Fiction
Those who know me well are aware that I lost my sister to cancer a few years ago. While this loss isn't the same as the loss of the fictional character Mack in The Shack, I strongly related to The Great Sadness he struggles with in the story. In addition, the spiritual journey that he traveled during his sojourn at the shack closely mirrors many of the thoughts and revalations I have experienced in the past two years. For me, reading William Paul Young's novel was a very personal experience.
Priceless: A Novel on the Edge of the World is a powerful story about a man whose life is changed when he becomes embroiled in a plan to rescue young orphan girls from forced prostitution in Russia. The author, Tom Davis, brings to light an enormous and growing problem in the world: human trafficking. While the story is a novel, much of the story is accurate in its depiction of this sordid underworld.
I like Glenn Beck but sometimes I don't like him for the same reason I dislike Jon Stewart. Most of my conservative friends don't like Jon Stewart because he is too liberal. I don't like him because he takes himself too seriously. If you are going to be an entertainer... entertain me but don't ask me to take you seriously. If you want to be taken seriously... then stop hiding behind humor and enter a serious dialogue. Glenn Beck isn't necessarily a humorist but he is firmly ensconced in the
This is another of Ayn Rands philosophical novels that my boss recommended I read. Similar to The Fountainhead it is chock full of drama, hero worship and tragedy. In addition it carries a very clear message with regard to human motivation and the effects of government interference on the economic output of productive people.
I tend to not read much fiction so when I do it is either a handful of authors that I know I like, or like this book, a recommended one. Recently I asked my boss, who I respect greatly, for some ideas on reading and research. He is a follower of Objectivism and recommended I read some of Ayn Rand's books. This was the first of the series he suggested I read.