summer lit

I realized awhile back that I wasn't reading enough fiction. By virtue of my line of work and study I'm almost constantly reading something but the bulk of this reading tends to hover around the areas of theology and biblical studies. When I realized that I hadn't read an actual novel in quite awhile I was a bit distressed. I personally think a good dose of fiction is one of the best ways to better understand reality and keep it in perspective. I also think that good novelists are able to portray truth and its implications as well as the consequence of actions much better than most theological writers. Also, as a person whose work is largely concerned with clear communication I think I can learn how to preach better by reading good literature. It's a shame to me that many preachers today ( myself included) don't utilize more creativity when crafting sermons. Oh, that there were more poets in the pulpits.

Anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say is that reading of all sorts is good for the soul and it's even better if the diet's a balanced one. So here's the list of fiction that I've added to my already long summer reading list:

The Road - Cormac McCarthy (finished)

How to Be Good - Nick Hornby (finished)

The Orc King - R.A. Salvatore (finished)

Frankenstein - Mary Shelley (read this as a kid and am currently rereading)

The Plague - Albert Camus (on deck)

Dracula - Bram Stoker (read this in high school and have been meaning to reread it for awhile)

The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde (I meant to read this a long time ago and never did)

Are any of you reading any worthwhile fiction that I should add to the list?

yet another post spawned by my man-crush on the avett brothers

This is a song from the forthcoming EP.  It's great.  Now I promise not to say anything else about The Avett Brothers for at least a month.

great expectations, 2

Things are progressing normally with the baby.  Here is today's email update from "What to Expect When You're Expecting": 

WEEK 16: NOW HEAR THIS

Listen up: Tiny bones in your fetus's ears are in place this week, making it likely that the baby can hear your voice when you're speaking (or singing in the shower). In fact, studies have found that babies who are sung to while they're in the womb recognize the same tune when it's sung to them after they are born (so choose your baby Muzak with that in mind…). And baby's busily boning up in other ways. For one, the backbone (along with the back muscles) is stronger now — strong enough, in fact, to enable your baby to work on straightening his or her head and neck even more. Baby's crown-to-rump measurement is between four and five inches in length, and weight is hovering around three ounces. 
This little one's a looker — with a face that has both eyebrows and eyelashes — but a skinny looker since there's no baby fat yet. And here's the skinny on baby skin: It's practically translucent now, so if you took a peek inside your uterus, you'd be able to see your baby's blood vessels under that thin skin. 

the avett brothers, columbia edition

We had the opportunity yet again to go and see The Avett Brothers in concert tonight over in Columbia, MO.  For those who might think we are becoming too obsessive about these guys since this is the third time we've seen them in about a year, there a few things to keep under consideration.  For instance, Brooke will soon be very pregnant and once she gives birth it will probably be a good long while before we are able to just go out to a show.  Also, we will soon be moving to the other side of the world (literally) where it's unlikely we'll be able to see the Avett's perform unless they explode popularity-wise, which would be fine with us.  All that's to say, we'll take what we can get while we can get it.

A couple of parting thoughts from the evening:

1. These guys absolutely rock and put on one of the best shows I've ever seen.  Go to their website and see if they're playing anywhere near you.  If they are, go.  No excuses.  Simple as that.

2. Drunk people make shows less enjoyable.  I'm all about enjoying a beer or two during a concert, but really what's the point of being obnoxiously inebriated and annoying everyone around you?  When you go to the show near you (notice I didn't say if) and you are inclined to partake simply know how to say enough.  You'll enjoy the night much more and so will everyone around you.