A Thousand Splendid Suns

I know you guys are thinking this blog is turning into a library, but I can't help it. It's summer- this is what I do during the summer! Besides, this book was fantastic!

This is Khaled Hosseini's second book. His first one, The Kite Runner, I read while camping about a year and a half ago. It's one of those books that is hard to read (those of you who have read it know what I mean). Terrible, tragic things happen in that book that made it hard to read. But once the conclusion is reached, it's worth it. It's a beautiful story.

Hosseini's second book, A Thousand Splendid Suns, is similar in that it's also hard to read (and worth it). For one, it's the kind of author he is- he will write about terrible, tragic things, but they are terrible, tragic, true things. He writes about Afghanistan because it's his homeland. He writes about the sufferings of his people, because they're his people. He moved from Kabul to the United States in 1980- many people would have fled and not looked back. I'm glad he hasn't chosen that path. In this book, I learned about the Soviet's control of Afghanistan, the communist takeover, the promises of the United States, each government turning corrupt within months, the entrance of the Taliban, our promise finally kept by the bombing after 9/11 that allowed many refugees to return to the Afghanistan they hadn't known in decades, but mostly I learned about life in wartime. It puts a whole new perspective on everything. As it should.

This is an even better novel than his first. Two main differences I want to note: Those of you who thought The Kite Runner was too hard to read, need to read this one. I did not find it as difficult to endure with the characters. I think it's because there is more hope in this novel- there's a kind of reconciliation that takes place that the first story lacked. The second difference is that in The Kite Runner my attention ebbed and flowed with the story. In this second book, I was grabbed by the first chapter and held for the entirety of the book.

My favorite thing about both novels: There is a deeply sacrificial act (sometimes several acts) that portray this image of love so deep it could (and does) change lives. It reminds me of someone else I know...

If this looks interesting to you, I want to encourage you to read The Kite Runner first, and then to read this second book. They aren't related, so I'm not sure why it matters, but it just seems like the right way to do it. Please comment with your thoughts if you've read The Kite Runner or A Thousand Splendid Suns.

Please comment!

Just a quick note- I've just posted about two books that I finished last week. If you've read either of these books, if you would click the "comment" icon at the bottom of the post, and write about what you thought of the book too- whether you liked or didn't like it, what you thought it was like, your favorite thing about it, who else you think would like reading it, etc. I would love to hear back from you to see what your opinion is, and so would everyone else! Please do this with all future book, music, movie postings that I do. Thanks!

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

I love reading the classics. There is a confidence I have when reading through them that they will be worth the effort. Having stood the test of time, they are recommended by history itself. They usually teach me something while they tell me a story, and I love that!

I initially picked A Tale of Two Cities because I wanted to read something by Dickens. His language is so beautiful! I am completely ignorant when it comes to history of any kind, so I liked this one because I would also learn about the French Revolution: the Reign of Terror, La Guillotine, "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, or Death!" etc. The edition I bought had great footnotes to explain a lot of what was meant by phrases I knew nothing about.

My real love for reading it came about after I had begun the book. First of all, Dickens knew the Scriptures so well- they are referenced or quoted at least a hundred times throughout the book. I only hope that one day I would see all the world in reference to the Truth that is inscribed in my heart! I also got to learn about the path of Christianity in French culture. The French Revolution was "deeply anticlerical in ideology, method, and symbols. The divorce between church and state in France remains absolute" (a footnote from the book). Dickens describes the transformation: "Above all, one hideous figure grew as familiar as if it had been before the general gaze from the foundations of the world- the figure of the sharp female called La Guillotine...It was a sign of the regeneration of the human race. It superseded the Cross. Models of it were worn on breasts from which the Cross was discarded, and it was bowed down to and believed in where the Cross was denied" (272).

The last 100 pages of this book more than made up for the confusing middle section. By the end, all confusion was made clear, and a beautiful story unravels in language that cuts right to the heart. As one character trades places with another, dying a death sentenced to the other for Love's sake, he meets his death with complete peace saying, "It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known" (372). May my life end with such peaceful confidence!

The Reason For God by Tim Keller

I am in love with literature, among other things. I have always had a deep love of reading within me, so I try to read often, I try to read varied texts, and I try to force my love of reading onto others (and at my job, that's exactly what I am paid to do). So my blog will be one more way that I attempt to get others reading as much as possible.

On the sidebar, of course, I have listed the books I'm currently reading, but I realize that most don't check them out or know if the book actually ended up being worth the time. During summer especially, when I have an abundance of free time, the books will change out frequently and I don't want anyone to miss one. SO, every time I finish a book, I will write a little blurb about it. I also do this so that it will be in the archives and you will be able to look up any book I've read because I will post about them all. (Please use this lovely feature in the future!)

This week I happened to finish The Reason for God by Tim Keller. I can reasonably recommend that any book by this man is worth your time in gold. In this particular book, Keller lays out the most common arguments against Christianity. He agrees with them, argues for them fervently and with an understanding that is beyond me. Then, he logically shows the error in which the entire argument falls apart, or what daunting implications arise from such a view, which most people at that point, would quickly forsake. Some of the arguments were scientific, which was good to read, but less practical to me here in the Bible belt. This is a great book to give to skeptics that for whatever reason, have well thought out, legitimate beef with Christianity. The greatest thing I learned from this book was the mode with which I engage in discussion with those who don't believe the gospel of Christ. In my sin, I quickly answer their confusion or frustration as a means of proving "my case" to them. Keller shows a much more loving, gentle, and effective way of discussion. In the second half of the book, he lays out the major theology of the gospel. Like I said, this is a great book to give to intellectual skeptics, but it is also a great book for Christians to read, as a learning tool for engaging our culture where they are at in this postmodern world we live in.

Spur58

This is one of my favorite cds. If you're like me, you feel like lots of Christian music is the same as secular music, only it sounds bad. I am always on the lookout for great Christian music- I need it on my drive to work every morning. It puts my mind in a mode of worship and readies me for whatever is to come that day. So I look for music with solid lyrics and a sound that I don't cringe at.

A couple times at Austin Stone, Andy Melvin (the lead worship pastor) has been gone and a guy named Aaron has stood in for him. Aaron played the keyboard (I always love piano driven music) and after each time, I said, "That guy is great- I love his sound!" When Andy was at Austin Stone without me one time, he found out Aaron was in a band called Spur58 and bought a cd to put in my stocking for Christmas.

I looked at the jacket inside (always my first step with a new cd- I'm nothing if not thorough.) They were signed by Indelible Creative Group, whose mission statement is: "helping to build God's Kingdom by creating remarkable experiences through media products that are culturally and spiritually relevent." Where the lyrics usually are, instead I found the scenarios and situations that brought on the writing of each particular song. When I first listened to the cd I thought it was catchy but that the lyrics were a little simple. The more I listened to it, I began to feel a depth of truth in the lyrics that had at first seemed plain or overdone.

I've listened to this cd almost 100 times now. This morning I kept thinking one of the lyrics over and over again: "I was made for so much more than breathing in and breathing out so let me find my everything in you." I am sure to get pulled over listening to track 11, because I get so into it, by the end my foot is pressed to the floor and I'm going 85 in a 60. But I will weep at the end of this album every time, with track 12 repeating over and over, "It's never too late to start over."

Listen to it, love it, enjoy!

Our Fun Weekend at LBJ

This past weekend we went with our friends, The Taylors, to their lake house on LBJ. Over the past two years, this has been something we love to do together. They are always quick trips, but we get to relax and spend some good quality time together, outside of our normal schedule, and surrounded by beautiful land. We arrived on Friday evening and spent a nice night indoors. Then Saturday we hit the lake all day long!

Berkley loves the lake house more than anyone, because he gets to go wherever Mommy and Daddy go! The only downside: wearing the life jacket and having me surprise him with a spray of sunscreen to the nose. But look at this picture- does he seem to mind?

Andy and I have been hoping all week that Berkley would now be brave enough to jump into the water from the boat. After a lot of whimpering and crying as we all screamed encouragement to him, he jumped in. He doesn't quite understand the life jacket's ability to keep him afloat, so he swims in circles around the boat. He slept almost all day Sunday as a result- mission accomplished!

Berkley and I love watching Andy ski. I have never been skiing in my life, and I don't think I'll ever try. I'm not that into water. BUT I love to watch Andy being a rock star- and apparently Berkley does too.

On Sunday, we met up with our friend Parker and my mom at Austin Stone (one of our favorite churches!) before grabbing lunch and heading back. They were going through a short series on self feeding. As Christians, we often exchange the wisdom God can reveal to us for the wisdom God has revealed to others through sermons, podcasts, great books, etc. The Austin Stone is challenging the church to believe the promise of God- that He Himself will teach you through the Scriptures by the Holy Spirit. They went through a format called REAP (Read, Examine, Apply, Pray) as a way of reading the Bible for spiritual sustenance. I was so convicted by this message. I think we can all see how we are trusting in others to teach us instead of learning about God, by God, through God's Word. How beautiful it is that He provides all that we need! Click here to hear "The Art of Self-Feeding" (Part 1: the theology behind self-feeding; Part 2: a practical way to self feed). http://www.austinstone.org/resources/sermons/

New to the Blogging World

I've decided to enter the world of blogging. I knew the time would come eventually and thought it'd be easier now to try and get "The Friederichs" (which of course, was taken). So...welcome to our flock. I'm a sucker for alliteration and have no excuse. Beware- not a lot happens here. Don't expect more than one post a month. ;)

Andy and I are TERRIBLE at taking pictures. If it wasn't for our friend Waverlee, we wouldn't have any. I will try harder, but in the beginning, things are going to be sparse.