Summer Reading Fun

Summer and reading go together. Hopefully, you get some break in your normal routine to relax and pick up a book, so I thought it might to be helpful to throw out a few fun suggestions. The books that made this list had to be an enjoyable read. If you need an encyclopedia next to you in order to get through the book, that's not a fun summer read. I also chose books that were upbeat and inspiring for this list. I think those are good ingredients for a summer read. Oh, and they tend to be shorter books. No 800 page books here.

Generous Justice, by Timothy Keller. Keller did his homework on this one, but he didn't feel it was necessary to display all of it (there are footnotes for fact checking). Justice is a central theme of both the Old and New Testament. Justice shows that God really does care. As always, Keller focuses on and enlightens the gospel demonstrating once again that God is good.

The Christian Imagination, by Thomas C. Peters. G. K. Chesterton was an imaginative and witty Christian writer. He was known for both his fiction and nonfiction. Peter uses Chesterton's words and stories to explore the value of imagination in a Christian's life. This selection of Chesterton's thoughts is a humorous, creative, and insightful window into one of modern Christianity's most influential writers... and it's short.

Finding Darwin's God, by Kenneth R. Miller. For the scientifically inclined Miller, a Christian professor at Brown University, lays out a simple to understand picture of modern biology's current understanding of our human genetic history. He also explores what the Bible has to say about human origins. This could have been a contentious book, but Miller's tone and respect for those who might disagree with him (while never abandoning a strong defense of truth) make this an enjoyable read.

Fiction is always my favorite. Here's a few fun reads:

The Man Who Was Thursday, by G. K. Chesterton. An imaginary fantasy romp through early twentieth century London. There are spies, disguises, anarchists, and mysterious masterminds enough for anyone. All this while exploring significant theological issues on what it means to follow God.

Monk's Hood, by Ellis Peters. For the mystery lover, Peters created one of the great detectives, the monk Cadfael. A soldier, adventurer, and great sinner turned monk, Cadfael solves mysteries that often contain theological and moral significance.

Monsignor Quixote, by Graham Greene. An probable descendant of a fictional character goes on a cross country trip with a communist mayor. During the trip they discuss God, conviction, and the purpose of life. This comedy explores just what windmills are worth titling with.

For the essay lover, I offer one of my favorites: Teaching a Stone to Talk, by Annie Dillard. Most of these essays come from a period when Dillard was a visiting professor at my alma mater, Western Washington University. This is a series of witty, creative, and startlingly insightful essays about our response to God. It's not unusual to hear God chuckling as he reads over your shoulder.

Just a few ideas. I hope they are helpful.