One Book Meme
I was made aware of a pretty interesting blog (from my perspective at least) this week when Gil sent me a link to a review of a book I had recently read. It’s pretty heady stuff over there, but I’ve come across a couple of really interesting posts whilst scouring some of the archives. Here‘s one of them. I don’t know if he’s taking a bit of a dig at Richard Dawkins here (I believe he coined the term “meme” to explain how ideas survive by a process of cultural evolution; needless to say, not everyone thinks this is the most plausible way to explain how ideas are transmitted…), but this might be one “meme” that is, at the very least, entertaining, and could be an interesting way to get to know people better.
So, despite the fact that I’m about a year late to the party, here’s my contribution to the spreading of the meme. If you’re interested, you can either respond here or at the original post on Faith and Theology (I noticed that people were still doing this some 7-8 months after it began).
1. One book that changed your life:
Miroslav Volf, Exclusion and Embrace (1996)
2. One book that you’ve read more than once:
Susan Neiman, Evil in Modern Thought (2002)
3. One book you’d want on a desert island:
The Bible (really!)
4. One book that made you laugh:
Voltaire, Candide (1759) (in a grim sort of way)
5. One book that made you cry:
Romeo Dallaire, Shake Hands with the Devil (2003)
6. One book that you wish had been written:
John Calvin, Predestination: Who Really Knows?
7. One book that you wish had never been written:
Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion (2006)
8. One book you’re currently reading:
Jose Saramago, Blindness (1995)
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read:
Michael Polanyi, Personal Knowledge (1962)
10. Play along, if you’re so inclined!
Rumblings 
Hi Ryan. Nice to see that this “meme” is still making the rounds — and I enjoyed your list of books!
1. One book that changed your life:
Lesslie Newbigin, The Gospel in a Pluralist Society (1989)
2. One book that you’ve read more than once:
Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction (1980)
3. One book you’d want on a desert island:
Popular Mechanics Boat Book: How To Make 22 Kinds Of Boats From a Flat Bottomed Punt To A Speedy Motor Boat (1924)
4. One book that made you laugh:
John Irving, A Prayer for Owen Meany (1989)
5. One book that made you cry:
Wilson Rawls, Where the Red Fern Grows (1961)
6. One book that you wish had been written:
Menno Simons, Proper Tolerance: How to Resist Evil and Injustice Without Being Violent, or How to Be a Peaceful Christian While Dealing With Obstinate Members of Your Community
7. One book that you wish had never been written:
Whitcomb & Morris, The Genesis Flood: The Biblical Record and Its Scientific Implications (1954) (Popularized the whole dispensational/creationism thing…)
8. One book you’re currently reading:
Graham Greene, The Power and the Glory (1940)
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read:
Nikos Kazantzakis, The Last Temptation of Christ (1960)
1. One book that changed your life:
Lesslie Newbigin, Proper Confidence (1995)
2. One book that you’ve read more than once:
Wayne Martindale, Beyond the Shadowlands (2005)
3. One book you’d want on a desert island:
C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce (1945)
4. One book that made you laugh:
Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion (2006)
5. One book that made you cry:
Shusaku Endo, Silence (1980)
6. One book that you wish had been written:
Jesus, An Illustrated Autobiography
7. One book that you wish had never been written:
Tim Lahaye, Understanding Bible Prophecy For Yourself (2002)
8. One book you’re currently reading:
Miroslav Volf, The End of Memory (2006)
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read:
Jaroslav Pelikan, Credo (2003)
i noticed Richard Dawkins book the god delusion as one yu wish hadn’t been written. I guess it’s a bitch to deal with reality and intellect.
I must have contracted one of those nasty mind-viruses that prevents me from dealing with reality…
Hey Mr. Dueck,
…and I see a few more Mennonite names in your blogroll. Aren’t we all progressive Mennonites now with blogs and electricity and everything. 😉
You mention “The God Delusion” – I’m a Christian who is working on a series on Dawkins’ book at my blog at:
There’s already a good discussion underway. Join in!
Thanks for the link Michael. I enjoyed your thoughts on the book. I’m actually in the process of researching a thesis on the rise of the new atheism and the problem of evil so I’m getting more than enough of Dawkins and co. during my “work time.” I’ll continue to follow your discussions with interest.
Yeah, pitch in to the discussion if you can. Right now it’s me and a bunch of Atheists. Oddly, a number of Christians have emailed me privately but not commented publicly. What’s up with that?
So, are you the type of Mennonite that speaks low-german?
Nope, no Low-German here. I’m only in it for the rollkuchen…
MMMMMMMM, making me hungry…
Ryan, I was scrolling through your blog looking for Volf and I couldn’t help but play this game…it’s too much fun!
1. One book that changed your life
Miroslav Volf, Exclusion and Embrace
2. One book that you’ve read more than once
CS Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia
3. One book you’d want on a desert island:
NT Wright, Surprised by Hope
4. One book that made you laugh
Eugene Petersen, Under the Unpredictable Plant (because it’s SO true)
5. One book that made you cry
Markus Zusak, The Book Thief
6. One book that you wish had been written:
Jesus Christ, Everything the Church Needs to Know Until I Return
7. One book that you wish had never been written
John Piper & Wayne Grudem, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
8. One book you’re currently reading:
Judith Pella, Heirs of the Motherland
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read:
Elie Wiesel, Night
Jesus Christ, Everything the Church Needs to Know Until I Return
Ha! Yes, where on earth is THAT book when you need it?!