Ecclesiastical History of the English People - Bede

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Non-History geeks beware, this is not a book for the faint of heart. A primary text through and through, a lot of cultural change has occurred in the last 14 hundred years since its composition and even more in the several hundred since the genesis of the events recorded. Bede attempts to chronicle the origins of the church on the Island of England (focused mainly on the southern portion) from the letter from King Lucius to Rome requesting to be made a "Christian"  up to Bede's lifetime, during which the church was relatively established. It is interesting to observe the issues of importance in that day - the Date of Easter, the superiority of virginity/Monastic lifestyle etc. While Bede's perspective does seem idealistic the material allows you to grasp the general feeling of culture during those centuries now so far away.

Behind the Screen - Hollywood Insiders on Faith, Film, and Culture - Edited by Spencer Lewerenz and Barbara Nicolosi

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I liked this book. It was a refreshing re-think of our response to Hollywood, and a surprising prospective on what a better, more meaningful interaction might be. Very interesting reading. Pete had some initial objections to the guy who wrote chapter 2 - so we're both re-thinking that chapter, it's very refreshing to have new ideas to think though. I was beginning to think that everything anyone was advocating was totally hackney! The book makes be want to have a series of movie nights, on movies suggesting in the text followed by discussion and "letters to the editor" (ie movie producers). Anyone in??

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J.K. Rowling

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Another entertaining treat. Not as spellbinding as the original. The novelty of an idea, can only be novel once I suppose. This book explored more deeply the possible "dark" side of Harry. I have been informed by Potter fans that this trend continues, but also brings greater depth of thought to the series... I guess I shall see the next time I have the time to pick them up again.