What is the HitchHiker Reading?
I realized I had not put books on my What is the HitchHiker Reading? bLOG page since Autumn 2022. Time to play catch-up with a list of books I have read and a couple I am currently reading. I will then place them on the bLOG page where they belong.
The Myth of Closure – Ambiguous Loss in a Time of Pandemic and Change by Pauline Boss (currently reading as of 2023.07.14)
Recommendation: PENDING. This book was recommended to me as I find myself grieving way more than the deaths of my parents. I am grieving to loss of the prepandemic church family, the loss of civility in society, and much more. I will let you know, but it is out to a good start!
The Radical Disciple – Some Neglected Aspects of Our Calling by John Stott (2023.05.22)
Recommendation: How’s this for a recommendation; I have already read this book twice since May! There are a couple of chapters that lean more toward political, which is often a turn off, but the rest of the chapters are dynamite! I am likely going to use this, John Stott’s last book, for an adult study at the church.
Why I Am a Christian by John Stott (2023.05.22)
Recommendation: I bought this book because of the title and the author. John Stott’s no-nonsense style of writing helped me through my spiritual doctrine class in seminary, so I was drawn to this. “J” and I listened to it on a long car ride, and she too was very impressed by his style. I then purchased and read the book. This is a wonderful and personal apologetic about why this man is a Christian. Stott went home to the Lord in July 2011, at the age of 90.
LOVE – What life is all about… by Leo Buscaglia (2023.04.24)
Recommendation: I bought this book literally two days after my dad passed, because I needed a heavy dose of LOVE, the Professor of Love, and the maniac son of Italian Immigrants. This is not a Christian book, but it is a primer on how a Christian should be living! I have been reading and listening to Leo for years. He passed in 1998.
The GIFT by Hafiz; translation by Daniel Ladinsky (2022.10.31)
Recommendation: I bought this book after returning from my clergy leave in October. I was introduced to Hafiz by my spiritual director on the silent retreat through a poem titled “The Seed Cracked Open.” Yes, a SUFI is from the mystical division of Islam, but some of the poems are very applicable to Christians. He even writes poetry about the Christ! I am reflecting on his poetry a few times per week.
I Heard GOD Laughing by Hafiz; translation by Daniel Ladinsky (2022.10.31)
Recommendation: I bought this book in the same order as The GIFT and for the same reasons. I am reflecting on his poetry a few times per week.
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