Pray for
Miracles:
Exploring the Rational and Biblical Basis for Believing in a Wonder-Working God
By Courtney Dabney
$19
In a world where the media views miracles as unbelievable because they are unscientific, Courtney Dabney guides her readers through her extensive understanding and faith in miracles within. Dabney addresses the extreme views toward miracles that some within Catholicism and Pentecostalism have and argues that there is a middle ground for believing in miracles.
The book is divided into three sections, (I) Why We Believe in a God of Miracles; (II) Testing the Lord; and (III) God's Communication Style. This allows a logical thought progression to take place during this theologically-based work. The first section emphasizes how humanism and evolution have been used by the scientific community to question the God of miracles. Moving into the second section, Testing the Lord talks about various Biblical characters who have been criticized unfairly for believing in miracles. Dabney closes with the third section by addressing her personal views of faith in a wonder-working God.
Throughout each of these sections, Dabney weaves personal stories, Biblical references, as well as quotes from authors such as C.S. Lewis. Her knowledge of the topic radiates off the pages as the book presents a fresh perspective on a topic that is typically not given a lot of attention. Ultimately, Dabney says, "if there are no miracles, then none of it makes sense. You can't say it is good teaching and it informs you philosophically. If there are no miracles, then the Bible is just a book."
Gone Girl
By Gillian Flynn
$25
Set in North Carthage, Mo., New York Times bestselling author Gillian Flynn takes readers on a thrilling fictional journey. Nick and Amy Flynn, who met in New York City, moved to North Carthage where Nick purchased a bar with Amy's trust fund money after they both lost their jobs as writers during the financial crisis.
As the story opens, it is the morning of their five-year anniversary. Suddenly, Amy cannot be found, and it seems as if she has disappeared. Evidence that Amy struggled before her disappearance is obvious, and the police begin to suspect Nick.
Questions of lies, betrayal and deceit arise as the book, which is narrated by both Nick in the present and through Amy's diary, unfolds. The story is one of a marriage that has crumbled over time but leads the reader to continually question who is the reliable narrator within the story or if either character is reliable at all. While Nick reveals his thoughts and feelings about Amy and the loss of her charm, Amy's written words, which date back to when they first met seven years prior, are revealed and twist the story into a complicated and shocking thriller.
Flynn's strength within this novel does not come strictly within the suspenseful plot, but also through her depiction of Nick and Amy. Nick's shift in behavior from Amy's early diary entries to the recent stories of peculiar incidents he has had makes Nick's dark humor all the more intriguing to the reader.
If you have trouble putting Gone Girl down, then also read Flynn's first two novels, Sharp Objects and Dark Places.
The Fault in
Our Stars
By John Green
$17.99
When Cassius said to Brutus, "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, / But in ourselves, that we are underlings" in Julius Caesar, John Green found inspiration for the title of his most recent novel, The Fault in Our Stars.
Sixteen-year-old Hazel Grace Lancaster suffers from thyroid cancer, which was terminal until she was prescribed a drug two years ago that has shrunk the tumor. However, with this miracle drug has come an oxygen tank strapped to her and a struggle with clinical depression. Because of this, her parents decide that she must attend a kids" cancer support group, despite Hazel's protests. While at the support group, Augustus Waters, who is in remission for osteosarcoma, quickly becomes acquaintances with Hazel.
Set in Indianapolis, the two develop a friendship and love, while knowing that time is not promised to anyone, especially them. They both share a realistic perspective on life and their situation at hand, demonstrated by their witty and intellectual dialogue. Their story takes them to Amsterdam, where Augustus attempts to grant Hazel a wish, and it also leads them to places of grief and pain. This unconventional love story promises a memorable read that will invoke laughter, as well as a few worthy tears.
The Fault in Our Stars was a labor of love, which Green worked on for more than a decade. In his attempts to write this moving story, he initially wrote Looking for Alaska. Green's writing is an example of modern, raw storytelling.
