Gardening
The Fragrance of God
by Vigen Guroian
reviewed by Sonya VanderVeen Feddema
Guroian explores the connection between love for gardening and spiritual longing for paradise lost. Quoting church fathers, he examines why we garden and how sensory perceptions–especially smell—draw us closer to God. Both celebratory and sorrowful, these short essays will delight gardeners. (Eerdmans)
Western Civilization
The Victory of Reason
by Rodney Stark
reviewed by Lori Vanden Bosch
For years Christianity has been attacked by secular scholars; this defense of Christianity is written by an agnostic. He credits the West’s success to ideas inherent in Christianity: respect for reason, individual worth and freedom, and hope for the future. (Random House)
John Calvin
John Calvin: Steward of God’s Covenant
edited by John F. Thornton
reviewed by Phil Christman
Love God? Forget propriety; give alms. Give not according to someone’s deserts but to the image of God within. A humane John Calvin—not the predestination-happy Spirit of Capitalism person we know from centuries of bad press—emerges in this fine anthology, with a brilliant preface by Marilynne Robinson. (Vintage)
Memoir
The Boys
by John Terpstra
reviewed by Otto Selles
In this moving memoir, Terpstra recounts the lives of his three brothers-in-law, who bravely lived with muscular dystrophy until their early 20s. Written with great honesty and poetic grace, the book celebrates the gift of life and the joy provided by family ties and marriage. (Gaspereau Press)
classical music
Evening in the Palace of Reason
by James R. Gaines
reviewed by Randall Engle
The meeting of the old composer Bach and young king Frederick the Great is set to illustrate the conflict as the Baroque era gives way to the Enlightenment. Meanwhile, the book explains the intriguing events surrounding the composition of Bach’s final masterpiece, A Musical Offering. (HarperCollins)
Statistics
(that’s right, Statistics)
Struck by Lightning
by Jeffrey S. Rosenthal
reviewed by Jim Romahn
How likely are you to be struck by lightning, win a lottery, or die in a plane crash? Professor Jeffrey Rosenthal not only wonders those things but also researches the answers. His passion for mathematical probabilities sparkles in this entertaining and informative read. (HarperCollins)
Family Prayers
A World of Prayers
selected by Jeremy Brooks
reviewed by Lori Vanden Bosch
Refresh your family’s prayer life with this delightful picture book of world prayers. You’ll find prayers for morning, meals, and more. Some are touching, some funny, like this English mealtime prayer: “Give us all in the struggle and sputter / Our daily bread and a bit o’ butter.” (Eerdmans)
Heaven
Bringing Heaven Down to Earth
by Nathan Bierma
reviewed by Wayne Brouwer
Over against consumerist worldliness, Bierma urges a worldly Christianity. Christians often dwell on a speculative future existence; we need more realism and seriousness regarding the earthiness of our created condition. Bierma probes the implications of Revelation-inspired visions of a new creation. (P & R Publishing)
Holocaust
Yellow Star
by Jennifer Roy
reviewed by Kristy Quist
Syvia spent her childhood in the Lodz Jewish ghetto of Poland. Hidden from the Nazis, she was one of 12 children who survived. Jennifer Roy shaped her Aunt Syvia’s memories into this poignant free verse narrative for young adults. (Marshall Cavendish)
