summer reads 2012

This summer I've been reading a whole lot about giving birth, babies and breastfeeding. But before those I read a few old books that'd probably be really hard for anyone to find. Both are true stories. I think they'd fit into the biography category:

1. Hidden Rainbow. About a very poor Yugoslavian family who is transformed as God's word comes to their village. I was fascinated by the portrayal of the culture and village life and catholicism AND in wonder at the power of God for salvation.

2. Hansi: The Girl who Loved the Swastika. True story of a Czechoslovakian girl who joined the Nazi youth. The first half is grueling and horrible. The second half is God's blessing. An incredible testimony.

Neither of those books were notable for being written very well, but the stories were incredible and PULLED me through. This next one did, too:

3. The New Kids: Big Dreams and Brave Journeys at a High School for Immigrant Teens. I would say this was sort of the findings of a qualitative research project done about immigrant teens in America. It chronicles the experiences of a handful of teens. Because I've been a foreigner, I think I'll always have a big opening in my heart for people living in an unfamiliar land. I don't think this book caused any immediate action for me, but it certainly opened my eyes to a very current issue and grew my compassion.

Oh no. Now I'm thinking of a few more that have totally been pulling on my brain, giving us lots to talk about in the Burnham home. We've read these two aloud and spent quite a bit of time talking about both of them.

4. Don't Shoot: One Man, A Street Fellowship, and the End of Violence in Inner-City America. Not finished with this one yet. Intriguing, smart study, work and story of how human everyone really is and what we can do to bridge gaps that cause violence.

5. The Wise Woman. Always, always a good one for me to mull over, Sarah. I really think you'd like it if you could wade through the old-fashioned wordiness. A source of conviction and encouragement as we reflected on our own state and the task of raising a child.