2003 Reading List

It’s time for the annual reading list, the semi-gloating summary of books I read this past year. Since losing my job in July and the end of my daily bus rides, my reading time plummeted. Sadly, I couldn’t match the blistering pace of last year’s reading when I devoured 49 books.

I’ve got a lot of books lying around I’ve been meaning to read, including G.K. Chesterton’s Orthodoxy, the rest of the Lord of the Rings series, Get Up Off Your Knees: Preaching the U2 Catalog, and Red Moon Rising among others. We’ll see if I get to them in 2004.

One of these days I’ll get around to posting a book reading/reviewing blog and I can do away with this annual list.

100 Questions Every First Time Home Buyer Should Ask by Ilyce R. Glink
Bought a home this year, so I had to educate myself a bit.

The Double by Fyodor Dostoevsky
He’s an interesting writer, but his novels are just so thick. It’s like reading upstream.

About a Boy by Nick Hornby
Great book. I love Hornby. The movie’s not too bad either.

Dear Mister Rogers by Fred Rogers
With the death of Rogers I figured I should get around to reading this book. That guy was so cool.

How To Be Good by Nick Hornby
More Hornby. This one’s a little darker, a little weirder, but I still enjoyed it.

Telling the Truth by Frederick Buechner
That guy can write.

Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton
This one took me a few tries to get through. I think I’d prefer his devotional material.

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Never ceases to inspire.

Patterns by Mel Lawrenz
Uh, book review book. (review)

Firefly Blue by Jake Thoene
Another book review book, though I had fun thrashing this one.

Empress of the Splendid Season by Oscar Hijuelos
Now there’s a guy who can write. On the basis of this book alone I made sure I own everything he’s written.

Wrestling with God by Rick Diamond
Another Relevant book grappling with being relevant. So-so.

Deeper Walk Vol. 1
Intriguing shorter essays from Relevant about living the Christian life.

Deeper Walk Vol. 2
Round two was just as good.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Anne Brashares
Saw it advertised on the back of a bus, bought it for my wife. Entertaining tween reading.

Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich
Powerful social commentary. Should have read this a while ago. (review)

Blue Shoe by Anne Lamott
Her latest novel isn’t as good as some others, but still worth the read. (review)

The Gospel Reloaded by Chris Seay and Greg Garrett
Another book review book, though I would have read it anyway. I’m not sure why they released a book in the middle of a trilogy that would be completed later this year. The book certainly suffers, though a crappy trilogy doesn’t help.

Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl
Mmm… kids’ books (i.e. padding the list)

Finding God Where You Least Expect Him by John Fischer
Now this was a book review book I actually liked. Check it out. (review)

The World According to Garp by John Irving
Finally got around to reading some Irving. Whacked story, but some good writing.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
Fattest Potter yet. Can you say lack of editorial control? (informal review)

The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey by Henri J.M. Nouwen
His incredible devotion to God — yet still feeling like he fails — makes you feel like dirt.

The Partly Cloudy Patriot by Sarah Vowell
Funny political essays. I heard her give a reading on NPR and it was quality.

Sexual Character by Marva Dawn
Frank discussion of sexual ethics. (review)

A Matrix of Meanings by Craig Detweiler and Barry Taylor
Pop culture and the church. Been there done that (another book review book).

Walking with Frodo by Sarah Arthur
Sigh. Another book review book. Not worth the time. (review)

The U2 Reader
A collection of U2 press clippings. (review)

Cash by Johnny Cash
With Cash’s death, I figured I should finally read his autobiography. He lived a grace-drenched life.

Pray by Tony Jones
The skinny on prayer in a digestible format (Tony used to write for me when I worked on passageway.org)

Posers, Fakers , & Wannabes by Brennan Manning (didn’t finish)
Nice reworking of Manning’s Abba’s Child for teens.

Releasing the Rivers Within by Dwight Edwards
Another book review book about spiritual empowerment.

The Pursuit of God in the Company of Friends by Richard Lamb
A challenging book review book about the place of friends in our lives.

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
It’s time to read the series again.

The Man Comes Around by Dave Urbanski
A book about Johnny Cash’s faith, written by another writer I used to work with.

One thought on “2003 Reading List”

  1. Hey, my reading list would be quite extensive if I included children’s books ;-) But seriously, good on ya, mate. Reading is fundamental. Good luck in ’04!

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