Unitarian Universalists discussion

What are you all reading? It doesn't have to be UU related. I think books that other UUs find interesting are more likely to be of interest to other UUs than a general mainstream reading list. I could be wrong, but let's find out.

Alice Guy Blache: Lost Visionary of the Cinema (2002) Alison McMahan. Ive had this book for a couple of years (or has it been 8 years??), it's a lot more fun once one has seen the early Gaumont films (available on Kino). Blache was an early film director, from 1896-1922. How early? She is generally considered the first person to do a narrative fiction film, rather than the traditional non-fiction film.

I generally have a fiction or literary non-fiction book that I'm reading, as well as a whole list of other books on various topics going at any given time. The books I'm currently actually reading (as opposed to having open and stalled) are:

Irish Girls About Town-a book of short fiction by Irish women writers, including Maeve Binchy. It's light reading, some good stories, some mediocre.

Love Walked In (Marisa de los Santos) - fiction, audiobook

You Are Here: Why We Can Find Our Way to the Moon, but Get Lost in the Mall (Colin Ellard; science)

A Trail Through Leaves: The Journal as a Path to Place (Hannah Hinchman)

I'm the same way--I start a book, not that into it, so I read something else and it goes on my in progress pile and it takes me awhile to pick it back up again. I'm reading junk right now:

The Quiet Invasion by Sarah Zettel, a mediocre sci-fi novel. I like her work because she's really good at building whole new races and cultures but the plot is a little irritating.

Stuff White People Like by Christian Lander, it should be called "stuff upper middle class white liberals like" but it's very funny. It describes most of my family and friends. The joke is wearing thin, though.

Bryson's Dictionary for Writers and Editors by Bill Bryson (obviously), it's got some interesting tidbits but it's a weird book because it's not someplace I'd turn to for information because it's just not long enough for how varied it is. I guess if, after I read it, I knew that I'd found the info there I'd go back, but I find my computer does the same thing faster and cheaper. I think it was handy for him to have his book of notes all formally bound and in one place. :)

I'm stalled on The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky which is supposed to be excellent but I find the main character sounds like an adult not a kid, even a really smart one, so my suspension of disbelief is suspended.

I've also got Galaxy of Heroes by Gus Flory on my list because I won it on First Reads but I talked to the author and he's redoing it and doesn't want me to read it until he does.

Kelly, is Bryson's Dictionary funny the way his other work is? That alone might make it worth reading, to me.

No, not really. It's really a reference to things that you might get confused about. I love his work and was hoping for the humor, too, but so far it's just been in the introduction.

Here's the description:

What is the difference between "immanent" and "imminent"? What is the singular form of "graffiti"? What is the difference between "acute" and "chronic"? What is the former name of "Moldova"? What is the difference between a cardinal number and an ordinal number? Bill Bryson answers these and many other questions and guides us all toward precise, mistake-free usage. Covering spelling, capitalization, plurals, hyphens, abbreviations, and foreign names and phrases, Bryson's Dictionary for Writers and Editors will be a valuable companion for all who care enough about our language not to maul, misuse, or contort it.--BOOK JACKET.

Hi everyone.

I'm currently reading Life of Rev. Hosea Ballou, by Thomas Whittemore, Volume 1, Boston: James M. Usher, 1854. I like books with a lot of history in 'em -- names, dates, facts, and developments -- this book covers all of that, and plenty old-fashioned Universalist theology too.

I'm also updating my two books for UUs: The Church Where People Laugh, a UU joke book, and A Who's Who of UUs, which is just that. Always looking for new material for each book. (gwenfoss dot com for more info)

A UU joke book? That's wonderful!

What am I reading now?

Just finished "Joan Blondell: A Life Between Takes" (2007)-
slowly reading "Declaratio: Michael Servetus's Revelation of Jesus Christ the Son of God" by Matteo Gribaldi (1500s - first English Translation 2010. Includes a nice biography of Gribaldi, and how to tell his writings from Servetus. I suspect I will just take whoever's word on who wrote what.

have "River of Fire, River of Water" on Pure Land Buddhism on the ebook reader.

This summer I read Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer which led me to some of his source material and then a bunch of general books on new religious movements. I kind of burned out, though it was very interesting.

Kelly, what were the books on new religious movements? They sound interesting!

Argh, my library got rid of the history feature so I can't just look them up easily and I never changed their status from to-read to read. I have to try to remember their covers...

Well it all started when my mom gave me Stolen Innocence: My Story of Growing Up in a Polygamous Sect, Becoming a Teenage Bride, and Breaking Free of Warren Jeffs to read. I normally don't read those types of books but neither does my mom so I tried it anyway and it actually was really well done, very fair, not sensationalistic.

It got me thinking about Mormonism so I read Krakauer's book and some responses to it on the web, but that wasn't enough, so I checked out a whole bunch from the library, including several from his bibliography. The ones I read and remember are:


Understanding New Religious Movements (textbook-ey but good info)

No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith (the quintessential book on Smith, widely accepted by both Mormons and non-Mormons)

Mystics and Messiahs: Cults and New Religions in American History (Krakauer borrowed heavily from this book. It was pretty good.)

New Religions: A Guide: New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative Spiritualities (this one was an excellent sourcebook but a dense read)

Deadly Cults: The Crimes of True Believers (this one is embarrassing and the book was terrible but it was like watching a car wreck)Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements

I currently have on order:

Odd Gods: New Religions and the Cult Controversy

Heaven's Harlots: My Fifteen Years As a Sacred Prostitute in the Children of God Cult

Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know--And Doesn't

God Is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run the World--and Why Their Differences Matter

The last two aren't about new religious movements but they're supposed to be good and I saw the author on The Daily Show.

I also read a kid's book about Unitarianism which was pretty good, although it had a couple of inaccuracies:
What Makes Me A... ? - Unitarian

Hope that helps.

Interesting. I audited a class on gnosticism back in grad school but I don't remember that much about it. I should do some reading. I love the former radio show title!

Those souhd good. Are you enjoying them?

Jackie- which edition (year) of Challenge did you read?
I know that George Marshall has been deceased a few years now.

I am reading Lit: A Memoir by Mary Karr. It was on the list for my Women's Sprituality Book Club. It is a very interesting look at her life as an alcoholic and difficulty accepting the spiritual/religious aspects of AA.

Currently:

The Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide
A Floating City by Jules Verne
Yoga For Dummies
Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine

Just finished reading Arthur C. Clarke's Firstborn and have also read A Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism by John A. Buehrens & Forrest Church

Thinking Is Authorized! by Nash Khatri

Finished The Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide, a Floating City (boring!) and Yoga For Dummies. Have added Childhood's End (Arthur C. Clarke) and Tao Te Ching (Laozi).

What I'm reading Now:

All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono

Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux

The Great Transformation: The Beginning of Our Religious Traditions

Mitakuye Oyasin: We Are All Related

I am reading Jimmy The Swede's Handbook On Playing Lotteries (James Carlson,PhD-author Kindle eBook)

Kidnapped (Robert Louis Stevenson-author-Kindle eBook)

I have other kindle eBooks. I am really beginning to get into this Kindle thing. I don't have a Kindle device but downloaded FREE the Kindle software for my PC.

I play the lottery regularly so I like reading different authors on lottery playing (Gail Howard/Jimmy The Swede/etc.)It gives you more info and learn different theories. My Dad loved playing the ponies but lost regularly. His last wife taught him how play the ponies and WIN!! That wife was his favorite.

I love classic writers (Mark Twain/Dickens/etc).

I love HAWAII (Michener)and his other books.

I'm reading summer trash...

Dreaming the Dark by Starhawk and Serving with Grace, I'm also running discussion groups on both at the CUUPS Book Club...

Liz

That's great, Liz! What's the CUUPS Book Club?

Kelly wrote: "That's great, Liz! What's the CUUPS Book Club?"

Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans

I am re-reading Harry Potter as I am introducing the series to my 7 1/2 year old son and am reading it to him. I am also reading The Persian Pickle Club set in 1930's Kansas.

I read too many books, and too frequently to sum up "what I'm reading" that easily, but I've read a lot of Marcus Borg's books on Christian topics lately. I've gotten to where I feel I've grasped his world view and thesis, so they start to repeat a bit. I've been interested in William Blake and authors who grapple with the balance between the dark and light sides of life-- the devil and angel sides. Also, I like sociology and especially lately stuff about the history of our view of marriage and romantic love.

I am now reading Mennonite in a Little Black Dress which is a memoir -- it is humorous and I am learning about a culture/religious group that I knew little about previously.

I'm reading The Gospel According to Jesus by Stephen Mitchell. The author comes from an Eastern thought perspective. He tries to unravel the historical Jesus from the layers of interpretation and doctrine, what he finds in Jesus is a mirror to his Eastern framework, a mystic with a message that is quite similar to Buddhism with a benevolent loving father as God.

Hi Alexandra, I read A Midwife's Story which is about a midwife who worked closely with the Amish...very interesting! Check it out!
Liz

I have just read " If the Church Were Christian: Rediscovering the Values of Jesus" by Philip Gulley. Gulley is a Quaker pastor. He advocates doing what Jesus is reported to have said rather than what two millennia of followers have advocated. It gives me some hope for our nation so controlled by those who call themselves Christian but teach and practice mean spiritedness and hatred.

Incidentally, I have been enjoying the Facebook postings of "The Christian Left".

Is that sarcastic or for real? :) (Just the group, not that Christians can't be left wing.)

I just finished reading: The War Is Language 101: Short Works by Nath Jones
It consists of short stories that are not exactly light reading, as Ms. Jones tackles all sorts of political and social topics with them that would appeal to UUs and others that are broad-minded with an ironic sense of humor.

Hi everyone, I know it's been a long time since I've been active here...but I haven't been reading much...until now. I got a Kindle for Christmas....and I'm reading everything! Currently into The Hunger Games, which I think would be a great book for a UU youth group book club. In the non fiction area I'm reading A Brief History of Time, by Steven Hawking.

Tell me more, Liz. I haven't finished The Hunger Games (because I hated it but everyone I know loved it). What about it do you think would be good for UU teachings?

I have a Nook and it actually has increased my reading, too. I didn't realize that until you said something.

I just read Fluent in Faith by a UU minister -- it is available from Beacon Press or on the Kindle. It was an interesting book and my women's book group at church had a nice discussion around it. I am actually reading more on my kindle since I can switch between that and reading on my new iphone and found that while waiting at dr's offices or to get my car inspected I read that instead of magazines. Happy reading!

I'm also curious about your thoughts on The Hunger Games for a UU youth group book club. Tell us more!

I'd like to know more, too.

I am currently reading and revising a book that I wrote last year. It is called Journey To The Kingdom: Master of Your Destiny 3. This book describes the process of transformation that one has to go through in order to purify the self and be ready to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

You can check it out on smashwords and even download free chapters. Here is the link, http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...

The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier...About a transplanted English Quaker in rural Ohio in the 1850s who is caught up with the growing abolitionist movement of that time and the secret Underground Railroad...Chevalier went to college at Oberlin so she has a good grasp on the area and her characters to true to life..Ive read all of her other books and this one hasn't disappointed me.

I partially read the Hunger Games too and hated it so you aren't the only one....I think one can write good books for tweens/teens without all the violence and sensationalist shock and awe that the younger generation seems almost addicted to in order to hold their interest in a film or book..Lois Lowery , author of Son and The Giver, is a perfect example of a better storyteller and a more profound message for young people.....I prefer her books over The Hunger Games..

I just read "The Favored Daughter" by Fawzia Koofi and learned so much about Afghanistan history and culture. Fawzia Koofi's story is one of survival and strength. She writes letters to her daughter interspersed with her life story. I find the book a page-turner and very inspirational to read. She also recently was interviewed by Jon Stewart on The Daily Show and he thinks everyone should read this book. I agree with him.

Stephanie wrote: "I partially read the Hunger Games too and hated it so you aren't the only one....I think one can write good books for tweens/teens without all the violence and sensationalist shock and awe that th..."

Thank you. I loved The Giver. I think there are so many amazing YA books out there that don't get any press.

I am reading The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs by Carmine Gallo. I am seriously trying to learn how to be an effective speaker.

He was definitely a good speaker. Is the book good?

I am reading The Omnivore's Dilemma. Local farmers came and spoke at our fellowship a few months ago and raved about it. I think it's an important read in order to make an informed decision of what to eat.

My sister loved that book.

I just finished reading What We Talk about When We Talk about God. I was a bit disappointed - not because the book is bad, but because I expected something different. I was hoping for something more interdenominational. It's very much rooted in Christianity. It's exciting and affirming for Christians, but isn't as inclusive as I wished.

We Are Water by Wally Lamb

Did you like it?