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
Circe
Circeby Madeleine Miller--Review by Teri HyrkasConfession: I loved mythology as a teenager. Greek mythology, Norse mythology, and Native American legends, fables and stories were all on my bookshelf during my teen years. Filled with strong characters, many layered...
Tribal Leadership
Tribal Leadership: Leveraging Natural Groups to Build a Thriving Organization by Dave Logan and John King (2008) ISBN: 978-0-06-125130-6 --Review by Douglas Balzer We have all heard that we are “the average of the five people we spend the most time with” or “a...
The Laws of Human Nature
The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene (2018) ISBN: 9780525428145 hardcover --Review by Douglas Balzer As an avid student of human beings, the title of this book caught my attention. Then I did my research on the author, Robert Greene, I found a remarkable human...
The Misfit’s Manifesto
The Misfit’s Manifesto By Lidia Yuknavitch --Review by Landrum P. Leavell III, Th.D. The Misfit’s Manifesto is a TED book. I can’t remember where I came across it, but the title grabbed me. I’d never heard of Lidia, knew nothing of her story, and...
Mrs. Wilson
Mrs. Wilson --Review by Teri Hyrkas Mrs. Wilson is a PBS Masterpiece three-part mini-series which aired during the early spring of this year. Mrs. Wilson (scriptwriter Anna Symon) is based on the true story of Alison McKelvie Wilson's life of love, duplicity and...
Salt: A World History
Salt: A World History By Mike Kurlansky ISBN: 0-8027-1373-4 --Review by Douglas Balzer Salt, there is no doubt we need salt. Blood, sweat, and tears have the mineral salt in them. It is an essential mineral to life and good health. We generously shower our popcorn...
Tranquility
Tranquility: Cultivating a Quiet Soul in a Busy World By David W. Henderson Review by Landrum P. Leavell III, Th.D. In “Sweet” fashion, a reading friend recommended this book to me, so I had to read...
Paul: A Biography
Paul: A Biography by N.T. Wright --Review by Teri Hyrkas The title says, Paul: A Biography, which is simple and straightforward. But if you surmise from the title that N.T. Wright's latest book is a dry and dusty retelling of Apostle Paul's life, you would be...
The End of Sexual Identity
The End of Sexual Identity: Why Sex Is Too Important to Define Who We Are By Jenell Williams Paris --Review by Vern Hyndman When I’m working with husbands, I have a saying, “No wife picks a fight that she thinks she’s going to lose, so if your wife is picking a fight...
Hallelujah Anyway
Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy Anne Lamott --Review by Landrum P. Leavell III, Th.D. I remember when I read Anne’s book, Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith. I thought it was great. I loved her...