The Man Who Quit Money by Mark Sundeen

Quite a unique main character, based off a true re-telling of Daniel's life. Raised in a strict Christian home, he heads to the university and begins to connect with others who have totally different backgrounds and philosophies. For a time, he pours himself into agencies that work with the homeless and poor. He travels many places to assist others, all the while mulling over the inequities in our government systems and wondering how he can truly live in harmony with his developing beliefs. At almost 50 years of age, he finds a place to live in Colorado, among other like-minded people who want to live without government interference. He determines that to really be like Jesus, he needs to quit the whole commercial/consumer dependence on financial institutions. The story reviews his past, his unique ways of living--in a cave, dumpster diving, off the land, off people who gift him with goods & rides. Many parts of the book were so unusual that it was difficult to understand his deep felt passion to not get caught up in the success, "desire for more" mentality that plagues America. Though he thinks he is being true to Jesus in this area, other parts of his life do not reflect what it means to be a true follower of Christ (stealing-begging) yet there is a part of me that admires how he continually strives to live off the land, not to leave a "footprint", and to help others like him. In many conversations, he has blended several religious leaders (Buddha/ Daly Lama/Mother Teresa) into his new way of thinking. Interesting and thought provoking.

The Next Best Thing by Jennifer Weiner

Good Read. The "behind the scenes" intricacies of how a weekly TV show really works, from the perspective of a writer who is trying to keep her story line and purpose intact. Unfortunately, what we see on the screen is not always what the writer intended. The bigger story was of the relationship between a young girl, orphaned at 9, and raised by a loving grandmother who directed her to rise above the circumstances of the accident and of the scars left on her face from it. In a world that elevates beauty as one of the highest goals, Ruthie never felt beautiful. So, as we often do, she turned to her other talents --writing, humor and courage. A good story, but I didn't necessarily enjoy the author's style nor the whole "hollywood" scene. Certainly the same elements --power/control, compromise -- come into play in many areas of our lives.