Thursday, December 9, 2010

Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: a Modest Bestiary by David Sedaris

Sedaris borrows from the traditional Aesop’s Fables format in Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk to comment on the trials and tribulations of modern life.  Each story features anthropomorphic animals who offer brutal insight and occasional moral lessons on life, society, and relationships.  The dark, sadistic humor of the fables won’t leave you feeling warm and fuzzy but the stories are certainly entertaining.  This collection may not be as good as Sedaris’ biographical essays but will still appeal to fans of humor writing.

Listen to a fun interview with Sedaris about Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk from NPR.



Kimberly

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Matthew's Story: from Sinner to Saint by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

This is the final volume in "The Jesus Chronicles," written by the authors of the blockbuster "Left Behind" series.  While not receiving the same level of publicity as that series, the books have been passed from hand to hand in many churches.  Each of the four novels recounts the story behind one of the Gospel accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus.  "Matthew's Story" begins with a terrifying account of the death of Matthew's baby brother in the Slaughter of the Innocents and follows his career as a reviled tax collector for the Romans.  Once he is called by Jesus, he begins recording everything Jesus says and does.  The narrative follows the text of the Gospel closely and lets the reader walk in Matthew's footsteps.  The full text of the Gospel is appended to the novel, so the reader can flip back and forth between the narrative and the Scripture.  The book makes for inspirational reading for those who want to learn more about the Gospel story.

Dawn

Matthew's Story