Books I "Read" in 2024, Vol. V

 

AS YOU WISH: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride
Cary Elwes with Joe Layden

Reading Cary's book has brought back wonderful memories. He has so beautifully recounted what was for me, and I'm sure for all of us, one of the truly great creative experiences of our lives. He takes us, as only he can, through a Man in Black's eye view of the world of the R.O.U.S., the Shrieking Eels, and the Cliffs of Insanity. And he does it with style and grace. So curl up in a comfy spot and have fun storming the castle.  -Rob Reiner (from the Foreword)

Thanks to Spotify, I got to listen to Elwes read the book...along with Rob Reiner and others reading sections they had contributed to the text. It was nice hearing the sincerity in their voices (I know, I know...they're actors, but still...) as they talked fondly of the time spent filming the movie and the camaraderie the cast members felt for each other. It's exactly what you'd hope would be true about one of your favorite films. There are plenty of behind-the-scenes revelations and I highly recommend this book to any fan of The Princess Bride. Bonus Revelation: Cary Elwes is an amazing vocal mimic as he quotes several people.

First Line: Standing onstage at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, surrounded by cast members and some of the crew, many of whom I've not seen in years, I feel an almost overwhelming sense of gratitude and nostalgia.

Page 56 / Line 5 (Yes, I actually found a copy of the book in the library so I could be accurate with this): It wasn't just that he wanted the film to be successful; I think he was actually fearful it might fail.

Last Line: Nothing has made me more proud than my relationship to it.

Books I Read in 2024, Vol. IV

LETTERS TO THE CHURCH
Francis Chan

In his most powerful book yet, Pastor Francis Chan digs deep into biblical truths, reflections on his own failures and dreams, and stories of ordinary people God is using to change the world. As Chan says, "We've strayed so far from what God calls Church. We all know it. We know that what we're experiencing is radically different from the Church in Scripture. For decades, church leaders like myself have lost sight of the inherent mystery of the Church. We have trained people sitting in the pews to become addicted to lesser things. It's time for that to change."

This is a challenging book. Not that it's a challenge to read it. On the contrary, it is easy to understand and absolutely engaging. The challenge is in contemplating what to DO about it. As he tells the story of why he left the megachurch he helped create and is now one of hundreds (if not thousands) of pastors of We Are Church (a network of house churches in Northern California), I found myself agreeing with everything he said. But wow...could I really just chuck the current template of North American Churchianity and do the same? It's an attractive thought. It's a scary thought. It's weird to think I could read this and just keep on going the way I have been for 66 years. But that would be the easiest thing in the world to do. Sad to say.

First Line: Imagine you find yourself stranded on a deserted island with nothing but a copy of the Bible.

Page 56 / Line 5: Should we meet in a large group or a small one?

Last Line: Our Holy God offers to dwell with you if you have a lowly and contrite spirit.