The Open Table – Book Reviews
Jesus was known –some would say notoriously so—for His “open table” eating style. In the Gospels, Jesus loved to share life at the table with others and never refused an offer to eat with someone. Most of Jesus’ great discussions with His disciples and others happened around the table. In honor of that model, The Open Table is a forum where all are welcome to join in the conversation about the books suggested and more. It’s a place where book reviews will be served up, but also where other thoughts, observations, and life happenings can be discussed and ideas savored. Your participation is encouraged. All contributions will be valued and nourished. Good manners are expected of course at The Table. Welcome to The Open Table. I hope we can meet here often. Great times are ahead! –thyrkas
Wonder
Wonder, starring Jacob Tremblay, Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, and Daveed Diggs, rated PG --Review by Ashley Linne Wonder tells the story of 5th grader August “Auggie” Pullman, based on the bestselling book by the same title. Auggie was born with mandibulofacial...
White Awake
White Awake: An Honest Look At What It Means To Be White Daniel Hill InterVarsity Press, 2017 --Review by Landrum P. Leavell III, ThD. This is a powerful, transparent, and needed book to inform anyone actually involved in or looking to join the...
Beauty Will Save the World
Beauty Will Save The World: Recovering the Human in an Ideological Age Gregory Wolfe --Review by Teri Hyrkas It was the title of this book, Beauty Will Save the World (ISI Books, 2011), that caught my attention. Such a marvelous - and outlandish - statement!...
Beyond Culture
Beyond Culture by Edward T. Hall ISBN – 0-385-12474-0 --Review by Doug Balzer Understanding the mosaic of humanity is one of life’s quests, at least for me. Who doesn’t desire to know why, who, what and how we are human beings? As a minister, professor, and...
Script and Scribble
Script & Scribble: The Rise and Fall of Handwriting by Kitty Burns Florey --Review by Teri Hyrkas "I have a dilemma.... It is much easier and faster for me to write in cursive than to print, and my penmanship is near perfect mind you. Many of my students cannot...
Florence Foster Jenkins
Florence Foster Jenkins, starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant, rated PG-13 --Review by Ashley Linne As a vocalist since the age of 9, I am ashamed that I was totally unaware of the story of “Lady Florence!” This entertaining film is based on the true story of Florence...
Where Jesus Prayed
Where Jesus Prayed: Illuminating the Lord’s Prayer In the Holy Land By Danielle Shroyer Brewster, MA: Paraclete Press, 2015 Review by Landrum P. Leavell III, ThD. This book was recommended to me by my friend and fellow bibliophile, David Wahlstedt. He...
Galileo’s Daughter
Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith and Love by Dava Sobel --Review by Teri Hyrkas How does a writer transform a rigorously researched historical memoir of Galileo Galilei into a touching and fascinating family story? Author Dava Sobel...
The Art of Non-Conformity
The Art of Non-Conformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World By Chris Guillebeau ISBN: 978-1-101-44308-8 Published 2010 --Review by Douglas Balzer A pattern is emerging concerning the books I find myself resonating with. The...
Sriracha
Sriracha, short documentary directed by Griffin Hammond --Review by Ashley Linne Who knew a condiment had a cult following and its own movie? Sriracha is a 33-minute documentary about—you guessed it—Sriracha hot sauce. The film documents a condiment love like no...