It’s easy to become so self-focused as to forget that everyone out there in the world around us has problems, dreams and challenges. So, I’m glad to have run across the following:
- City of Thorns: Nine Lives in the World’s Largest Refugee Camp by Ben Rawlence — This poignant tale of nine people in Dadaab refugee camp unfolds the complexities of a place seen by different stakeholders as a “humanitarian crisis,” a “nursery for terrorists,” and a “last resort.”
- Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World by Henri Nouwen — A classic that attempts to summarize the heart of living a “spiritual” life attuned to God.
- Base Nation: How U.S. Military Bases Abroad Harm America and the World by David Vine — A challenging take on current affairs and the particular effects of U.S. militarism.
- The Confessions by St. Augustine — Perhaps the original autobiographical memoir, The Confessions gives us a glimpse into the life of one of the most influential men in the history of the Church.
- Concussion — The controversial and critically acclaimed motion picture on the NFL came out over the holidays, but has already left the main theatres. Which fits into the conspiracy theories surrounding the movie. I wonder how many viewers will see the upcoming Super Bowl with new eyes after watching Concussion?
