The RunDown: On Books - January 2006
02-03-2006
by Brenten Gilbert

Welcome to a new year and to a new feature. This year, we'll be featuring a new edition of "The RunDown" each month, covering a different subsection of products available that previously didn't have a home here at CMCentral.com. Since many of you out there may be like me and may have resolved to read more in the coming year, we're kicking things off with a special issue devoted entirely to books. Below are my takes on a backpack full of books that I've read over the last few months. As always, the reviews have a slight twist to them so that they don't get boring. (It seemed to go over well in the past, so we're moving forward with it into the future). I tried to grab a good variety of authors, writing styles and book types, so hopefully there's something for everyone.

David Crowder: Praise Habit

Everyone should recognize the name David Crowder as the front man for David Crowder*Band, a representative of the bleeding edge in worship music. Well, last year he took some time to put together some thoughts in book form and the result was equally spectacular. Balancing challenging passages with entertaining anecdotes, Crowder explores a number of passages from the Psalms, interpreting them in a way only he could. Mentions of mechanical nuns, the electric eye of an automatic toilet, and other oddities in the context of scripture shift from being potentially irreverent to wholly relevant as Crowder encourages reader to make the Bible real and relatable to our every day lives. Very well written, includes a lengthy introduction explaining the content and several chapters based around various Psalms. Great devotional that leads and teaches you to continue where the pages leave off.

Summary in seven words or less: Worship: more than you think it is.
The best setting in which to read this book would be... alone, as you would a devotional.
If this book were a part of a circus, it would be. . . a contortionist (Shows us the proper posture for praising God).

Chris Well: Forgiving Solomon Long

Chris Well is a name you may or may not know, but he's been around for a while writing reviews, editing magazines and most recently contributing to CCM Magazine regularly, including a very popular blog. Forgiving Solomon Long finds Well branching out a bit stylistically. Though new to the genre, he steps into the role of novelist like a true veteran, showing a knack for storytelling, character development, and interwoven plotlines that keeps the reader involved throughout the book. The overarching messages of redemption and retribution come through quite clearly as the dots slowly connect, leaving the reader feeling fulfilled upon completion of the novel. Solid debut for Chris Well, I for one am looking forward to his next novel.

Summary in seven words or less: What goes around comes around. Watch out!
The best setting in which to read this book would be... in the back room of a storefront.
If this book were a part of a circus, it would be. . . a tightrope walker (you have to walk a fine line).

Jason Boyett: Pocket Guide to the Apocalypse

Since this was my first encounter with a Jason Boyett book, I naturally assumed that it was his first. Little did I know that Boyett is pretty much the king of these little "pocket guides" - short, informational, entertaining little books that make you crack up while simultaneously learning a thing or two. Not surprisingly, Pocket Guide to the Apocalypse covers all the theories, beliefs, and doctrines of various scholars regarding the end times, details a history of "the end is now" predictions, and defines a whole lot of related terms that you'd otherwise have to search high and low to understand. And it's all in plain language, easy to understand, with a biting wit that keeps you interested. For kicks, I also read The Late, Great Planet Earth (Hal Lindsey) - a book that assures readers that the 70s were in fact the end times - while reading this Pocket Guide... trippy!

Summary in seven words or less: The end is now! (or tomorrow sometime).
The best setting in which to read this book would be... holed up in a bunker under your house.
If this book were a part of a circus, it would be. . . the human cannonball (everyone's waiting for the next big bang).

Craig Gross: The Gutter: Where Life Is Meant to be Lived

Known for carousing with some of the finest individuals in the porn industry, Craig Gross issues a challenge to Christians everywhere: Go into the "gutter" and bring someone back with you. What is the "gutter," you ask? Gross defines it as a low point in life. A time period and set of circumstances that we all face at some point where we realize more than ever that we need help. In this challenging and encouraging book, Gross gives examples of the good, bad, and ugly methods of ministry and outreach. His hope is obviously one of inspiration and reaching out to the "pre-Christians" of the world. The book also features some magnificent photography at the beginning of each chapter. Overall, despite a bit of repetition here and there to drive points home, it's a pretty good read and definitely an important charge to Christians in all walks of life.

Summary in seven words or less: If not me, who else is there?
The best setting in which to read this book would be... on a metro/subway ride to or from work.
If this book were a part of a circus, it would be. . . the guy passing out peanuts and cotton candy (mingling with and "getting dirty" in the crowd).

Bradley Hatheway: All the Hits So Far...

You don't hear much about slam poets these days. And yet, somehow, through perseverance and the right set of occurrences, Bradley Hatheway tours relentlessly around the world delivering his words in the form of poetry. He performs with hardcore acts like Blindside, Norma Jean, The Chariot, and MeWithoutYou, managing to capture the energy of the audience with enthusiasm, inflection and the power of his words. All the Hits... collects a number of these poems in the form of pages and a binding, but it's much like capturing bugs in a jar, they're just waiting for an opening through which they will bolt, affecting everyone in reach. The book also comes with a CD that includes Hatheway reciting the poems in a dramatic and captivating fashion. The content is expressive and deals with everyday life using an approach that is both realistic and bold.

Summary in seven words or less: Burn it down and walk away
The best setting in which to read this book would be... in a coffeehouse.
If this book were a part of a circus, it would be. . . the ringleader (announces life's happenings and keeps everyone entertained).

Erwin Raphael McManus: The Barbarian Way

Drawing on imagery from the movie Braveheart, traditionally a favorite among guys, Erwin McManus offers an encouragement for us all to "unleash the untamed faith within us." The basic argument is that our faith in God should be strong and lead us to great and extraordinary lives, following the pattern of Jesus and the apostles. Many Christians today fall into the category of "civilized" according to McManus, a leader in the emerging church movement. Civilized Christians would rather live safe, ordinary lives rather than taking the risks necessary to fulfill the mission to which we were all called. The Barbarian Way serves as an effort to give such Christians a proverbial push to get out of the confines of safety. The downsides of the book include a number of repetitive passages and an approach that borders on name calling with the hopes of stirring up a response. It's definitely a book that caters towards men, intending to generate a bold response and attitude.

Summary in seven words or less: They'll NEVER take our freedom in Christ!
The best setting in which to read this book would be... sitting on a rooftop somewhere.
If this book were a part of a circus, it would be. . . the trapeze artists with no safety net (taking risks and leading exhilarating lives).

CS Lewis: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Of course. How could I not include The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe? I'd bet that this book was on many of your reading lists as you prepared to go see the theatrical adaptation in December. Maybe even after you saw it. Well, I haven't actually seen the movie, but I have read the book and I will say that it's a fine story. The plotline is pretty familiar to most: four children find their way into a new world where they encounter the epic struggle of good vs. evil and eventually they... Well, on the off chance that some of you aren't familiar with the book, I won't give away the ending. However, there are several parallels to draw between the book and the Christian faith and it's extremely well crafted and fun to read. No surprise that it was one of Time's best novels of all time.

Summary in seven words or less: The Lion sounds, well, sort of familiar.
The best setting in which to read this book would be... tucked away in bed.
If this book were a part of a circus, it would be. . . a lion tamer (kind of obvious).

Donald Miller: Through Painted Deserts

I know, it's much hipper to have read Blue Like Jazz than Through Painted Deserts, but here's the thing. I read Blue Like Jazz over a year ago so I had to move on. Plus my copy is on loan anyway. Regardless, I saved this book 'til last because it was one of the best books I read. Previously packaged as Prayer and the Art of Volkswagen Maintenance, the book details the journey of Don and his friend Paul as they traveled from Texas to Oregon. Along the way, the two discovered truths about God, life and themselves. Reading through the book provides a good grasp of these concepts as they're shared first hand in a writing style that's quite readable, easily understood, and off-beat enough to keep you paying attention. Definitely a great read. Very enjoyable and insightful.

Summary in seven words or less: Life is motion, get a move on.
The best setting in which to read this book would be... on a road trip.
If this book were a part of a circus, it would be. . . a VW Bug full of clowns (pretty self-explanatory).

So there you have it. Those eight books make up the bulk of my reading habits from the past few months. Hopefully at least one of them piqued your curiosity and interest. The RunDown will probably revisit books sometime around the June or July issue and for those looking for a sneak peak, I'm currently reading the following books: Walk On: The Spiritual Journey of U2 by Steve Stockman, The Horse and His Boy by CS Lewis, Rock Stars on God by Doug Van Pelt, New Way to Be Human by Charlie Peacock, Monster by Frank Peretti, and Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller. Some, though probably not all will surely appear in the next issue. I'm also open to comments, suggestions, and reading recommendations. Feel free to hit me up via my CMCentral.com email address (brenten@CMCentral.com) or sound off on the forums, specifically this thread. Until next time, have a day of it and read something good.