A Bigger Table

A Bigger Table by John Pavlovitz

Read December 2021 - Books With Friends

One of the main things I got from this book is an understanding of a primary difference that I have been aware of but never understood the 'why'.  There are two types of Christians - those who see sin, and that sin is the lens they view everything through.  So their main goal is to rescue people from sin - it is next life focused... "Come to Jesus."   Other Christians primarily see pain.  That is their lens and they seek to bring restoration in the here and now.  They use the eyes of Christ to try to expand the table.  Jesus is shown over and over in the Bible as being most concerned with meeting the needs of people that prevent them from knowing Him and their belovedness.  That distinction between 'sin' and 'suffering' is huge.  Jesus's default toward humanity was compassion - not contempt. 

Lost Books and Old Bones

Lost Books and Old Bones by Paige Shelton

Read December 2021

This is the 3rd book in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series.  I enjoy this series mainly because it is set in Edinburgh, Scotland.  But the stories are not the greatest.  This one was a bit dark with the murders and knew who the killer was very early on.  I finished it to finish.  Truly, I enjoyed books one and two far more than this one.  I will still read the next in the series because the author does a wonderful job of immersing the reader in Scotland, and I really like that.  But hopefully the mystery will be a bit better on the next go-around. 

Where the Red Fern Grows

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Read December 2021 - Zoom Reading Circle

I must be very far off the norm, but I did not like this book.  I could appreciate the way of writing from a historical standpoint.  But I didn't like the story and felt it shouldn't be a children's book.  I think only city folks would enjoy this - no actual connection to real rural life, as far as my experiences show.  I did not like the agony and torture of raccoons (even though I am not a fan of raccoons!)  I didn't like the brutality with, and to, the dogs.  There was no need for that.  It is not the way to manliness.  I remember seeing a movie version of this book, probably back in school at some point, and hating it.  Same feeling now that I have read the book.  

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

Read December 2021 - Zoom Reading Circle

This is such a lovely, hopeful, beautiful book to hold in your hand and page through.  It is a book about friendship and truly being there for others.  It would make a wonderful gift.  I greatly enjoyed reading this book as a December book club selection - it truly fit the season.  It was a quick read in some ways, but is meant to be savored and read over and over.  As Anita shared in our meeting, "the script causes one to slow down and read more carefully, slowly... and to fully consider the words."  Yes, exactly.  

Quote from the book...

Is your glass half full or half empty, asked the Mole.  I think I am grateful to have a glass, said the boy.  

Isn't it odd.  We can only see our outsides, but nearly everything happens on the inside.

Everyone is a bit scared, said the horse.  But we are less scared together. 

This is now available as a short film on AppleTV.  

https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/originals/the-boy-the-mole-the-fox-and-the-horse/

Official trailer for AppleTV short film

Charlie Mackesy describes his inspiration for The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse