The Psalter: The Only Hymnal? by Iain H. Murray
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Hmm. What can I say about the books I read in July? Well, suffice it to say that while dystopia-themed novels may be popular teen lit right now, it appears that most of them are poorly-written trash. Delirium is one such example. In spite of all the garbage in the dystopian genre, I keep hoping for another gem. Another Hunger Games or Divergent. But alas, with odd, mutated Bible stories, Oliver's novel was not to be that gem. While Oliver may have been a disappointment, Murray was not. His essay on required song in worship is excellent. I highly recommend it for anyone who desires to understand that hymns are to be sung. Back in the realm of fiction, I finally finished Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. I've wanted to read it for years because it so poignantly describes the sixties mentality. For that reason alone it should be approached with caution - prevalent cursing and innuendo are other concerns. While Salinger certainly did provide moments of amusement (sometimes laugh-out-loud hilarity), his character Holden Caulfield is not someone with whom I would choose to keep company often.
