From time to time, I use this space to point out a particular satellite of the blogosphere which has recently caught my attention... For the last several months (maybe even a year or so now), I've been particularly captivated by a site called The Big Picture -- which describes itself as follows:

...The Big Picture is a photo blog for the Boston Globe/boston.com, entries are posted every Monday, Wednesday and Friday by Alan Taylor. Inspired by publications like Life Magazine (of old), National Geographic, and online experiences like MSNBC.com's Picture Stories galleries and Brian Storm's MediaStorm, The Big Picture is intended to highlight high-quality, amazing imagery - with a focus on current events, lesser-known stories and, well, just about anything that comes across the wire that looks really interesting. ...

Amsterdam Asp (my old blog)

Elliot says... (Elliot Asp)

Eva Ellingsworth (Eva Ellingsworth)

Deurpost (Marc la Porte)

èMBé - (Michaël Belgraver)

In Revision (Naomi Triggs)

Linda Kitchen (Linda Kitchen)

Polo Pix (Marco Pauws)

Being Free (Todd Watkins)

Chanchanchepon (Billy Williams)

Jason Slack (Jason Slack)

Dream Awakener (JR Woodward)

Geert Jan & Anne (Geert Jan and Anne van Dijk)

hay'kin'en (Noel Heikinnen)

Hopelessly Uncool (Jay Asp)

Krista's Random Thoughts (Krista Davis)

Meghawoman's Musings (Meaghan Thomson)

Eikon (Matt McClure)

Post Secret

Reflections (Jeff Kern)

She likes purple... and conversation (Jenni Lafferty)

Starbucks Forever (Guy de Lijster)

Twenty-Two Words (Abraham Piper)

Yet I Will Rejoice (Sander Chan)

* Please feel free to let me know (eric.asp@amsterdam50.nl) if you'd like to submit your blog for consideration to be added to this listing.

Answers.com (www.answers.com)

an aggregator of other on-line office resources, including tools such as encyclopedia, dictionary, thesaurus, almanac, and language translation

in its own words:  The world’s encyclodictionalmanacapedia, Answers.com gives you free access to 4 million topics from over 100 dictionaries, encyclopedias and much more…

Wikipedia.com (www.wikipedia.com)

an on-line encyclopedia; a good source of general information (though less than 100 percent scientifically reliable)

in its own words:  the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit

Pandora Internet Radio (www.pandora.com)

an amazing way to listen to your favorite music and discover new artists in a similar vein of old favorites

in its own words:  Ever since we started the Music Genome Project, our friends would ask: “Can you help me discover more music that I'll like?” Those questions often evolved into great conversations. Each friend told us their favorite artists and songs, explored the music we suggested, gave us feedback, and we in turn made new suggestions. Everybody started joking that we were now their personal DJs. We created Pandora so that we can have that same kind of conversation with you…

9292 (www.9292ov.nl)

door-to-door directions via public transportation, timed out to the minute, from any two addresses within the Netherlands

in eigen woorden:  9292 is onderdeel van REISinformatiegroep B.V., de onafhankelijke informatiespecialist voor alle openbaar-vervoerdata in Nederland voor bus, trein, tram, metro, veerboot en taxi. De routebeschrijvingen die tot stand komen via de OV planner, zijn uiterst betrouwbaar en gebaseerd op de meest recente dienstregelingen van alle openbaar vervoerbedrijven in Nederland…

Uitburo (www.uitburo.nl)

A nearly limitless listing of things to do in Amsterdam (theater productions, concerts, exhibits, etc.), searchable by date, region, and genre

in eigen woorden:  Door het voeren van een landelijk uitgaansmerk onder de noemer Uitburo ontstaat een complete, betrouwbare en voor de consument herkenbare informatievoorziening over kunst en cultuur in de brede zin…

Amsterdam.nl (www.amsterdam.nl)

the official website of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with a link to its English-language counterpart iamsterdam.com

in its own words:  Amsterdam's appeal lies in its rich cultural heritage, diverse & creative culture, commercial dynamism and high quality of life. Ultimately, the city's strongest asset is its people: the people who live here, the people who work here, the people who study here, and the people who visit here…

WorldLingo (www2.worldlingo.com)

the best on-line translator that I’ve found up to this point

in its own words:  WorldLingo helps people communicate and do business with foreign markets in 141 languages…

Zolder50 (www.amsterdam50.nl)

My church in Amsterdam

In its own words: Zolder50 is a Christian community of people who come from many different countries, religious (and non-religious) backgrounds, cultures and lifestyles. It is a forum where people can seek the deeper meaning of life and investigate spirituality. We are connected as brothers and sisters through our common belief in the God of the Bible and His son, Jesus Christ. No matter where you are at in your spiritual journey, you are welcome here, as a friend and fellow seeker...

Great Commission Ministries (www.gcmweb.org)

My employer since 1999

In its own words: GCM creates church communities for the next generation, mobilizes missions worldwide, and provides leadership development opportunities. Their purpose is to help fulfill Jesus' Great Commission by creating and networking churches for the next generation around the world…

Great Commission Churches (www.gccweb.org)

Movement of churches through which I am ordained as a pastor

In its own words: "Great Commission Churches is a U.S. based fellowship of independent churches designed to equip, unite and provide accountability to churches and ministries that have a desire to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. Our heart is that churches will model "New Testament Christianity in Action Today..."

h2o – Bowling Green (www.h2ochurch.com)

The church in which I was involved when I first really started to follow God

In its own words: h2o is a university organization and church designed for college students on the campus of BGSU and in the city of Bowling Green. We seek to creatively communicate the timeless message of the Bible that has changed millions of lives over thousands of years. Whether you are thirsty for a college church or searching for answers to spiritual questions, check out h2o and experience the Living Water…

Bowling Green State University (www.bgsu.edu)

My alma mater and a significant part of my life from 1995 to 2002

In its own words: BGSU is a dynamic, innovative academic environment that challenges you to open yourself to new ideas, learn in an integrated context and continually grow and achieve…

Shelby, Ohio (www.shelbyohio.org)

My hometown from 1987 to 1995

Description from wikipedia.com: Shelby is a city in Richland County, Ohio, United States. It is part of the Mansfield, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 9,821 at the 2000 census…

Bible Gateway (www.biblegateway.com)

the full text of the Bible, fully searchable, in dozens of translations

in its own words:  The Bible Gateway is a tool for reading and researching scripture online -- all in the language or translation of your choice! It provides advanced searching capabilities, which allow readers to find and compare particular passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference…

rejesus (www.rejesus.co.uk)

a great site to explore the history, character, message, and general significance of Jesus

its own words:  Two thousand years after he walked the earth, Jesus of Nazareth remains one of those most talked-about and influential people who has ever lived. In the pages that follow, we explore his life, character, teachings and followers. We look at how he has been quoted and misquoted, filmed and written about, worshipped and argued over…

I wouldn't exactly call it a "Top Ten" listing of my rank-ordered all-time favorite albums... Nevertheless, I've kept my listing to ten items, and they are all among my personal list of constantly evolving "favorites."

Halcyon Bird (by Eva Ellingsworth)

This is the debut album of American-born, Amsterdam-based singer-songwriter Eva Ellingsworth. And while it definitely has some of the classic "girl-with-a-guitar" / singer-songwriter / indy music feel to it -- the album also has some surprising arrangements that show off a varied musical pallette.

My personal favorite on the album is actually the first track -- "Television," with its funky non-instrumental chant feel. But I also really enjoy the songs "Life is the Giving" and "It Won't Be Long."

The songs also have a special affect on me because I've watched a number of the songs be "born" -- also having the privilege of counting Eva as a personal friend and tracking her development as a musician from very early on.

* * * * *

Why Should the Fire Die? (by Nickel Creek)

I bought the album just for the song "Doubting Thomas" -- which I had heard on the (internet) radio; the songs tight harmonies and heartfelt lyrics made it unforgetable to me long before I had the song in my own collection. But after acquiring a copy of the CD for myself, I came to appreciate each song on the album in its own right. "Country music" is usually not my thing (though this album would be more accurately labelled as "Bluegrass" or -- as some have told me "New-grass")... But I'm glad to make an exception in the case of Nickel Creek.

Other tracks that have become favorites include "When in Rome" and "Somebody More Like You." I tend to skip over a few of the songs in the middle of the album (the ones that tend to be a little bit closer to the "Country" end of the spectrum) -- but this is only to be expected with most albums. All in all, "Why Should the Fire Die?" is a great album.

* * * * *

Bootleg (by Larry Norman)

It's funny how music has such specific associations in our minds, isn't it? When I listen to this album, I can still remember the first time that I heard the music of Larry Norman -- on one of my first weekends home from college, in the tiny upstairs apartment of a run-down house that my parents were renting after my Dad had changed careers, with my brother and my father trying to explain the album to me (the song they sang was "Walking Backwards Down the Stairs") until I made them give up and just play the old record for me in the room that my brothers were sharing at the time.

Larry Norman was one of the first people to combine "Rock 'n Roll" music with Christian lyrics. Although I would consider the musical genre to be more "Folk" than "Rock" -- there's still something beautiful and pure about Larry Norman's music, especially from the early years (i.e. Bootleg). If you've never given Larry Norman a try, I'd highly recommend it (though you may need to listen through a few songs to really get a feel for him).

* * * * *

Anthology of Bread (by Bread)

I think my parents must have had an 8-track tape or audio cassette of one of Bread's albums -- because I can vaguely remember a number of the songs as being a part of our family's car rides. At the time, I usually viewed it as a bothersome interruption to a string of kids' music (like Psalty the Singing Songbook or "Songs that Tickle Your Funny Bone")... But I understand now why our parents would occasionally say, "OK. OK. Now it's time for Mommy to pick a tape!" And as far as Mommy and Daddy tapes went, Bread was a pretty good one...

I rediscovered Bread again in my teenage years, and I've continued to appreciate their music to this day. They're the ultimate in 1970s mellow, smooth sounds with guitars, strings, and voices. Favorite songs from this album include "Aubrey" and "Diary" -- but the all-time favorite has to be "If." Among other reasons for loving the song, Marci and I consider "If" to be "our song." We danced to it at our wedding, and the song continues to provide a meaningful expression of our love for each other. It's a really beautiful song with beautiful words.

* * * * *

In Between Dreams (by Jack Johnson)

I think I discovered Jack Johnson about a year and a half after everyone else in the Western hemisphere did... So I won't pretend that this is a highly original pick for Recommended Music -- nevertheless, I feel that it deserves a place among my Recommendations.

If I could play guitar and write music, this is the kind of stuff that I would want to be playing and writing. I appreciate the clever lyrics and meaningful commentary on life, love, and memory -- and the smooth sounds of Jack Johnson's voice and guitar are a great backdrop to any cafe conversation (which is, incidentally, how I actually discovered this album, on a date with Marci at our local Cafe Springer) or bicycle ride through the streets of Amsterdam (via headphones).

* * * * *

Give Up (by The Postal Service)

Props to Eva for turning me on to The Postal Service. This is definitely a different kind of band from what I would typically listen to -- very electronic, very beat-driven, very artsy -- but I've really come to enjoy this album.

In particular, the lyrics of the songs really catch one's attention. They're sometimes very bizarre and raw and seemingly apoetic -- but they really give fresh perspectives to timeless well-worn themes, like the following lyrics about a break-up: "I can't accept that it's over...
And I will block the door like a goalie tending the net
In the third quarter of a tied-game rivalry." The music itself is also interesting (even if somewhat artificial), and the tunes really stick in one's mind hours after listening to the music.

And, for an extra-unusual side note about this album, the song "Such Great Heights" serves as the ringtone for my mobile phone -- a nice, subtle, instrumental section leading off the song that works well for creating a unique signal that my phone is going off without annoying the heck out of the guy sitting next to me on the tram.

* * * * *

Rubber Soul (by The Beatles)

I've heard that there's supposed to be some kind of personal profile that can be developed for a person based solely on their favorite album by the Beatles... so I don't know what "Rubber Soul" might have to say about me -- but whatever it is, that must be what I am, because this is definitely my favorite of the Fab Four.

After their bubble-gum pop rock days... but before their psychadelic maharaja trippy days... "Rubber Soul" is a great blend of infectious melodies, tight three-part harmonies, and bizarre story-telling. Many of the songs on this album are great... but if I had to pick just one, I'd probably go for "Run for Your Life."

* * * * *

Greatest Hits (by Simon and Garfunkel)

What is it about me and early 1970s folk rock music? I have a strange affinity for the music from this decade before my consciousness began. And nobody defines this era and this genre of music quite like Simon and Garfunkel. This particular "Greatest Hits" collection (that is to say, there are others as well) seems to me to be the most complete. Regretably, this album (like any other Simon and Garfunkel greatest hits compilation) does not contain what might be my favorite Simon and Garfunkel song of all time: "Seven O'Clock News / Silent Night." However, with "Mrs. Robinson," "The Sound of Silence," and "The 59th Street Bridge Song" -- among other classics, this album more than makes up for the one omission.

For some reason, I've never really been able to latch onto Paul Simon in his post-Garfunkel era quite as much as the stuff that the two of them managed to put out together... But that's the beauty of recorded music, I guess. The music of the early 1970s can be just as real and beautiful today as it was then.

* * * * *

Songs for Silverman (by Ben Folds)

I've had to very seriously wonder if this might be my favorite musical album of all time. Piano-driven accompaniment, smooth vocal solos with occasional well-blended harmonies, clever lyrics... these are all ingredients for a great album, in my mind. So it only makes sense that Ben Folds' "Songs for Silverman" would be so darn appealing.

I will say (and take this as a warning, for those with a more sensitive nature) that there's a good bit of profanity on the album -- which could probably be done without. But even so, I appreciate the sense of honesty that comes across in Ben Folds' music. "Jesusland"... "Landed"... "Trusted"... "Late"... "Sentimental Guy"... Any one of these could typically qualify for a "best-song-on-the-album" number -- so when they're all together on the same disc, you know you've got a good one.

* * * * *

The Planets (composed by Gustav Holst)

I remember it as clearly as the sun coming up over the summer prairie. The thunderous refrain of "Mars" rumbling through the massive speakers mounted in the back of my cousin Andy's hatchback as we spanned the distance between the North Dakota / Manitoba border and our Winnipeg destination. The golden sun was pouring out its first light over the Great Plains of Canada. And it felt like the three of us in the car were the only human beings in existence -- racing toward the end of the world. This was the first time that I heard the classical work of Gustav Holst's "The Planets." And the feeling that I described above is still the feeling I get whenever I hear this album again.

"The Planets" was written like a film score -- decades before the first true Hollywood film scores were composed. It's got such powerful mood and imagery... A truly great piece of music.

I wouldn't exactly call it a "Top Ten" listing of my rank-ordered all-time favorite films... Nevertheless, I've kept my listing to ten items, and they are all among my personal list of constantly evolving "favorites."

About a Boy

To be honest, I've never been a huge fan of Hugh Grant; however, in this film, he seems ideally suited for his role as the self-centered drifter/playboy who finds meaning and purpose in reluctantly-accepted relationships with other people.  The story in this film is very powerful and entertaining (in general, I find that I enjoy movies with a strong plot and sense of story), and the message of the film seems very appropriate for our times.  In a lot of ways, I think the Church could learn from films like this (isn't every home group kind of like the grouping of people in the living room in the closing scene?).

I also enjoy the technical ways in which the film was put together.  There's a curious sense of visual irony that I find fresh and innovative.  Also, the music in the film is well-chosen and complementary to the story that's being told -- not to mention the fact that the editing is executed with a sense of rhythm and musicality.  I don't want to sound too technical or film-critic-ish... but there's something about my background in videography that gives me a deeper appreciation for "About a Boy."  The technical side of things considered together with the story-telling side of things is what makes this film one of my favorites.

*     *     *     *     *

Band of Brothers

I can scarcely think of a story more compelling than that of the men of Easy-Company, of the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army in the Second World War.  And while this film series easily stands on its own merit, there are a number of reasons why the story in "Band of Brothers" appeals to me in a deeply personal way.

I distinctly remember my first exposure to the Band of Brothers -- watching the first several episodes projected onto a bed-sheet in the cozy confines of "the Zolder" back in my first days in Amsterdam.  I remember the smell of the freshly sanded and treated wood in the Zolder... I remember the taste of the popcorn that had been slightly burned in the microwave... and most of all, I remember the men with whom I watched the film.  Without being too corny or clichéed, we were like our own "Band of Brothers," trying to establish a spiritual "beachhead" for a church in central Amsterdam.  The film really resounded with our experience.  And even to this day, I can relate many of my most profound personal experiences in Amsterdam church-planting to parallel experiences by the soldiers in the "Band of Brothers" series.

Please be advised that this film contains intense scenes of graphic violence and offensive language.

*     *     *     *     *

Beyond the Gates of Splendor

This documentary follows the consequences of a 1950s mission to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to a stone-age Indian culture in the jungles of Ecuador.  It follows up on the events recorded in a book called "Through Gates of Splendor," which has undoubtedly been one of the most influential books in my life (playing a role in my choice of careers, my decision to move continents, and the name for my first-born son).  Half a century after the martyrdom of five American missionaries, it is absolutely astounding to see what has happened in the decades since that time.

I especially appreciate the fact that the documentary is executed with a sense of professionalism and integrity.  Such a subject matter as this is highly susceptible to inducing a campy Christian film that would so easily be relegated to the campy Christian culture of the United States.  And yet, because of the degree of cinematic integrity, this film holds appeal for a wide variety of people.  The story is bound to impact anyone who sees it and hears it.

As a side note, there are significant portions of interview footage taken of my great-uncle Frank Drown, who just so happened to lead the search team into the jungles that January when the five American missionaries turned up missing.  His accounts of that experience are absolutely gripping, even now, so many years after everything happened.

*     *     *     *     *

Big Fish

This film demonstrates great story-telling, with a kind of mythical dimension to the scenes depicted.  It's the story of a young adult discovering the intricate details of his father's past life -- separating truth from tall-tale, fact from fiction, and deciphering the code of not just those details that make up his father's life, but his own life as well.  You've got to see the film for yourself in order to completely get it.  But I really enjoy the story in this film.  It's well-written, well-acted, well-directed, and well-executed... I might even name it my favorite film put out within the last five years.

Especially at the end of the film, there is an incredible array of emotions that are stirred up as you watch the death of the father -- and you're really brought into the film, experiencing the scenes along with the other characters.  I was actually weeping at the end of the movie, the first time I saw it (which is not a very common experience for me).  It's a truly beautiful film.

*     *     *     *     *

Crash

I had heard a lot about the movie "Crash" before I ever got a chance to watch it for myself -- and to be honest, I was expecting a bit of a let-down upon my own viewing... But I was pleasantly surprised to find that the film was every bit as meaningful and compelling as I had been told.

One of the things that I really like about the film is that it attacks the issues of racism and ethnic tensions with a sense of honesty and integrity.  It doesn't come at the issues from a high-horse sense of utopian society... It doesn't type-cast any of the players into being wholly evil or wholly benificent... It shows these social tensions for the highly complicated issues that they truly are.  And one comes away from the film wondering about its application for one's own life.  Even though Los Angeles can so often seem like a world away, the problems are brought to life in such a way that makes sense to Californians and Ohioans and Amsterdammers alike.

Please be advised that this film contains graphic violence, semi-explicit sexual material, and highly offensive language.

*     *     *     *     *

Hoosiers

This is one of the most classic portrayals of Midwest American culture that I have ever seen.  If you want to experience a bit of a sense for what it feels like to live in Ohio, or Indiana, or Illinois (the part of America from which I originate), this film should supply you with a surprisingly accurate depiction of the visual landscapes, the cultural values, and the subtle-though-varied personality traits of the people (which is pretty remarkable, considering that the story is set back in the middle of the 20th Century).

Of course, I should mention that it's a sports film, too (a really good, authentic sports film -- with an uncharacteristically believable portrayal of one of my favorite sports).  This actually fits right in with Midwest American culture -- and it in no way takes away from the plot and character development of this excellent film.  Gene Hackman also delivers what I consider to be his all-time greatest performance in his role as the coach of the Hickory Huskers.

*     *     *     *     *

Garden State

I had heard about this film (and its soundtrack) for quite some time before I was actually able to get a look at it... but even with all of the "hype" given by friends and acquaintances, I was impressed with "Garden State."  I appreciated its story, its humor, and its artistry.

I still don't understand how a 29-year-old guy (Zach Braff) could be given the budget (indpendent film though it may have been) to write, direct, and star in his own film -- along with producing the entire film's soundtrack.  I'm a bit envious, actually... But "Garden State" really shows the benefits that can come from such a unified vision for a project.

Please be advised that this film contains very offensive language and some relatively mild sexual content.

*     *     *     *     *

The Shawshank Redemption

If I'm ever asked for my favorite all-time movie, my standard answer is "The Shawshank Redemption."  It's a well-produced film with quality acting -- but the story is what really makes the film.  Its central message is a valuable one, and the story is told in such a way that you can never expect exactly how the plot will resolve itself (unless, of course, you've seen the movie before!).  From start to finish, it's a very powerful film.

An interesting side-note of this film is that it was primarily shot in my "hometown" of Mansfield, Ohio (I actually grew up in Shelby -- just a short distance north of Mansfield -- but I've found it's easier to call the more well-known Mansfield my hometown).  "Shawshank Prison" is actually the Old Mansfield Correctional Institution -- just a short distance away from my father's current workplace.  This personal association is not my reason for recommending the film so highly -- but it's a fun side-note!

*     *     *     *     *

Spanglish

The thing that I really enjoy about Spanglish is its depiction of the tension that comes about from living between two cultures.  Even though the film itself portrays what it's like to be Mexican while living and acclimating to life in the United States -- it could just as easily be describing life as an American living and acclimating to life in the Netherlands.  So many issues -- from the differences between first-generation immigrants and their second-generation immigrant children... to the tension between wanting to become the same as "everyone else" while simultaneously wanting to maintain those parts of one's culture that makes one unique... to the comical perspective on a host culture -- are dead-on accurate.  It's remarkable, really.

I also enjoy the character development in this movie.  The two leads prove to be characters of strong integrity and nobility -- while being far from one-dimensional or clicheed.  While a lot of the films recommended in this space are pretty heavy -- this one manages to stay light-hearted (while still successfully avoiding being turned into fluff).  A good date movie...

*     *     *     *     *

March of the Penguins

If I were not working in full-time ministry (and, well... if I were not married with small children as well), I would be a documentary producer -- preferably working on a project like "March of the Penguins."  Ever since I was a small child watching Mutual of Omaha's "Wild Kingdom" -- I've loved nature and documentary.  Subconsciously, I believe this is why I pursued a university education in Telecommunications (with an emphasis in Video Production) -- and even today, I can sometimes wistfully wonder about "what might have been..."

Nevermind the fact that my career path took a different turn than what I had anticipated -- and nevermind the fact that even if I did stay in the Telecommunications field, documentary production would not likely be stable enough or lucrative enough to support a family -- if I were in that field, I would want to be producing films like "March of the Penguins."  It's got a great story, some amazingly innovative footage, and it shows one of the true wonders of God's Creation.  If you haven't already seen this Academy Award winning feature documentary, I would highly recommend it.

I wouldn't exactly call it a "Top Ten" listing of my rank-ordered all-time favorite books... Nevertheless, I've kept my listing to ten items, and they are all among my personal list of constantly evolving "favorites."

The Bible

Not only has this book shaped and molded the world and the course of of human history, it has changed and shaped my life in a deeply personal way. More than just a work of literature or a textbook or a moral guidebook -- I believe that the Bible is the living Word of God, self-described as being"sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires" (Hebrews 4:12).

The Bible is a unique sort of book in that, while it does present a unified story and a remarkable thematic consistency, it is actually a collection of 66 different books written across a span of 1500 years, with over 40 different authors writing in three separate languages, on three separate continents. So it doesn't exactly read like a novel, thus I wouldn't really advise a classic cover-to-cover approach toward reading the book. But it's still a very interesting book -- however one chooses to read it.

I'm constantly learning new things and gaining a deeper appreciation for different sections of the Bible, but typically my favorite parts are the narrative portions -- particularly the Old Testament histories of the nation of Israel and the New Testament gospels (the accounts of Jesus' life).

* * * * *

The Grapes of Wrath (by John Steinbeck)

One of the great American classics. I've really enjoyed a couple of Steinbeck's other novels (Of Mice and Men and Cannery Row, most notably), but I had never gotten around to reading this particular book until recently... But man, I'm glad I finally picked it up

It's astonishing to see how timely this book is -- how accurately it describes our world today -- even though its subject matter is Oklahoman migrant workers in the time of the Dust Bowl in the first half of the 20th Century! Themes of the earth's resources being mindlessly used up, soulless corporations chewing up people to stave off their own extinction, and "regular" people trying to figure themselves out and determine their place in the world in the aftermath... It's really remarkable to see how relevant it is for our current world situation.

I'm even toying with the idea of writing a novel that patterns itself off of The Grapes of Wrath -- sort of a 21st Century adaptation, if you will. I honestly don't know if that will ever get off the ground, but in any event, The Grapes of Wrath is a very worthwhile book.

* * * * *

Team of Rivals (by Doris Kearns Goodwin)

I typically prefer fiction to non-fiction -- at least as far as "pleasure reading" is considered. But this historical account of Abraham Lincoln, William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, and Edward Bates (four major American political rivals during the middle part of the 19th Century, leading up to and into the Civil War period) is absolutely fascinating.

Abraham Lincoln was an amazing historical figure. Did you know that the entirety of his formal education amounted to less than one year's worth of schooling?!?! He was entirely self-taught (even leading up to taking the bar exam to practice law in the state of Illinois). And yet, he was brilliant -- not without his faults, of course, but nevertheless brilliant.

I think I also heard that this book was a personal favorite of Barack Obama's during the formation of his Cabinet, after winning the American Presidential Elections in 2008... And I have certainly found it to be compelling enough to second that opinion.

* * * * *

Trust Me (by John Updike)

I found this book in a consignment shop in Cincinnati, Ohio. I'd never previously read anything by John Updike -- so I figured I'd give this collection of short stories a try. And since it only cost something like fifty cents, I figured it couldn't be too much of a risk.

It turned out to be enjoyable -- but not incredible. Updike has a knack for good description; his scenes are very vivid and colorful, and his characters are interesting. However, the stories all kind of washed together by the end of the collection: all upper-middle class New Englanders, on their second or third marriages, drinking martinis and hanging out together at dinner parties (the stories defintely represent something of an era in American history which can best be described by the word "swanky"). If you can find another copy of the book for fifty cents, I might recommend it to you -- but probably not if you'd have to spend more on it than that!

* * * * *

Haroun and the Sea of Stories (by Salman Rushdie)

This story is fun, imaginative, and clever. The characters have names like Goopy, Iff, and Butt, and they inhabit a fantasy-world divided by eternal day and eternal night, where people's shadows have their own personalities and everything. It's crazy, fanciful stuff. But it works -- because the book is all about the power of story.

My favorite part about the story is the language and the rhythm of it all. Rhyming schemes and catch-phrases stick with you like a pop song from the radio. The language has a distinctly Indian feel to it -- but that makes it kind of cool in its own way.

I can't say that "Haroun and the Sea of Stories" is the most profound or thought-provoking book I've ever read -- it's probably not going to change anyone's life -- but it was nevertheless an enjoyable read.

* * * * *

Charts of Christian Theology and Doctrine (by H. Wayne House)

Only the most die-hard theologians would consider this "pleasure reading" (and I do not consider myself to be among this crowd, incidentally) -- but this is a wonderful reference tool that I've found myself going back to again and again through the years.

The book is not narrative in any way; instead, it's composed of a vast array of charts laying out, in simple uncluttered language, the basic views on dozens of theological debates which have developed through the years. Various perspectives on the significance of communion... or baptism... or Calvinism versus Arminianism (which proved to be very useful for a recent home group leaders meeting at Zolder50)... or any number of other issues.

This is an excellent reference guide that I would highly recommend.

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The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (by C.S. Lewis)

I've probably read this book a dozen times -- and I still love it.

My kids love it, too. Elliot, Olivia, and I are actually on our second aural reading (it was their idea to go for the second round, by the way) of the Chronicles of Narnia -- a set of seven books about the "comings and goings" between our world (England, specifically) and a fantasy world called Narnia. In Narnia, (most of) the animals can talk, mythical creatures like Fauns, Centaurs, and Dwarves take up prominent roles in society, and the King of the Land is a magnificent talking lion named Aslan.

In the past couple of years, a new round of films based on these stories have been made -- and while the films are quite good, they really can't hold a candle to the stories. Especially if you have kids, you've got to experience these stories for yourself!

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The New Granta Book of the American Short Story (Edited and Introduced by Richard Ford)

This is a huge, fat book -- 756 pages -- packed with a brilliant collection of short stories by various American writers. Marci got me this book for Christmas of 2007 (if I remember correctly), and I've been slowly chipping away at it ever since.

As something of a writer, myself, I especially appreciate the way that the book has helped me to expand my own horizons -- thinking about different ways to tell stories. A couple of my favorite stories so far (about half-way through the book) have been "Oh, Joseph, I'm So Tired" by Richard Yates and "The Palatski Man" by Stuart Dybek... but really, each story -- even the weird ones -- have something to offer.

If you like short stories, like I do, then this is a great collection...

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The Ultimate Field Guide to Photography (by National Geographic)

Like so many others who have invested in a digital SLR camera recently, I consider myself to be something of an aspiring photographer. I can't imagine it will ever become much more than a hobby for me -- but it's an enjoyable pursuit that actually has some immediate value (at least from a documentary perspective, if not from an artistic perspective).

So when I got this book -- a gift from my friends Jason and Lindsay -- I was really excited to find clear, non-technical explanation of the basic tools of photography like aperture, shutter, focus, and lighting.

The book is beautifully illustrated with captivating photographs, and the material from the book is organized in a way that makes it useful both for casual reading and for more immediate reference. I've learned a lot from reading it.

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Aesop's Fables (by Aesop)

These stories are classic -- an integral part of Western culture for the last 2500 years. We have figures of speech which come from Aesop (the most immediate example that comes to mind is "sour grapes"). We have archetypical characters that come from Aesop (like the "sly fox").