Here are some unconventional books (and a movie) about religion and the kind of religious practices you might not hear about every day.
The year of living biblically: one man’s humble quest to follow the Bible as literally as possible by A. J. Jacobs (2007).
A. J. Jacobs’ quest is to follow the Bible as exactly as he can. He goes beyond obeying the ten commandments by eschewing clothes made of mixed fibers and not trimming his beard edges. Throughout this funny and insightful journey, Jacobs gives us his trademark humor and skepticism.
Lamb: the gospel according to Biff, Christ’s childhood pal by Christopher Moore (2002). You may not find the gospel according to Biff in your regular bible, but after reading this you’ll wonder how Jesus got along without the guy. The style is smooth and the humor good-natured in this novel of an alternate reality that ultimately has a message.
The unlikely disciple: a sinner’s semester at American’s holiest university by Kevin Roose (2009). Raised by liberal parents, and a sophomore at progressive Brown University, Kevin Roose decides to spend at year at Liberty University, founded by uber-conservative Jerry Falwell and now the largest Christian fundamentalist university in the U.S. Surprises ensue.
Religulous by Bill Maher (2008). There’s something to offend everyone in this snarky and unexpectedly powerful film. Maher disputes the value of religion in a world of fanaticism and environmental self-destructiveness. No religion or global destination is spared in Maher’s quest to make people explain how their faith relates to the world today.
~Ellen, Central Library
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