Bookspotting: Not Everyone is Reading Harry Potter

OK, so everyone is reading Harry Potter. I’ve seen copies being poured over in Chipotle, Starbucks, Qdoba, and on just about every Metro train I’ve taken since Saturday morning. But, there are other books out there. I spotted a few yesterday and took notes so you can see what else people are reading in DC.

On a Blue train: Post Captain by Patrick O’Brian; The Boys on the Bus by Timothy Crouse; and How to Fight Cancer & Win by William L. Fischer.

In Starbucks: Jasmine and Stars: Reading More than Lolita in Tehran by Fatemeh Keshavarz

On the plaza at Pentagon Row: Chuck Klosterman IV: A Decade of Curious People and Dangerous Ideas by Chuck Klosterman; and I, Mona Lisa by Jeanne Kalogridis.

When Sinners Read Books Together

I recently received in the mail from Westminster Bookstore, unsolicited, a copy of When Sinners Say “I Do” by Dave Harvey. They sent the book because I am in their Blog Partners program. Receiving a free book was quite a surprise to me; I’m not fantastic about updating this blog and I don’t exactly shuttle thousands of new customers their way. Best of all, there were no strings attached. No request that I even review the book – let alone favorably.

So, since free books always make their way to the top of the pile, I dug in. I had not even reached the first chapter of the book when I realized I was holding something special. My wife was recovering from eye surgery at the time, so I offered to read it aloud. We’re a few chapters in now, and I’m already recommending this book to anyone who will listen.

 I’ll fully review the book after we’ve completed it (likely a couple of weeks), but the one thing that has really struck me so far is the gospel-centeredness of Harvey’s book. Even after nearly ten years of marriage, I find that I often fail to think in a systematic way about applying the gospel to my marriage. When Sinners Say “I Do” is helping me to think this way – and I’m deeply appreciative. If, by God’s grace, I better apply the gospel to my marriage as a result of this book, I am certain my wife will also be deeply appreciative.

If you are a believer who is married or who expects to be married soon, I strongly encourage you to purchase a copy of When Sinners Say “I Do” and to read it with your spouse or intended. Better to learn these lessons earlier rather than later.