Best non-theological books of 2009

Because not all of life is reading deep and significant (mostly) (intentional) theological works, here are a few books of a non (intentional) theological nature that I enjoyed this year:

1. The Poisonwood Bible- Barbara Kingsolver

9/10.  As a work of fiction it really is great, gripping read.  The story kind of pulls you in.  Because the story is set in a evangelical Christian missionary setting it does hit hard at some of the faults of the foreign missions movement.  It is a one-sided story but if we are honest, there is much truth to this side of the story.  Read it with some great missionary biographies and you will be richer and more nuanced in your understanding of missions in Africa.

2. The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid-  Bill Bryson

9/10 Classic Bryson!  He seems to have a great knack for researching the most bizarre yet strangely believable stories and facts.  This account of growing up in Des Moines, Iowa in the 50’s is hilarious and yet when you finish laughing you find yourself longing for a world that will never be again… sadly enough.  As with all Bryson’s  previous work – the biggest disappointment is his unnecessary usage of crude language.  Bryson is far too good of a writer to need to resort to cheap laughs.

3. The Year of Living Biblically – A.J. Jacobs

8/10 If you enjoy Bill Bryson you will enjoy Jacobs.  He has a similar writing style and that same eccentric, yet wry and clever sense of humour and turn of phrase.  Jacobs, a self-confessed, agnostic, secular Jew actually is fair and honest in his evaluations.  And his sharp criticisms of Judeo-Christian religion are at times sadly valid.  Although he admittedly has a closed mind on certain issues on which he is not prepared to entertain the options that the Judeo-Christian morality could be right.  The conclusion of his year was a bit weak but an enjoyable read that gives you an honest look at the Bible through the eyes of an unbeliever.

~ by John on January 7, 2010.