We returned last night from our week together at the beach with long-time friends.
I got a chance to read 4 books. What a pleasure! Undistracted time to read things I would not ordinarily make the time for.
To add to your own summer reading list, consider

1) A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken. B+
This is Andy's favorite book, and he told me to read it while I was away. So I did!
A very lovely personal account of the deep love between a man and a woman and how that love ultimately merges into the love of God. Autobiographical and great story-telling.
Vanauken corresponded regularly with CS Lewis, and he includes some of those letters to enrich the story of the depth and character of human love and God's love.

2) The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder B
I always like to take at least one classic that I have never read. This one is very good.
Had no idea what it was about. Just remembered the title from days gone by.
Wilder is a deeply insightful writer and this short mini-novel shares poignant vignettes about 5 people who died when a bridge collapsed. Wilder dives into how or why God would cause/allow this to happen.
Did not expect a good novel with theological currents but this turned out to be another good exploration of the mystery of the will of God and the love of God.

3) The Shack by William Young B-
A book that has really caught on on the viral word-of-mouth grapevine.
Very interesting tale of a man's encounter with God in the aftermath of his daughter's abduction and murder.
At times, a bit pedantic, but Young shares some marvelous angles on the sovereign will of God, the love of God and the Trinity. A good read.

4) Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali A-
Happened upon this book in the store when I had finished the 3 above.
Autobiographical account of perhaps the strongest and most courageous woman of this decade. Survivor of the brutalities of Islam, including genocide in her homeland, genital mutilation and arranged marriages, and the like, Ali escapes to become an advocate for human rights and the dignity of women. She co-produced with Theo van Gogh the film that changed everything in the Netherlands.
As a result, she still lives today under 24 hour protection because of the death threats from the followers of the religion of peace.
Powerful. Detailed. Spellbinding.