Flabbergasted Trilogy, by Ray Blackston

This was my first introduction to singlehood from a guy's perspective, and his pursuit of a gal. It's the story of Jay Jarvis, a young, successful stockbroker, who just got transferred to a new state and then dumped by his girlfriend. His real estate agent suggests scoping out the churches to find a new girl--apparently that's where she had found some of her best clients. Well, Jay hasn't been to church in a long time and isn't quite sure about this new strategy, but he goes for it. The adventure that follows is filled with humour, honesty, and engaging characters. There's Beatrice, the 80 year old big-hearted gardener who also happens to be very rich in stocks and bonds, and Maurice, the church janitor whose smarter than he looks and has fun putting Post-it notes quoting "only here to meet girls" over a single guy's picture on the church bulletin board. Then there's Darcy, the eccentric girl who drives a lime green Cadillac convertible, and Allie, the preacher's daughter who is a missionary in South America.
"Flabbergasted" is then followed by "A Delirious Summer," and finally, "Lost in Rooville." It's all fun, clean reading that will have you laughing out loud and pondering some things you haven't before.

Published by Revell, 2003-2005.

The Shack, by William Young

Living in Ireland for the past couple years, I was a little late in hearing all the hype about this book, which has topped many bestseller charts and got the church communities talking. My mom sent it to me a while back, with some precautions, but she didn't want to say too much. She preferred for me to read it with an open mind and then "we'll talk about what you think." Well, what I thought was a lot of things...Mr. Young is a very good writer; there's some flawed theology in here; this book is going to influence a lot of people for the worse. You may think I'm being too critical, but I am going to do something which I promise to not make a habit of: I would like to direct you to a review of this book, written by Tim Challies, the author of "The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment," and also owner of "The Discerning Reader" blogspot. Mr. Challies has put into very understandable, comprehensive language what it would take me months or years to study and come up with. I agree completely with what he has written and encourage everyone who has read the book "The Shack," or is considering reading it, please follow the link and consider seriously what Mr. Challies has laid out. He compares "The Shack" with God's Word and does it brilliantly.

http://www.challies.com/media/The_Shack.pdf

Persuasion, by Jane Austen

Of all the Jane Austen novels, "Persuasion" has been my favorite. "Pride & Prejudice" will always provide me with the most comic relief, but there's something about our heroine, Anne Elliot, that speaks to my heart. She has quiet ways, apt to help where it is needed, and --when the story begins--resigned to the fact that she gave up her one true love many years before (in all truth, she was persuaded to do so, which is where we get the title from). Also, "Persuasion" is written almost in a journal form, rambling and sharing thoughts and intentions and possibilities of Anne's. We see several times her trying to reconcile a situation or make excuses in her mind for what she is or is not going to do.
This is a difficult review to write because I don't want to "give away" anything. For me, it was such a delightful journey to take through the pages, and I wish the same for you. Just read the book if you haven't (and even if you have, but it's been a while, read it again). Here's a few quotes to entice you:
(upon seeing Frederick Wentworth after 8 years apart) "Once so much to each other! Now nothing! There had been a time, when of all the large party now filling the drawing-room at Uppercross, they would have found it most difficult to cease to speak to one another. With the exception, perhaps, of Admiral and Mrs Croft, who seemed particularly attached and happy (Anne could allow no other exception even among the married couples), there could have been no two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison, no countenances so beloved. now they were as strangers; nay, worse than strangers, for they could never become acquainted. It was a perpetual estrangement."
(just a funny description, as to why Wentworth was now visiting so often at Uppercross) "...for the Admiral and Mrs Croft were generally out-of-doors together, interesting themselves in their new possessions, their grass, their sheep, and dawdling about in a way not endurable to a third person..."
(on reflection of her younger sister, Mary & her husband Charles Musgrove, and their gossip and disagreements) "A dinner at Mr Musgrove's had been the occasion when all these things should have been seen by Anne; but she had stayed at home, under the mixed plea of a headache of her own, and some return of indisposition in little Charles. She had thought only of avoiding Captain Wentworth; but an escape from being appealed to as umpire was now added to the advantages of a quite evening."
(finally, this one is after some disconcerting information she overheard, and then she is joined by the rest of the group and they continue on their walk) "Her spirits wanted the solitude and silence which only numbers could give."

Originally published 1817; this Wordsworth Edition, 1993

"Hudson Taylor, and Maria," by J.C. Pollock

The subtitle here is "A new intimate portrait of a man who influenced millions." Not only is this book a biography, but also a love story (about Hudson and Maria), and a type of adventure (about the endeavors of starting the China Inland Mission). When I began this small book, I was taken up with the author's straight-forward manner of writing, moving from one event to the next with great clarity. He also included excerpts from letters and journals of the Taylors and their close family and friends. Hudson Taylor was a man of appreciable faith in God and His ways. This faith enabled him to not only go on many dangerous journeys in hostile parts of China during the mid 1800's, but also to trust the Lord that circumstances would work out along the way. After one extremely rough encounter with a Chinese mob and unfriendly magistrates, Hudson's fellow missionary, Burdon said, "I was feeling particularly sore and injured and all I got from [Hudson] was a suppressed smile, and 'this will form fine material for our diaries.' " Hudson and Maria met in China, both having a heart to reach the unreached Chinese with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After overcoming many hurdles (traditional English protocol; older, resentful missionaries; etc.), they were able to marry, continuing in their work of preaching, medical aid, and teaching. Many close to them observed through the years how they were a compliment to each other, balancing the other's weaknesses with their own strengths.
This book has helped to deepen my own faith and sensitivity to the Lord and His leading. I highly recommend this book. As one respected Christian man I know has said, "Read the biographies of George Mueller and Hudson Taylor and your life will never be the same again." (Alex Strauch)

Original copyright, 1962