book reviews

Been getting busier here with work, but still finding time to get some reading in...here are my reviews and reflection:

The Irreversible Revolution by Shane Claiborne
I would recommend this to any Christian looking to point their religion in a productive and loving direction. Just a touch self-righteous and naïve, but with a big heart. Some good tips on sustainable living.

Rumi in a Nutshell
Excerpts from Islamic philosopher and poet Rumi. Eh, nothing very inspiring. Main message: be learned and do good.

The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut
The longer I sit and ruminate on this book, the closer I feel to tears, and I’m not quite sure why. Told with the cunning wit and creativity that is Vonnegut, it's my favorite of his so far. He speaks of love, greed, foolishness, God, beauty, a perfect world, the meaning of life.

Child of the Dark by Carolina Maria de Jesus
Signet Classic version has a dumb, irrelevant cover for this book. It is the diary of a poor black mother in the slums of São Paolo in the 1950s. It is raw, no flowery language, some fleeting characters, worth your time.

Tortilla Curtain by TC Boyle
A compelling story following two opposing couples: a pair of suburban whiteys and two struggling illegal Mexican immigrants. I think Boyle’s writing style is too obvious. Go read it, enjoy the story and the insight, but try not to be distracted by the blaring stereotypes.