100 books

The blurb on the back of this book is all about Paula being agreat athlete and all that. It even includes the Dailiy Mail's "Britain's greatest ever woman athlete" (which I'm sure they saida bout Kelly Holmes too). Good as these things are, the fact that they are on the back of the book should betray the fact that although a great runner, Paula is not a great writer. Now, I'm not the most linear person in the world, but this book is just a bit confusing sometimes. It kind of flits all over the place.. I get the impression that it was put together almost by a series of interviews and no-one bothered to link then very well. (I guess the pressure of getting the book out soon after the Olympics took its toll). However, as an insight into the life if an athlete its great... and a bit gross. Hernias, incontinence, fluid, jabs, tears, deep friction.. all a bit vomit inducing (oh and there's vomit in there too). Aside from the grossness, I'm left with th...

Do yourselves a favour. Do NOT read this book. In terms of writing its not bad- the end is hurried, and frankly a bit twee.. but the reason to avoid it is the content. I felt quite sure that I should buy and read this book... but I'm in no hurry to pass it on. It goes into the life story (fictional but you just know its not really), of someone with repressed memory. It tracks him through life in a hostel where he was abused, into the Soho scene of the sixties and into a life of alcoholism. Its gritty, explicit and frankly a bit gratuitous. Don't read it. Its made me immensely grateful for all that God has done in my life.. but thats its huge redeeming factor.. stay away.. will mess with you head!

This is not going to go down as the most enjoyable read of all time, but it was really useful. This is a PHD thesis from back in the day when all PHD theses became books. Its a fairly well written piece about the relationship between Moravianism and Methodism. It focuses a lot on the character of John Wesley (more so than that of Zinzendorf) and is VERY English in its outlook. Its a useful wee insight into the period of tension between the two movements. I'll stop there cos there are probably only about three copies in the country and so I'm not sure its worth the read!

Hmm.. A friend of mine said she felt that she needed to take a bath after reading this. I'm inclined to agree. The plusses: its kind of a modern day Catcher in The Rye. Its an interesting insight into shame and what its effects can be. It makes you wonder what did happen to his dad? the bit with teh names in teh first few chapters is clever. Minuses: its pretty seedy. Its really hard to read because its so filled with swearing. Salinger is as shocking without the silly language, but maybe I'm just being old fashioned. Careful as you go with this one. I think I'm glad I read it but at the same time I feel a little violated by it too. Proceed with caution!

I confess. I only bought this to be a church swot. We're following the book as the Lent Series at church. But, that said, it is worth a read. I think one of the perils of reading it as part of the hundred is that I have gone through it pretty quickly. It probably deserves to be worked through with the study material (which is actually VERY well put together!). But to the book itself. Max Lucado writes in pictures. Excessively so at some points druing the early chapters. But if you make it through that you get to some really good stuff. I'm not sure I entriely agree with him on a couple of things (especially the bit that says that all of our bad experiences are to good.. just not sure its that black and white). But he's good. I think take your time with this one.. get over the cheese and let it sink in.

Another book written by a friend. But the following is not just written as a tribute to Queen Est. Its a good look at some of the issues around an ethical lifestyle. Its geared at the classic Spring Harvest market; Christians who just a need a bit of encouragement to make a stand for the poor. There are loads of stories at the beginning. There are a whole bunch of really practical ideas. And there is a tehology in there that reaffirms what I know. Its a really good book to hand to someone who is just getting their head round what it might mean to live ethically. I was really encouraged as I read it...

So this is weird... reviewing a book born out of a movement I work for, and written by my kind of boss I guess... Its good.. I'm not saying its the best thing that Pete has ever scribed but its good. If you haven't ever read anything on what it might mean to follow Jesus this is a very good place to start. It is a challenge to stop just saying how amazing grace is and start living in the light of the call to "take up the cross". Its accessible, its well thought out, and it has an invitation at the end that is so counter to our culture that its quite tough to read.. Friends: read and lets talk!