I was pleasantly surprised to find a copy of Terryl Givens' Doors of Faith in the mail the other week. I had been getting a book here and there from the A Brief Theological Introduction series on the Book of Mormon, but I assumed I had been removed from the list. Good to know I... Continue Reading →
Book review: “The Greek Revolution: 1821 and the Making of Modern Europe” by Mark Mazower
I took a historical detour this week to Greece in 1821. I honestly had no idea there was a revolution in Greece in 1821-- but then again, I never realized Beethoven and Thomas Jefferson were contemporaries.
Book review: “The Great Dissenter: The Story of John Marshall Harlan, America’s Judicial Hero” by Peter S. Canellos
I'm reading again, and I started with the biography of Supreme Court Justice John Marshall Harlan, The Great Dissenter I hadn't heard of Harlan before. He fought for the civil rights of African Americans from the bench in a time when white America had turned their backs. In his dissents, he called out the hypocrisy of his colleagues and set the legal footwork for the next generation.
Book review: “Battle of the Lost Fae” by JA Curtis
Is there anything quite so satisfying as reading the last book in a trilogy? (I'm looking at you Patrick Rothfuss!) JA Curtis's last book in "Rise of the Fomori" brings the series to a very satisfying conclusion. But you'll have to read to find out!
Book review: “The Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller
Hey look! They retold the story of the Trojan War from the perspective of Patroclus and Achilles! A great LGBTQ romance! Does it have a happy ending? *Smiling face with a tear emoji*
Book review: Tara Westover’s “Educated”
For a book that claims not to be about Mormonism, Tara Westover's memoir "Educated" certainly had me worried about Mormonism. While many elements were familiar-- from essential oils to decrying socialism-- I was often left asking, is this the same Mormonism I grew up with?
Book review: “Stretching the Heavens: The Life of Eugene England and the Crisis of Modern Mormonism” by Terryl Givens
I am late to the game in discovering the wonderful Eugene England. England is Exhibit A for "to be learned is good if they hearken to the counsels of God" in my book. He stepped on GA's toes, but he was as dedicated to the gospel as they come.
Book review: “Pillars of the Earth” by Ken Follett
Do you feel like there is no justice in the world, unscrupulous rulers trample on the basic human rights of the poor, but you also like church architecture? Read The Pillars of the Earth, historical fiction set in 12th century England during The Anarchy.
Book review of “Vaccinated: One Man’s Quest to Defeat the World’s Deadliest Diseases” by Paul A. Offit
Did you know that one person was largely responsible for developing 9 of the modern vaccines you get at the doctor's office? That individual was Maurice Hilleman, yet not a lot of people know of him. Read on for Dr. Anthony Fauci cameo and a prediction of the next pandemic.
Book review: Stephen Mitchell’s “Joseph and the Way of Forgiveness”
I took @trent_clegg 's book recommendation and read this beautiful interpretation of the story of Joseph in Egypt. I had some philosophical differences of opinion, but this reflection on forgiveness is a worthy one.