Every month we show what is on our reading table.
This month we made slow progress. Lots going on in the secular and spiritual world. And it’s Christmas:
Comments on current reads:
- “Monsters and Magical Sticks: There’s No Such Thing As Hypnosis?” (208 pages, paperback, reprint 2017) by Steven Heller and “How to Hypnotise Anyone – Confessions of a Rogue Hypnotist” (112 pages, paperback, reprint 2014) by The Rogue Hypnotist. I always thought that hypnosis was hokey fiction: “Breathe deeply, follow this watch, you are getting sleepy, when I snap my fingers you will bark like a chicken, when I count to three you will awaken with no memory.” But Scott Adams’ books and Robert Cialdini on “Persuasion” convinced me to give hypnosis a serious consideration.
- “Silver In The Stones: A Classic Western Story of Greed and Revenge (Ames Archives Book 5)” (227 pages, paperback, 2021) by Peter Grant motivation. Recommended by com; from Amazon description: “What comes with a silver boom? Backstabbers, claim-jumpers and con men – and that’s just the start. Walt Ames is working hard to keep his horse ranch afloat and his transport business in motion when silver is discovered on his property. It’s going to take cunning, determination and more than a little luck to investigate the claim while others are trying to kill him for it. Can he keep his business and integrity intact, or is everything Walt loves going to fall prey to the perils of a silver rush?” I finished the book, and it is entertaining if you like this kind of story: good guys always win, lots of technical details on finances and such. Check out on our Floating Book Review next month.
- “The Civil War – The Final Year” (112 pages, paperback, 2014) by Time (no link). A picture book history of the final year of the US Civil War. Short articles concentrating on Lee, Grant, Sherman and Lincoln. I found this buried under clothes (mine) on our dresser. Lots of interesting information and great photos from the past.
- “The Power and the Glory” (240 pages, paperback, 1940) by Graham Greene: I am a big Graham Greene fan and am re-reading this book because it came up in a conversation about charging late fees at our medical practice, Ahwatukee Health and Recovery. We just started charging late fees and no-show fees since everyone was taking advantage of our mercy. In the book, the ‘whisky’ priest is advised that he should always charge for giving Mass and baptisms or the peasants will not appreciate the sacraments.
- “Fourfold Kingdom of God” (239 pages, paperback, 2020) by Gerald Paul Kooye: I bought this book after reading “The Holy Longing” based on a recommendation from the Stanford Magazine. The book looks at God’s kingdom from a mathematical and physics perspective. I did get a chance to read this on a trip to Bakersfield and it is outstanding. Lots of speculation; on scripture and on physics but soundly based. That said, it is speculation. Remember Jesus’ caution in Matthew 24:36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.”
- “Intercessory Prayer” (275 pages, paperback, 1996) by Dutch Sheets: I just started reading this. I have read the first two chapters. If the rest is as good, and as documented, this is an OUTSTANDING book on what is intercessory prayer and how to do it. I like his explanation of theology and how he backs each claim with scripture.
- “The Drama of Scripture” (272 pages, paperback, 2014) by Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen: Recommended by Pastor Jeff. I skimmed the first two chapters and really like this approach. Let’s see how it ends.
Not pictured:
- “The One Year Bible” with help from the “Lutheran Study Bible“.
As of now, I have finished #2, “Silver In The Stones”. You will see and hear about that in our next Floating Book Review that includes four more books (“The Scent of Corruption”, “The Passion and the Cross”, “Clowning in Rome”, “Markings”) completed last month, but not yet reviewed.
Our cover photo is me holding Pop Tart, Jon’s new quadruped; James holding Khoi’s head, and Kinston in front of the Mesa, AZ Main Street Christmas Tree.
