The Shack: A work of fiction, I stress fiction, about a father whose young daughter had been murdered. Though the murder is the cause of the rest of the book it is not the focus of the book per se. Some time after the murder occurs, the father receives a note to return to “the shack” where his daughter was murdered. Obviously confused, uncertain and still angry the man contemplates where this came from; but he ultimately decides to go. The rest of the book is about the man’s encounter with God. Though it is a work of fiction, some very real questions are addressed and answered in a very real (and what I believe to be a very honest way). The way the author choices to portray God (I won’t spoil it BUT as a something you would not expect Him to look like) is astounding. As the man processes his anger at his daughter’s murderer, he is able to talk to clearly to the God figure. I really would recommend this book to pretty much anyone!!! It really does provide a new perspective about age old conversations; even though it’s a work of fiction.
In Tanzania there were days with long amounts of down time, and I was able to do some reading. I’ve read a handful of books on the race thus far; but I want to share two of them that have really touched me. If you’ve read them I would really enjoy talking to you about them (I’m kind of a nerd like that). If you haven’t read them, I recommend them to you – regardless of what types of books you usually read, and then I’d love to talk to you about them as well 😀
Same Kind of Different as Me: This book is amazing! It is a true story that shows how lives can unrepentantly become intertwined, how your life effects those around you and how love is a powerful choice, especially when times are tough. The first 50 pages set up the history of the two main characters and the writing is not superb, but it’s worth pushing through the first 50 pages. The life of a well to do paint seller intertwines with a homeless man who ran away from the plantations collide when the rich man’s wife decides the couple should volunteer at the local soup kitchen. Reading about their lives intertwining while individually they are unraveling is beautiful. It’s the first book in a long long time – though possibly ever, that has moved me to tears. It’s just such a powerful and inspiring true story.
