Yesterday some friends and I had a round table discussion about aging, stories, relationships, writing, religion, more writing, hip replacements, and finally books. “What’s everybody been reading?” someone asked, and we were off to the races. With very little commentary, I’m listing the names of the books, their authors, and a few words about each.

Maybe you’ll something you’d like to read.

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August, Claire North
From one of the reviews, “Harry August is a kalachakra, one who must live their life over and over again.” Hmm. Sounds interesting, and I’ve already learned a new word: kalachakra.

And There Was Evening and There Was Morning, Mike Smith
From a reviewer: “Mike Smith is a gifted poet, and his gift shines through in this story of love and sorrow. In these pages, we become acquainted with a life and we feel the loss of it for the writer, his family, and for ourselves.”

Life After Death, Raymond Moody
Moody is the father of the modern NDE (Near Death Experience) movement, and his pioneering work Life After Life changed the way people think about death and what lies beyond. First published in 1975, it’s now available in a special fortieth-anniversary edition.

Proof of Heaven, Eben Alexander
From Amazon: “The #1 New York Times bestselling account of a neurosurgeon’s own near-death experience.” Thousands of people have had NDEs, but scientists have argued that they are impossible. Dr. Alexander was one of those scientists…until it happened to him. On a personal note, I personally know individuals who’ve found solace by reading this book.

Listening for the Heartbeat of God: A Celtic Spirituality, Phillip Newell
From a reviewer: “This book broadened by outlook on Christianity. It also fed my soul.”

The Princess and the Goblin, George McDonald
The friend who recommended this children’s book mentioned a similarity to the works of C.S. Lewis, and I quickly added it to my Kindle.

The Bright Hour: A Memoir of Living and Dying, Nina Riggs
I had heard of this book earlier and knew it to be written by a young woman who’s dying. I’m still not ready to read it, but the reviews are beautiful. “I think every writer is just trying to find the words to say essentially: This is what life feels like.”

One Good Mama Bone, Bren McClain
McClain visited our area in the Midlands of SC last week, and I was sorry to have missed a signing. Fortunately, her book is available on Amazon. “This is a novel that just might break your heart, and it might well heal it too, but with both acts Bren McClain will remind you of why each of us is entrusted with a heart in the first place.” Mary Alice Monroe, from the foreword

Walking to Listen: 4,000 Miles Across America, One Story at a Time, Andrew Forsthoefel
From the author: “Life is fast, and I’ve found it’s easy to confuse the miraculous for the mundane, so I’m slowing down, way down, in order to give my full presence to the extraordinary that infuses each moment and resides in every one of us.”

The Righteous Mind, Jonathan Haidt
From Amazon: “Every active citizen in the US should read this book. You will better understand what’s happening with your friends and coworkers on the other side of the political divide, and, just as importantly, what’s going on with you.”

The Heart of Christianity, Marcus Borg
From Amazon: “World-renowned Jesus scholar Marcus J. Borg shows how we can live passionately as Christians in today’s world by practicing the vital elements of Christian faith” Me? I enjoyed this book, especially his comments on thin places.

Hallelujah Anyway, Anne Lamott
The Chicago Tribune calls this “A clarion call to the better angels of our nature.” I checked this out of our local library a few weeks ago and soon realized that this was a book I’d want to refer to again and again, so I downloaded it to my Kindle.

I hope you found something you like in the above list. Do you have any recommendations?