cover design by Michel Vrana   What can I say---a perfect cover with the Mad Men allusion, the hip colors.  I don't even know what this kind of high-contrast, silk-screened-like art is called but it is instantly recognizable. Am I wrong? Cool, man.









Fair Food: Growing A Healthy Sustainable Food System for All  Oran B. Hesterman (Public Affairs) $24.99 cover design by Brent Wilcox  As I looked through our section on food, sustainable eating, and such, a few really bad ones stuck out.  (One had a pile of dirt on a dinner plate, which made, uh, some kind of point, but it was just weird, as good as the book was.)  This, though, used food in the typography without being corny (sorry.)  I noticed the heft of the book, the good stock on the dust jacket and excellent binding; the playful cover stands out, even on the spine.  Do you like?





Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World  Michael Lewis (Norton) $25.95  cover design by Darren Hagar  When I saw this in the publsiher's catalog it only registered as yet another boring-looking book about economics and public affairs. It's Michael Lewis, though, a fantastic writer (The Blind Side, The Big Short) so of course we ordered it in.  When the book arrived, I looked more closely at the black eye old George was given and it made me laugh right out loud.  It isn't overstated but once you see it, it changes everything.








Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery 2nd edition Garr Reynolds (New Rider's Press) $29.99  cover design by Garr Reynolds  There was a second edition this year of this classic book on how to use PowerPoint more artfully and effectively and it presented the publishers with a common problem: how to do a 2nd edition? A whole new cover suggests a whole new book.  The words updated or new edition are cumbersome.  I loved the way they used the sticky post-it note here---which certainly fits the genre of a business book.  It doesn't distract much from the zen-like qualities of the cover, but--I'm supposing--they realize it is, after all, a book jacket cover, not a photography for an meditation center.  A nice example of commercial art that is clever, that gets the job done, and remains artful enough.  The author, not surprisingly, by the way, designed the cover.

State of Wonder: A Novel  Ann Patchett (Harper) $26.99  cover design by Archie Ferguson  Nate Duval deserves special credit, too, for doing the impressive jacket illustrations.  When an author is one of the most acclaimed of our generation, we would assume there is quite a budget (and quite a struggle) to get the design just right.  From the deckled pages to the warm yellow flyleafs, the whole package is solid and lovely.  But this artwork, the intricate dragonflies (on front and back) and the edging which brings to mind Pennsylvania Dutch fraktur, sets the book apart, especially in a year full of the hip, minimalist, stark, and postmodern.




A Chicken in Every Yard: The Urban Farm Store's Guide to Chicken Keeping  Robert & Hannah Litt (Tenn Speed Press) $19.99  cover design by Chris Hotz/Nemo Design  I mentioned that I wasn't sold on the funny cover of the great Joel Salatin book, the one with the chicken next to a giant egg. Great book but dumb cover.  If you're going to use a chicken on a book, I think this one works better--it somehow brings to mind an old union poster with that metal, industrial bridge and gray skyline.  The inside, by the way, is a treat to behold, with art ranging from vintage New Yorker type illustrations to full color photos of the lovely bird in action and bunches of vivid farm scenes.




The Other Walk: Essays by Sven Birkerts (Graywolf Perss) $15.00  The artsy Graywolf is a perfect publishing home for this eloquent essayist, whose memoir and considerations about print culture and books are essential reading.  The textured cover on this paperback is nice to the touch, and the black and white photo is excellent, even if a bit odd.  The simple text in a line across the top reminds me of old City Lights poetry books.  I suspect it has some allusions to previous publishing looks.






Arctic Autumn: A Journey To Season's Edge Pete Dunne (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) $24.00 cover design by Martha Kennedy  I know it is sort of cheating to choose books with close up nature photos, but this design--a broad horizon scene and a close up of the polar bear is such a nice combo, I wanted to show it. The book is a travelogue, so it has to make you want to go there, or at least read about going there, right?  Further, it is the third in a series, each with uniform covers, and I like those sorts of projects.  The others aren't exactly the same, either, but do stand together, quite nicely. See his Prairie Spring and Bayshore Summer.  Wonder what the fourth will be?  I'm sure it will have a great cover.




Praying for Strangers: An Adventure in the Human Spirit  River Jordan (Berkley) $24.95  Okay, maybe it is just me, but I love the earth tones, the lower case letters in the title, (and the way the words are arranged.)  I guess these dots are blurred headlights, but I'm not quite sure.  There is color, but it is muted, evoking the mystery that is at the heart of this lovely memoir.  It is a slightly smaller sized shaped, too, making it perfect to hold.  Kudos.







Joining the Resistance Carol Gilligan (Polity Press) $19.95 cover design by Office of Paul Sahre  This is a good example of a minimalist approach; no subtitle, the sans serif font, the singular raised hand.  Notice that it is not in an obvious "speak to the hand" sort of nay-saying gesture, as you might expect, but just raised---making it what Cal Seerveld would call "suggestion-rich."  The designers left most of the back and the back inside flap nearly blank, which I guess was intentional, but seems overly sparse with being striking. Maybe they should have gone the whole way, like the first hardcover all-white edition of Rob Bell's Velvet Elvis. Anyway, it is good to see scholarly presses doing creative design along with the heavy prose.


The Blind Contessa's New Machine  Carey Wallace (Pamela Dorman Books/Viking) $23.95 cover design by Kelly Blair  I noted in a previous BookNotes column just how lovely to behold this small hardback is.  The paperback is just now out with a great, new look, but the hardcover deserves to be seen again.  The story is about an 18th century Italian woman going blind, whose assistant invents a typewriter.  Ahh, but this allusive, inviting cover says nothing of that.  It still is a grand, artful cover, for a very beautiful novel.






The Information: A History, A Theory, A Flood  James Gleick (Pantheon) $29.95 cover design by Peter Mendelsund  What to say about this?  I tend to think that Pantheon has some of the strongest, contemporary covers in the industry, and this remarkably important, master writer has given us another major highly-acclaimed work of brilliant non-fiction.  The cover speaks volumes--although this thumbnail copy is missing an entire column of, well, information, so fails to do it justice, as the words flood over the jacket.  And you should ponder the back, too, which, in a few inches in the upper-right hand corner, offers a hint about the history of print.  Interesting, at least.  What do you think?



Lucid Food: Cooking for an Eco-Conscious Life  Lousia Shafia Ten Speed Press) $22.50   cover design by Toni Tajima  I wish the reproduction here captured how bright these close up photos are.  Again, it is nearly cheating to use close-pictures of food and there are so many truly beautiful covers in the cookbook category (ohh, we should have a category of best cover designs for books about chocolate!)  Still, this eccentric title not only uses great pictures but shows what I think is fabulous book design---the long stems on the right are so properly arranged and their bright color pops and the excellent choice of font and the arrangement of the text.  So intriguing...I had to include it as one great example of many in this genre.  The inside is a knock-out too.  What a treat.

I've enjoyed several fun lists of the best book covers of the year. (Go ahead and Google it and you'll see lots of quirky lists and cool covers.  Of course the biography of Jobs. A few artfully designed book jackets for important novels. What's with that Tina Fey cover, eh?)

Most of us who sell books know that a good--or mediocre, or bad--cover can make or break a book's success.  And, of course, there are those of us who believe that God cares about good design (see, oh, for instance, Rainbows for the Fallen World by Calvin Seerveld [Toronto Tuppence; $25.00], or any of the dozens of other books we have about aesthetics and creativity and beauty and such.)  Nice covers--and the design of pages, spine, heft and texture-- can enhance the reading experience but a book doesn't get a chance to charm if it isn't picked up.  A nice cover may lure the hapless bookshelf browser to select a title in the first place. If you like this kind of stuff, we stock a book from a few years ago that looks at a few book covers, church brochures, bulletin covers, ministry publications, choir music folios, church signs, para-church flyers, religious magazines, and all kinds of really great graphic design work.  Our friend, Square Halo honcho, Ned Bustard, had a piece chosen to be shown in it. See Graphic Design and Religion: A Call for Renewal by Daniel Kantor (GIA Publication; $39.95.)

It's hard for those of us not schooled in design to even know what to look for when offering acclaim about attractive, artful bookcovers.  So these choices are just my guess, and not at all comprehensive.  Not "the" best, just a bunch that I thought did the job well.

By the way, I don't think the norms or principles for a book jacket design are the same as for any painting or picture.  That is, a good art piece may be fabulous, but not work as a book cover. Some of the prizes for best cover go to pieces that seem like very good art, but not so good as book jackets.  And don't even get me started about typography and fonts, a topic about which there are some very cool books. 


It is complicated for me to think about cover art and back jacket design apart from the context of whether or not I like the book.  But, for now, the book's content or writing quality isn't quite pertinent (except insofar as the design of the book must allude to or evoke something of the substance of the book, right?)  I do not, though, show here any books we despise or disapprove of and most are actually pretty great.  A great cover, finally, can't redeem a bad book.



Lastly, I've chosen non-fiction books mostly from religious publishers; some faith-based publishers are still way behind their general market counterparts and some are down-right scholocky.  (At least they aren't as bad as the notoriously goofy new age and metaphysical marketplace which are often just laughable!)  I am sure others have given honors to books in the Christian market, but I've not seen any such lists.  So here are a few from mostly Christian publishers in no particular order, taken from our Dallastown shop shelves.  What do you think?

Of course, if you want to decorate your loft with cool looking books, give us a holler. We appreciate your support.

A Kingdom Called Desire: Confronted by the Love of a Risen King  Rick McKinley (Zondervan) $14.99  cover design by Aaron James, The Math Department.  I wish you could see the back cover where the black magic mark underlines and crosses out stuff in stark scribble.   Is there some hipster modern artist doing this kind of stuff?  Very cool, although not everyone seems to think so.









Sects, Love, and Rock & Roll: My Life on Record (Cascade) $23.00 cover design by Jim Tedrick  If you've ever held black vinyl, you know how great this is.











Your Neighbor's Hymnal  Jeffrey F. Keuss (Cascade) $17.00 cover design by M Stock Another music themed book from the same publisher, the plain but expansive red of the sleek couch, the hardwood floor, the lower case font, the extension of his arm.  The back cover is a bit busy, but the front, well, it rocks.









Surprised By Laughter: The Comic World of C.S. Lewis  Terry Lindvall (Nelson) $16.99 cover design by Charles Brock, Faceout Studio I think the scribbled title might be a bit too bold, but the muzzy and goatee on old C.S. is just perfect.  No, it does not make him look like Salvador Dali, but it is good of you to wonder.  There was an earlier edition of this out years ago (and they lose points for not noting that anywhere!) and that cover wasn't funny at all.  Yippee.








Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help Robert Lupton (HarperOne) $22.95
Theirs is the Kingdom: Celebrating the Gospel in Urban America  Robert Lupton (HarperOne) $13.99 covers designed by Gia Giasullo.

 I love it when publishers re-issue an older book with a new cover that somehow matches the newer one. The yellow and the strips tie these together, and I love them both.  The unique vantage point of the camera capturing the drum circle on the older one relays energy and urban movement.  The b/w piciture of the cross hanging from the dashboard on the hardback cover of the new Toxic Charity is somehow ominous.  If this doesn't win awards, I don't know what should.

Ir-rev-rend: Christianity Without the Pretense. Faith Without the Facade  Greg Surratt (FaithWords) $19.99 cover designed by Gearbox   If you don't know these old wooden boards in traditional churches you may not get it, but I thought it was pretty clever...










Awaken Your Sense: Exercises for Exploring the Wonder of God  J. Brent Bill & Beth A. Booram (IVP) $15.00 cover design by Cindy Kiple  I am a sucker for warm Earth tones, but the extra touches in this--showing the thorn, the bite out of the pear--make it extra interesting.  Nice touches on the back, too, making it a delight to view.  As it should be.








Abundant Simplicity: Discovering the Unhurried Rhythms of Grace Jan Johnson (IVP) $15.00 cover design by CIndy Kiple  A perfect use of a clean font and two gentle hues on the print.  And that exquisite swan, so naturally centered.  This wonderful design matches the book so well.  










Flunking Sainthood: A Year of Breaking the Sabbath, Forgetting to Pray, and Still Loving My Neighbor (Paraclete Press) $16.99  cover design by IHS Designs  One of my favorite books this year and you get the idea perfectly from the cover (at least if you've know what a typewriter is and how old-school corrections worked, ink hand-scribbled over the typing paper.)  The hilarity continues a bit on the back, too.  Love it.







Work Matters: Connecting Sunday Worship to Monday Work  Tom Nelson (Crossway) $15.99 cover design by Tobias' Outerwear for Books  Well, this effort could have flopped but I think they pulled it off.  Clean, intriguing, making the point. The light green of the authors name pulls it together, too... Do you like?










The Cross and the Lynching Tree James Cone (Orbis) $28.00 cover design by Valentin Concha-Nunez  The designer also did the actual art that shows the cross in the shadow of the tree, making a stark and notable statement about the book's claim.  The dust-jacket's flaps are adorned with elegant quotes and there is a classic photo of Dr. Cone on the back, offering a traditional look that works wells for this esteemed if provocative scholar.  







A Place at the Table: 40 Days of Solidarity with the Poor  Chris Seay (Baker) $13.99 cover design by Jay Smith-Juicebox Designs  The hand-lettering by Kristi Smith is brilliant.  The soft beige and blue hues, the hand-lettered font continued a bit on the back, it all works for a very contemporary feel.  The DVD cover art matches, too. 









A Year of Plenty: One Suburban Family, Four Rules, and 365 Days of Homegrown Adventure in Pursuit of Christian Living  Craig L. Goodwin  (Sparkhouse) $12.95  cover design by Alisha Lofgren The best use of color of any book about basic Christian growth we've seen in years.  I guess it isn't hard when you have a close up of a rooster, vibrant wildflowers, and a sweet kid holding giant vegetables.  Spectacular. 







I Am Second: Real Stories. Changing Lives Doug Bender & Dave Sterrett (Thomas Nelson) $19.99 cover design by Thomas Nelson Inc.  White on white is a bit risky, but it worked.  The inside of the hardback covers show bunches of quite striking photo portraits, and there are some interestingly posed photos throughout, making this a very handsome package, just the right weight and feel and look.  The honest and raw stories needed extra visuals; well-done.







Wisdom & Wonder: Common Grace in Science and Art Abraham Kuyper (Christian's Library Press) $14.99  cover design by Brandon Hill  Most heavy theology books (especially from a hundred years ago)  aren't that artfully designed and I've noted in each of my reviews of this historic release that it is, indeed, an allusive delight.  You have to look closely, but the dirt under the tree has an (upside down) urban skyline.  Are the potentialities that have allowed us to create culture grounded (in seed form) in the goodness of the very creation God made?  A beautiful, suggestive image of a key Bible doctrine opened up by the Dutch neo-Calvinist.   The image continues on the back, the font is clean--I love the fluid ampersand between the crisp words.  And why are the leaves blowing from the tree?  Kudos to everyone involved in making this obscure but important work available in such a pleasant, aesthetically-pleasing way.  I've heard they've done a hardback edition as well, which I haven't seen.


Mud & Poetry: Love, Sex, and the Sacred Tyler Blanski (Fresh Air Books) $16.95 cover design by Left Coast Design  Okay, the coffee spills and rings have been done before, but this messy cover works so well; it would have been too obvious to use mud.  Good mix of upper case/lower case lettering. The visual tone is a bit bohemian and moody, which, of course, is as it must be.  Very cool.  The skyscape is Minneapolis, by the way.








Naked Surrender: Coming Home To Our True Sexuality Andrew Comiskey (IVP) $16.00 cover design by Cindy Kiple  Comiskey works for Desert Stream Ministries and offers a Biblically-grounded, conservative vision of healing sexual brokenness and pain.  Some may find this a bit too stark, but the type design and white space and b/w photo make this very striking. Strong and artistic b/w photos on the back, too, tie this together as an excellent cover. I wonder if they worried that it was too sensual?
 







The Grace Effect: How the Power of One Life Can Reverse the Corruption of Unbelief Larry Alex Taunton (Nelson) $16.99 cover designed by Thomas Nelson Inc.  This is a fairly traditional design but the upward sweep and shadows and the perfect contrast of the deep orange creates a mature, classic look. 









Tutu Authorized Alister Sparks & Hpho Tutu (HarperOne) $29.99 cover design by Cameron Gibb  We all know that the estimable, smiling Archbishop is famously photogenic, but this shot knocks me out.  There is a picture of him dancing on the spine, and one of him in prayer with a Bible on the back, but this close up is so striking.  Glad they kept the text sparse.








Winter Light: A Christians Search for Humility  Bruce Ray Smith (Kalos Press) $12.95 David Bedsole  This under-stated, warm, cover uses light calligraphy in a way that really works---not every calligraphed cover works so well!  Even their logo on the back enhances the cover.  This paperback was made with that slightly waxy stock, thick ink, making it so nice to hold.  Is the top half a very close up of ice crystals?  I think.  Kudos to a new, indie press, committed to excellence.







Shaped By God: Twelve Essentials for Nurturing Faith in Children, Youth and Adults edited by Robert J. Keeley   Note the collage of words (as if from newsprint, or Sunday School worksheets or Bible pages) that form the watering can and sprinkle out.  In lesser hands it could have been cheesy, but I think this is artful without being didactic or clumsy.  I wish you could see it up close. Very creative.








Hell Is Real (But I Hate to Admit It) Brian Jones (Cook) $14.99 cover design by JWH Graphic Arts  It's been done on album covers and ads and I'm sure bunches of horror books, which works, here, eh? Not too many words and nothing else, but... that red arrow sets it off, I think, and the red comes in to play on the back. Is it the devil's tail? 









Words Made Fresh: Essays on Literature & Culture  Larry Woiwode (Crossway) $24.99 cover design by Gearbox Studio  When I gave this a rave review in an September BookNotes I hinted that it seemed almost too good for a Mid-Western religious publisher as it could have easily worked on any of the top-shelf literary houses from New York.  The cover design, also, stand head and shoulders above typical evangelical books and Crossway obviously went the extra mile with some whimsy and yet small touches of collage.  The dust-jacket is on a high quality, heavy, textured stock; if only it had deckle edged pages.  Double kudos.




Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian  John Piper (Crossway) $22.99 cover design by Josh Dennis  I think this is  one of the most striking covers in years!  The smooth texture, the red line, extended around the back.  The nearly painful gravitas of the topic demanded a serious look, and this excels.







 

Make College Count: A Faithful Guide to Life & Learning  Derek Melleby (Baker) $12.99 cover design by Lookout Design  You know that we've promoted this widely, our store and BookNotes gets a shout out, and we think it is the best graduation gift to any college-bound senior.  We had read the manuscript and knew it we'd be pressing it into the hands of many, so it had to look sharp.  This little hardback, sans dust jacket, succeeds wonderfully, with odd little plus signs and a rich fall color scheme that invites you right on campus.  The typography uses slightly different colors (and that plus sign is used as an ampersand.)  These nice touches  and the bright spine shows off a very intentionally created cover.  Good design inside, too.  Just great!

Jesus, My Father, the CIA and Me: A Memoir... of Sorts  Ian Cron (Nelson) $15.99 cover design by Christopher Tobias  It is risky to use a photo by the author of a book, but here it is essential: the wonderfully-written prelude is a moody and somewhat mysterious meditation on the old Polaroid.  This is one of the years best books and after reading the first few pages you won't imagine the book with any other cover.  The red is nice little touch that makes it pop, as they say.  Top notch.






Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life Richard Rohr (Jossy Bass) $19.95 cover design by Rule 29  The clean lines of the simple chairs and table, placed interestingly, the earth tones, the smaller chunky size for a hardback make this one of the most handsome books of the year. Look how the subtitle is positioned between the two words of the title.  I love the look, the feel, the way it invites you to the gentle spirituality this Franciscan author offers.  Very nicely done.







Faith and Culture: A Guide to a Culture Shaped by Faith edited by Kelly Monroe Kulllberg & Lael Arrington (Zondervan) $14.99 cover design by Extra Credit Projects  I raved about this when it was out in hardcover, with a slightly different title (they pitched it as a devotional -- God bless 'em for trying) and a less splashy look. Sorry about the pun.  Just look at that cover!  A fabulous young design, fun and alluring (The splashing paint seems thick and liquid up close, the title situated vertically is a great call.)  If the previous "devotional" sub-title didn't bring in the right readers, let us pray that this does.  A great effort at repackaging a great book.




Mathematics Through the Eyes of Faith  James Bradley and Russell Howell (Harper) $19.99  cover design by Stefan Gutermuth   A profound, readable book on how religious commitments effect the ways we consider math, the philosophy of science, knowing, numbers and such---how in the world to you design a cover that isn't blandly plain or overtly obvious (a page of numbers and equations?) An abacus!  Give these guys a medal of honor: it's the best shot of an abacus I've ever seen, making this fresh, and yet tied in to the design format of the other Through the Eyes of Faith series. 




 

A Public Faith: How Followers of Christ Should Serve the Common Good  Miroslav Volf (Brazos) $21.99  I wished the good folks at Brazos would have credited the designer;  the use of the stunning photo of a sea of candles (FrancePhotos--Homer Sykes/Alamy) fits so well, and coupled with the large type font, creates a very fine cover.  Granted, this is fairly standard design and was reluctant to show it here, but I keep enjoying it, happy to display it, not only because it may be the book of the year, but because of this great, appealing cover design.  Am I just a sucker for candles, or is this really a very beautiful jacket?  (By the way, this on-line copy doesn't do it justice...sorry. It really is stunning.)



Red Like Blood: Confrontations with Grace Joe Coffey & Bob Bevington (Shepherd Press) $13.95   I love the choice of font, the crisp typography, but different weight, over the slightly swirly red. I've seen the swirly, diffused color thing done before, but rarely to such good effect.  A brighter shade blood, of course, would have been needlessly gruesome...well done.








One.Life: Jesus Calls We Follow Scot McKnight (Zondervan) $14.99 cover design by Curt Diepenhorst  The moment I saw this I was struck; it feels so sleek and modern, with that period there and the terse subtitles.  Very hip.  And the book is pretty darn great, too.  Makes a perfect gift for any younger Christian concerned about vocation, discipleship, the integration of faith and life.  One-Life.  Get it?  The dot is just a little bit of extra awesomeness.









Plowing in Hope: Toward a Biblical Theology of Culture  David Bruce Hegeman (Canon Press) $12.00 cover design by David Dalbey  This second edition of a long-time fav is a bit whimsical (on the back there is a Brussels sprout on a Greco-Roman pedestal) and the close up of a picture frame and a shovel is nicely suggestive.  The white space inside the frame was a risk, and is very cool.











Surprised By Oxford: A Memoir  Carolyn Weber (Nelson) $16.99 cover design by Christopher Tobias This story of Weber's important time at Oxford could be have imaged in up close cheesiness of a professors stern look or they could have gone big with the building, all turret and spires and wrought iron. The expansive use of sky strikes me as a classy design (although the early version didn't have the endorsing blurb up there.  Shoulda put it the back) and the french folds give the paperback an elegant feel.







Contemplative Vision: A Guide to Christian Art & Prayer Juliet Benner (IVP) $17.00 cover design by Cindy Kiple I told myself that using art books isn't quite fair but then I noticed how many that use wonderful, classic art still somehow fall short.  The font, the color, the design or angle of text and how it is placed near or over  the visual all matters so much.  This just works.  A lovely book, with full color inside, to match the luminous gentle writing.  A treat to behold.













Recovering the Real Lost Gospel: Reclaiming the Gospel as Good News  Darrell L. Bock (Broadman Academic) $16.99  cover design uncredited This publisher has some real doozies, and, like most academic publishers, lots of bland stuff. But several are great. This is one of the most striking ones in their catalog.  The lime green books could have been lined up evenly, all the same size.  The Bible could have been too worn. They all could have had antiquarian leather covers.  What could have been a cliche is serious, classy, and just a bit surprising.  Well done.


DVD CURRICULUM

It is hard to beat the very sleek and modern design (and the very well done staging and filming and the extraordinarily important content) of The Prodigal God DVD by TIm Keller, which should have been given awards galore last year.

This package, though, is creative and allusive and very well designed, I think, don't you?
DVD Stuck  Jennie Allen (Zondervan) box set $39.99
DVD Stuck Participants Guide (Zondervan)  $9.99




SPECIAL AWARD OF HONOR

Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City used to be one of the most fuddy-duddy-looking, old school publishers around, reflecting their pietistic, Nazarene tradition. They have kept their Wesleyan heritage but have entered the 21st century with such pizazz that nearly every new release in the last few years has had a keen look.  Their catalog that shows forthcoming titles is itself a work of art.  Their radical youth division, Bare Foot (who publish the journal immerse) and their House Studio have done edgy, provocative pieces too. Their DVD packages of Shane Claiborne (The Economy of Love), Stanley Hauerwas (Sunday Asylum) and Walter Brueggemann (The Psalmist's Cry) are stylistically postmodern and nearly disorienting to many viewers over 50.  Their participants guides are full color and graphically over-the-top. For attention to contemporary design, they deserve some attention from somebody more important than we.  I hope you don't mind me using my friend Steve Lutz's book on campus ministry as an example of a recent title.  What's with the scribble you say?  If you have to ask, you may need the book more than you know.

SPECIAL AWARD FOR CURRICULUM PACKAGING

This is a hard category to discuss as there are so many pieces created every season by many companies.  Most are pretty extravagant, a few quite cool.  I love, though, this corrugated cardboard look with red ink and the clean logo and thematic approach throughout this big boxed set, the workbook, posters and DVD cases (even a hand stamp.)  They invite you to "gather the whole church around the whole story" as they introduce a faith nurturing experience for the entire church family.

We (Faith Alive) $149.00  Sorry, I couldn't on short notice determine who designed this; some of the Christian Reformed Church stuff is very classy, and I apologize for not offering due credit to artists and graphic designers behind this kit.  Check it all out at wecurriculum.org.  Do let us know if we can help you understand it further -- the content is very good, but for now, I'm wishing I could show you the cool cardboard look of the whole project.

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING
I was taken by one of these strong, creative designs when I ordered it;  the other had a different design, and I ordered it, too.  Both are great authors.  When they both arrived from the same publisher, the very same day, I had to scratch my head. They have different designers, but one of them had a cover design change from what was initially shown.  Somebody ought to get spanked, I'd say.  But here's the thing: these are both tremendously written, great, great, (unrelated) books and you should own them.  Give one away if it freaks you out. Or is it just me? 















TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING REDUX



I called the publisher to complain about the cover of Erasing Hell, a quickly released book against Rob Bell, in what I took as a blatant, cheesy allusion to an earlier Rob Bell book, Jesus Wants to Save Christians.  I really trust the well-respected editor who pleaded ignorance, but I suspect the design team knew exactly what they were doing.  Hmmm. Homage? Mean-spirited? Clever? Dumb? Freudian slip?  Who knows?















REALLY REALLY CLOSE BUT...

I love the fashion-plate colors, the TULIP joke (the acronym for the so-called "five points of Calvinism") and the clean, uniform (but slightly different) companion editions thing that's going on. Very fresh (especially given the dense content.)  What's wrong with a great concept? I think that the drooped tulips on Against... just aren't eye catching and more than one person thought it seemed somehow biased.  What do you think?

CLOSE BUT...

A cool photo, a nifty idea and a heckuva good bit of writing, but somehow this fell flat.  Maybe if the sign had a hand-scrawled  look---hasn't the designer ever been to a real protest before?   That the placard seems photo-shopped in doesn't help, either.  Sigh.  This book means a lot to me, though; we really recommended it when it first came out.  And the cover is a clever idea...anyway, still highly recommended.


NOT EVEN CLOSE

Tweet If You "Heart" Jesus: Practicing Church in the Digital Reformation  Elizabeth Drescher (Morehouse Publications) $20.00
Really?  They couldn't even use the image of a real smart phone?  And they had to use the "heart" emoticon, as if it were a 11 year old girl on myspace?  They deserve credit for trying, messing with the standard format of a cover, but look: this is a remarkably serious book (and I'm glad they didn't want it to look boring, since it is not.) But is anybody with an ipad who is half-way serious about blogging or using the twitter platform going to take this seriously? I've been mocked all fall taking it to gigs where even old people rolled their eyes.  (If you are under 30, I'd bet you wouldn't even pick it up, presuming it is goofy.)  Yet, this is very thoughtful book, believe it or not, by a serious, good writer, who, I would guess, wouldn't "heart" Jesus for a hundred bucks. She might pray the hours on line and study semiotic theory as it relates to virtual community... let's hope they repackage this, and soon.

Well, I do believe there are norms and principles for aesthetics so beauty is not "in the eye of the beholder."  But, let's face it, this is pretty subjective stuff, and I share these choices--I could have shown others that struck our fancy-- as a bookseller, not an design expert or artist.  I do have opinions, though, as others do as well.  Here are the winners the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association award, and I am unconvinced about one, think another is terrible, and the third, Joel Salatin's award-winning funny one with a chicken and giant egg, sorta creeps me out which maybe is as it should be.  Folks, This Ain't Normal is one of the best books of the year, no matter if you like the cover or not.  Go figure.

 



























 

It is always moving to me to hear at our Christmas eve services, the Isaiah prophecies, come true in Jesus.  We hear it in Handel's Messiah and we hear it in the other ancient texts we read as we prepare to hear the nativity story from the gospels.  Yes, indeed, Jesus is the One who brings peace.  Swords into plowshares.  Every army boot used in battle shall be burned up in the Lord's zeal. "No one will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain."  And the angels, who we have reason to suspect were in on the cosmic implications of the unfolding story, sang "peace on Earth."  Good will to all.  Jesus is, indeed, the Prince of Peace.

We like this stuff, surely, unless we are filled with unbelief and scoff at the Lord's Holy Word.  But yet, some of us need to cry "Lord, I believe.  Help thou my unbelief."  I'm sure I'm not the only one who sometimes wonders: can the implications of this be lived out? Can we even imagine a faith that calls for not destroying our enemies, but our own implements of destruction?  Can we wish "good will" to everybody, including enemies?  Will we even pray for them, as Jesus commanded?  Can we do this in our personal lives, in family conflicts, at work, and at church?  An acquaintance of ours, Jeff Rosenau, wrote a very clear-headed and Bible-based book on "speaking the truth in love" and resolving conflicts in the precise manner the Bible teaches which we highly recommend. It's called When Christians Act Like Christians: God's Call to Christlike Civility (Accountability Ministries; $12.95) and carries a forward by conflict mediator trainer Ken Sande.

But the Isaiah passages and the angels song certainly imply more than just getting along with people who irritate you.  This is a big story, audacious promises of something that can only be called political, that effects the nations.   

I have long struggled with the Biblical teaching on war and peace, and the historic debates between those who think that some war is perhaps sadly necessary, and those who think that the gospel calls us to a posture and practice of nonviolence.  I've been glad that some on both sides of that discussion agree that---just like we heard from Isaiah, and from the Christmas angels (and in many of our best carols)---God is bringing peace, and we are called to be agents of reconciliation.  We are happiest when we are God's peacemakers; blessed Matthew calls it.  Catholic social teaching says we should give a preferential option for the poor.  Some of us think that, also, we should lean into a preferential option for peace.

So, in light of the Advent hopes, the Christmas readings, and those carols ringing still in our ears (I hope as you transitioned from Advent to Christmas you didn't put away those Christmas CDs as now is the time to ponder them deeply) here are just a few of our huge selection of books about God's shalom, peacemaking, violence and non-violence.  If these Scriptures that I trust you heard in the last few days are worming their way into your heart, start with one or two of these.  Or call us for others.  We have every imaginable perspective on the bigger topic, but for now, here are a few about the Biblical texts.  Tolle legge. Pax vobiscum.

Story of God, The Story of Us: Getting Lost and Found in the Bible Sean Gladding (IVP) $17.00   When studying any specific topic it is always wise to see it in its broadest Biblical framework and this creative book shows--with very colorful writing (and a pretty edgy little six session DVD curriculum)--reminds us that the whole Bible is an unfolding narrative including creation-covenant-freedom-descent-reconciliation and the like. God is bringing Christ's Kingship to bear, reconciling all things.  We get to play a part.  Being a blessed peacemaker is only one part of our calling, but if we don't know the big picture of the Bible, we won't take up our callings as we point to His redemptive work in the world.  Nice.  I'm hearing strains of Silent Night--that line that Christ brings "the dawn of redeeming grace."

Salvation Means Creation Healed: The Ecology of Sin and Grace Howard Synder & Joel Scandrett (Wipt & Stock) $31.00  I've promoted this handsome, over-sized book before, but think it a fine place to start to get at this topic of peacemaking.  Snyder & Scandrett insist that God created the world and has no intentions of destroying the works of his hands, that which God spoke into being.  No, in Christ, creation is healed, restored, regained, sin is defeated, not the goodness of God's realm.  Snyder is a Wesley scholar and offers serious explanation why we still find it hard to imagine this "new creation" vision. As many have explained, ideas that aren't consistent with the major teaching of the Bible (about heaven, for instance, or total destruction of the cosmos or a rapture) were introduced early to the church and we've mis-read the Bible on this hugely important cornerstone of a Christian worldview ever since.  If we don't think God is going to heal the planet, how will we ever get to think he could heal the enmity between tribes or nations?  Here is a PDF file of an article he wrote which gives you a quick sense of his approach in this important work.   Let heaven and nature sing, indeed!
 

Reconciling All Things: A Christian Vision for Justice, Peace and Healing  Emmanuel Katongole & Chris Rice (IVP) $15.00  The whole set of six books from the Center for Reconciliation at Duke Divinity School are all worth reading (they pair a scholar and practitioner on a variety of aspects of reconciliation.)  This is the first one in the series, setting up and providing Biblical warrant for their grand project that followers of Christ are to be busy reconciling folk in all sorts of ways.  This is such a solid, sweet, clear, good book, I wish every church had a study group on it.  (The others, include a study of weakness (including what we can learn from those with disabilities) called Living Gently in a Violent World by Stanley Hauerwas & Jean Vanier, a great book on forgiveness (with some stunning stories about gang violence and urban reconciliation) a book on racial justice by John Perkins and Charles Marsh, and a must-read on hospitality, friendship, and mutuality called Friendship in Mission.)  If Christ's incarnation begins a new era where sinners are redeemed and the divided are brought near (Ephesians 2:13-18) and a new people are formed, then these are the practices we must learn.

Old Testament Ethics for the People of God  Christopher J.H. Wright (IVP) $30.00  I a glad this big tome was just released in paperback.  At over 500 pages it is, as one Cambridge reviewer said "truly a magnum opus."  John Goldingay notes that Wright "has been one of the most significant writers on Old Testament ethics in recent decades."  This opens up the ethical principles embedded in the Older Testament narratives by using a three-fold framework (theological, social, and economic.)  There is a broad spectrum of relevant texts (and contrasting opinions of their relevance and/or application) and Wright does a spectacular job navigating the rough wars.  Again, it seems to me that exploring peacemaking in the Bible must, by necessity, be seen as part of a broader social ethic, related to the whole counsel of God.  There is good stuff in here on politics and peace, justice and human rights and such, but it's strength is the big picture, the methodology, the helpful way it points us towards living faithfully as the people of God in a broken world.  "The chains shall he break for the slave is our brother, and in his name all oppression will cease."

Neglected Voices: Peace in the Old Testament  David Leiter (Herald Press) $16.99  Thank goodness for this kind of illuminating Biblical research on peace in the Hebrew Scriptures.  Too often we say that the Old Testament has wrath and war, but the New Testament is full of peace and love.  Not true (on either simplistic account.)  Yet, it is true that many simply haven't plumbed the depths of the seeds of peace in the Older Testament.  In this splendid work, Leiter shows four different sorts of peacemaking texts in the Old Testament, introducing us to several "ideologies" of peace.   As Sister Patricia McDonald (author of God and Violence, a book I reviewed years ago) writes, "Leiter opens up the Old Testament as a significant resource for those committed to making peace. (He) demonstrates that the theme of peace cuts across the literary genres of narrative, prophecy, legal texts, proverbs, and psalms, and offers an unexpected range of strategies for raising consciousness and posing questions about social justice." 

Peace (Understanding Biblical Themes) Walter Brueggemann (Chalice Press) $24.99  Published decades ago under the title Living Towards a Vision, this book is a collection of 16 chapters, grouped in four sections.  Part One is "A Vision of Shalom" followed by "A Vision of Freedom", "A Vision of Order" and "The Shalom Church."  Fascinating, evocative, beautiful, this is vintage preaching and Biblical exposition from one of the most interesting and generative Bible scholars of our generation.  He has a way with handling texts, relating them creatively, doing serious cultural background work, and saying it in evocative ways that simply is not matched.   It isn't a Christmas study, of course, but we know that hymn, don't we, that reminds us that  "His law is love and His gospel is peace."  Maybe this is a good study for after Christmas. 

Laying Down the Sword: Why We Can't Ignore the Bible's Violent Verses Philip Jenkins (HarperOne) $26.99 This is a very new study, a careful analysis by a thoughtful, popular Episcopalian, who thinks it isn't finally helpful to ignore the violent texts of the Bible (or the Quran.)  But how do we deal with them?  I've reviewed this earlier and promoted it all around this fall.  It's good even if I may not have said everything the way he did.  This is not the final word, but it is an important contribution, by a very impressive scholar and churchman who is mostly known for his academic work on the multi-ethnic growth of the global church.  He's a historian, too, and knows that relative peace and proximate justice can be achieved. In his recent work Jenkins has traveled widely and seen all manner of goodness and all manner of gross mayhem all over the world, so he knows what is at stake.  Endorsed by a range of thinkers, from Islamic peacemaker Eboo Patel to mainline church scholar and social historian Diana Butler Bass to esteemed evangelical Bible scholar Ben Witherington.   

God Behaving Badly: Is the God of the Old Testament Angry, Sexist and Racist?  David T. Lamb (IVP) $15.00  I gave this a big thumbs up when it first came out---folks I deeply respect (like Scot McKnight, John Goldingay, Alan Hirsch) raved about it and a number of young adults I know have told me that Lamb is the real deal.  He had a scholarly book on Oxford University Press, but here he takes his erudite thinking and offers pastoral wisdom and good insight, walking those with struggles through these very tough passages.  This is obviously very important, close to the concerns that Jenkins raises, and answered with evangelical thoughtfulness. Very nicely done.




Christ and Violence  Ronald J. Sider (Wipf & Stock) $15.00  When Herald Press first published this in the mid-70s, I reviewed it for Sojourners, and they paid me thirty bucks, I think.  I was hooked on reviewing, but the money and byline was only icing on the cake.  This thin volume is, to this day, one of my all-time favorite books, with Ron at his finest, making a clear case for an evangelical, cross-centered, Christ-glorifying, Biblically-wise, perspective on wholistic peacemaking.  He uses a bit from Romans 8 in one important chapter, and I simply cannot escape the implications of his vital apologetic for Biblical nonviolence.  Agree with Biblical pacifism or not, this is a book you should read.  How can you not if you sang that song - "Hail the Heaven-born Prince of Peace!"  To  "hail" is to exalt; to exalt Jesus is to learn all His ways--I hope you regular read a book about some aspect of the person and teaching and work and Kingdom of Jesus.


Killing Enmity: Violence and the New Testament  Thomas R. Yoder Neufeld (Baker Academic) $22.99  For anyone studying peacemaking in the Bible, the quandaries are not only how to understand and interpret the violence of the Older Testament, but also in the Newer.  This new book is truly amazing, very learned, theologically rich and altogether rewarding.  You may not agree with all Neufeld writes but, as Andrew Lincoln (himself a renowned New Testament scholar) says, "Readers will find it an insightful and indispensable guide."  (I've read another important book of his, too, Recovering Jesus, and have browsed his commentary on Ephesians and assure you he is serious, provocative, compelling, and informed.  A good writer for this sort of thing, too.  Very highly recommended.) The cover art may not be clear enough here but it is a Christ-like crucifixion sculpture made by a Paraguayan artist who fashioned it out of real "shivs" given to Pastor Jonathan Beachy by the prisoners of a notorious prison upon their conversion to Christ and their being "conquered by divine love."

A Peace Reader  edited by E. Morris Sider & Luke Keefer, Jr. (Evangel Publishing House) $14.95  Since I wanted this post to be mostly resources for Bible study, I wasn't sure if I should list this as the last half is mostly application stuff, good articles on everything from a consistently pro-life view of abortion (Ronald Sider) to how a reconciling peace witness would address racism (Spencer Perkins & Chris Rice) to working for peace in Northern Ireland (Ronald Wells.)  There are chapters about offering a peace witness in criminal justice, immigration issues, in the Middle East, amongst conflicted congregations, in how we deal with children's play.  But the whole first half is a strong set of various articles on an Anabaptist view of Bible texts (with several of the chapters written by professors at Messiah College, a Brethren in Christ college near here.) One need not be Brethren or Mennonite to appreciate this good insight about specific passages and Biblical themes.  Highly recommended, for clarity, insight, and multi-faceted application, and a ton of good stories, from international Christians as diverse as Miroslov Volf, E. Stanley Jones, and Mitsua Fuchida. This is a very accessible book and a good look at the call to Godly peacemaking.

Christian Peace and Nonviolence: A Documentary History Michael Long (Orbis) $40.00  This is nearly magisterial in scope, offering a reader a collection of primary sources on the topic unlike any I've seen.  This collects excerpts of peacemaking exegesis, sermons, speeches, letters, and essays by folks throughout all of church history.  We've got other anthologies about nonviolence, and some are quite interesting, but this one is extraordinary.  Here is what the publisher says: "From the Sermon on the Mount to the twenty-first century, this comprehensive reader recounts the Christian message of peace and nonviolence."

Author Mike Long is a professor at Elizabethtown College and deserves many thanks for finding and annotating all these ancient sources (and for keeping the text clean and concise.)  Christian Peace and Nonviolence has excerpts of testimonies by the confessors and martyrs of the early church --you know some of these names like Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Cyprian, Basil of Ceasaria, and Benedict of Nursia, to name just a few.  It offers pieces by medieval figures like St. Benedict and St. Francis, and Erasmus, and offers some of the famous "Truce of God" documents from the 9th and 10th centuries, which are more significant than many people realize.  It naturally offers writings of several Anabaptists (for instance, Conrad Grebel's letter to Muntzer, and Menno Simon's defense of the false charges made against him.)  As the book moves into the modern period, starting with the 1600's, there are letters from George Fox and the under-appreciated William Penn, and other Quaker abolitionists.  And you will be moved to read Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth.

It is fascinating (and important for many BookNote readers, I'd guess) to see the writings of revivalists and early evangelicals like Alexander Campbell, D. L. Moody, Joshua Blanchard, Charles Spurgeon (yes!) and other early twentieth century witnesses.  It records the little known early anti-war documents of the Assembly of God (whose earliest days were pacifist!) The diversity of writers in the middle of the 20th century go from the likes of African American contemplative Howard Thurman to Ammon Hennacy (Dorothy Day's mentor) to Andre Trocme (do you know the book Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed which is about him and his German congregation who sheltered Jews from Nazis persecution?) and so many more, most of which are thrilling to read and quite eloquent. (Some are important pieces often anthologized such as A. J. Muste's letter to Reinhold Niebuhr.)  Many of those who are more contemporary provide a litany of tmany who have been important voices in my life, from Shelly Douglas, Jim Forest, Phil Berrigan, Richard McSorley and Oscar Romero, and those who influenced them, like William Stringfellow and Thomas Merton and Jacques Ellul. There are other anti-war Catholics like John Dear and Eileen Egan. Happily there are pieces by evangelical friends like Ron Sider, Don Kraybill, and Glen Stassen.  There are some quirky pieces, like former fundamentalist like Mel White's passionate letter to his old friend Jerry Falwell about gay rights, and some recent theological radicals like Carter Hayward.  There are historic 20th century leaders like Martin Luther King and Pope John Paul XXIII. 

The hope in Christian Peace and Nonviolence, is to show a coherent story in which the peace message of Jesus is restored to a central place, documenting that this is not a minor concern in church history or only the fetish of the few. This is an amazing resource, showing the weird and diverse voices from many corners of the Christian community, who, in one way or another agree: to follow Jesus to to be an agent of His love, which puts us at odds with violence of all sorts, including the machinations of the war-making state and empires that threaten to the the shalom of the common good.  Something like "the hopes and fears of all the years..."

Dear readers friends, sisters and brothers, I don't know how the songs of peace, including some specific anti-war notes, can be missed in nearly any church that reads the classic Christmas texts or sings the carols.  There are other texts and other Biblical stories, I know.  But over the last days and nights, we have heard these.  Do we hear them as true, as good news?  As authoritative?  Did they capture your imagination, stimulate your mind, break your heart?  If so, maybe these books might help.

Okay, I know we are not supposed to overdo the gift giving thing.  We needn't fixate and certainly shouldn't spend more than we can afford.  Yet, the opportunity for giving meaningful gifts--books and items that can truly help people live their lives or bring them literary pleasure to enlarge their heart and mind---is upon us and it seems like a shame not to (in an unfortunate turn of phrase) exploit it.  What I mean to say is that it isn't just every day you get to give away stuff to people, even faith-based books and helpful resources, without seeming a bit pushy or pesky.  So go for it.  Use this cultural window of opportunity to talk about carols and tell about Jesus and offer gifts that point people to the Way.   Give gifts during the 12 Days and certainly on the gift-givers holy day, Epiphany (when the whole Christmas gift-giving thing got starter, after all, what with those Wise Men splurging so...)

There are those folks that you just want to wow.  Call it pride or something, but you need a really great gift and you need it now.  Enter our last Advent list, the "when you really gotta wow 'em" list of pretty cool suggestions.  Of course, we think nearly anything we've listed the past few months would do, but there are some books that have particular whimsy, rarity or a certain kind of glory.  Enjoy browsing.  Give something like this and I betcha somebody out there is gonna thank you.

Okay, first on the list: give a donation on behalf of your loved one to a cause or charity they might appreciate.  If you want to call us, we could most likely find a book to go along with that---something about global poverty if you donate to Heifer Project or from Gary Haugen about global human rights if you are donating to IJM or Kent Annan on Haiti or a creation care resource if you want to plant a tree in honor of someone.   We could send the new Jars of Clay if you want to donate to Blood:Water Mission.  You get the idea.

Or, how 'bout these ideas:

Start Something That Matters Blake Mycoskie (Spiegl & Grau) $22.00  I sure hope you know the story of Toms Shoes.  He gives a pair to kids in poverty with every pair sold.  His story of getting this project going is nothing if not inspiring, and he invites us all to do something important with our lives. With every book you purchase, a new book will be provided to a child in need, too, through their One to One program.  Better yet, give them the book and order a pair of Tom Shoe's.  Cool idea, eh?








Art That Tells the Story  Christopher Brewer, Michael Wittmer, foreword by Makoto Fujimura (Gospel Through Shared Experience) $24.99  I should be sheepish but I'm not: we were among the first to review this, raved about it anywhere we went and, in fact, have our store's name in the back showing that we were an early supporter. Much more importantly, this splendid books shows the contours of the large Biblical story---good creation, radical fall, gracious redemption, cosmic restoration--through dozens of stunning and provocative art pieces.  Bible guy Mike Wittmer (who wrote a book I often recommend, Heaven Is a Place on Earth) does a brief essay set off handsomely before each of the four main sections.  The artworks have quotations or epigrams or Bible texts next to them, all designed expertly by the creative wonderkid Chris Brewer.  Nobody has ever done anything like this and as a classy indie project it is, therefore, a bit rare.  Give it as a gift and folks will say: where did you find something like this?  Yes they will.  You can thank us later.

The Four Holy Gospels illuminated and illustrated by Makoto Fujimura CEV (Crossway) $149.99  We have written about our respect and appreciation for the luminous, glittering abstract art of New York modern artist and thoughtful Christian art critic Mako Fujimura.  This is the first time a Bible has been seriously illustrated with abstract paintings, all prayerfully created for this glorious work.  We've joined with reviewers world wide to acclaim this one-of-a-kind edition of the gospels.  What a gift this would make for someone with exquisite, contemporary tastes.  Finely printed on heavy stock paper, by the way, The Four Holy Gospels come slip-cased in a sturdy cloth box. A truly exquisite artifact, the sort of thing that you purchase for those most rare occasions.

Indescribable book and DVD  Louie Giglio & Matt Redman (Cook and 268generation) Deluxe hardback coffee table book ($24.99), paperback book ($14.99) and DVD ($7.99)  You may know the popular Passion conference talk that Giglio did; the DVD shows him live, while showing the amazing slides from the Hubbell spacecraft and beyond as he preaches about the grandness of eternity, the awesomeness of God and the great grace that would extend love to the little speck that we are.  That DVD became the book (deluxe hardcover or cheaper paperback) with fabulous pictures and they've changed the packaging of the DVD to match the book covers.  So, you could get the hardback + DVD or the paperback + DVD, depending on your budget.  Awesome.  Hey, I ought to be in marketing to think of this nifty combo.  The re-packaging of the DVD is what makes it!  Let us know what you want.  Some sciency wanna be astronomer is going to be dazzled.  More importantly, they will be drawn to God. 



The Swans Are Not Silent series  John Piper (Crossway) $14.99 each  This phrase comes from Luther, who insisted that the ancient voices of the church will not be silenced, that they will endure, continuing to challenge and bless us.  Each of these five books has three very informative, passionate, Christ-exalting mini-biographies of a person from church history who illustrates a particularly poignant characteristic of radical trust and serious discipleship. They are meaty enough to be very educational but they are pastoral, too, flowing out of Piper's pastoral heart.  Get all five and wrap 'em up.  Or a couple...

The Legacy of Sovereign Joy: God's Triumphant Grace in the Lives of Augustine, Luther & Calvin .

The Hidden Smile of God:  The Fruit of Affliction in the Lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper & David Brainerd

The Roots of Endurance: Invincible Perseverance in the Lives of John Newton, Charles Simeon & William Wilberforce

Contending for Our All: Defending Truth and Treasuring Christ in the Lives of Athanasius, John Owen, and J. Gresham Machen

Filling Up the Afflictions of Christ: The Cost of Bringing the Gospel to the Nations in the Lives of William Tyndale, Adoniram Judson & John Paton


I Lay My Stitches Down: Poems of American Slavery  Cynthia Grady, illustrated by Michele Wood (Eerdmans) $17.00 Some children's picture books are so very breathtaking and rich in content that they are doubtlessly a wonderful to gift to an adult.  This collection of poetry is serious, harsh, and beautiful. The book is done as a series of quilts, and includes poems from around the country.  There are informative descriptions in lovely sidebars that explain allusions or lines (for instance if a poem quotes an old black spiritual or if a quilt shows a particular symbol.)  I don't know if I agree with Dostoyesvsky's quip that beauty will save the world but this book and the beauty to which it alludes, certainly points to redemption. The colors are vibrant, the large hardback fabulously designed. Highly recommended.
 


The NIV Audio Bible  (Zondervan) $79.99  You may know that after years of wrangling with various schools of thought and translation options (remember the TNIV?) the most popular Bible translation in America has been re-done, finely edited with care and relevance. There are all sorts of new editions of the re-edited NIV (including the newly enhanced NIV Study Bible, done with full color...call us for prices and colors!)  This, however, is the very first audio edition of the "new" NIV.  This complete set is done with a single voice recording (George W. Sarris) and includes 66 CDs in a black carrying case.  There are track breaks at every chapter making it easy to find and keep your place.  This is a great idea!



ESV Study Bible  (Crossway) $74.99  There is little doubt that the English Standard Version is one of, if not the most accurate Bible translation on the market.  It was modeled somewhat on the old RSV so retains some classic rhetoric and rhythms.  It is contemporary but not trendy or simplistic. The poetry reads like poetry, the tone is reverent.  Besides the conservative translation itself, the ESV study notes are thoughtful, evangelically orthodox, helpful, often with a Reformed tendency. There are more than 20,000 notes making this a tremendous resource for serious Bible students.  The 200 full-color maps are very useful, the concordance excellent, there are 80,000 cross-references. The construction of these durable leather editions are the best in the industry, setting high standards of craftsmanship and elegance.  You should take a look at the cover design options here (and watch a few of the twenty videos there that explain the strengths of this study edition) and then come back and order from us, please.  There are hardbacks and compact sized editions as well.

NLT Parallel Study Bible (Tyndale) $74.99 This is the world's first parallel study Bible with two study Bibles side by side!  That's a whole lot of notes!  The New Living Translation is a personal favorite,  upbeat and contemporary and informed by excellent ecumenical scholarship. (A hero of mine, who knows 14 languages and has an academic book on the Dead Sea Scrolls--in Italian!-- Al Wolters, led the team that translated Job on this; Marianne Meye Thompson, Raymond Van Leeuwen, Tremper Longman, D.A. Carson, F.F. Bruce, and other amazingly smart folks worked on it as well. It is not related to the old Living Bible paraphrase so don't let anyone suggest it isn't a serious translation from the Hebrew and Greek.) The two study editions in this dual-core edition are the Life Application Study Bible (with its practical, useful insight) and the somewhat more scholarly NLT Study Bible.  The NLT Study Bible notes are, like most study Bibles, strong on good data, explanatory facts, background meanings, including cultural and literary insights. The Life Application notes, as I've suggested, are all about the daily living applications.  I love the timelines and inspirational overviews of each book of the Bible, making the practical Life App  a personal fav for study.  Combining it with the more studious NLT Study makes this big ol baby a spectacular resource.  Give this and they'll say "didn't see that coming!"  Why didn't somebody think of this sooner? Go here (look to the list on the left) to see the cover options and give us a call.

The Spirituality of Bread and The
 Spirituality of Wine Boxed Set  Donna Sinclair & Tom Harpur (Northstone) $62.00  We have promoted this handsome series before, and customers enjoy admiring these warm, close-up pictures of wheat and grapes, of bread and wine; either one alone makes a lovely gift.  With the "spirituality of the ordinary" meditations ruminating on the glories of God's good gifts from the Earth, these are extraordinary volumes.  Put these two together in a boxed set and you not only have a gift that would make any foodie's eyeballs pop but you have an insinuation of Eucharist that witnesses to ultimate things.



The Spirituality of Nature  Jim Kalnin (Northstone) $37.00  Already have the Bread or Wine ones in this voluptuous series? There is one on grandparents, one on pets, one on art, and this one, for instance, on the wonders of God's good creation. It is evocative and glorious (not terribly avant garde, just very, very nice photographs.)  These are not heavy-handed with pushy religion so wouldn't be off-putting to anyone, except maybe to those who don't believe that what the Bible itself declares: that the creation itself declares the glory of God.  How 'bout those Northern Lights on the cover? Soli Deo Gloria.




Awaken Your Senses: Exercises for Exploring the Wonder of God  J. Brent Bill & Beth Booram (IVP) $15.00  I had a very early version of this and was so taken with it I told a few folks this summer that it will be one of the books of the year.  Alas, it arrived yesterday!  These two Quakers  walk us through an array of wonder-full meditations and experiences that combine a sensuous engagement with creational givens---taste, hearing, touch, smell, seeing---and ways these activities can help us know God.  There are two things going on here, it seems---helping us be attentive to the world around us, practicing a sensuous worldview and embodied sort of discipleship, and the ways in which this sort of attentiveness can facilitate a deeper relationship with God.  Beautiful! I'll bet you know somebody for whom this will be a godsend.  It'll wow 'em, for sure.  You might even couple it with one of the aforementioned Spirituality of... gift books.  By the way, I have read books by both of these authors, and both are wonderful writers, good souls, fine Christian leaders.  And that cover---you have to see it "for real."  Splendid.  Kudos, again, to InterVarsity Press.

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From Beginning to End: Creation, The Ten Commandments, The Apostle's Creed, The Apocalypse  Anneke Kaai (Piquant Editions) $29.99  This hard-to-find art book is imported from Holland (and the cover doesn't do justice for the allusive, moody art that captures in color and tone so very, very much.)  The forward by Calvin Institute on Worship director John Witvliet notes how historic truths come alive through these large abstract paintings and can enhance our worship.

 Some may recall that Ms Kaai did a hardback edition of abstract paintings inspired by the text of the Psalms with Eugene Peterson. It was called The Psalms: An Artist's Impression (Piquant) We have some of those that are just a bit dinged up and slightly hurt---we will give one of those fabulous hardbacks of her abstract paintings coupled with Peterson's paraphrases with a purchase of From Beginning to End.  A great deal, and if you give them both, you'll really wow 'em.  Or keep one for yourself...
 
Images of God for Young Children Marie-Helene Delval, illustrated by Barbara Nascimbeni (Eerdmans) $16.50  One of the more playfully artful children's books about God that we've seen in several years.  Each colorful scene explores a metaphor or image for God, all from the Bible.  I like the bold statement on the back cover: "It is impossible to know what God looks like.  But the Bible describes many other ways that God is revealed to us. God is joy and wisdom. God is light, and bread, and breath. We have seen God's face in Jesus Christ. This book uses simple language to hep young children discover these images of God in their world."

 
Brother Sun, Sister Moon: Saint Francis of Assisi's Canticle of the Creatures  re-imagined by Katherine Paterson, illustrated by Pamela Dalton (Handprint Books/Chronicle Books) $17.99  You know of course the prayer of Saint Francis. And you know Saint Katherine, kid's author extraordinaire. You may not know Dalton, but she has decorated other books with her truly stunning Pennsylvania Dutch paper-cutting art of scherenschnitte which is a 16th century German/Swiss paper-cutting art.  On a striking black background she offers her intricate art with much to look at, much to notice, much to gush over.  Paterson's retelling of the classic celebration of creation is lovely.  What a gift this would be, new, unexpected, beautiful, true, and good.

On the Incarnation  Athanasius (St. Vladamir's Seminary Press) $15.00  You know somebody that wants to keep Christ in Christmas? This Greek dude said as much in the 3rd century. Okay, not really, but you get my point.  C.S. Lewis wrote the forward to this small classic, known as De Incarnatione Verbi Dei if you like your Latin.





CHRISTMAS MUSIC
I've wanted to give a shout out to a few Christmas and Advent albums we like, or that are new, or that may be a bit uncommon, that we still have in stock.  They can't unwrap a download under that tree or mistletoe, now can they?  We have plenty more, from the sexy Over the Rhine to the soothing oboe/guitar duo Tingstad & Rumble to the terminally cute new She & Him. I really like the new David Crowder (Oh the Joy), and a great duo called Martha's Trouble from a few years back.  Carolyn Arends Irrational Season is very special for a lot of reasons.  We've got choirs (including the new John Rutter), classical, jazz, bluegrass, black gospel, kids. Call if you want to ask about others.
 
CD My Favorite Gifts  various (Ramseur Records) $11.99 Organized by the bassist for the Avett Brothers, this holiday benefit album features The Wood Brothers, Jessica Lea Mayfield,  Overmountain Men, Jim Avett, David Mayfield, and more. Pretty rowdy and rural. One guy does a cover of Jackson Browne's The Rebel Jesus.

CD  Celtic Christmas various (Putumayo) $14.98  Okay, our local customers know we often are playing celtic fiddle tunes or moody Irish anthems here in the shop.  We have lots of Celtic Christmas stuff, from Irish labels, from Windham Hill, etc.  This one is brand new and includes a dozen really fine players.  A few are renowned (Aine Minogue, Lasairfhiona Ni Chonaola) and a few I've not heard before.  And Dougie MacLean doing Auld Lang Syne? It reminds you why green is one of the Christmas colors.

CD Christmas Bruce Cockburn (Rounder) $18.99  I hope you saw my initial review of the amazing new book by Brian Walsh about Bruce Cockburn (Kicking at the Darkness: Bruce Cockburn and the Christian Imagination) which noted how fond I am of Cockburn's work.  I am so, so, so glad Cockburn's Christmas album is available again after a few mysterious years out of print. It is spared down, slow at times, joyfully rowdy at times, a truly enjoyable acoustic profoundly Christmas album.  Every season, year by year, I hear people say this is one of their all time favorite Christmas recordings. He sings one song in a rare Native language (The Huron Carol), another in French, a couple are Appalachian and a few are sweet instrumentals on his clear finger-picked guitar. Produced by T-Bone Burnett. 

CD Carole King: A Holiday Carole (Hear Music) $18.97  Pair it with the James Taylor Christmas and give it to your mom.  It's Carole King for crying out loud!

CD Christmastime: The Day a Child Appeared Larry Norman (Solid Rock) $14.95  If you don't know this Dylan-esque, thin-voiced Jesus rocker, or the old Randy Stonehill song Christmastime that leads off this album, skip it.  Although I'm saying that the Neil Young-ish version of The First Noel made me cry the first time I heard it.  The grandaddy of Christian rock. A pretty rare find.
 
CD The Dawn of Grace  Sixpence None the Richer (Nettwerk) $9.98  I loved Leigh Nash's lovely alt-acoustic remake of hymns that came out last month (I posted one on facebook over Thanksgiving) and that reminded me how cool she really is.  Then Pandora started playing this album and I realized we have it in stock.  Come on people, this is a great collection of original and traditional Christmas songs by the band that took their odd name from a C.S. Lewis line. Their rendition of Silent Night includes some very cool harmonies with Dan Haseltine of Jars of Clay.

CD Your King Has Come various (Detuned Radio) $16.00  This is collection by artists who have been known to play with Indelible Grace.  Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken Jill Philips, Andrew Osenga, Matthew Smith, Kathy Bowser, Matthew Perryman Jones, and more.  Acoustic guitars, accordians, violins, country-alt, singer-songwriter, authentic passion.  They care about these songs and bring them to new life without messing with them much.  Sweet.

CD Songs of Joy & Peace Yo-Yo Ma & Friends (Sony Classical) $13.99  You may know that world-famous cellist Yo-Yo has been slumming around, doing non-classical albums with all sorts of folks, CDs we like and stock. This one came out last year, with 25 tracks, cool collaborations with everybody from James Taylor doing Here Comes the Sun to mandolin master Chris Thile doing Improvisations on Dona Nobis Pacem, to jazz man Dave Brubeck (Concordia) and a number of international players, including some innovative classical Asian musicians. Very, very nice, good all winter long.
 
CD Fragile Incarnation Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet (Presbybop Music) $15.95 You aren't going to find this in many stores, but it is genuine jazz, very well done, a bit of mellow stuff, but mostly the real big deal.  Be-bop and more.  There are twelve smokin' instrumental jazz versions of standard carols/hymns and two originals, including Welcome Home, a song that I heard made Walt Brueggemann get all choked up.  This would make a great gift for jazz music lovers.  Combine it with his double disc set inspired by the Psalms and a trip to Iona, Psalms Psalms Without Words (Presbybop Music; $20.00) and you'll have good stuff to talk about for months. 
 
CD  Welcome Inn: A Phil Keaggy Christmas (Kingsway) $9.99  Some people will recall Keaggy as an early voice in contemporary Christian music, known by many as one of the best guitar players on the planet.  Here is a gentle, pop, holiday album, most originals with a few wonderfully-realized carols. A rare treat for old fans.

CD Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree various (Tooth & Mail/Solid State Records/SEC Recordings) $9.99  Head-banging, hard Christian rock from the premier label in that genre.  They do a Christmas anthology every year.  This year includes Christmas songs ramped up by Sent By Ravens, Anberlin, and Ivoryline and recent stand-by rockers August Burns Red, Thousand Foot Krutch, Demon Hunters and more. Some kid is gonna love you if you put this in his skateboarding sneaker.  Or a lovely little Christmas stocking, if he'll let you put on up.

CD Songs for Christmas Sufjan Stevens (Asthmatic Kitty ) $15.99 Words can't express how weirdly wonderful this hipster-approved boxed set of 5 CDs is.  Low fi, banjo band doing goofy Xmas songs and beautiful Advent pieces and hymns, some with horns. Listen to a few on Pandora and you'll want to own it. To give it will make you look either very weird or very cool.
 
CD What If Mozart Wrote "White Christmas"  The Northern Lights Orchestra (Perfect Sound) $18.97  Yep this is just what it sounds like, a collection of standard holiday songs done in a Mozartian style.  This is very, very fun.

AND HOW ABOUT THIS: PRE-ORDER ANY FORTHCOMING BOOK
                                                                How about this: give a hand-made voucher for any      forthcoming, not yet released title that we'll send 'em the week it releases?  You just make a little card, maybe cutting out a picture of the cover.

For instance, may we recommend Still: Notes on a Mid-Faith Crisis by Lauren Winner (HarperOne; $24.99) which releases the end of January.  For fans of one of our finest writers, this will be a moving look into Lauren's inner landscape, the themes of doubt and the absence of God, dealing with depression and a quest for a center still-point as she faced some painful losses.  She is a wonderfully talented writer that I will drop everything for, and many others will too.  Somebody will be grateful if you promise to get this for them.  If they are her fans--Girl Meets God, Mudhouse Sabbath, Real Sex-- they'd want you to get it from an indie store, too, so why not pre-order it from us, and make them a crafty little IOU.






Or, how about that hand made, personalized Hearts & Minds gift certificate that we invited readers to enjoy giving last year.  Basically, you make your own tonight and give it to your loved one tomorrow.  Send us their name and the amount for which you'd like it be. Send us your cc at our secure website order form page and we'll record their gift certificate here as credit for their use at their convenience.  You do the design any way you want.  If it is really cool, you should send us a picture for fun.

I hope that most Hearts & Minds fans have heard about the death of Vaclav Havel.  If you've read one of our favorite books of the last decade or so, Steve Garber's Fabric of Faithfulness: Weaving Together Belief and Behavior (IVP; $16.00) you at least knew a bit about him since Steve cited him.  He was a counter-cultural poet and playwright who was imprisoned under the stupid communist regime in the old Czechoslovakia.  As providence had it, after the Velvet Revolution he was released from prison and ended up their president.  As in his dissident years of the 70s, he wrote about freedom, culture, the importance of words and literature and gave moving, intellectual speeches the world over.  His early plays and journals and civic speeches made it clear that humans are called to be responsible.  We are called to be morally serious, as Steve sometimes puts it. He was an inspiration to many, across the political and ideological divides.  Of course, we stocked his books.  Many reports are being filed and some good articles are being written about him now. If you happen to be facebook friends with me, I've posted a piece Steve Garber wrote which will only take a few minutes to read. I commend it. Havel was 75 when he died.  May he rest in peace.

Another author who admired Havel is James Sire, a mentor to me in some ways, through his many books. Through Jim's help we have some of the excellent book he wrote on Havel in 2001, Vaclav Havel: The Intellectual Conscience of International Politics: An Introduction, Appreciation & Critique.

It is not only an excellent book about Havel but a great example of Christian engagement; as the subtitle puts in, there is "appreciation and critique."  We should all learn to be gracious and critical, civil but discerning.  This is the best introduction to Havel of which I know, and it is by this thoughtful evangelical thinker.    

As you may guess (and this is a story itself, a parable of sorts) it didn't sell well.  InterVarsity Press deserves applause for trying; no other press that I knew of did a thoughtful Christian engagement with the great Czech public intellectual. The ones we have are long out of print and in beautifully perfect shape.

We would like to give them away to anyone who has an interest in Mr. Havel and his legacy.  While supplies last, they are yours as our gift to you.

Here is the only small catch. When we send out books to our customers we do not add on any "handling" charges.  The cost of tape and time (not to mention the credit card fees) are just cost of doing business.  We do not inflate shipping costs.  In this case, though, since we're not making anything at all, we figure that with the credit card usage fee, and the credit card percentage they take, and our supplies and the salary of our mail-out staff, we need to add a nominal handling service charge.

So here's the deal: we will charge a "handling charge" of $1.25 each.  The USPS priority mail shipping is $4.75 so it comes to $6 total.   Unless you want it to go "media mail" which is slow and a bit unreliable this time of year.  That costs a dollar or so less, depending on where it goes, with a total of about $5.00.

OR, if you order any other item from Hearts & Minds and you ask for it, we'll throw it in absolutely free. 
Simple as that.

This is our little way to pay tribute to the playwright politician and to perhaps contribute to our civic insight.  Hats off to Havel, thanks to Sire. 

Here are four great articles about Havel.

From The Washington Post,  Michael Gerson's  "Havel's Revolution of Truth."
From the Acton Institute, Edward E. Ericson's  "Living Responsibly: Vaclav Havel's View" 
From Huff Post, Lucas Kavner's  "Tracking Havel: From Orwell to Vermont to Prague"
From Rolling Stone, about the Czech rock band that inspired Havel to write Charter 77...

As we were saying in the last post, we all know (don't we, or am I in some minority group of losers?) that feeling of being just stumped.  Social convention or genuine desire to give a gift to another has us thinkin' and browsin' and frettin' as the hour grows neigh.  Some people are just hard to buy for, as the saying goes.

Suppose you want to give a helpful, meaningful gift to a loved one or friend. Not socks.  Not booze. Not a blender.  Certainly not a fruitcake.  A book?  Yes, a book!  

Say that gift is for a person who is,  is....well, here goes:

For someone wanting a new prayer book, with some extra features:

Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals  Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, Enuma Okoro (Zondervan) $24.99  I raved about this when it came out, just one year ago and are pleased to be in touch with some of the communities that gave rise to this wonderful book of prayers, Scripture readings, collects, and songs.  From the well-worded ecumenical prayers, the hints of social justice, the artfully enhancements of engravings and woodcuts, the ribbon marker---this is the real deal, a useful resource that has a tone and Biblical basis that is just right.  Highly recommended.

For a brainy reader, eager to be well read in the most thoughtful voices of public faith:

Socrates in the City: Conversations on "Life, God, and Other Small Topics"  edited by Eric Metaxas (Dutton) $27.95  In what is surely one of the finest books of the year, Mr. Metaxas collects lectures that have been given in his wonderful New York lecture series from which he draws the title.  (And he introduces each speaker with verve and joy.) In fact, Eric asks "Who said that the exploration of the Big Questions and fun can't go together?  It was probably La Rocherfoucauld, but who cares what he thinks. Seriously, I think that the fun we have is vital to what we do.  We know that no matter how serious the subject (suffering, evil and death, for example) we will enjoy ourselves. We hope we've captured something of that juxtaposition between the covers of this book."  He certainly did.  Find here excellent pieces by Os Guinness, Sir John Polkinghorne, N.T. Wright, Jean Bethke Elshtain, Francis Collins and others. Eric's chapter on Bonhoeffer is a brilliant summary of his massive book on the German martyr.  This is a very great, handsome gift for the educated reader of excellent taste.  THIS WEEK ONLY WE HAVE THIS AT AN EXTRA DISCOUNT, 30% OFF THIS ONE.

Jesus Christ and the Life of the Mind  Mark Noll (Eerdmans) $25.00  Our store was a huge promoter of Noll's very important Scandal of the Evangelical Mind, published a decade ago.  This is more than a sequel to that significant work but it is at least that.  If your gift recipient has followed any of the discussions around the integration of faith and learning, or the lack of serious intellectual contributions by evangelicals, especially, this Trinitarian, Christological perspective on thinking well will be much appreciated.  If you aren't aware if they have followed all that, no problem; this is a fantastic way to inspire new thinking about the life of the mind, the role of the scholar, the task of thinking or writing or teaching or learning.  Highly recommended. THIS WEEK ONLY WE HAVE THIS AT AN EXTRA DISCOUNT, 30% OFF THIS ONE.

For a brainy reader who is a scholar, perhaps working in the academy:

Taking Everything Thought Captive: 40 Years of the Christian Scholars Review  Don King, editor (Abilene Christian University Press) $25.00  I have tried hard to sell this since it came out earlier this year as it is truly extraordinary---a fabulous example of the very best of intregal Christian scholarship, including important essays in the arts, humanities, sciences and social sciences.  A few are particularly about higher education, a few are a bit more specific than most readers may care about but most will be enjoyed by your scholarly friend, whether they have their post-doc cap on or not.  Contributors to this "greatest hits" of what I call the best least known journal I know of include Carl Henry, Mark Noll, Nicholas Wolterstorff, Stanley Hauerwas, Alvin Plantinga, Dallas Willard, Elizabeth Newman, Brian Walsh, Art Holmes, Ronald Sider, Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen, Jonathan Chapline, Jenell William Paris, Nancy Ammerman, Roger Lundin and many more.  If your egghead friend doesn't know these names, he will be glad you introduced them.  Brilliant!  Brilliant! Brilliant!

For an open-minded, goodhearted spiritual quilter:

With Sacred Threads: Quilting and the Spiritual Life  Susan Towner-Larsen & Barbara Brewer Davis (Pilgrim Press) $25.00  Bet you didn't know about this, didja?  As it is put by Rev. Dr. Howard Friend---himself a radical writer about the integration of contemplative spirituality and social action---"a quilt will no longer be merely a collage of color or a tasteful arrangement of fabric  once you have read With Sacred Threads..."  Much like scripture, a quilt tells a story and echoes of voices far beyond what a mere hasty glance reveals."  Know a quilter who is also a "meaning-seeker"?  Or, as one UCC leader writes, it may help those who "doubt the proximity of play and prayer."  Pretty to look at, too, on glossy paper, with lovely reproductions and a good design.

For a global citizen who likes biography:

Tutu Authorized  Alister Sparks & Mpho Tutu (HarperOne) $29.99  You know, I heard a number of people at our book displays at events this fall tell us that they hoped somebody would get them this for Christmas.  It is just that kind of a book, a lovely cover, a hefty feel, an enormously important figure, and a light touch in telling the tale. Nelson Mandela once said about Tutu, "Sometimes strident, often tender, never afraid, and seldom without humor, (his) voice will always be the voice of the voiceless."  The forward is by Bono, who calls Tutu his boss.   Where does Tutu get this compassion and humor and hope?  What a story!




For a Civil War buff who knows it all:

Curiosities of the Civil War: Strange Stories, Infamous Characters, and Bizarre Events Webb Garrison  (Nelson) $19.99  This is a 550-page hardback and this quirky study of odd backstories will give your friend a deepened understanding of the war and the real people that engaged in it.  For instance, readers will discover the first sitting president to be exposed to enemy fire. What badgers, pigeons, and bear cubs had in common during the war.  Which of Stonewall Jackson's limbs received its own proper burial. The turtle-shaped ship designed to douse its opponents with boiling water. Which Confederate general was responsible for introducing camels to the Southwest. You can't  make this stuff up.



For a Wendell Berry fan who (thinks he or she) has 'em all:

Traveling at Home  Wendell Berry, wood engravings by John DePol (Counterpoint) $22.00 This was an older poetry book of Mr. Berry now gloriously reissued in a gorgeous, thin hardback with great woodcuts.  Fifteen poems and one essay (previously published) was issued as a limited edition in 1988.  Cheers!

Farming: A Handbook  Wendell Berry (Counterpoint)$15.95  It is nice to see this early but justly famous volume in a fine-looking new paperback after being out of print for decades.  Berry says in the forward that he worked a bit on one poem, but most remain untouched since their first publication.  



For a mom or dad who would love a family devotional resource that isn't from Focus on the Family:

At Home With God: A Complete Liturgical Guide for the Christian Home  Gavin Long (Paraclete Press) $26.99  Endorsed by the likes of Michael Card and Scot McKnight, you can be assured this isn't anything odd or off-base.  Phyllis Tickle notes "Too many of us have been removed for too long from the discipline of family prayers and the grace of domestic worship. May this life-giving manual be the first of many that herald the re-introduction of those ancient ways into our future."   If Phyllis Tickle's words will appeal to the people your thinking of, buy them this and give it before the New Year.




The Bible Story Handbook: A Resource for Teaching 175 Stories from the Bible  John Walton & Kim Walton (Crossway) $24.99  This isn't about parenting, or even home life, really, but any parent wanting to do Bible study at home could use this educators guide to how to faithfully explore key Bible stories.  Home schoolers or others who want a bit more than a typical inspiration meditation will appreciate the seven elements examined in each story.   Happily, as Starr Meade writes, it goes beyond thinking of Bible stories as "stand alone episodes that provide moral instruction based on imitating human characters in the stories."  No, God is the key actor here, and the plot pushes us to see the history of redemption unfolding to it's climax in Christ.  Very useful.

Heroes & Villains of the Bible: Real Stories (Tommy Nelson) $14.99  I suppose many families have those hard-to-sit still boys (usually boys, I guess) who light up most when something gross or weird happens.  They love daring and adventure, treachery and heroism.  The Bible can be misused along these lines, so parents should be careful but there is a sense in which these adventure tales do teach us important insights.  The graphic novel type artwork and the conversation starters at the end of each story makes this a possible gift for a kid who just might not pick up any other sort of Bible story book. The Biblical text is the easy to read CEV.

By the way, call us if you'd like to hear about other such Bibles, The Action Bible (all cartoons) or the Manga one.  Fascinating.


For someone with a heart for the poor, or who loves to pray for the world:

A Place at the Table: 40 Days of Solidarity with the Poor  Chris Seay (Baker) $13.99  On the heals of the Advent Conspiracy, Seay went deeper into the journey of caring for the poorest of the poor.  This takes readers on a journey of self-examination (drawing on the Biblical themes of wilderness and temptation and the practice of fasting) inviting us to use these Scriptures to eat less, serve more, and prayerfully read through this guide to the needy around the world, country by country.  There will be a DVD curriculum that some will be hearing about, no doubt, but you can bless your friend that has a broken heart for the poor and honor the refugee Babe whose birth we celebrate.  What an appropriate, challenging gift.  I hope you know somebody who cares about this and that you are able to share this new resource as a way to affirm their passion or interest.

For a thoughtfully mature Christian college teacher:

Teaching and Christian Practices: Reshaping Faith & Learning  David Smith and James K. A. Smith, editors  (Eerdmans) $22.00  Several years ago social researchers and theologians Craig Dykstra and Dorothy Bass placed the word "practices" on the table of Christian conversation and in recent years there has been much consideration about what Christians habitually do as we practice our faith.  Then, James K.A. Smith wrote one of the most talked about religious books in years, Desiring the Kingdom, wondering how liturgies (secular or faithful) shape our habitual practices as we embody our worldviews.  Here, beloved Calvin College educator and foreign language professor David I. Smith and philosophy prof James K.A. Smith lead a gang of a dozen philosophically minded Christian college professors to reflect on how Christian practices of embodied discipleship actually influence how they teach.  Dykstra & Bass join with a forward, noting how their work on practices has been received and advanced in this remarkable symposium on teaching practices to college students, and how spiritual practices effect the art of teaching well.   A rave blurb on the back is from Perry Glanzer, the well known educational academic from Baylor.  

For a farmer or foodie:

Folks, This Ain't Normal: A Farmer's Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a Better World  Joel Salatin (Center Street) $25.99 Salatin is a star to some (he has featured in Food Inc and The Omnivore's Dilemma, I think) and is radical, insistent, but also upbeat and funny.  Bill McKibben calls it a "wonderfully cranky book."  Chef Dan Barber says it is "as practical as it is reflective; as necessary as it is radical."  The New York Times called him "Virginia's most multi-faceted agrarian since Thomas Jefferson."  Your friend will enjoy this whether they actually raise anything or not...

Food, Farming, and Faith  Gary Fick (SUNY) $21.95  This is an academic study by an evangelical Christian professor of agriculture at Cornell.  Nothing quite like it, a serious, good, helpful bit of research on the relationship of faith and farming, the Bible and agriculture.  If you know anybody studying farming or is a Christian, that a book like this exists from such a reputable academic press will surely surprise them. You will be their hero for turning them on to the work of Dr. Fick.

Food Rebels, Guerrilla Gardeners, and Smart-Cookin' Mamas: Fighting Back in an Age of Industrial Agriculture Mark Winne (Beacon) $24.95 hardcover, $16.00  paperback. Okay, not everybody wants to take on the system, work for social change, or analyze every aspect of their daily shopping, eating, consuming.  But a lot of people do, as this amazing book attests.  This is fun, feisty, revolutionary, a manifesto for ordinary folks who are both foodies and perhaps also interested in making a difference in sustainable ways.  Yeah!  You have to know somebody like this, don't you?  Google Mark Winne and watch his youtube videos about the book and you'll want one for yourself, too.



A Time to Plant: Life Lessons in Work, Prayer, and Dirt  Kyle Kramer (Sorin) $15.95  Rooted in the Benedictine traditions of physical labor, this farmer shares his stories of prayer, hospitality, and, as the title says, dirt.  This is humble, graceful writing, the sort that leads writer Scott Russell Sanders to say "one comes away feeling it was love that set Kramer's words flowing---love for a place, for his wife, and their young children, for good work, and for the mysterious ground from which everything rises."  Catholic spirituality about making a living off the land.


Food & Faith: A Theology of Eating  Norman Wirzba (Cambridge University Press) $24.99 I don't know if you have anybody on your shopping list that does serious theology but if you do, I bet he or she eats.  So if you know anyone who wants to bring together in-depth reflection on a Christian view of food, this is the creme de la creme.  Or maybe I should say it is meaty. Wirzba is Research Professor of Theology, Ecology, and Rural Life at Duke Divinity School.  

Food Rules: An Eater's Manual  Michael Pollan, illustrations by Maira Kalman (The Penguin Press) $23.95  You may know this charming and very helpful pocket guide that Pollan did after his mega-selling Omnivore's Dilemma.  This new enhanced hardback version has illustrations, heavier paper stock, and a new introduction.  Makes a really nice little gift.




For a lawyer, law student, or graduating pre-law student:

Redeeming Law: Christian Calling and the Legal Profession  (IVP) $24.00  Every profession should be so fortunate as to have a book just like this.  Thoughtful, seriously rooted in an coherent, Biblical worldview but equally engaged with the best modern scholarship, helping believers honor Christ in their lawyering by considering legal work as a Christian vocation.

For a nurse or nursing student or other health care practitioner:

Called to Care: A Christian Worldview for Nursing  Judith Allen Shelly & Arlene Miller (IVP) $25.00 We have a handful of excellent books for nurses, but we most often recommend this as the most important, foundational book for anyone in health care.  Love it.  If you know anybody in the healing arts---physical therapists, doctors, nurses, dentists--this is a must-read.  They and their patients will thank you.

For someone who likes to write or keep a journal.

Banaras Sari Quilt Journal (C & T Publishing) $19.95 These are elegant, 8 1/2 x 11 journals, crafted beautifully, collaged with silk brocades from recycled saris in the ancient city of Banaras, India. These are made from sari's, which themselves were once made on handlooms in the region) and each one is different. They are vividly bright, sparkly, even--stunning.  This is a wonderful example of fairly traded items and job creation. The sturdy journal includes good paper, 160 pages, about 2/3 unlined, about a 1/3 small graph paper.  Very cool.





For a lover of the Bible:

And God Spoke to Abraham: Preaching from the Old Testament  Fleming Rutledge (Eerdmans) $30.00  This ought to be called "sermons from the Old Testament" as it isn't really about how to preach, just a huge collection of great messages on the Older Testament.  Rutledge is respected Bible scholar, Episcopal priest and elegant communicator.  No one who loves the Bible will fail to find great insight here and hours of study and enjoyment.  A new collection of sermons or essays by Rutledge is nearly a publishing event and this just-released 420 page paperback would make a fantastic gift.




Old Testament Wisdom Literature: A Theological Introduction  Craig Bartholomew & Ryan O'Dowd (Baker Academic) $30.00  I raved about this when it first came out and it is certainly the most interesting, illuminating--dare I say wise?--study of the important wisdom literature I have yet read.  The first over section is just brilliant and I've read it more than once...very useful for anyone interested in Proverbs and Psalms and such.  A helpful blend of scholarly research and some practical application, with a good sense, too, of how these portions of the Older Testament fit in with the rest of the redemptive narrative of Scripture.




Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes: Cultural Studies in 1 Corinthians Kenneth E. Bailey (IVP Academic) $30.00  This is a bit too thick to fit in anyone's fireside Christmas stocking, but wrapped up it will be one impressive gift.  At nearly 550 pages, it is one of the most astute New Testament commentaries of the year.  Bailey is a dear man, a friend of the shop, who has lived much of his adult life in the rural villages of the Middle East.  He brings Middle Eastern eyes to Bible study in ways that have been generative to a whole generation of New Testament scholars.  Here, he offers cultural insight about the Greco-Roman world and the culture of first century Judaism in Corinth.  Amazing! It looks great on the shelf, too, next to the equally large and attractive (and wise!) 2010 release, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels (IVP Academic; $26.00.)

A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New G. K. Beale (Baker Academic) $54.99 Okay this isn't for any simple Bible reader and won't fit in most normal stockings, either.  But under the tree, this tome will be the highlight of somebody's day--of somebody's year--if they are serious about this sort of top-notch, heavy-duty, intellectually rigorous evangelical scholarship.  Greg Beale is a genius, no doubt about it, and this is a long-await resource that was just recently release. A very important subject, too, about which not enough is written.  Excellent. 



For a person who is theological conservative and you wished they had a greater social vision or for a person who is not theologically conservative and you wished they appreciated evangelical thinkers more.

Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian  John Piper (Crossway) $22.99  This is one of the most moving, thoughtful, and important books of the year.  John Piper is one of the most important voices of the seriously Biblical, evangelical movement and a well respected Baptist pastor, author, and speaker.  Here he names racism as a sin, reflects on ways to bring Godly reformation to society, and shows that the gospel of Christ is the only answer to the quandaries of racism and other social ills.  He hits this hard, repents of this horrific sin, and calls his readers to be agents of gospel-centered reconciliation.




Generous Justice: How God's Grace Makes Us Just Timothy Keller (Dutton) $19.95  Readers of BookNotes know of our respect and appreciation for Tim Keller and his fruitful work in New York.  Surely one of the finest evangelical writers of our time, this little hardback makes a great gift, perfect to show that those who make most of the cross of Christ should also be those who live out the gracious doctrine of justification by being agents of justice.  Solid, orthodox, reasonable, but a very compelling call to social engagement, civic service, cultural renewal and concern and action for the poor and oppressed.  Excellent.

If you want to give a gift to somebody that loved Rob Bell's Love Wins or hated Love Wins or hasn't yet formed an opinion of Love Wins:

The Love Wins Companion  Rob Bell & David Vanderveen (HarperOne) $13.99  Rob worked with his friend David to pull together this remarkable study guide, a companion volume that has extra bonus material for each chapter of Love Wins, a good reflection by Vanderveen (basically, this is what Rob was getting at in this chapter and here's some ways to think about it) and a good article by another person that ties in to the theme of that chapter.  (Having these great pieces in one place is worth the price if the book and includes articles or excerpts by Pope Benedict XVI, Cathleen Falsani, Donald Miller, RIchard Mouw, Frederick Buechner, Oswald Chambers, N.T Wright, Anne Lamott and more.) There is a Bible study for each chapter, and then helpful group exercises and lots of discussion questions.  This is not a simple little discussion booklet, but a major resource, helping you understand Bells' main claims and other teachings, work through his argument in the book, and talk through (civilly) the contentious theological stuff that has caused such a furor.  There is a little interview with Bell, an appendix of quotes from church history, and everything you need for a more fruitful study of the book. This could be volatile, so choose carefully.  Maybe add some Christmas candy to sweeten the deal.  

For someone you know who loves Reformed theology:

Life in God: John Calvin, Practical Formation, and the Future of Protestant Theology  Matthew Myer Boulton (Eerdmans) $28.00  This brand new books overturns the common assumption that Calvin was austere, strictly intellectual, arguing that for Calvin, theology is properly conceived and articulated primarily for the sake of everyday spiritual formation.  He opposed the monasteries in order to "democratize the spiritual disciplines."  This is a strong and weighty book, making a case that worship, prayer, delight, and spiritual formation are at the heart of the best theology.  





For someone you know who may love Reformed theology a bit too much:

Letters to a Young Calvinist: An Invitation to the Reformed Tradition  James K.A. Smith (Brazos) $14.99  This pocket paperback is a wonderful stocking stuffer for someone (perhaps a student) who has become enamored of a strident sort of Reformed thinking, and who defines that only in doctrinal terms about predestination and such.  Smith has been there, too, a rather belligerent convert to Calvinism, but he slowly grew more aware of the broader tradition, how to be more ecumenical, and, particularly how to plumb the depths of generous Reformed thinking to equip folks to live well, serving God graciously in all of life.  Very, very nice, written as a series of pastoral letters. Well, mostly pastoral emails.  Somebody will thank you if you offer this gentle guide to greater depth.

For someone who likes church history and theology but also really likes to laugh:

Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life James Martin (HarperOne) $25.99  Yup, this is a winner. And, it is the first book I've seen in decades of book-selling about a theology of humor that is, in fact, really funny.  This guy is an esteemed teacher about spirituality, a beloved author about the Jesuits, a solid thinker and---who knew?---a real stitch.  As he was researching earlier books he kept finding really funny stuff about the saints he was studying and finally felt free to go for it, writing this clever and witty study of the goodness of laughter.  Somebody you know would get a real kick out of this, no?  Do it. They'll be happy to see this, believe me!


For outdoor lovers:

Christian Outdoor Leadership: Theology, Theory, and Practice  Ashley Denton (SmoothStone Publishing) $24.99  There is no other book like this, a study of using outdoor trips and camping as methods of evangelism and disciple-making.  There is less in here about creation care and nature appreciation then there could be, but it is strong on doing ministry in the great outdoors.  Want to help our wilderness guy or gal to become Christian leaders as well.  This is a rare find which will surely get their attention.

Nature as Spiritual Practice  Steven Chase (Abingdon) $18.00 The close up photo on the cover shows a flower and it draws you to attention.  Which is as it should be as this is a thick, rich account of paying attention to nature, to being in creation as a way to grow in faith and maturity.  This includes quotes from nature writings and classic spiritual writers.  Beldan Lane (the genius behind the impressive book on deserts and wilderness, in his hiking and in the Bible, The Solace of Fierce Landscapes) writes that these great lines are "full of riches both thoughtful and practical."  SPECIAL SALE DEAL, THIS WEEK ONLY: Chase has a companion volume, A Field Guide to Nature as Spiritual Practices which is thinner but includes a very nice set of devotional experiences.  WE WILL GIVE YOU ONE OF THESE FREE WITH A PURCHASE OF Nature as Spiritual Practice. An $8.00 VALUE.

Wisdom of Wilderness: Experiencing the Healing Power of Nature Gerald May (HarperOne) $13.99   Who knew that this contemplative psychotherapist was such an outdoorsman, and sought to find God in the wilderness, learning from the austere beauty of creation.  Parker Palmer wrote the lovely forward.  Wonderfully written, including a grand story about a wild bear.

Water, Wind, Earth, & Fire: The Christian Practice of Praying with the Elements Christine Valters Painter (Sorin) $14.95  Organized around the "Canticle of the Creatures" by St. Francis of Assisi this Benedictine Oblate offers very concrete ways to explore the symbols of creation, the mystery that holds it all together.  Very nicely done, reflecting on nature in a deeply Christian way.  

Holy the Firm  Annie Dillard (HarperOne) $13.00  Just wanted to remind you of this literary gem, a small book that is philosophical and beautiful. Listen to Buechner who reviewed in in The New York Times Book Review  "This book is a book of great richness, beauty of power and thus very difficult to do justice in a brief review...The violence is sometimes unbearable, the language rarely less than superb. Dillard's description of the moth's death makes Virginia Woolf's go dim and Edwardian. One thinks of Gerard Manley Hopkins, among others---nature seen so clear and hard that the eyes tear...A rare and precious book."

For someone interested in the relationship of faith and science:

The Language of Science and Faith: Straight Answers to Genuine Questions Karl Giberson & Francis Collins (IVP) $20.00  You may know Collins, formerly of the Human Genome Project, and now Director of the National Institutes of Health, who has written carefully about finding God through his work in the sciences.(The Language of God.) Giberson has written boldly about how he as an evangelical scientists embraces evolutionary theory.  This book, in a thoughtful question and answer format, lays out an evangelical evolutionary perspective, and, more generally, offers a Christian perspective on science.  It nearly serves as a manifesto for their new organization,  BioLogos Foundation.  Dr. Tim Johnson, Senior medical contributor for ABC News says "This book is destined to become a classic..."

Testing Scripture: A Scientists Explores the Bible  John Polkinghorne (Brazos) $17.99  Sir John is surely one of the major thinkers of our time, with degrees in physics and theology.  As an Anglican priest he has written much about the faith-science conversation (and won the Templeton Prize in 2002.)  Here, as the title suggests, we have Polkinghorne's view of the Bible, its themes, ambiguities and truths. Brand new.

The Mind and the Machine: What It Means to be Human  Matthew DIckerson (Brazos) $19.99 This is a wonderfully written book, making a great gift for anyone who wonders about faith, science, biochemistry, neurology, or a Christian view of anthropology.  Dickerson is a professor of computer science and environmental studies at Middlebury College so has a very keen eye for good writing and serious cultural analysis.  Progress? This complex but fascinating book asks whether progress is reducing our ability to be fully human.  Amazingly rich, very diverse, a thoughtful gift for all kinds of readers.

For a fan of C.S. Lewis who has it all:

Phantastes: A Faerie Romance for Men and Women  George MacDonald (Hendrickson) $19.95  There has been a paperback or two of this vivid, poetic novel from the late 1800s---it enthralled many, most notably G. K. Chesteron and C. S. Lewis, but this is a very handsome, approximating, it seems, the look and feel of an original illustrated hardback of this sort.  The text is in colophon, the 33 historic illustrations by Arthur Hughes, newly colorized in a gentle pastel. The back covers suggests this will "transport readersinto a world between dreams and reality where splendor andhorror battle for the human heart."  Very impressive.




For a kid (or adult) who has gone (or wants to go) to the movie:

The Invention of Hugo Cabret  Brian Selznic (Scholastic) $24.99  This is the highly acclaimed, much-loved, respected, Newbery award-winning novel (complete with drawings) that led the extraordinary director Martin Scorcese to do his first family film, out now.  Throw in some movie tickets with this book and you'll have kids saying you gave them the coolest gift yet.  We have his brand new one, too, Wonderstruck (Scholastic; $29.99) that came out earlier in the fall.



For a young person who would like a well-done overtly Christian YA novel; mostly for girls:

Sketchy Behavior  Erynn Mangum (Zondervan) $9.99  It asks on the back if this character is "drawing conclusions or drafting disaster?"  Ha--this story is about a 16 year old gal with two notable talents: art and sarcasm.   Her excellent drawing helps police find a murderer and she goes from local hero to possible nexxt target.  This is a snarky drama, a bit of a crime story with some typical teen shenenagins along the way.  Fun.



There You'll Find Me  Jenny B. Jones (Nelson) $12.99  This is considered juvenile fiction but the themes are fairly heavy.  There is grief, a journey to Ireland, love.  A character who is a teen heart-throb is (yes) filming a vampire movie. The main character is not impressed.  There is a reading group to help readers explore the story and message.





Black, White, Other: In Search of Nina Armstrong  Joan Steinau Lester (Zondervan) $15.99 This is a very good novel, seriously written in a way that allows readers to really understand the feelings of the main character.  Her name is Nina and she is bi-racial, which causes serious confusing and perplexities in her idenity, even as racial tensions swirl around her.  She discovers the story of a great, great, grandmother who was a runaway slave which helps her find her own "true North."  Ms  Lester is herself a consultant on ethnic diversity, is often heard on NPR and was a finalist for Barbara Kingsolver's Bellweather Prize.  Very, very impressive.




A Girl Named Mister Nikki Grimes (Zodervan) $7.99  This just came out in paperback and we are glad to offer it---Grimes is quite prolific (she has written over 50 books) and has been a winner of the coveted Coretta Scott King Award and has been cited as a Notable Book author by the American Library Association.  This story unfolds as a set of poems --- it is ingeniously done.  It is the story of an African American teen who gets pregnant and, in her crisis, discovers the story of the Biblical Mary, who is also young and oddly pregnant.  Feeling abandoned, Mister (whose real name is Mary) is drawn to Mary's story  As it says on the back "together both young women discover the depth of God's love and the mysteries of his divine plan."  This would appeal to those who may like the form of poetry to tell a cohesive story, or about how a teen in a very contemporary situation can find comfort in an ancient, Biblical story. Kind of a Christmas book too. 

Cliques, Hicks, and Ugly Sticks: Confessions of April Grace  K.D. McCrite (Nelson) $9.99  Readers loved April's earlier book (The Confessions of April Grace: In Front of God and Everybody) and this will be a similiar winner.  Light-hearted, well written with an interesting plot (a grandma stuck in a love triangle, a church pageant run by a dictator, and a mom who is acting very mysterious) and very funny, junior high April mostly has to cope with a clique of mean girls and doing algebra homework



For a person to whom you want to give Pilgrim's Progress, but you're not sure which edition:

Pilgrim's Progress John Bunyan Retold  Gary Schmidt, illustrations by Barry Moser (Eerdmans) $16.50  Which this was a large sized picture book it received so much acclaim for it's contemporary retelling and striking art. Now it has been reissued as a smaller, hand-sized hardback.  Stunning, full of verve and energy and mature insight, this is truly a re-telling (not just an adaptation) and the pictures are sometimes a bit strange.  Love it!

The Pilgrim's Progress  John Bunyan, edited by C.J. Lovik, illustrations by Mike Wimmer (Crossway) $24.99  This nice-sized edition is more faithful to the text but is still nicely re-worked for modern readers and hearers.  The pictures are quite handsome, if fairly traditional, and they almost remind one of the vivid, realistic portraits done by N.C. Wyeth for Treasure Island and the like.)  Rave reviews from Joni Eareckson Tada, Elyse Fitzpatrick, Starr Meade, Kevin Belmont.

For a YA reader who doesn't want a religious story, hopefully with a boy character:

Okay for Now  Gary D. Schmidt (Clarion Books) $16.99  What a great gift this would be for anyone who loves good writing and a good story, but it is especially good for young fellas.  Doug Swietech calls his new place "The Dump" and he isn't happy that he moved to upstate New York.  Some readers will remember Doug as a minor character in Schmidt's award-winning The Wednesday Wars (which is fantastic, by the way!)  It is now the summer of 1968 and Doug discovers something very special in a local library, which unlocks a whole new world and leads to a handful of fabulous adventures.  (Hint, it isn't just a book, but a special part of a historic book: he sees the plates to John James Audubon's Birds of America.)  What a wild and wacky and profoundly good story.  Three cheers for this national treasure (and professor of literature at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI.) Schmidt's Newbery Award winning Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, by the way, is now available in a very sharp mass-market paperback. ($6.99) that would fit in any stocking.  And should -- it is wonderful.

For a young reader who doesn't want a religious story, hopefully with a girl character:

The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic  Jennifer Trafton, illustrated by Brett Helquist (Dial) $16.99  We love it when thoughtful, young Christian friends make their way into the mainstream world of art and letters.  In this case, Jennifer has gifted us all with a splendid, uproarious first novel, a fantasy story which is about "a mousy-haired girl with a Big Imagination."  She has to make an entire island believe the impossible...before it's too late.  When a Newbery Award Honor writer (Ingrid Law) loves your work, this is good.  She writes that the language "trips and dips and twirls and swirls off the tongue, and zings merrily through the mind and heart alike."  This book is full of wonder, just fabulous. It is just out in paperback, but the hardcovers have deckled pages, nice green endpapers and would make a swell gift to an older elementary student or up...

For a sophisticated reader of edgy YA fiction:

Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow  Daniel Nayeri (Candlewick Press) $19.99  Daniel is a friend of the store and he has gotten some serious acclaim for his hip updates of classics, Another Faust and Another Pan .  In this thick book he offer four eccentrically written stories, glorious in their playing with four different genres -- a sizzling Western, a wild sci-fi, piece, a hard-boiled detective drama, and a grimly humorous Shakespearean an love story who has to cope with Death. It has a few instances of some spicy language, and it clearly not for very young readers.  Yet, this odd work is compelling and exceptional.  Newbery medalist Linda Sue Park writes "I'm so impressed by the ingenuity of the project as a whole...sheer genius.  I can't remember the last time I've read such a clever and successful plotline."  Gary Schmidt, two-time Newbery honoree uses the word virtuosity.  Is Nayeri a modern day Lewis Carroll?  You will want to give this as a gift to somebody who is up for the challenge given by Schmidt: "Dare to read this." Then be prepared for some conversation.

For that rather conservative, politically-aware, lover of serious literature:

Apricot Jam and other Stories  Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (Counterpoint) $28.00  After years of living in exile, Solzhenitsyn returned to Russia in 1994 and published a serious of eight powerfully paired stories.  These inter-connecting works were called ground-breaking, shifting in setting between pre and post Soviet Russia.  Available this fall for the first time in English.  

For someone who wants a very, very special work of fiction:

The Blind Contessa's New Machine Carey Wallace (Pamela Dorman Books) $23.95  This is a smallish-sized hardback from a prestigious imprint, but the story has a big, big heart.  It is "vibrant, aching" and "magical, rich, and daring."  Ms Wallace is a fan of Hearts & Minds and we respect her work (and her band that plays songs about books, but that is another story) and the faith of her family (her mom has written a book about coping with pain when one has chronic illness, like Lyme Disease.) The "new machine" of this luminous story is the first typewriter.  So it is a historical work, a romance,  and a book about an artist.  One critic wrote "This is a novel that, like the contessa's dreams, casts a spell of ethereal beauty."  You might know someone looking for that artfully told tale that will carry the away in wonderful prose.  This is it.

For someone who likes fantasy, intrigue, maybe something like Dan Brown:

The Seraph Seal  Leonard Sweet & Lori Wagner (Nelson) $15.99  This book is a bit hard to explain, making it a natural choice for any eccentric fiction readers you know. It is fantasy, it is.   Yet it is about an ancient prophecy that is unfolding (in 2012!) as the world accelerates its descent into massive chaos. Apocolyptic? Sure.  Yet there is a journey of love and discover that I can only say blurs the line between fact and fiction.  There are some sidebars and teaching parts scattered through as clues are uncovered and next pieces of the puzzle are put together.  You may know Sweet as a postmodern evangelist, a Biblical storyteller and student of the times.  Wagner is a poet and novelist who has a scholarly interest in (amongst other things) science and culture.  Soooo, this is one heckuva ride.  Give it to somebody that likes a page-turner, who likes to think, and who will appreciate the cryptic codes and deeply Christian insights.  If they have a weak heart, though, go back to the previous novel.  This one could be dangerous.

For that person for whom you really want to splurge with something artistic:

The Saint John's Bible (Liturgical Press) see below for prices  A lavish, special gift that will be remembered for a lifetime?  I trust you know that the St. John's Bible team of artisans has been calligraphing the entire Scriptures for years, now, using tools and materials employed by scribes for thousands of years, issuing large coffee table books year by year.  We have just a few of most of them, and can offer just a few on sale, giving you a chance to present a loved one with a breath-taking gift of art and a new way to experience the Holy Word of God.  

Here's what we have on sale, while supplies last, offered at $20.00 OFF.

Wisdom Books   $64.00       SALE PRICE  $44.00
Prophets             $69.00        SALE PRICE  $49.00
Pentatuch           $69.00        SALE PRICE  $49.00

Some of us love giving gifts, but don't want to give something pointless or mundane.  And a few people that we'd like to share some love with are, well, tricky, if not prickly, about what they might like.  Ergo, you need some help on the book front.  We can ship promptly, gift wrap if you'd like, tuck little notes in saying that the package is from you.  Call us if you want to chat.  Some of these described below are brand new, most are new this season, but a few are not.   This is Part One.  Part Two (including some fiction, youth books, and other great categories) will come in a day or so.


So, say you've got this friend...




For a person in need of setting boundaries, learning some helpful social skills or making changes:

Beyond Boundaries: Learning to Trust Again in Relationships  Dr. John Townsend (Zondervan) $24.99  His best-seller Boundaries has been a staple, wisely offering insightful ways to say no, protect oneself, use prudence and savvy to take control of your life.  This new book is about moving forward, next steps, learning to trust after painful relationships.  Stephen Arterburn of the New Life Live! radio talk show says "...a must for everyone who read Boundaries. This is his best book yet."

The Lost Art of Listening: How Learning to Listen Can Improve Relationships  Michael Nichols (Guildford) $16.95  This is not new and not particularly religious, but a fine and important book written with good human or practical illustrations and helpful exercises.  Good for leaders, coaches, mentors, or anyone who wants to buck the trend of modern life and slow down, pay attention, and care about others and what they say.

Made to Crave Devotional: 60 Days to Craving God, Not Food  Lysa Terkeurst (Zondervan) $12.99 Made to Crave has been one of the best-selling self-help books in religious publishing in recent memory and has helped many with a new way of thinking about eating.  Here are sixty brand new devotionals to encourage you in your weight loss journey. These are witty and helpful, a companion to the book.

Happiness  Joan Chittister (Eerdmans) $20.00  How to describe an elegant and thoughtful extended rumination on the meaning of happiness written by one of the most esteemed religious writers of our time?  Sister Joan has been writing for years and some suggest this is her very best. She explores sociology, biology, neurology, psychology, philosophy and world religions to excavate what she calls the archeology of happiness.  A universal concern, explored by a Benedictine contemplative and social activist.  Very nice.






For someone who is a Christian and interested in politics:

Through the Year with Jimmy Carter 366 Daily Meditations from the 39th President (Zondervan) $24.99 Just out, this is a lovely collection of lessons Jimmy taught in his many years as a Baptist Sunday school teacher.  I've listened to some of these on tape and they are rich and solid, faithful and applicable.  A very handsome gift from a former President.  Not too shabby.

Left, Right & Christ: Evangelical Faith in Politics  Lisa Sharon Harper & D.C. Innes (Russell Media) $22.99  I reviewed this here  celebrating this good conversation between two fine Christians on different sides of the isle.  A great option to give, for those in either camp, or those who are non-partisan, presuming they are interested in a Biblically-based but civil disucssion.  If you have any politicos on your list, this is one you could consider giving.

A Public Life: How Followers of Christ Should Serve the Common Good Miroslof Volf (Baker) $21.99  On the short list for the book of the year, I've reviewed this at BookNotes and other places, so very glad for his wise and thoughtful counsel about navigating Christian claims in a pluralistic society.  Highly recommended, about human flourishing and public justice.

Branding Obamessiah: The Rise of An American Idol  Mark Edward Taylor (Edenridge) $17.99  We got these on a bit on sale allowing us mark them down lower than other on-line dealers.  We are eager to let folks know that this is a fascinating study of how faith-like impulses and inspirational stories were knowingly used by Obama's marketing team.  This is a helpful and very well documented study of how media works, how candidates are promoted, how stories are told that frame a candidate in nearly sacred terms.  I think you could safely give this to two sorts of people: those that don't like Obama and want information about his back-story, his candidacy, his image that was pretty creatively created.  Or those who do like much about his Presidency but are eager to see the background of his campaign, who he hired to create what sort of perceptions.  This drifts into critical mode at times but it isn't really a book for or against the policies of the current administration, but a helpful look at the role of media, how political mass marketing happens these days and ways that image and symbols and values are influential in telling the story of a candidate or a movement. Interesting.

For a pastor in a  liturgical church who appreciates the importance of serious worship or a worship leader in a non-liturgical church who might need to go deeper:

Grand Entrance: Worship on Earth as in Heaven Edith Humphrey (Baker) $22.99  Dr. H. is a stellar prof at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary who moved from the Anglican communion (she's Canadian, a graduate of the prestigious McGill) to become Orthodox.  She gets worship. This is a serious book, but beautifully written---deep and wise and good. 

In God's Presence: Encountering, Experiencing and Embracing the Holy in Worship N. Graham Standish (Alban Institute) $18.00  Graham is a Presbyterian (USA) pastor of a growing church that does this ancient-future worship planning, and offers a mature and practical guide to both deepening and playing with notions of holy presence.  Nice.

For a preacher, probably in a mainline congregation, that uses the common lectionary:

The Seasons of Creation: A Preaching Commentary  Norman C. Habel, David Rhoads, and H. Paul Santmire, editors (Fortress) $29.00  This was created (mostly) by Australian Lutherans and is a splendid guide to preaching about creation, environmental stewardship and Earth-keeping. Very useful for preachers and worship planners wanting to hear the cry of the Earth and the concerns of the poor in the texts. If your preacher cares about the looming environmental crisis, get her or him this. If he or she doesn't, this might help.

The Collected Sermons of Walter Brueggemann  (WJK) $30.00  This big hardback is a treasure chest of some of Walt's best sermons.  It is a sturdy hardback and includes 67 sermons, in nearly 360 pages.  (There is a useful Scripture index, too.)  A few of these are old--one from 1972, and a few from the 1980s.  A few of the concluding ones are very recent.  An introduction to theme highlights some of the themes of Brueggemann's preaching, and a small forward that he wrote is eloquent and itself quite inspiring.  This collection is in the series of other uniform hardbacks that includes sermons of William Sloan Coffin, William Willimon, Fred Craddock....a wonderful gift.




Daily Feast: Meditations from Feasting on the Word Year B  edited by Kathleen Bostrom & Lib Caldwell (WJK) $25.00  This oh-so-soft, brown, leather-like devotional makes a great gift for any pastor or preacher (or anybody who cares about the lectionary readings for each Sunday.)  These good editors adeptly choose sections of the highly acclaimed lectionary preaching commentaries (Feasting on the Word) and arranged some of the more pithy portions to read for each daily reflection.  Contributors are a who's who of mainline denominational traditions, such as Barbara Brown Taylor, Ruth Boling, Kathleen O'Conner, Lee Barrett, Martin Copenhaver, Michael Lindvall, Cynthia Rigby.  Contributors are from a variety of perspectives, there is good multi-ethnic representation, and each day's readings are faithful to explore the lectionary reading, with a helpful response and prayer.  

For a minister who loves literature or a lover of literature who cares about ministers:



Pastors in the Classics: Timeless Lessons on Life and Ministry from World Literature
Leland Ryken, Philip Ryken & Todd Wilson (Baker) $16.99  The first half of this includes great overviews, studies of, and discussion questions for twelve different novels about clergy (from Canterbury Tales to Gilead) and the long second half includes helpful overviews from oodles of novels where pastors are mentioned, described or are part of the plot.  Learn about characters from Death Comes for the Archbishop, Godric, Poisonwood BIble and so many more; books by Flannery O'Connor, George MacDonald, Susan Howatch, and many more.

For a person wanting to think about faith in the workplace:

Taking Your Soul To Work: Overcoming the Nine Deadly Sins of the Workplace Paul Stevens & Alvin Ung (Eerdmans) $15.00 We have many books, many good, good books, on a basic Christian philosophy of work.  It is a topic that too few buy books about, so giving a gift of this sort might be very special. There are many that we admire, many that an interested person would enjoy---call if you'd like.  I list this one because it may be that you've had conversations with someone lately about their struggles, about character formation, about the hardship and joys of being faithful in what for some is a hard place.  This book not only looks at the seven deadly sins, but also at matching virtues, all explore in the context of modern jobs.  Very useful; sure to be appreciated.


For someone wanting a thoughtful guide to Jesus, informed by good scholarship, but not too heady and still quite orthodox:

Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who he Was, What he Did, and Why He Matters N.T. Wright (HarperOne) $24.99  As Lauren Winner writes about it, it is "erudite (and yet also entertaining) and decidedly thoughtful-provoking...Somewhat to my surprise, I felt that, in reading Simply Jesus, I was really coming to know Jesus better; I actually felt Him near."  Excellent.  Can't say enough about this, although we have literally dozens of other serious books about Christ.  Have anybody on your list who is going on about "keeping Christ in Christmas"?  Help 'em out and let them study up.

The King Jesus Gospel: The Original Good News Revisited Scot McNight (Zondervan) $19.99  I love this book, and it is strong in its own right.  One of its strengths is it offers the insights of Wright (and others) about Christ as Kingdom-bringer, Messianic healer of the cosmos, Climax of the unfolding Story of God, in a way that is even more lively and upbeat than Wright.  It is no insult to say with a wink that it is "N.T. Wright for Dummies."  Highly recommended.

For someone unsure about Christianity and whether it is true:

What Good Is God: In Search of a Faith That Matters Philip Yancey (FaithWords) $23.99  I suggest this because it is a collection of well written stories, examples of people who have found God to be alive and meaningful even amidst great suffering.  In Yancey's hands, these testimonies come alive, and their poignant power makes them riveting.  This isn't typical "apologetics" (arguments about God) but a beautiful collection of accounts of those who have found by God and whose faith has been substantial.

Not the Religious Type: Confessions of a Turncoat Atheist  Dave Schmelzer (Saltriver) $16.99  There are oodles of books from excellent authors such as Tim Keller (Reason for God) and Alister McGrath, and a dozen other intellectual Christian response to the "new atheists."  This one is a lovely gift idea because it is so fun, interesting, honest, and well written.  Blurbs on the back are by novelist Andre Dubus and Sue Brown, resident dean of freshman at Harvard.  Brian McLaren suggests it evokes the work of Anne Lamott and Donald Miller.  A small hardback, it isn't pushy and is very interesting. Very nicely done.

The Rage Against God: How Atheism Led Me To Faith  Peter Hitchens (Zondervan) $22.99 hardback or $14.99 paperback  In light of the very recent death of raging atheist Christopher Hitchens, I had to include this fabulous work by his less famous brother.  A year ago the British Education Secretary wrote "The two best written books this year were Christopher Hitchen's memoir Hitch-22 and his brother Peter's The Rage Against God."   Peter writes, "On this my brother and I agree: that independence of mind is immensely precious, and that we should try to tell the truth in clear English even if we are disliked for doing so."  Here, he tells the truth.  Impressive.




For someone who is agnostic and content about that:

Spiritual Envy: An Agnostic's Quest  Michael Krasny (One World) $22.95  This book developed quite a buzz this year, a word-of-mouth following because it reflected keenly on spiritual questions without any proselytizing and was written by an excellent and witty writer.  Endorsements range from Dave Eggers (McSweeney's) and novelists like Isabel Allende and Joyce Carol Oates.  Bill McKibben writes "If you feel a little bludgeoned by the Dawkins/Hitchens approach to God, this is the book for you, generous instead of pinched, and honestly engaged with actual religious people and ideas, not a series of straw men."  He calls the author "open and curious."  Dan Shapiro notes that this memoir of seeking and questioning is "a beautifully written book, and reading it is a spiritual adventure."

For classic literature lovers:

A Jane Austen Devotional  and A Charles Dickens Devotional (Jack Countryman) $15.99 each. These just arrived, handsome hardbacks with textured fabric covers, each one offering excerpts of the historic writings of these enduring authors. On the facing page after the excerpt there is a devotional meditation, drawing Christian insights from the passage offered.  Very, very nice.

The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction  Alan Jacobs (Oxford University Press) $19.95  Jacobs is surely a national treasure, a suburb wordsmith and a serious, dedicated thinker.  This was one of the best books I've read all year, a bit demanding, but well worth the careful study.  He asks why reading still matters, how to read well even in the age of on-line shallowness and short attention spans.  One of the chief benefits of reading well and widely, Jacobs insists, is that it is pleasurable. Sure there are other reasons we ought to read more, but this surely is one of them.  Any reader of literature, and any lover of literary culture will adore this.  You will be there friend for life if you introduce them to this lucid, faithful writer.

For those who love memoir, but with a spiritual lesson:

Praying for Strangers: An Adventure of the Human Spirit River Jordon (Berkley) $24.95  Earlier in the year I linked at BookNotes to a fabulous "trailer" for this where the novelist Ms Jordon tells of the funk she was in when her grown son was in Afghanistan and the other in Iraq.  She concluded she needed to focus on others, learning to pray for the needs of other people.  She takes up the task of praying daily for someone, and then this true life tory unfolds, complete with amazing connections, serendipitous meetings, divine appointments and mysterious coincidences.  What a story--learning to trust, learning to pray, learning to care, in a well-crafted memoir.

Shirt of Flame: A Year with Saint Therese of Lisieux Heather King (Paraclete) $16.99  Heather King has been one of my favorite writers and I have in other years raved about her memoir of alcoholism and recovery (Parched) and her slow conversion to Roman Catholicism (Redeemed.)  She is smart, insightful, raw, and inspiring.  Here, she spends a year studying the "little flower" and gives to us what one reviewer called "the grit of sanctity."  Another priest said it is "a moving book, written with so much humility, confidence, and love. The true meaning of the Little Way shines through Heather King's grace-filled witness. The author's original prayers are some of the most beautiful I have read." This is a fine story, as bit about Heather and a bit about Therese and a bit about the reader, learning and growing from this spiritual classic.

Flunking Sainthood: A Year of Breaking the Sabbath, Forgetting to Pray, and Still Loving My Neighbor  Jana Riess (Paraclete) $16.99  I've raved about this all fall and laughed myself silly through much of it.  Each chapter is her telling of a tale of woe as she tries, and usually fails,  to read a spiritual classic each month (and, man, don't get her started on the aforementioned St Therese who she calls a drama queen!)  She has a spiritual practice to do each month, so in a manner something like The Year of Living Biblically by the humorist A.J. Jacobs, this experiment ends up being a time of goofiness and Godliness, failure and insight, writing about the very real ups and downs of the intentional spiritual life.  Ya gotta love a smart gal (she went to Princeton Seminary) who knows how to admit she doesn't have it all together, and can tell you about it with so much gusto.  There is more I could tell you, but I suppose I should say that this isn't for everybody on your list.  Only those with some interest in spiritual formation and silly reporting about an oh-so-ordinary life and an open-minded sense of humor.  It's that good.

Raised Right: How I Untangled My Faith from Politics  Alisa Harris  (Waterbrook) $14.99  I reviewed this as soon as I finished it, a fine memoir by a good writer who was raised in an exceptionally far-right-wing family, strictly fundamentalist and active in conservative political activism.  Long story shot, she becomes a journalist and drifts from her parent's ideology, shifts a bit in her understanding of faith, becomes a progressive voice for social change and is still on a journey, trying to figure it all out.  This tale moves from truly upbeat, fascinating, to troubling, to perplexing.  What a story.  What a book.  For anyone who has lived through some of the rise of the religious right and has moved away from the it (or for anyone who wants to understand that world) this memoir is a treat. 

For anyone who loves the movies:

The Ethical Vision of Clint Eastwood  Sara Anson Vaux (Eerdmans) $24.00  This brand new release reminds us that when Eerdmans does a book about popular culture it is weighty, impressive, insightful, and well-researched.  This is magisterial, a "lavish and articulate hymn of praise to one of Hollywood's greatest film directors."  Jolyon Mitchell (Media Violence and Christian Ethics) says it is "engaging, fluent, and original, this book is a "must read" for film scholars, movie enthusiasts, and anyone interested in Clint Eastwood's films."  

Of Pilgrims and Fire: When God Shows Up at the Movies  Roy M. Anker (Eerdmans) $18.00  I wasn't kidding about Eerdmans film studies books.  Roy Anker has come to be known as one of the faith community's leading film critics and his many serious reviews (in Books & Culture, for instance) have been gathered together here making it a truly wonderful anthology for anyone who likes film.  If you know anybody who likes talking about the movies they've seen, this is a thoughtful, engaging gift that they will be grateful for, I'm sure...Highly recommended.

For pop music fans:

Broken Hallelujahs: Why Popular Music Matters to Those Seeking God  Christian Scharen (Brazos) $17.99  Scharen has written other good books; one about how pastors can equip folks for living integrated lives in public and another is a study of the band U2. This new one is a thoughtful study of why even the less-than-happy songs of broken people matter--it is well written and will appeal to anyone who is interested in the interface of pop culture and Christian faith, or anybody interested in thoughtful rock music.  There is an amazing chapter on Leonard Cohen, too, by the way.  And my friend Ken Heffner of Calvin College is mentioned for the good work he does bringing in interesting artists to young adults, for those of you who have followed his ministry there.  Excellent.


Sects, Love and Rock & Roll: My Life on Record  Joel Heng Hartse (Cascade Books) $23.00  Remember that guy in the movie (or novel) High Fidelity who made lists of albums, top tens of this style or that, obsessed with documenting his life according to rock music?  This author is sort of like that, telling the story of the evolution of his musical tastes from cheesy contemporary Christian (Carman!  DeGarmo & Key!) to the louder, artsy end of that movement (he names rare stuff like Blenderhead,  Noisy Little Sunbeams, Starflyer ,Wish for Eden, Pedro the Lion, and Zao.)  His coming of age stories are spot on and I wish I knew this guy, now.  He listens to Radiohead and Daneilson, Iron & Wine and Animal Collective.  If  you're musical reference points include everything from Larry Norman to the C + C Music Factory, if you have stories to tell when you think of early Jars of Clay or Ben Folds Five, if you wonder how a Christian kid can move from PFR to mewithoutyou, from Twila Paris to Mates of State, all the while reading Wendell Berry, this this book is for you.  Or someone you love.  Wow.

For any Christian seeking self-awareness and gentle guidance:

Winter Light: A Christian's Search for Humility  Bruce Ray Smith (Kalos Press) $12.95  This is a gorgeously designed little paperback, handsome to hold, touching to read, helpful to ponder.  It includes free verse and stream of consciousness meditations as the author invites us into his inner life.  In what are short journal entries, he ruminates on his desire for humility and all that that entails as he seeks God's promise to shape and sanctify him.  My, my, this is sweet, precious stuff, candid, nicely written, and very inspiring, rooted in a very solid understand of God's work in our lives.  He draws on Scripture and authors as diverse as Shakespeare and Sartre as well as many spiritual classics, including some of the British Puritans.  Lovely, edifying, written by a sincere, struggling Christian who happens to have a PhD in English lit.  I think you should by this for someone who likes quality spiritual writing.

Close Enough to Hear God Breath: The Great Story of Divine Intimacy  Greg Paul (Nelson) $15.99 I raved about this previously, as I have his first two passionate books (about urban ministry and his holy friendships with the poor.)  Here he walks us through the many ways the Bible can come alive, pointing us to a God who comes close to us, and how God reveals God's own love through the unfolding drama of the story.  From Genesis through the fall, through promises and incarnation, especially, we know that God wants to be in relationship with us.  This fine writer helps us embrace that.  Len Sweet (who reads a lot more than most) has said that this book has a heart that "beats louder than most any book you'll ever read."


 

Abundant Simplicity: Rediscovering the Unhurried Rhythms of Grace Jan Johnson (formatio/IVP) $15.00  I think the beautiful cover itself will draw oohs and ahhhs when this is unwrapped.  When they start reading it, they will be drawn in--who doesn't want the virtues of simple living, less-draining days, character formed around trusting God for enough.  This is an amazing book of small experiments, and will be appreciated by somebody you give it to.







For Christians needing a challenging call to serious discipleship:

I Am a Follower: The Way, Truth, and Life of Following Jesus  Leonard Sweet (Nelson) $15.99  I like that this brand new books suggests that Sweet gives us "a colorful melange of practical applications, imaginative metaphors, and probing biblical expositions."  That's putting it mildly.  Sweet is a master of storytelling, of the off-hand quip, of schemes and dreams of making a difference as we live into the ways of God's Kingdom. What an author!  Here he deconstructs notions of leadership and points us vividly to followership.   The summons of Jesus isn't to imitation but to incarnation. We must move from a leadership cult to a followership culture.  Whewie!  If you have any Leonard Sweet fans in your circle of friends, this brand new book would be a surprise to them, I bet.  His last book, by the way, was a novel, The Seraph Seal.  That is pretty darn cool, too...

Jesus + Nothing = Everything Tullian Tchividjian (Crossway) $18.99  This is written by the amazingly thoughtful grandson of Billy Graham who is now the pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian in FL.  He is a great writer, meaty and solid and engaging.  This, as you may guess, is about the gospel, what it means to be "gospel centered" and to realize that all of life is a response to God's grace and Christ's goodness.  We don't add works or techniques or programs and anything else.  And once we are clear about God's saving grace, and the centrality of Jesus (plus nothing!) then you really do have a whole new life  You get "everything" and that changes everything.  This is really, really good, a bit thoughtful, but exciting and clear on the full magnitude of God's grace in the midst of turmoil.  It is based on a study of Colossians.





Practicing the Way of Jesus: Life Together in the Kingdom of Love Mark Scandrette (IVP) $15.00  Looking for a challenging Christian book to give a somewhat edgy young person, somebody in need of a fresh take, a powerful call, a whimsical yet fully serious invitation to whole-life discipleship. This has endorsements by some hipster leaders (Debbie Blue, Shane Claiborne, Michael Frost) but is also remarkably solid. Called a "beatnik Tolstoy" Scandrette runs ReImagine, a center for spiritual formation, and the Jesus Dojo.  Told you.  This is very good on daily living in the way of Jesus, resisting temptation, living in community, exploring creative discipleship.  This may be too cool for some on your list, but for somebody, it may be just the thing.

For a young philosopher, not looking for anything Christian:

Breakfast with Socrates: An Extraordinary (Philosophical) Journey Through Your Ordinary Day  Robert Rowland Smith (The Free Press) $12.99 Wired magazine says that "Smith takes the reader into a worm hole of psychology, sociology, and theology to show us the hidden meanings of our daily lives."  This is entertaining, interesting, and truly walks you through your day (a bagel with Hegel, Eggs with Bacon?) applying the principles of philosophy to daily living.  As they say on the back, neither breakfast, lunch or dinner will ever be the same.

Driving With Plato: The Meaning of Life's Milestones  Robert Rowland Smith (The Free Press) $19.99  Smith is back, this time walking us through various ages and stages of life.  A. J.. Jacobs writes "I'll never drive the same way again. Or have a midlife crisis the same way again, for that matter. This book is elegant proof that philosophy doesn't have to be fusty or musty."

Or for one who is looking for Christian encouragement in philosophy:

Philosophers Who Believe: The Spiritual Journey's of 11 Leading Thinkers edited by Kelly James Clark (IVP) $22.00 If someone is is wondering how to "think Christianly" about this field, or wonders if there are serious philosophers who are also serious Christians, this is a fine overview, with introductions to the work of these important witnesses in the academy.  Very helpful.

For a student or teacher who is a doing more serious philosophy:

Loving To Know: Covenant Epistemology Esther Lightcap Meeks (Wipf & Stock) $49.00  The heavy title and salt price might be the first clue that this is, in fact, real philosophy, done by a working scholar.  Esther is a friend and this book is a gem, an in-depth follow up to her lovely introduction to the work of Michael Polanyi for ordinary folks entitled Longing to Know: The Philosophy of Knowledge for Ordinary People. This new one is well worth working through, and broaching an essential topic for Christian thinkers: if we reject as unsound the Enlightenment ideal of secular facts known rationally in the brain, how do we know, Biblically speaking?  If "to know" something in the Bible is yada--intimate, personal, relationship with something--then we need a "covenantal epistemology."  My friend Steve Garber has a beautiful blurb on the back, alongside a rave from Yale scholar Nicholas Wolterstorff, and another from James K.A. Smith.  Highly recommended.

Secularism and Freedom of Conscience  Jocelyn Maclure & Charles Taylor (Harvard University Press) $26.95  Those who didn't wade through the massive, and massively important The Secular Age, may find this recently translated short piece of interest.  At least if you present it to someone who is aware of contemporary social analysis, they will be very, very impressed with your very astute gift-giving.

For one who is interested in the arts and creativity, but not overtly religious:

Common As Air: Revolution, Art, and Ownership Lewis Hyde (Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux) $26.00  I suppose this solid hardback could be called "cultural history" and Hyde could be seen as the Pied Piper of a new vision of art as gift, given to the community for the common good. (I hope you know his amazing paperback, reissued in an anniversary edition, The Gift: Creativity and the Artist in the Modern World.  That, too, would make a great gift, but those who read in this field may have it.) Here in this more recent work, he has written what one astute observer called a "stunning book" which draws on science art, politics and all sorts of thinking about who owns art and ideas.  Brilliant, if a bit heavy.



Photography and the Art of Seeing: A Visual Perception Workshop for Film and Digital Photography Freeman Patterson (Firefly) $24.95  This is the newest edition of a classic, showcasing superb color shots, offering lucid explanations of how to get the best photo by seeing well, all with a hope to help you capture and produce an effective expression.  This is a fully re-done version, beautifully designed, on the glories of the craft of photography and how to combine technical excellence with passion and art.  Very useful.

Rumors of Water: Thoughts on Creativity and Writing L.L. Barkat (T.S. Poetry Press)15.00  Barkat, the founder of this poetry publisher and a curator of poems and writing at several internet locations, is one of our favorite memoirists (Stone Crossings.)  Here she offers a "page a day" sort of approach, with clear stories and examples of her own creative process.  Gordon Atkinson writes "A few brave writers pull back the curtain to show us their creative process. Annie Dillard did this.  So did Hemingway.  Now L.L. Barkat has give us a thoroughly modern analysis of writing. Practical, yes, but also a gentle uncovering of the art of being a writer."  Or, better, as Leslie Leyland Fields puts it, "This is not just a book about writing well, it's a book about living well."

For one who likes good art books, even if they have they religious themes:

The Art of Guy Chase edited by James Romaine  (Square Halo Books) $19.99  Guy Chase was an evangelical leader in the modern art world and an active friend of groups like CIVA (Christians in the Visual Arts) and IAM (International Arts Movement.)  As he was dying last year a group of very thoughtful artists, patrons, critics, and scholars wrote about his edgy, minimalist work and Square Halo published this tribute to his art.  Full of colorful reproductions, laden with squares and boxes and graphs and re-done photos, this odd stuff may be (to the uninitiated) reminiscent of the best of Warhol.  Chase was a genius, and these articles, alongside so much of his fresh work, is a wonderful gift for anyone who appreciates the latest sorts of contemporary art.

Rouault/Fujimura: Soliloquies  Thomas Hibbs (Square Halo Press) $19.99  We lauded the release of this amazing little book as a "publishing event" when it came out a year or so ago.  Makoto Fujimura produced some evocative abstract paintings inspired by some previously unreleased Rouault works that the family of the famous French artist invited him to see.  Serious critic compares and contrasts these two artists in an amazingly rich essay, and many great paintings are beautifully reproduced here.  Anybody who is interested in the art world should have this small volume---what a gift it would be, rare, interesting, a witness to the imaginative vision of the Square Halo publishers.  Fujimura has a final essay explaining more about his Christian perspective on his creative work.

For science lovers:

Indescribable: Encountering the Glory of God in the Beauty of the Universe   Louie Giglio & Matt Redman (Cook) $14.99 paperback or $24.99 deluxe hardback  This coffee table book is one of our favorites of the season, laden with color photos from the Hubbell telescope, offering amazing views of the grandness of the cosmos, the smallness of us all, here.  The text is a bit of science and a lot of inspiration, reminding us to join in the creational song, declaring God's glory and realizing that the God who made this amazing beauty loves us so.  The paperback itself is splendid, a call to worship (based on the popular talks Giglio gave at the Passion conferences and on the best-selling DVD Indescribable.) What a great book, and what a great coffee-table edition.

The Birds Our Teachers: Collector's Edition: Biblical Lessons from a Lifelong Birth-Watcher John Stott (Hendrickson) $24.95  We've reviewed this before, loved selling it several years ago until it went out of print.  A year ago it was re-issued and we are so glad---the thoughtful, late, evangelical statesman was not only astute theologically, a spiritual leader and cultural activist, he spent a life-time learning from the birds he so loved to observe.  There is a DVD here with amazing footage of Stott traipsing around looking at snowy owls, migrating storks, even Penguins in the Falkland Islands.  A very nice and rather rare gift for backyard birders, ornithologists or John Stott fans.



A Bee in a Cathedral And 99 Other Scientific Analogies  Joel Levy (Firefly) $29.95  This big hardback includes nifty analogies and cool graphics to explore scientific stuff you simply ought to know.  Or at least will enjoy knowing.  This demonstrates basic scientific truths and principles using metaphors and similies to "describe the unbelievably massive, the inconceivably tiny, and the unfathomably complex in intuitive terms that we can all understand.  This is "info-graphics" at its finest, with good stuff about physics chemistry, biology, astronomy, the human body and more.  By the way, don't you have somebody on your list that would want to know that "if galaxies were the size of peas, there would be enough to fill a large sports arena."  Or, the human heart's capacity to pump blood is such that i would take less than 18 days to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool."  What a gift for that geeky loved one or anybody with a natural curiosity!

For a college student just home for the holidays who you want to challenge to think as a Christian, even in the classroom:

The Outrageous Idea of Academic Faithfulness: A Guide for Students Donald Opitz & Derek Melleby (Brazos) $14.99  You surely have read my raves about this in the past, extolling it as one of the most important books any young student can read.  If your freshman has already read the primer, Making College Count, then this is the next step, altogether interesting, fun, funny, and very wise, this invites students to this "outrageous" idea that God wants you to learn much, study well, think in Biblical categories, see life through the lens of the gospel and discern ways to relate faith and learning, making college-life an act of worship and discipleship. These guys are very good friends and this is a Hearts & Minds favorite.  Give it to your collegiate and if they don't like it, I'll find them a better book for them.  A great little gift idea to fill that freshly laundered, home from college stocking.

For a kid who is really into video games:

Virtuous Worlds: The Video Gamer's Guide to Spiritual Truth John Stanifer (Winged Lion Press) $14.99  I'm telling ya: get some high energy drink and wade through this guide to gaming, offering simple Christian insights along the way of each game's story.  From The Legend of Zelda to Star Fox and Mario and beyond, Halo and and Second Life and Sims and Metroid and more -- this covers the waterfront.  The theological insight is not so much the grand scope of thinking philosophically about gaming, but using the games to springboard into discussion of the Bible and faith.  Some deep thinkers might find this a bit simplistic, but most younger gamers will be tickled to see a book which calls its table of contents a "title screen" and the afterward is "game over."  From the ethics and wisdom of cheating codes to insight gleaned from some of the legends and mythic fantasies behind the games, this is a one-of-a-kind book, a great effort to enhance the spiritual lives of kids who do computer and video games.  You've spent that money for the kid's system and some pretty pricey games, why not spring for a book about relating virtual and spiritual growth to the quest?

For those wanting to grow in historic Christian spiritual formation and knowledge of great books:

25 Books Every Christian Should Read: A Guide to the Essential Spiritual Classics selected by Renovare (HarperOne) $18.99  A team of wonderful leaders such as Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, Phyllis Tickle, and Richard Rohr (and others) give explanations and overviews of 25 great classics. There are selections from these chosen classics, discussion questions, and helpful testimonies by the editors as to why these books remain vital.  Along the way there are sidebars of the favs of other authors, of various theological persuasions, and these fun lists are a great part of the resource this grand book is.  A closing portion lists excellent contemporary authors whose body of work you should know, from Wendell Berry to Eugene Peterson, from John Stott to Anne Lamott, from Walter Wangerin to N.T Wright.  This will warm the heart of any Christian book-lover on your list, and will be a friend and ally for years to come for any pilgrim walking along Christ's way.  Highly recommended.

Besides the Bible: 100 Books That Have, Should, or Will Create a Christian Culture  edited by Dan Gibson, Jordan Green, John Pattison (Biblica) $14.99  I've named dropped this before, suggested it as a general gift when folks don't know what other book to give, and highlighted it as a great guide to over 100 different short book reviews that these authors (and a batch of guests) want to suggest "besides the Bible."  Did I tell ya that I've got a chapter in there, saying what my one most-recommend book is?  Come on, don't you know somebody to whom you'd like to introduce a wild and wooly collection of favorite titles?  This is a rare find, and will bring a huge smile to the face of anybody who is committed to life-long Christian reading. 



For the person who likes to read but you just have no idea:

Well maybe tomorrow's list will offer some ideas, but...

A Hearts & Minds gift certificate will do the trick.  Send us at the order form page the name of your friend or loved one---that is, to whom you want it made out, and the amount you prefer.  We can send it to them on your behalf (if so, just be sure to tell us how to write your name--first or last name or nickname or whatever, their address,and if it for Christmas or some other occasion.)  Of course, if time permits, we can send it to you directly.  Give us the details, we'll take care of the rest.