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My Paper, in Wordle

by Shaun

My first, article-length paper for the literary nonfiction class I'm taking this semester - on the link between Loren Eiseley and Wendell Berry.  I needed a representation other than the 15 pages...

I know what you read last summer ...

by Shaun

The weather is changing nicely here in Reno.  It's getting quite cold some nights, and I fully realize that summer is over!  So, before everything switches over to fall/winter mode, I'm looking back on books I read this summer.  I was really happy and inspired with everything I read, so they are all tops, just organized in topics here -

Most fun:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
A delightful, imaginative book about a boy and his life on the Autism Spectrum.  It's told first person from him, and so is quite a ride, both inside his mind and outside with where his life goes.  A great book to have fun with, enjoy great writing, and finish quickly!

Manna and Mercy by Daniel Erlander
Loaned to me by staff at the Lutheran church I'm working for.  I had no idea this creativity was going on inside liturgical churches.  The subtitle to this book reads, "a brief history of God's unfolding promise to mend the entire universe," and I think it does a wonderful job.  It appears handwritten with frequent drawings, and you wonder how theological history could be so fun.  It is very inspiring, and a good introduction to what these Reno Lutherans see for the world.

Eye-envy books (great visuals):
Jesus for President by Chris Haw and Shane Claiborne, art direction by SharpSeven
I was looking forward to Shane Claiborne's next book, and this is a skilled telling of the gospel offering a truly "different way" than what our current American culture seeks and prizes.  Very good content!  But, what I didn't expect was such a visually engaging book.  These guys know that telling this story in a different way is better suited using all types of art.  Therefore, the artwork in this book tells the story in another unique way - it makes the book.  I will reread this one frequently, it works well that way.

Radical Simplicity by Dan Price
Re-read this great gem - mostly because Kyndra and I moved in to such a small place and I wanted to read about the life of one who chooses small/fitting places to live with nature in good ways.  It was great, again.  And, his artwork flows his ideas through the pages.  His attention to detail and description reminds me of Thoreau and even makes me sketch some things I see from time to time (though I'm terrible at it).  Great, small, timeless piece of art!

Manna and Mercy by Daniel Erlander
Much like Radical Simplicity in it's art-type.  Read above!

Reading & Writing:
The Best American Non-Required Reading of 2007 edited by David Eggers
I picked this up, simply because I saw that Sufjan Stevens had written the introduction to it.  The introduction is worth the price of the book (though, just spend 10 minutes reading it at the book store, and you're good to go there).  It's a fine collection, and since I jumped from piece to piece in random order, I'm not sure that I've read everything in there.  But, the piece so far is an excerpt of a graphic memoir by Alison Bechdel, Fun Home.  Very creative and hard hitting - another example of great art!

Sick of Nature by David Gessner
Because I'm looking toward grad school for Literature & Environment, many people are telling me to enjoy reading other topics, as school will be filled with the nature lit stuff.  Well, this book just called to be read and was loaned to me by our neighbor that is finishing his PhD in the L&E program.  I will save nature reading for the program, but this one looked too good.
So, within the nature lit genre, Gessner is pushing the limits.  And that's clearly his goal in this book of essays.  Because I've done (and enjoyed) some reading in this area, this book was a breath of fresh air and really opened up my ideas on what is (and could be) going on within this genre that I want to study.  I'm so glad to see it!  If I write, publish, etc, I imagine it existing outside typical scholarly research; Gessner gives me hope for multiple creative styles in nature lit.  Yes!

The Lutheran Handbook
An introductory book, usually given to youth in the ELCA church.  It reads much like The Pocket-guide to the Bible by Jason Boyett, only it's all about Luther, Lutheranism, and includes funny explanations like - "how to deal with distractions during a seromn," etc.  Another example of the fun creativity I'm discovering around the church I'm at.

The Giver by Lois Lowry
Finally dove into this classic - Newbery Medal winner - first bought when Richard taught it to his class at school a while back.  I did not expect it to be about what it was about, and it was a sweet surprise.  Definitely a contender for best summer reading!  Just perfect storytelling ... and a challenge to utopia!

Most Challenging:

In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen
A classic I first read years ago.  Short and to the point, like all of Nouwen's writing.  It was meaningful to read it while beginning this new job in ministry.

Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
I had never read this, but had heard so much about it.  I remember first hearing about it at a  Thoreau Society gathering where some youth were sitting at dinner talking about their favorite books.  When one girl mentioned this book as her favorite, I remember wondering to myself "how in the world could a Thoreau fan also love some horror based book, probably some sort of Friday the 13th scenario?"  ... I was wrong on the book.  Very different.  Since then I have read some Vonnegut, found his essays always been perfectly written and I found this book uniquely challenging.  It challenged my thoughts on war, but also my ways of storytelling.  This author could tell a good story, in unforgettable ways.  May he rest in peace.

Good Memoir-ish:

A Christianity Worth Believing by Doug Paggitt
I was anticipating this book - waiting to read more of Mr. Paggitt's own story - I really enjoy listening to him and hearing his ideas for church and community.  The book has good ideas, but I prefer him in person.  But as a challenge to Augustine's overwhelming influence in evangelical Christianity, this  is a good text. 

Merle's Door by Ted Kerasote
Kyndra and I read this great book on our drive out to Nevada from Dallas.  Great stories about a faithful pet, and life-lessons from a "freethinking" dog.  Perfect summer reading.  I look forward to checking out more Ted Kerasote!

And that's the reading of summer 2008.  Good season of reading, and lots to tackle before the year's end.  Currently enjoying The Fidelity of Betrayal by Peter Rollins, and hopefully will enjoy some good fiction soon. 

Happy reading,

-s.o

3, 4, or 5 things - an Update!

-Shaun

1...went to the Andrew Bird show on Wednesday night was simply amazing.  I had never seen him in concert before, but have followed his music fo years.  His talent with a live audience is mezmerizing and his band is great as well.  I especially dug trying to keep up with his drummer, looping beats and playing keys with one hand and drums with the other.  (He is the artist Dosh - check it out).  And make every effort to see Andrew Bird live!

2...I got offered a job on thursday!  Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd has offered me the position of “Children and Family Ministries Coordinator,” and I’m happy to accept.  It has been an interesting journey to this particular job and it has us analyzing our lives here in Reno (more on that another time).  This small church, just down the road from our house, seems like a unique, open group of people concerned with really serving the poor and hurting in Reno.  It will differ from what I’m used to, but we’re really beginning to see how it is (was) the next good step.  I’m very excited about it and will update more soon.  I officially start on July 28th.

3...Kyndra just wrapped up week 3 of her fieldwork with some hard, but good, evaluations.  She is no longer a mere observer and is having to learn while doing it  - sometimes for the first time.  But she works with good people and has the best attitude about it all.  It’s really eye-opening to hear the real stories of therapy every day.

4...I’m enjoying having more time to read books and blogs lately.  I admire someone like Annie Dillard who claims to try to read about 300 books a year.  I’ve been reading, but not quite like that.
The most enjoyable book lately has been rereading Dan Price’s stimulating memoirish book - Radical Simplicity.  It really is a creative workout.
The blog I’ve enjoyed following is McLaren’s notes on Faith, Politics, and Voting.  He is releasing them in parts, of which there are 6 so far.  All are good, clear, and challenging.  Take a look and let’s discuss!

5...Guests from Texas will arrive late tonight and stay for a week.  I’m really looking forward to Richard and my brother Brendon being able to hang out with us here.  It’s a bummer that Kyndra will have to work during the week ... but I’m still free, so that’s all working out pretty well!!  We’ll make plans when they arrive, but the skies are clearing out and it’s not so smoky from the California forest fires ... so it’s a good week to be here.  I’m thinking we’ll head out to Desolation Wilderness just southwest of Lake Tahoe - to hike and camp.  Some rafting is probably also in the works, along with sitting around with pipes, showing off the campus, and some casino time if someone feels lucky!  We’ll keep you posted with pics and stories along the way. 

There’s the Ohome update.  Peace and all good. 

Reading/Listening on the trip

Reading aloud:

Merle's Door - by Ted Kerasote (heard interview with author, looks like a wild story of the wild life of a dog)

The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2007  - edited by David Eggers, intro by the great Sufjan Stevens (great compilation of stories, fiction and non-fiction, reflecting the American life)

A Christianity Worth Believing - by Doug Pagitt (honest thoughts from a pastor with questions, concerns, and hopeful ideas!)

 

Listening -

The Weepies - Hideaway (can't go on a roadtrip without them)

Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs (have been saving the tunes to listen on the trip)

Esperanza Spalding - Esperanza (prodigy jazz bass player and singer - for the chill moments)

Explain God

At Ibc today, there were people telling their stories of recovery - from addictions, hurts, life.  Andy shared a message about Jesus beginning ministry among a "looked down upon" group in Israel - the Gentiles of Galilee.  Andy wondered - what does it mean that God would begin his saving work there, among the broken and "the least"?

"Good point" (I said to myself). 

And many times that I begin to think about the concepts of God and how he acts with us in this world, I'm turning back to the way Donald Miller writes.  He has encountered the relational side of God, and he puts it better than anyone I can think of right now.  So I thought I'd share a snipet of how he can put thoughts into words and articulate our feelings and interactions with this God we speak of.

From the chapter Spirituality - God is Fathering Us in To Own A Dragon:

It feels creepy to say God is fathering us -- creepy in an invasion-of-privacy sense.  I mentioned before that prayer comes easily to me, but I confess I like the distant God, the God who has a firm grasp of physics but isn't so swift at relational dynamics.  I see God this way most of the time, as a kind of foggy-minded scientist who never got married: too smart, really, to "get" people.  You don't picture God being good with women, do you, or sitting around at a baseball game smoking a cigar, talking about the time the ball went through Buckner's legs.

I've always thought of God in conceptual terms, the way Brian Greene thinks about superstrings.  Still, I find this sad.  God couldn't make it clearer He wants intimacy.  In Bible study once, John explained how strongly God communicates His desire for relationships.  He calls Himself a bridegroom, a friend, a lover, a shepherd.  An Old Testament book called Song of Songs is ripe with erotic imagery, and if you take it allegorically, it makes you wonder if  God doesn't want us to be, somehow, spiritually wooed.

But God lives in heaven, not down the street.  He can't play with us, as it were.  I confess I often think of God like "the boy in the bubble" trying to explain to the other kids that while they can't play basketball with Him, exactly, they can still talk on the phone about comic books or something.  I know I am trivializing God, and I don't mean to, but it does feel like His bigotry against our sin-germs affects His ability to bond.  He doesn't hug, for example. 

Hmm... so ... that just always fits for me.  If you will, what writing (or thing in general) communicates relationship to God in a unique way? 

Everything Must Change - chp. 5

I'm reading an advanced copy of Brian McLaren's new book Everything Must Change.  I'll be blogging some "deeper thoughts" over at ThoseAwake, but I had to send an update and remark on how happy I am now that I'm through the fifth chapter.  This book started a bit slower than some of his others have, and I wondered where this was headed.  But in chapter five he begins to run-down a great, simple summarization of the excessive confidence humans had constructed and trusted ... and that ultimately led philosophers and thinkers to question modernity in the middle of the 20th Century (especially after the Holocaust).
Now, reading the chapter, I can sense that some philosophy majors might just scoff at this simple explanation (though he doesn't put it just simply).  I really haven't heard or read much on modernity, post-modernity, or post-colonialism outside McLaren and a few others. 
BUT, for most of us, this is just enough to help us focus on the subject at hand, grasp a bit of it, and be challenged and learn a lot along the way.  I think his writing here bridges the gap nicely for the academic and the merely interested. 
The book has seemed kinda text-booky to me so far - except for the personal stories woven into each chapter.  In that way, it's opposite text-booky.  I don't know what it is!

Either way, chapter 5 has taken the turn to get me re-energized for this book. 
Here's to history!
-s.o

Feelin' the Fiction

Thoughts on "currently reading & listening" sections.

I’ve loved reading Russell’s stories lately, absolutely oozing with creativity!  And, it’s sorta fun to identify stories and, like music, know “I’m into this.”  I say that because the stories are so quirky that it may not be everyone’s forte … but I really enjoy them.
I got the book after hearing a review on NPR.  They mentioned how stunning the stories were, but also how young and new the writer was.  I thought it was a good combination to check out, and I’m loving it.   She says her writing process is like "dreaming on the page" ... and I'm there. 
I guess, like any good fiction, it’s hard to explain what is so great about it.  It’s hard to pick out a sentence in the storied progression that can really display the emotions the stories leave you with in the end.  Looking over some of the online reviews, I agree with many of them, and I like the way Thomas Haley puts it here:

Narrated by strange, quiet children and nestled deep in the mystique of the Everglades, Karen Russell’s stories are unnerving, darkly funny, and immensely enjoyable. Their standard recipe takes a common coming-of-age theme—“my parents are lunatics,” “death is part of life,” “growing up is hard”—folds it into a surreal situation—“my dad is a Minotaur,” “I am trapped in a giant conch shell with a janitor,” “my 14 sisters and I were raised by werewolves and now nuns are trying to prepare us for life in polite society”—and tops it off with superb, efficient sentences. Mix well and you’ve got one of the strongest debuts in recent memory.

-Thomas Haley, the Believer

Then there's creative news from the "currently listening" section of life:  Joanna Newsom is continuously slowing down the work I try and get done while I listen to her.  I find myself sitting quiet, work completely stopped, crouched over my laptop and swaying back and forth in rhythm as I attempt to catch every word and every note and get close to crying.  (seriously)
The fiction and story she weaves within the jumping music is deeply inspirational. 
I don't know if these lyrics will translate, but here's some I love from her story-song, Emily:

We’ve seen those mountains kneeling, felten and grey.
We thought our very hearts would up and melt away,

From that snow in the nighttime,
Just going and going

And the stirring of wind chimes
In the morning
In the morning

Helps me find my way back in
From the place where I have been

So, these are the things creatively waking me up lately.  Along with all the Wendell Berry/Orion articles we blog about here.
-s.o            

Justice in the Burbs

I'm looking forward to this book.  I think it will be one of the few books embracing justice, simplicity, goodness for earth and humans, while being specifically for those of us in the the suburbs!  We need books like this, even just for the title - this question has to be raised, and has to be talked about.
These are the things that Richard and Brian and I talk about when we consider gardening/farming, Community Supported Agriculture, and Co-ops ... and if they are possible in the suburbs in which we live.  Can we stay and do these things???
Ultimately, can our suburban lives ever be "just"?  See thoseawake for any recent thoughts.

I got to listen in on some good discussion about this at last year's emergent gathering, and I got to hear Will talk a bit about his book.  This video is also a cool introduction.  So, watch it and then spread the word!!

Summer Reading list

summer time.

Kyndra and I take off this Friday for Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  We bought some "vacation package" time-share deals two years ago, and it's forced us to take some excursions each year.  We've really enjoyed it!  And because she grabs pen & paper and heads back to the classroom on June 5th, we'll get a week of hanging out just before the summer school.
So, I've been gathering a few books - things that I want to read on the trip (on the beach, prob.), and thinking about some books that I'd just like to read this summer. 

On the trip, I'll be taking (so far):

• Deep Economy by Bill McKibben - I've been reading this for a while and I'll finish it quick!
• Leaving Church by Barbara Brown Taylor - I used a story of hers in my "sermon" at IBC last summer (SPROUT!) and she was a delightful read.  I saw this "faith memoir" on the book shelf and it looks facinating.  She was an Episcopal priest for over 20 years, and has recently still been questioning her "Christianity."  So now she has left the church; she teaches, and writes, and wrestles.  At least, that's what I've gathered from the introduction.  She's engaging!  I'm looking forward to it.
• Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey - this is a sort of nature writing/conservation/spiritual classic that I've heard tons about, including some great in-depth Orion articles, and I've got to get into Abbey.  Finally taking this good step ...
• The Giver by Lois Lowry - a classic that Richard loved teaching this semester and I've wanted to read.  Hopefully this will be a good time to enjoy it. 
• Prospecting:
  
  • The Black Swan*  by Nassim Nicholas Taleb - I'm still just thinking about this one.  It's a rather large book!  But I've really enjoyed the press I've heard on it - seen him on Colbert and heard him on NPR.  The book subheading is: "The Impact of the Highly Improbable."  I've heard that it's about the understanding, and coming to an understanding, of not controlling the future.  Maybe learning to let go of trying to manipulate coming events.  He mentioned the art of failing, ready to display success or failure gracefully.  And he seems to be really witty and interesting.  I think of this a lot like Daniel Gilbert's Stumbling on Happiness that I read last summer.  I don't usually go for these types of books, but it can be a refreshing change.  If not this book, I would like to read something like it.  Suggestions?
  
  
  • update:  Dan recently suggested a book that I may also try and read this summer, if not this week - Stigmata by Cixous - intellectual challenges from a leading French thinker and social contributor.
  
  

And what is your summer reading list looking like?

Myriad of magazines

Just received three great magazines - the May/June issues of each.  It got me thinking ...
I really like these publications and I don't know if I'd replace any of them right now - Orion Magazine, GEEZ magazine, and the Utne Reader. 
(I also got my new issue of Relevant Magazine, but that one just didn't make the cut here on the coffee table, though it is a bit of fun reading sometimes) 
If I had to choose three magazines I'd like subscriptions to, these would be them!  (fyi - I didn't exactly choose them all, one was a gift)  And I just realized what they all sort of encompass for me...

Orion = nature, placeness, nature writing & life in nature = superb and exhilirating!
GEEZ = witty, simple, very unique thoughts on faith amidst current culture = provoking and challenging!
          (**both Orion & GEEZ are  void of advertising.  BIG HUGE PLUS!**)
Utne = current culture, varied and good coverage on events & media = informative and interesting!

Okay, those are my three.  What are yours?  (either what you have, or what you'd want to have!)