100 books

I really greatly enjoyed this book. I think it has a lot to say to the church at large about how we are what we are. Yaconelli comes from a programme based background, which is where most youth people are. He just has lots of good things to say, so very much worth a read..

I read this book LOADS as a kid, so when I came to read it again just now was surprised that I didn't remember the storyline at all. Its about a half romany kid and the trials she faces. It looks at bullying, racism and stuff: all in a very sweet story! Such sentimentality!

This is a trilogy but it all runs into one another so will get just the one review. Its a set of kids novels telling stories from a twelfth century Benedictine Monastery. Its beautiful (though the last one does get a bit wee focused!). Worth a read!

From the creator of Bridget Jones. And you can kind of tell.. The odd list here and there. A surprisingly capable young professional woman. Some very fun characters. Its a read in one sitting on the beach book. Pure chick lit at its best! Gotta love it!

This is a very very beautiful book. I mean its incredibly beautiful. Don’t read it if you are looking for a manual of Christian sex and relationships. I think you will miss the point. Seriously, he weaves the most beautiful picture of God’s love for His people that I have ever come across. Its thoroughly gorgeous. I need to return to this book and look again at it. And again. And again. Read it.. please.

This is perhaps a funny choice as the last read before I go to an Anglican selection conference. But it feels so fitting, sketching a picture of what it might look like to love the poor in a community setting. If I get a no from the Bishop's advisers this book gives me hope that a band of non professionals will one day live it out where I am.. As a book.. well it repeats itself a little but kind of works nonetheless..

This book was much enthused about by a friend of mine. In it progressive Lakoff talks about how in The US the conservatives have managed to take hold of language in such a way that its difficult for anyone who is not a conservative to have a say which doesn't sound rubbish. He calls it framing. The idea being that when you say things like 'tax relief' you create an impression that tax cuts are good for everyone etc.. HE goes on to say that the liberals/ progressives need to do the same. They need to start talking in ways that people identify with at a very deep level. Its alright as a book. I disagree a little, cos at the end of the day he still wants to win in a very worldly way. He also thinks that all religions should just get along and work together, and that you can have truly progressive values outside of a faith based concept.. But its interesting.

I almost want to write two reviews for Pete's latest book. The first review will talk about how deeply I feel affected by this book. It will talk about how I think Pete has hit on something very profound in addressing, very honestly, the issue of unanswered prayer. He is straight down the line, profound, challenging, deep and light. This book is definitely worth a read even if you feel like God is answering all your prayers. The journey through the Easter weekend is profound. But– and I don't say this lightly, it does feel a bit dumbed down. I have the US edition and maybe the UK one is different, but I just have a feeling that this was edited for a broader audience. It loses something for it.

I need to approach this review somewhat apologetically. In my usual beligerent style I was a bit of a Rob Bell cynic. I don't like it when people are made flavour of the month- it just innately makes me uneasy. So I wanted to disagree with everything he said. But I can't. I loved this book. I loved that he has dug deep and retained a great integrity whilst unearthing and exposing some of the rubbish we have come to accept as true. If I'm honest I'm a little bit jealous. I long for the day when I might be able to study that deeply... I long t understand the context of the Bible as well as he does. It just brings the whole thing to life. Marvellous marvellous!