So, I haven’t been writing a lot of reviews in the last few months. In part because I didn’t read as much during unemployment as I do employed (yeah, that’s counter-intuitive) and in part because nothing has jumped out at me needing to be reviewed.

That said, I do have some thoughts about what I’ve been reading. So every few weeks or so (whenever I have three of these), I’m going to compile those post in a “Reviewettes” post. I’ll still occasionally write a full review when a book warrants it, but this will give you a short recap of what I’ve been reading and what I thought about them. I won’t mention every book I read (the full list can be found here, if you’re that curious), but will draw attention to the books that caught my fancy.

With that lovely introduction, here is the first set of reviewettes:

Lit: A Christian Guide to Reading Books by Tony Reinke ♥♥♥♥

As a reader, I enjoy about reading. Nerdy, I know. If you, too, like to read about reading, I would suggest this book. Or if you don’t like reading, I’d also suggest it.

One point that I took away from Lit is the idea that my personal reading helps the corporate body of Christ. I get this: friends are always asking me what I’m reading and what I got out of it. I don’t always have a good answer for them, but I should. I should be able to share with them a gold nugget that I found whenever asked. I’m going to be more intentional about this.

Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power and the Only Hope that Matters  by Timothy Keller  ♥♥♥♥♥

I read Keller’s The Prodigal God last fall and was really impressed with his insights. He has some great things to say in Counterfeit Gods as well.

There is just something about Keller’s writing that feels incredibly accessible to non-churchy people, if that makes sense. In Counterfeit Gods he does a great job taking apart some common American idols and comparing them to God, where we can find true hope.

The Hidden Reality by Brian Greene (audio) ♥♥♥

The Hidden Reality is a popular science book about the possibilities of parallel universes. Greene walks the reader through various scientific theories that would support or even require multiple universes. I find this fascinating, but in the end, I really don’t think there are other universes out there. It almost feels like scientists like Greene want there to be other universes because it makes it seem less improbable that intelligent life would develop in their own.

That said, I would not be surprised at all if their were intelligent life forms on other planets within our own universe. Until we meet them (which I find unlikely), nothing can be proven either way.

For the record, this is the first author-read audio book I’ve ever enjoyed.