Spring Reads - April 2022

 Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation 

by Kristin Kobes DuMez

Calvin College Professor of History Kristin DuMez writes a sweeping documentary on the past 75 years of white evangelicalism, attempting to answer the question of how we (evangelicals) arrived at this particular place in culture with one foot squarely in the conservative Republican camp.  Extremely readable, I was intrigued to follow the steps that she defines and the leaders she mentions, because I was in the thick of this history, making decisions and following the guidelines of these conservative spokespeople.  This historical perspective gave me much consternation and sometimes shame, for accepting so much of the rhetoric that was espoused without analyzing my immediate acquiescence in the 1980's and '90's; today, I am much more prone to review, think and agonize over what I am told by the media and by both sides of the political spectrum.  DuMez definitely opened my eyes to the past and what has contributed to our current reality, but she didn't convince me that masculine patriarchy was the major contributor to this situation.  As with any flawed organization, there are many components and variables that make it so.

Where the Light Fell: a Memoir by Philip Yancey

Philip Yancey has long been one of my favorite non-fiction authors.  He speaks rationally and sanely about suffering in his bestseller, "Where is God When it Hurts?"  His raw questions in "Disappointment With God" make believers nod their heads along with him.  We all have questions about why God allows hard situations in our lives.  Because Yancey attended the same Bible College as I did, I wanted to hear his story.  This memoir clearly details Yancey's upbringing in a fundamentalist church, with a slightly dysfunctional mother.  Shame and guilt were  regularly dished out; but God dished out extra grace to combat the ill effects.  Yancey, with thoughtful analysis, determines that only God's grace and love kept his faith intact. An interesting read, particularly for others who have had similar histories.

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Although this was quite a lengthy saga, it was well written and introduced me to Ethiopa's history.  Conjoined twins, Marion and Shiva, are left orphans at birth due to the death of their Indian born mother (a nun) and the fleeing of their surgeon father.  The story chronicles the mysterious tie that the twins have, the conflict between them, and the beautiful but sorrowful ending after their reconciliation.  The outstanding stars of the story are the true adoptive parents who step in to raise them, with great love and guidance.  Both doctors, they include the boys in their medical lives and transfer their passions for excellence in surgery and research to them.

Dear Emmy Blue by Lia Louis

Lia Louis does a great job of describing an introverted twenty something who hasn't quite resolved her past...so cannot move forward.  A mother who has chosen not to be involved, a father who has been incognito, a forever friend who has been her security for years, and his brother.  Lots of moving pieces and fun characters.  Happy ending!

Unashamed: Rahab's Story by Francine Rivers

This was true to the Biblical account and a great reminder of how God's redemption plan unfolded through the lineage of a prostitute.  How amazing is God's grace?  Rivers did a good job adding interesting family characters and developing a love interest with one of the spies, Salmon--putting Rahab into the line of Boaz, Jesse, David and ultimately Jesus.

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

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Written in 2000, this young adult book won both the Newberry Award and the Coretta Scott King award, the first black man to receive that honor.  The story takes place in Flint and Grand Rapids, MI; the author's home state.  He writes convincingly and simply, introducing us to Black culture and characters. So enjoyable. 

Spring Reads- March 2022

 On our two month spring travels, I amazingly managed to read 8 wonderful books.  Writing full reviews seems a bit overwhelming so I am condensing them into two posts! 

The Lake House by Kate Morton

I hadn't picked up one of Morton's novels in several years, but needed a good story to balance out my heavier non-fiction choices.  An abandoned lake house, the 90 year old author's past secrets and regrets, the young investigator who "needed a story" to revive her career...all parts culminated in a very satisfying ending.  How had it taken up so many years to re-connect with this accomplished storyteller?

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

I have been a great fan of Hannah over the years.  She can elicit feelings from the deep parts of my soul, but her past two renderings have left me somewhat wanting.  Perhaps both have been ambitious, lengthy projects that seemed to drag out a bit for me.  I did very much appreciate the historical context of the post depression years and how it affected the "Dust Bowl".  I really had no idea of the trauma involved, and the transition opposition they faced in moving to a more lush, productive state like California (where one would assume, people could start over).  It was another reality check of the difficulties generated by greedy people in power, with racist tendencies.

Gay Girl, Good God: the Story of Who I Was and Who God Has Always Been by Jackie Hill Perry

Recommended by my daughter who heard Perry's story at a conference, this was an excellent read.  It made me again evaluate my thoughts regarding the LGBTQ community in this very divisive climate.  My heart broke over the author's deep longings and cravings for security, for love and acceptance in a society that shunned her; yet also made me hopeful when Perry relayed her joy and resolve in facing what God asked her to do.  She does not sugar-coat this process.  Her thirst and desire for the opposite sex was very real, making every day difficult to face.  Not everyone would agree with her premise that it is possible to leave this lifestyle, that it is painful and involves choices every day that are similar to facing any other addiction choices (drugs, alcohol, abuse, anger, lying, power, greed); but her journey was definitely eye-opening to me.

All American Boys by Brendan Kiely and Jason Reynolds

A great audio book listen, this is a story of what can happen in a high school when a young black student is mistreated by a police officer in his community; and how the school rallies around him to make a positive statement to the media and the civil authorities.  The added storyline is the white basketball player who is an eye-witness, and also a friend to the police officer involved.  Choices and consequences.  

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

 Spanning over three decades, this detailed  depiction of Russia's many changes from 1822 through 1954

was a delightful read, especially because of Towles' lead character, the very charming Count Rostov.  Some readers looking for a faster pace or a deeper plot will not be enamored of this more slow paced dissection of numerous characters.  However, I was!  Count Rostov is a displaced aristocrat, headed for Siberia and probable death when Russia was "cleaning the swamps" of its wealthy class.  Rostov is saved from that end because of his status as a "pre-revolutionary poet" (a historical contributor); but was still punished by being banished for the rest of his life to the Metropol, an exclusive hotel directly across from the Kremlin.

It was such an interesting premise beginning on page 3, and my initial thought was.."where in the world is this author going to find material to fill the rest of these pages?" The remaining story of the Count's many excursions, friendships, conversations, roles, and unusual life is absolutely enchanting.  Towles' "rabbit trail reflections" are intriguing, causing the reader to pause and reflect:  "For that matter, what can a first impression tell us about anyone?  Why, no more than a chord can tell us about Beethoven, or a brushstroke about Botticelli.  By their very nature, human beings are so capricious, so complex, so delightfully contradictory; that they deserve not only our consideration but our reconsideration - and our unwavering determination to withhold our opinion until we have engaged with them in every possible setting at every possible hour." 

As another reviewer so aptly put it: "Towles bestows on us a language to be treasured; a story to be remembered."  I concur.