Welcome to Dennis' Pile of Books

If you were to walk into my office, either at the church or at my house, one thing you would most likely notice many, many books. I have piles of books everywhere so it seems. I love books and surround myself with them wherever I am (at work, on vacation, in the bathroom... you get the picture). So welcome to my pile of books!

On one of my other blogs (Immersed in Mystery) I have a running list of books I have recently read, and ones I am currently reading. In the past few months I began writing short comments after each book title, these were sort of like mini-book reviews, really mini. I thought that rather than lose these comments in the future (I only keep 10 titles on the list at any one time) I would create a blog dedicated to the books I have read.

Having this blog dedicated to the books I have read will also allow me to expand on my comments, perhaps even expanding into a full book review on occasion. Each book will have its own entry, and after the initial 10 entries future books will be noted in this blog when I finish them (in other words the date of the blog entry will indicate the date I finished that book). Mostly this blog is for my own benefit (to help remember all I've read), but I also like to share good books with others. Occasionally I feel the need to warn people about a disappointing book - our free time is scarce enough as it is, no use wasting it on a book that isn't worth the time or effort.

I welcome other comments on these books, it is always interesting to hear how others react to a book I've read - so feel free to leave comments on this blog. And I'm always open to book suggestions from others, I've encountered some great books because of other people's suggestions. Enjoy browsing through my pile of books.

Friday, November 27, 2015

Van Gogh: The Life

by Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith
 

A big book, that took me a long time to read, but compelling and revelatory. I have come to a much fuller understanding of the artist whose works I am attracted to.  I was surprised to learn of his early desire and attempts to become a preacher. I was saddened by his inability to maintain the approval of his family, and how he so often sabotaged the very thing he desired. I marveled at how he found a new approach to art in spite of (or perhaps because of) his difficulties in life. It was worth the effort of working my way through this well written, thorough and thoughtful volume.

Monday, November 23, 2015

Opening Heaven's Door: What the Dying May Be Trying to Tell Us About Where They're Going

by Patricia Pearson
 

A compelling, if a little uneven, collection of anecdotes, research and personal experience exploring the meaning of dying beyond a purely biological reality. Some of the material in this book I have had people share with me personally, but other insights were new and inspiring.

What Do Christians Believe?

by Malcolm Guite
 
A concise overview of Christianity, looking at the faith both doctrinally and historically. I've been looking for a book that was comprehensive, balanced and readable to use in the Christian Ethics class I teach at Luther College. Finally, after years of looking, I have found what I've been looking for in Malcolm Guite's book. The best insight from the book - using the Lord's Prayer as a summary of sorts for the Christian Faith. This is better than using the Apostles' Creed simply because it uses the words of Jesus as the starting point rather than words about Jesus (and the Father and the Spirit).