The Shape of Mercy

This has been quite a week of reading for me. I was a bit tired when I picked up Susan Meissner's "The Shape of Mercy." I was NOT disappointed.

The book tells the story of Lauren, a rich college student who takes a job transcribing a centuries-old diary. The writer she's bringing to life is a young girl alive during the turmoil of the Salem Witch Trials. As Lauren uncovers the truths long hidden by history, she learns about herself and what it means to stand up for what you believe.

Meissner's style is captivating, drawing you in with a lyric tone that is descriptive without being overly flowery. The story is thought-provoking, and you won't want to put it down.

Add "The Shape of Mercy" to your reading list today. You won't be sorry.

Get a copy at Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400074711

Religious Nostalgia

This week I was excited to dive into a book that chronicles the impact church had on the childhood of a boy growing up on the East Coast.

In "Churched," Matthew Turner talks about the stereotypes and manipulations that he encountered from his church, its parishioners, his parents, etc. I opened it expecting a dialogue similar to that of "Blue Like Jazz." That was a big mistake on my part.

Turner definitely has his finger on the pulse of what a lot of churches practiced back when he was a kid, but he spends so much time there that any nonChristian looking for a reason to skip church on Sunday would have 200+ pages worth. As a kid who was raised in a similar church, I definitely saw some accuracies, but I didn't leave the book feeling like Turner had made his peace with what "happened to" him.

Even though his narrative is rooted in truth, it made me feel hopeless and ashamed to be identified with the church. And I doubt that was his aim.

If you grew up in the church and did sword drills and colored pictures in Sunday School, check out "Churched" for yourself. But if you didn't...especially if you're new to the faith...stay far away.

To find the book for yourself, visit Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400074711