Week 27: What are you reading?

[Liz]

Time is flying, and we're due for another weekly update.

I'm almost done with Wonder, which is a great look at what it's like to grow up being different from everyone else. Auggie Pullman has a facial abnormality (or a deformity as many see it), but he's a normal 10-year-old kid. The story follows him through 5th grade at a new school, and there are times I cry along with him and other times when I laugh hysterically at one of his jokes. The audiobook version of Wonder is truly wonderful (see what I did there... lol).

I also started The Stand. It's a bit daunting because I'm basically holding an epic tome in my hands and trying not to drop it on my face when lying in bed to read.

What is everyone reading this week?

[Rekesha]

This week, I am reading Jesus Land by Julia Scheeres. In this memoir, Julia Scheeres recounts the time she and her adopted brother spent at a Christian reform school in the Dominican Republic.

I am also reading the fourth installment of the Booktown Mysteries, Chapter and Hearse.

[Liz]

Jesus Land sounds really interesting. I just put a hold on it. The description made me think of Jesus Camp, which is a horrifying documentary about children of the evangelical Christian faith - the brainwashing, scare tactics and forced evangelism are heartbreaking to watch.

[Lanette]

I think a more accurate word would be "Charismatic" instead of "Evangelical", which in essence refers to most Protestant denominations (the overwhelming majority of which do not subscribe to the 'Jesus Camp' methods).

I am reading "Sarah's Daughter" which is set in 1800s New England and is about a teenage girl who loses her mother and tried to keep the home running while still attending school. Okay so far, but half-way through I haven't felt the urge to recommend it to anyone.

[Ann]

Last week I said that I had read 1st to Die and wanted to read more of the series. I am currently reading 8th Confession, and have the next 4 books already checked out. I am quite enjoying this series.

[Liz]

Lanette wrote: "I think a more accurate word would be "Charismatic" instead of "Evangelical", which in essence refers to most Protestant denominations (the overwhelming majority of which do not subscribe to the 'Jesus Camp' methods)."

Lanette, you're definitely right that most faiths do not subscribe to those methods. Apologies if my original post made it seem like I was generalizing. In the film, they do identify as evangelical Christian, which is the only reason I used that label in my comment above.

To update on my reading from this week: I finished Wonder, which is seriously a great book for any age. I think the message is fantastic, and I love the way the viewpoints move from character to character throughout the book.

I've also made major headway with The Stand and am now officially freaked out that a plague will wipe out a huge portion of the world. King is a very convincing writer.

[Pattie]

Well, I am back from my family vacation to Germany to visit college friends, so maybe now I can actually start reading. Normally I would consider it quite a fail to only read one book in two weeks, but now I consider it a sign of a good trip. :) I just started which is quite funny if you know who Ross Matthews is. The book reads so much like his personality that I feel like he is reading to book to me.

[Rekesha]

Liz wrote: "Jesus Land sounds really interesting. I just put a hold on it. The description made me think of Jesus Camp, which is a horrifying documentary about children of the evangelical Christian faith..."

The abuse and humiliation that Scheeres, her brother, and the other students have to endure is heartbreaking and difficult to read.

I have also checked out Jesus Camp from the library and I hope I will be able to watch it this weekend.

[Donna]

Hey everyone:

I've slipped into full blown summer reading mode with my next choice, Shannon Hale's Austenland. So entertaining and fun. Every now and then if I don't read something light and easy I freak out, so that's my choice. Very cute! I'm also working through The Goldfinch, but (yikes!) am having a difficult time getting into it! I feel like a moron since it has come so highly recommended...I'm going to attempt to tackle it again today since all the holiday festivities are rained out. Happy Fourth everyone!

[Julie]

I've hit a bit of a reading slump it seems. I just returned from vacation though, and my husband and I listened to Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult on the drive.

I have liked every one of her books that I've read so far, and this one was no different.

Hopefully I can pick it up a bit this week since I'm still working on June's challenge!