Library

Recent acquisitions: Confession of a Pagan Nun, an historical novel of a sixth-century nun who, while working in a monastery, secretly records her memories of her pagan youth.
 
Also recently acquired:

• Gospel According to the Son - a novel by Norman Mailer.
• The Other Bible Including texts of Ancient Alternative Scripture, Gnostic Gospels, Dead Sea Scrolls, Visionary Wisdom Texts, Christian Apocrypha, Jewish Pseudepigrapha, Kabbaloh.
• What the Bible Really Says
• Bible Atlas
• The Sister Fidelma Mysteries - set of three novels.
• Story of the Bible World
• Men's Devotional Bible
• If Only They Could Speak (Stories about pets and their people.)
• Saint Julian (a novel.)
• The Hidden Jesus

New York Times Best-seller: The DaVinci Code, a mystery novel for "history buffs", conspiracy nuts, puzzle lovers, or anyone who appreciates a great riveting book.  Interesting:  The New York Times reported that the top of their "Best Sellers List" has been the mystery novel, DaVinci Code.  Set in the early Christian Era of secrecy and mystery, the novel reflects the hidden meaning of DaVinci art, espeically the Mona Lisa.  Mystery lovers should enjoy this book.
 
Recently, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported on a survey relative to the reading preferences of clergy persons.  The top vote-getting author was Henri Nouwen, whose books can be found in your library on the shelf labeled "Henri Nouwen Collection".  C.S. Lewis, an Anglican layman, also shares the popular reading list.  Several of his writings are currently on our shelves.  The Episcopal spiritual writer Barbara Brown Taylor was the first and only woman to make the list of popular authors.  Three of her books appear on our shelves: 1) Gospel Medicine; 2)Bread of Angels; and 3) Preaching Life.
 
Those of you who grew up in western Minnesota and experienced the Great Depression will intensely appreciate the skill, the humor and the small-town culture which is portrayed in a book titled The Magical Years.  The setting is in Pipestone.  The author, Walter Benjamin, recently retired from the faculty of Hamline University.  (Editor's note:  the author presented the book to our library.)
--Cap Hanson