At Play in the Fields of the Lord, by Peter Matthiessen

About the struggles and experiences of a missionary family in the jungles of South America and their impact on the indigenous communities they are trying to convert to Christianity.

This was a wonderful read, especially for those of us interested in South America and the clash of cultures. It was reminiscent of Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness- an easier read but just as suspenseful and moving.

Letter to a Christian Nation, by Sam Harris

A controversial recommendation, but one I would love to discuss if anyone gets a chance to read it. Harris makes a very thought-provoking argument about the danger of religion in the US and around the world, and asserts that even liberal christians are complicit in a destructive social force.

Life of Pi, by Yann Martel

A book about an orphaned boy adrift in the ocean with a tiger in his boat. Sounds a bit outlandish, but a fantastic book. I could not put it down until I finished it, and then I felt sad it was over. Very entertaining and an adventurous read.

The Bone People, by Keri Hulme

*Now that I have been out of school long enough to read for pleasure, I have a number of books I wanted to recommend and remembered our blog.*

A novel about three somewhat isolated characters (one female artist, one Maori father, and one mute and mischievous boy) and the development of their complex relationships with one another. This book was passed on to me by a friend, and was one of the most powerful novels I've read in a long time. The character development is so well done that I felt as if I was being sucked into their abusive cycle, even as a reader. Obviously a darker read, but absolutely beautiful also.