2011 in Review, Books

Today I'll begin my look back at 2011 with a review of the books I went through in 2011. There weren't as many as there should have been thanks to school work the first half of the year, but below is a catalog of some of the fun stuff I read this year.

Non-Fiction:

"Crazy Love," by Francis Chan — This is a challenging book. I went through it as a part of a small group, and it certainly provided plenty to reflect upon. What I like about the book is the reverence and awe that Chan has for God, which is something we don't get a lot of in our society often. What I didn't like is I felt, at times, like the book went a bit far in talking about our response to this world. It's hard to describe why without going into great specifics, and I do think Chan goes a bit more moderate in the closing section of the book, but again, this is just one man's approach to our faith. It was a fascinating and challenging read that, hopefully, pushes you out of your comfort zone a bit.

"Decoded," by Jay-Z — This was the best book I read this year. Some may question that, but what I loved about this book was that it was a rare window into the process of an artist. The way Jay-Z talks about rap, he really elevates it to a high level of art. I already appreciated his music, but this made me appreciate his artistry. It's also a fascinating read in terms of how open Jay-Z is about his past, his struggles, his faith, his politics, and his hopes and dreams. I wouldn't say we agree about a lot of those things, but I have a greater respect for him after reading it.

"All the Devils Are Here: The Hidden History of the Financial Crisis," by Bethany McLean and Joseph Nocera — A fascinating and gripping look at the financial crisis, dating back to the roots in the 1970s through the big fall off in 2008. This isn't an uplifting read, but seeing as how the financial crisis has become the biggest story in our lives, it's a book that's worth reading. Just be prepared, it will make you feel disappointed and angry about our financial system.

Fiction:

"Doubt, A Parable," by John Patrick Shanley — This stage play is incredible. The 2008 movie was great, but the stage play is equally moving in book form. I have read this before, but I re-read the play this year and it is still impressive.

"The Mist," by Stephen King — This is an interesting story that juxtaposes the end of the world and religious zealots with those that are agnostics. It suggests that, no matter what's out there, the biggest danger posed to us all are radical zealots. No matter their cause, they threaten the health and well being of all involved. I have long appreciated the film version of "The Mist," but the book is actually better. As a bonus, it actually has a more uplifting ending than the film.

"A Game of Thrones," by George R.R. Martin — I jumped into reading the book based on the HBO series, which is fantastic. I loved the book as well. This is a fantasy fiction novel, part of a larger series, and this book follows several different characters. It's an acquired taste that's not for everyone, but I enjoyed the book as I enjoyed the series.

Comedy Books

"S*** My Dad Says," by Justin Halpern — I wasn't sure about this book, which I was given as a gift, because I had seen the sitcom and wasn't impressed. If you're in the same boat, have no fear. This book is nothing like the series. It is a hilarious collection of short stories a young man wrote about his father. From the outside, without context, this could seem like the product of a rough upbringing, but from the whole work you get a sense of the love and bond between father and son. It's hilarious and inappropriate at times, and best of all it's a quick read.

"Go The F*** To Sleep," by Adam Mansbach — This book was also given to me as a gift, and it is a book that has caused a lot of hullabaloo in the Christian community. I read an excellent piece on the book on the Burnside Writers' Collective, but basically the criticism has been that this is too dark and profane to be a childrens' book. I whole-heartedly agree with that. The thing is, this isn't a children's book. It's a book written for parents. Sure, it looks like a children's book and has some illustrations, but this is a book about what it can be like to be a new parent. It is funny in it's own way and captures the frustration of a certain period of life. It's probably not a totally appropriate expression of this frustration, but it's hilarious.