From Amazon’s description: “. . . the secrets kept by the residents of Chicken Hill, the dilapidated neighborhood where immigrant Jews and African Americans lived side by side and shared ambitions and sorrows.”

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My perception: I laid this book down . . . twice. The first time I set it aside, I was disappointed because it took so much effort to understand who everyone was. I tried again, this time making notes in the margins like I have in textbooks.

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I got further into the book and understood what was happening, but something about its tone made me uneasy. It wasn’t a comfortable read and I stopped again. I know we’re all broken but, the story dwelt on the weaknesses and failures of a few characters. I couldn’t find the hero. I felt better when I set it aside.

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Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer

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From Amazon’s description: “. . . To be formed by Jesus will require us to become his apprentice. To live by what the first Christian disciples called a Rule of Life . . .”

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My perception: My friends love this book, but I found myself arguing with the writer as I read, especially in the first pages. I blamed a generational difference.

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The current generation is far more comfortable with the gray areas of our spiritual lives than me. The author believes the spiritual “sign” gifts continue to this day. I know, I know . . . this isn’t a “hill to die on." In fact, I have dear friends who practice these gifts today. Still, I disagree with what I read about this and some minor points he made about how we're redeemed. Comer also touches on satanic oppression which I never worry about because of the sovereignty of God.

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The author’s comments about developing a Rule of Life, though, are edifying. His book follows along the lines of Watchman Nee’s The Normal Christian Life and Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline. A believer of my generation might prefer those books.

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East of Eden by John Steinbeck

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From Amazon’s description: “Set in the rich farmland of California's Salinas Valley, this sprawling and often brutal novel follows the intertwined destinies of two families — the Trasks and the Hamiltons — whose generations . . . reenact . . . the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel.”

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My perception: Steinbeck won a Pulitzer Prize for the Grapes of Wrath in 1932. I probably should’ve chosen it to read, but I chose East of Eden instead because it’s a re-telling of Cain and Abel. I never made the comparative connection.

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Instead the coarseness of the characters and their choices bothered me, just like in McBride’s novel. I have to have hope redemption is coming. I stopped reading when I realized it wasn’t.

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Laying down a book is like leaving a movie before it’s over. I’m disappointed I made a poor choice. Yet, there are too many good books to keep reading one I don’t like.

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