Radical by David Platt

A very good and true approach to the Gospel. A corrective to the rampant materialism in the church. I think also a coherent philosophy of ministry focused on discipleship building (missions) as the focus of the church.

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Like the title of the book, this is a story with many levels of significance. It is a wonderful, well-written, long book. It is full of medical and literary references. It deals with culture, religion, politics, race, and language. The story informs the concepts of self, genetics, parentage, adoption. I could go on.

The medicine is of course impeccable, given the medical stature of the author.

If I gave out stars for the books on my list ... let me just say as I have said for some other books on this list, "Do yourself a favor, read this book, you are in for a treat."

Innocent by Scott Turow

We enjoyed this legal mystery. The writing is fairly good, and one cares about all the characters. There are enough twists and turns to keep you on your toes. It would make a good movie though it is a fairly typical courtroom murder mystery.

Blue Latitudes by Tony Horwitz

Follows Captain Cook and his voyages, interspersed with the author's own travels and research on the same locales, and investigating how Cook is remembered now: both revered and hated. It is amazing how a man with such humble beginnings in a class-bound society could accomplish so much. Though he achieved great fame and acclaim, his life was hard and seemingly comfortless. A picture of a lonely, self-driven man who must have loved the sea. He boldly went where no man had gone before!