It’s summertime and the kids are busily ignoring their summer reading lists, which is a pity because there are so many interesting things out there to read. Here’s what I’ve been reading lately – in alphabetical order to keep it fair. (I left out the ham radio and Arduino microcomputer books at my wife’s suggestion.)
Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim’s Tale by Ian Morgan Cron. This is a novel, but one with a spiritual message. Chase Falson, an evangelical pastor, tries to regain his spiritual health and to his surprise ends up tracing the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi.
Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood and the Prison of Belief by Lawrence Wright. An in-depth examination of Scientology. This book starts with a biography of L. Ron Hubbard and continues through the development of the organization. Hint: Don’t ask Tom Cruise to autograph your copy.
Proofiness: How You’re Being Fooled be the Numbers by Charles Seife. We try to make sense of the world around us, so it’s easy to believe people who present information backed up by plausible sounding numbers. Six out of ten people (97%) will benefit from this book. (Thanks to Beth Ann for the suggestion.)
St. Francis of Assisi by G.K. Chesterton. I read a blurb on cnn.com in which Ian Morgan Cron, an Episcopal priest, told how this book had helped him during a crisis of faith. He then went on to write Chasing Francis (above).
Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us by Michael Moss. An examination of the food industry’s use of flavor and factors such as “mouthiness” drive our food choices – and their bottom line.
The Human Division by John Scalzi. The latest installment in the “Old Man’s War was written so each chapter is a separate story, and the chapters were released individually on-line prior to the book’s publication.
Bon Appetit
sfnowak 