Books to read this July and August
FROM THE CHURCH LIBRARY
In July and August, the church library will be shining the spotlight on several of the biographies and memoirs on our shelves. Here are some of them:
#1
50 women every Christian should know: learning from the heroines of faith by Michelle DeRusha shares the stories of women, from Julian of Norwich (1098-1180) to Ruth Bell Graham (1920-2007). No matter when they lived, these women made a difference in the lives of people around them and had an immeasurable impact on the Kingdom of God.
#2
Seeking Allah, finding Jesus: a devout Muslim encounters Christianity by Nabeel Qureshi is an engaging and thought-provoking story of the author’s dramatic journey from Islam to Christianity – from his younger years in a loving Muslim home and his passion for Islam, to the inner turmoil upon discovering, almost against his will, evidence that Jesus rose from the dead and claimed to be God, and to the peace he eventually found in Jesus.
#3
Driving Miss Norma: one family’s journey to saying “yes” to living by Tim Bauerschmidt begins with a tragedy. Following her husband’s sudden death, 90-year-old Miss Norma is diagnosed with cancer. Instead of surgery and hospitalization, she decides to “hit the road”, traveling with her son, his spouse, and the dog cross-country in a trailer home enjoying new experiences and making new friends wherever they found themselves. We are reminded that life is beautiful and precious, and that family, fun and self-discovery can happen at any age.
We hope you are having a memoir-worthy summer and look forward to chatting about your adventures when we catch up in the fall.
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These and other selections from the Grace Church Library July-August 2023:
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Everlasting is the past – a memoir. [A journey into the author’s past to experience his loss of faith….]Walter Wangerin. Tennessee Rabbit Room Press, 2015. [813 WAN]
Faith under fire: an Army Chaplain’s memoir. [The author reveals his spiritual struggles for God after serving two years in in Afghanistan.] Roger Benimoff. Three Rivers Press, 2010. [956.7 BEN]
The gift best given: a memoir. [The author’s search for his birth mother, an ice skater with the Ice Follies, uncovers an amazing story.] Edward De Gangi. Beddington Court Press, 2020. [920 GAN]
All is grace: a ragamuffin memoir. [A former Franciscan priest recalls his spiritual journey and honors his friends and family who have supported him.] Brendan Manning. David C. Cook, 2011. [270 MAN]
In the sanctuary of outcasts – a memoir. [The author reflects on the years he spent incarcerated for bank fraud at this nation’s last leper colony and lessons he learned from the experience. Neil White. Harper Perennial, 2010. [365 WHI]
Driving Miss Norma: one family’s journey to saying “yes” to living. [In the face of terminal illness, 90-year-old Miss Norma embarks on a cross-country journey with her son, daughter-in-law, and giant poodle. Tim Bauerschmidt. Harper One, 2017. [917.304 BAU ]
God grew tired of us: a memoir. [The author’s eyewitness account describes his experiences from the terror and violence of his homeland Sudan, his escape, culture shock, and adjustment to a new life in America.] John Bul Dau. National Geographic, 2008. [325 DAU]
Long after I’m gone: a father-daughter memoir. [A father’s history-telling combines with his daughter’s personal journey of remembrance, loss, and grief.] Deborah Good. Dream Seekers Books, 2009. [306.8 GOO]
50 women every Christian should know: learning from the heroines of faith. [Stories of women who made a difference in the lives of people around them and had an immeasurable impact on the Kingdom of God.] Michelle DeRusha. Baker Books, 2014. [270.092 DER]
Seeking Allah, finding Jesus: a devout Muslim encounters Christianity. [The author describes his dramatic journey from Islam to Christianity, complete with friendships, investigations, and supernatural dreams along the way.] Nabeel Qureshi (d. 2017). Zondervan, 2014. [248.2 QUR]
The good neighbor: the life and work of Mr. Fred Rogers. [The author traces Mr. Rogers’ personal, professional and artistic life through decades of work.] Maxwell King. Abrams Press, 2018. [791.45 KIN]
The last long pastorate: a journey of Grace. [A candid and lively account of the author’s 44 years of ministry at Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest, IL.] F. Dean Lueking, pastor emeritus. Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2002. [284.1 LUE]