by Ted Koppel (Edward J. Koppel), 2015 A well-written and easy-to-read warning about our vulnerability and lack of preparedness for a cyber-attack on our electrical grid. My three main take-aways are 1. The Mormons are the pros in disaster-preparedness; 2. The Red Cross is more concerned with appearances and fund-raising and uses disasters to further […]
A Minimalist Guide to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify by Francine Jay, Miss Minimalist, 2010 Easy, fast read about getting rid of S***, and living a more meaningful life. This was 4 years before Marie Kondo’s, ‘Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.’ Francine advises a room-by-room de-cluttering effort rather than Marie Kondo’s de-clutter by type effort, but […]
by Susan Orlean, 2018 What a fantastic writer Susan Orlean is! I haven’t read a book that flows this beautifully since Herman Wouk’s, The Caine Mutiny. She details the Los Angeles Public Library fire that happened on April 28, 1986. One of the first things she tells us is why we’ve never heard of this […]
by Tim Bauerschmidt and Ramie Liddle, 2017 When Tim’s mother, aged 90, is diagnosed with uterine cancer, rather than undergo months of chemo, radiation, etc., they invite her to go on the road with them (Tim, his wife, Ramie, and their standard poodle, Ringo). She says to the doctor, “I’m ninety years old. I’m hitting […]
by Mary Roach, 2013 Funny book about all the sensationalist science on the alimentary canal, starting with taste (it’s almost all about our nose) down through all the digestive processes. She reports on a wine-tasting comparing six bottles hidden in brown paper bags. “‘At least one is under $10 and two are over $50…Over the […]
Practices that Transform Us, by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, 2005, Scanned 12/9/18 A very thorough book covering spiritual disciplines by defining them, providing Scripture verses regarding them, and exercises to build them.
A Field Guide for the Independent Traveler, by Evan S. Rice, 2017, scanned 12/8/18 Very interesting, packed little book full of all kinds of fun facts for travelers: The difference between a hobo (traveling worker), a tramp (works only when they have to), and a bum (refuses all work) Don’t worry so much Don’t pack […]
by Patricia Nelson Limerick with Jason L. Hanson, 2012 Excellent writer, she covers the history of Denver water from the mid-1800’s to present. The west was a desert, but when gold was discovered and people moved here, they needed water to live and they transformed the desert with lawns, trees, flowers, and bushes, because they […]
Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church, by N.T. Wright, 2008 Very deep book about the resurrection of Jesus and the power of it – that God brought heaven and earth together at that moment, and the power continues to radiate through us who believe. The idea that we are not Christians […]
by Phillip Keller, 1983, 2002 “A True Story of Transforming Love” He adopted a fearful, distrusting, wretched, miserable sheep dog (like us before God) and turned her into a happy, beloved, obedient, helpful, indispensable sheep dog for his ranch in Vancouver, Canada. He applied the lessons he learned from training her (Lass) to us in […]
by Erik Larson, 1999 Interesting account of the hurricane that struck and almost completely destroyed Galveston, Texas, on September 8, 1900. Told on the basis that the Weather Bureau made grave errors due to pride and ignorance, so Galveston had no warning of its impending doom. Isaac Cline was the Galveston Weather Station’s chief. Over […]
by Joan Johnson and Paul Xanthos for Brown Physical Education Activities Series, 1967 Short book (88 pages) describing everything you need to know about tennis. Under “Values:” Tennis can truly be called the sport of a lifetime, since youngsters can begin at about six years of age and their grandparents may still be playing even […]
The Arrow Writer's Handbook, Scholastic Inc., 2000 Short book (32 pages) for children packed with tips on writing. I particularly liked the tips on how to get more details into your writing: Use names. Think about exact colors, shapes, and sizes. Use comparisons. Notice all the details, even those that might not seem important at […]
100 Ways to Slow Down and Enjoy the Things That Really Matter, by Elaine St. James, 1994 Easy to read, fun little how-to book on simplifying your life. Some parts are outdated (“Drop call waiting,” “Stop the Junk Mail,” and “Get rid of your car phone”) and there is no mention of social media, e-mail, […]
by Stacy Schiff, 2010 I read 2 chapters – gave up – too speculative – Ptolemy and on and on – couldn’t finish – Thanks to Wayne – No time for bad books.
by John Ortberg, 2005 Great book. First Pres Lenten Study 2010. Wayne led small group: Dave and Norma Brown, Roger and Elizabeth Heins, Al & Rosemary Habernicht, Jim and Linda Wagner, Patrice Quadrel. Started out with a bad attitude because it’s not “The Hole in Our Gospel,” but ended up liking it very much. Especially […]
by Stephen Blanchard, PhD; Spencer Johnson, MD, 2003 Carolyn Worden’s notes: Front inside cover, “Help people reach their full potential, catch them doing something right.“ P. 61: You set one minute goals with your people to make sure they know what they are being held accountable for and what good performance looks like. You then […]
by Richard Stearns, 2009 Inspirational! A call to arms!! (Wayne’s book) FANTASTIC BOOK! Biblical truths, stories of the gospel in action, God’s heart for the poor. Everything you ever need to know about what God expects of His people. Full of the truth in plain statistics but also full of hope for what we can […]
by Sy Montgomery, 2006 Very compassionate and animal-loving female author. “Compassion means “with suffering.” Went home to be with Dad when he was dying of cancer even though he had written her off when she married Howard Mansfield (Jewish). Then, her mother, who was really the culprit, got cancer too and again she went home […]
by Philip Yancey, 1997 Is God unfair? Is God silent? Is God hidden? Reads Bible from cover to cover in 2 weeks. Analyzes it from those 3 questions. In O.T. God was not silent or hidden – didn’t result in faith or obedience. Jesus – God not unfair, silent, or hidden. Holy Spirit – in […]