cosmicbookworm's reviews
309 reviews

"Tattoos on the Heart" is a deeply moving account of the amazing work of Father Gregory Boyle, the founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles. In his book, Father Boyle shares the stories of the "homies" he serves, individuals deeply entrenched in gang life and a cycle of poverty and violence. Through Homeboy Industries, he provides them with opportunities to turn their lives around through employment and remove the visible marks of their past through tattoo removal.

Father Boyle's unwavering commitment to serving the marginalized and his embodiment of Christian faith shines brightly throughout the pages of his book. His three decades of work with gang-involved youth exemplify a blend of compassion, reverence, and wisdom that leaves a lasting impact on both the reader and the lives he has touched.

By intertwining personal narratives with spiritual reflections, we learn how Father Boyle embodies the essence of mercy, acceptance, and unconditional love. Through his storytelling, selfless dedication, and focus on offering love instead of judgment, we can gain a new perspective on the transformative power of love. 

Boyle's book compels us to reflect on our capacity to love and see the divine love that extends to all, especially the marginalized and forgotten. "Tattoos on the Heart" is not just a book—it's a transformative experience that will inspire readers to love more fully and unconditionally. This is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the beauty of redemption, compassion, and the boundless possibilities of love.

David Bentley Hart's book "That All Shall Be Saved" presents a perspective on Christian Universalism, which can be challenging due to its aggressive and argumentative tone and Hart's extremely robust vocabulary. Hart's argumentation is based on philosophy and logic. The absence of footnotes makes it challenging to assess his claims despite some references to Christian origins and scripture. Hart's tone can be off-putting. His refusal to engage with opposing viewpoints and harsh critique of traditional beliefs and their adherents reflect a certain level of arrogance. Moreover, his reliance on his own New Testament translation raises questions about the objectivity of his interpretations.

Hart cannot accept the idea that God would allow someone to be tortured forever just because that person is free to condemn themselves to such a fate. He contends that the concept of an everlasting hell is a well-defined component of Christian doctrine, yet it is fundamentally illogical. He contends that it is inconceivable for a thinking individual to willingly and perpetually rebuff God, and it is equally unthinkable for a supremely good God to permit such a destiny to befall anyone.

Hart contends that many of the traditional soteriological (the theological study of salvation) models of Christianity are based on misreadings of the language of Christian scripture and were upheld by historical forgetfulness. He contends that the earliest Christians did not believe the idea that the cross was a ransom paid to the Father to avert his wrath is a misunderstanding of the New Testament.

Hart ponders that the complacency of certain Christians may be a sign of their secret belief in the eventual rescue of all people from death and misery but that it may be that they believe in an eternal hell because they are too morally lazy to care about anyone other than themselves and their immediate families.

Hart supports his convictions using passages from the Gospel of John and Romans 11. He argues that the Bible does not present a rigid set of doctrines; however, many Christians tend to overlook its actual teachings due to their dependence on doctrinal principles. He finds the concept of eternal hell to be inherently contradictory. According to Hart, it is illogical to claim that God, who is infinitely good and perfectly just, would create a world with such conditions and then subject finite rational beings to eternal suffering.

While I see the validity in Hart's reasoning, and tend to agree with his logic, I will seek out additional sources that can provide a more solid and defensible presentation.

This insightful book will help you respond with love to a Queer family member or friend.

In July 2018, Nia Chiaramonte revealed to her wife, Katie, that she is a transgender woman. They had been high school sweethearts, married for several years, and had five children. Despite facing many challenges, their marriage and their family remain strong. They have amassed valuable knowledge, experience, and insight that they now share with us. They've done the difficult work that we can now benefit from.

"Embracing Queer Family" is a personal memoir about coming out and the journey of learning how to let others in. The Chiaramonte story offers valuable insights for everyone, whether you identify as Queer, have a family member who identifies as Queer, or have a friend who has come out. This book is an excellent resource for gaining insight and understanding about the Queer community and how to support them. It serves as a guide for finding happiness, wholeness, and safety during the complex process of redefining oneself and one's family.

Nia and Katie write about the difficulty of understanding and accepting one's own Queer identity, particularly when that understanding of one's identity comes later in life and stands in contrast to one's religious beliefs. They offer solid advice on letting loved ones in, determining who the safe people and communities are, and how to approach coming out with thoughtfulness and clarity.

Embracing Queer Family acknowledges that not everyone will support or provide a safe environment for queer individuals. The Chiaramontes still have family members who are not safe. The book offers helpful advice on how to set boundaries.

Whether you are navigating your own coming-out experience or supporting a loved one through theirs, "Embracing Queer Family" serves as a heartwarming and insightful testament to the idea that relationships can evolve, persevere, and flourish. Nia and Katie exemplify this truth through their own lived experiences.

Everyone will find something beneficial in this trailblazing book. Nia and Katie wrap up their book with a Resource List. This Resource List alone is worth a fortune.

This is a wonderful collection of poems. A couple are by poets I am familiar with, but most of them were new to me. Pádraig Ó Tuama brings us to each with a brief introduction, and then after each poem, he provides an insightful analogy. I would love to have all poetry books in this format! Simply amazing. If you appreciate poetry as a way to analyze and appreciate life, I feel you will appreciate Tuama's work. I enjoyed having both the hard copy and the audio of this book.  The Audible version has the introduction of each poem tacked onto the end of the description of the previous poem. That was a little frustrating to me. Apparently the version that is on Everand organizes the recording differently. I don't know what Libro.fm or Kobo does but it would be worth checking into if you are going to do audio. For me, it would make a difference. This book sparked a great discussion in my poetry book club.

This is an important memoir. I understand that some parents will feel uncomfortable with the idea that their child might benefit from its contents. Nonetheless, it's crucial to recognize that there exists a demographic of individuals who do not align comfortably with conventional norms and stand to gain valuable insights from Maia's narrative. The parents who are uncomfortable with this book being available need to read this book. Maia does a beautiful job of describing eir path of self-discovery. Maia's story will help bridge the gap of understanding if people will only take the time to read eir book. It is a quick read in comic form and is well worth your time.

Recommended reading for: youth who struggle with their own identity, youth who have friends who need compassion and understanding, parents who have children who may be struggling, the rest of us who would be well served by being able to understand the world around us just a little better.

I am 20 years Sarah McCammon's senior, with a different life trajectory, but our lives have intersected with the world of controlling Christianity. 

Although I was not raised in the same type of evangelical background as McCammon, I found myself somewhat drawn into the evangelical Jesus movement during part of my college years in the late 1970s, staying on the fringe as much as possible. When I sought spiritual community after my college years, I was drawn into an extreme evangelical group that promoted the idea that they had all the correct answers and that the mainstream Christianity that I was raised on had somehow missed the mark. I remember being warned by my parents that I might want to beware as perhaps I was involved in a cult. That put me over the edge, and I never worshipped in my parents' church again. I now regret how I handled that part of my life. 

Regrettably, individuals from my past are unlikely to open this book. I remember receiving warnings about engaging with diverse viewpoints and concepts. American evangelicalism is a place where you are not allowed to ask questions or question interpretations because to question them reveals a lack of faith. Over the past several years, I have been reassessing my deeply entrenched beliefs and have reached significantly different conclusions from those I previously held on issues such as the inerrancy and literal interpretation of scripture. My long-standing but previously concealed opinions on the value and rights of women in the church and the LGBTQ+ community have surfaced, and I can no longer suppress them.

McCammon's book evokes both comfort and disquiet within me. It brings solace by offering hope for a community that shares my beliefs. However, it also unsettles me because while I personally witnessed the controlling and troubling aspects of the church in my adult years, my children encountered them during their formative years within both the church and school settings. The evangelical environment, purportedly emphasizing love, often focuses more on policing boundaries, particularly evident in the purity culture. This climate of fear amplifies the perception that the world beyond the church's confines is inherently evil, creating confusion for young people who find their secular, non-Christian friends and acquaintances to be genuinely kind and well-adjusted. I recognize the clarity hindsight brings and can only move forward from here.

The text explores the church's endorsement of Trump and the resulting disenchantment among younger Christians. It highlights the issue of character and the hypocrisy of certain Christian leaders who previously preached about the importance of character but have now come out in support of Trump. These leaders include Dobson, Franklin Graham, Jerry Falwell Jr., Pat Robertson, and Ralph Reed, among others. Their endorsement of Trump after criticizing Clinton is deplorable and understandably, this hypocrisy can drive an entire generation away from evangelical Christianity.

This book blends memoir and journalistic aspects, drawing from the author's expertise in journalism. Occasionally, it may tackle more than a single text can effectively manage by encompassing both a personal memoir and a critique of contemporary culture.

"A Great Country" by Shilpi Somaya Gowda is a powerfully written novel that explores the complexities of social issues in present-day America. The story follows the Indian American Shah family residing in Pacific Heights, California, as their lives are disrupted when their youngest, a twelve-year-old boy named Ajay, is unjustly arrested. Among the issues dealt with are prejudice, privilege, police violence, and ableism.

Gowda's narrative is both fascinating and thought-provoking, offering a nuanced exploration of timely themes such as immigration, race, class, privilege and community. I haven't felt so connected with the protagonists of a story in a long time. This book provides insight into the issues prevalent in contemporary American society, shedding light on the intricate caste system in India and how it translates to America.

The characters in the novel are not just well-developed; they are relatable, each grappling with their own personal struggles in the face of societal issues. The plot is expertly crafted, keeping me hooked from beginning to end. The author's astute observations and fast-paced storytelling make "A Great Country" a compelling read that prompts introspection on important issues. This book serves as a catalyst for meaningful discussions on topics like policing racism, and neurodiversity, making it an excellent choice for book clubs.

Overall, "A Great Country" is not just a standout novel; it's a transformative experience. With its gripping narrative, insightful exploration of social complexities, and compelling characters, this book has the potential to change the way we see the world. Gowda's skillful storytelling and thought-provoking themes make this book a favorite of my year. I will be looking for her other books soon.