Beowulf - I have this one from my graduate literature class I enrolled in for promotion at work. Out of all the books I could have chosen, I chose this. I thought a mythic, legendary tale would be fun. Boy, was I wrong. The book is boring. Not just boring, though, it's a disappointing, mind-numbing, "how is this a classic book?" boring. The type of boring that you think will eventually end (I mean, I knew the general outline of the book, I was just waiting for stuff to happen). I actually never finished it, even though I wrote a ten page paper on it.
Totally cool, right? What you don't know is the action scenes amount to a paragraph and the boasting and summarizing goes on for pages.
The Book of Mormon - About four years ago two Mormon girls came to my door to convert me. My wife and kids weren't home so I was game. After having some fun, I still wanted "The Book" being that I didn't have it and was interested (but not in the way they wanted me to be "interested"). I was supposed to promise to pray to God to reveal to me if it was true. I told them I would pray but not that prayer. I told them I wanted it because I was interested in all religions - Buddhism, Islam, etc. Also very boring...no disrespect, but the whole thing is also, well, silly.
The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang - A true story that is powerful, sad, violent, and insane. It shows the dark side of humanity at its very worst. I read this in preparation for a World Literature/World Cultures class a colleague and I were planning to teach. We were excited as the class would be partially focused on food. I even made a kick-ass poster. Guess how many students enrolled in the class? One. Just one lousy student. Well, the class never happened and my colleague shortly left the college. Needless to say, The Rape of Nanking is an amazing read (and very depressing).
Moon (travel) Handbook: Nepal - In the winter of 2007 I planned a trip to Nepal. I was even accepted into a program to help in an orphanage in Kathmandu for a week in June of 2008. I started an ambitious plan to save money and I was pumped. In the meantime, we got pregnant, my best friend got engaged (and promptly asked us to attend the wedding, which was out of state). I decided I shouldn't/couldn't go to Nepal. I was sad but afterwards a weight was lifted off my chest. One day, I'd like to go.
I still look at this and sigh.....maybe some day.
Marvel Essential: Marvel Universe Volumes 1 & 2 - I love comic books. However reading encyclopedic entries of comic book heroes and villains is kinda stupid. Like trying to figure out how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. It makes for a great comfort read though. Perfect for a late night before bed when you have a lot on your mind or when you'll be awhile on the toilet.
The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne - I first discovered Shane Claiborne browsing at a Christian bookstore and found his amazing Jesus for President (I let a friend borrow it who lives in London two years ago and never got it back). After reading Jesus for President, I shortly bought this one. Both books just make you want to quit your job and do something crazy. I can't recommend it enough for anyone. You'll be inspired to live an authentically Christian life that has everything to do with helping the poor, resisting nationalism and war, and transforming lives. Wonderful stuff. I am currently reading another book of his now, Follow me to Freedom.
The Jewish Study Bible (Oxford University Press) - So I started a free online class about the Hebrew Bible (taught by a Harvard professor). This was completely for my own education and enjoyment. I took copious notes during the lectures and read all my required reading. This particular Bible is awesome. The footnotes are what killed me. I couldn't stop reading them, even when I knew I should stop. I would have 20 chapters to read and it would take me weeks to get through it. I got about 8 weeks in (which took me 4 months to get through). I aced the mid-term although I declined writing the essay portion. I started reading again (somewhere in Leviticus) and just lost my own will to continue. It's not that I didn't enjoy it, it just the footnotes did me in. That, and the fact that I starting reading other stuff in the middle of the class. It's still a great resource though.
Finally, and most importantly our growing library on Ethiopia and adoption...that is a unfinished story but of course, ongoing.
And with that, good night. Happy Holidays, to whomever is out there!
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