rustypants speaks

good books from the past several months have included a couple older books and new ones:

• Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer – the movie was good, but the book bests it. a fascinating biography pieced together of the life of chris mccandless as he strips off the consumer-focused mindset and tries to get back to what’s most important. i don’t agree with everything in the book, but it’s well-told and researched. krakauer identifies maybe a little too much with his subject (and it is somewhat apologetic in some areas) but i couldn’t help but think back to younger years and what i might’ve done with more resolve…
• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini – on the recommendation of rachael and jon, i jumped into this book after seeing the movie. the movie stays surprisingly true to the book, but the book adds layers of tension and emotion that the movie couldn’t come close to – very well written and full of aches and love and ultimately, redemption. the imagery of the relationships, the afghan country, the american assimilation, the culture clashes within both countries – it’s a good read.
• Jesus for President by Shane Claiborn – suggested reading by adrienne and greg, i’d heard of claiborn a year or so earlier but hadn’t read anything by him. liberals will love it. conservatives will probably hate it. independents will go both ways. regardless, his views are challenging and thought-provoking. the packaging alone is reason to read it, but what he has to say is necessary and will hopefully focus our attention on things that are too easily ignored or are simply accepted as a necessary byproduct of being christian and living in america.
• Duma Key by Stephen King – those who know my reading habits know that king has disappointed me many times over the years to the point that i generally won’t read anything of his anymore. after scott and dad both told me that this book was king’s return to form, i gave in and gave it a read. and they were right. it IS a good book. nothing ground-breaking or earth-shattering, but it’s just a good, fun read. the ending is a bit too easy, too trite, but i’ll forgive him for that. the rest of the book was worth it.

there were a couple other books that were good and worth mentioning:

• The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
• The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje
• Everything Must Change by Brian McLaren
• Roots by Alex Haley
• The Dark River by John Twelve Hawks

all of these come highly recommended to you. i can’t guarantee you’ll love ‘em all, but there’s some good stuff that won’t waste your valuable reading time.