twenty-three

As the summer is now in full swing, my reading list is also now finally moving into full motion. During the year I find it hard to sit down with a book for any extended period of time, let alone finish with any semblance of recollection of the main point, so this has been a welcome relief over the last few weeks. I thought I should share what I’m reading, as I don’t have a list up and running on this new blog. Also, I’m including a short list of “watching” (DVDs and movies we’ve checked out lately) and listening, because I’ve been listening to some pretty interesting music, along with podcasts, while I paint at my parent’s these last few days. Enjoy, and maybe check some of them out for yourself.

Summer Reads

• NT Wright: Simply Christian - Just finished this. An amazing book. Comparable to Lewis’ “Mere Christianity”, but for the postmodern, post-Christian world.
• Sophie’s World - A novel about the history of philosophy. A Stacy Thomas recommendation.
• The Voice of the Hebrews - Reading this new Voice edition in preparation for speaking at the Summer INN next week.
• The Shack - By popular recommendation, I’ve picked this up while at my parent’s (they own a copy). The jury’s still out on it for me, but I’m only 1/2 way through.

Summer Viewing

• Wall-E - Went and saw this on the 4th of July. How patriotic? A movie about the imminent collapse of the human race, oh yeah, and a really cute robot. I loved it.
• The West Wing - Stacy and I have been plowing through this series on DVD for the last few months. We’re almost finished with season 6 (of 7).
• John Adams - We just started this HBO miniseries tonight with my parents. I’d been recommended it and once again, HBO has done a wonderful job of painting a realistic historical drama.

Summer Listening

• Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida” - Still rolling with this one. And it keeps growing on me.
• Flight of the Conchords - I saw them live a couple nights ago at the Sub Pop 20th anniversary concert. Hilarious.
• Rikk Watts - Regent professor, teaching New Testament Foundations. I got a copy of this class from a pastor I met up in Vancouver a couple years ago. It makes me want to go to seminary, just for classes like his.
• the Nick and Josh Podcast - A couple of Emergent dudes, jabbering with authors, theologians, musicians. Not bad, but lots of random banter. I can’t really get over that stuff in podcasts. But, I’m trying.

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