Promoting Love Instead of Hate

As the world gets "smaller" and the global population gets larger, we are faced with the opportunity (or burden, depending on one's point of view) to get to know people of other cultures, demographics, and faiths. Many people purport to be Christian, "walking the walk", as the saying goes, but actively disdain people of other religions. The "why" of that problem is a topic unto itself, and one for another book. But for now, Brian McLaren continues with his tradition of controversy and puts his heart into how to bridge the gulf between faiths of different stripes. Living in the SF Bay area, I've made friends from all over the planet, and have evolved a lot from my days of narrowmindedness to an entirely different viewpoint. Well written and thoughtful, with rationale behind his reasoning.

Incredible and Damning

I'd heard about this book over the years, but didn't really know what it was about, other than race. Boy, was I in for a surprise. As it turns out, audacious (white) journalist John Howard Griffin decided, in 1959, to "become" Black, and see how things were in that skin. From Texas, he was used to the southern way of life and had lived in various places, of course, as a white man. After taking larger-than-recommended doses of medication to treat vitiligo in an alarmingly short time, his skin began to take on more pigment. He augmented this with makeup, shaved his unsuitable hair, and off he went, for his six week sojourn as a new person. His experience was eye-opening and heart-wrenching. Has a lot changed since then? Perhaps in some ways, but not enough.

They're Not Birdbrains

Author Sy Montgomery takes on the topic of the humble chicken and she's not afraid of ruffling a few feathers (ha!) in her defense of the familiar barnyard bird. Chickens, it seems, have a whole lot more going on than the average person was ever led to believe. A tiny book, you'll whiz right through this little gem, crowing at your new knowledge. Her writing style is cozy and warm, and makes you want to have a hot beverage with her while you talk turkey. Okay, that one didn't really work, but I couldn't help it. Highly recommended--don't chicken out. Okay, I need to stop now.