Tribe: On Homecoming & Belonging

By Sebastian Junger

-Summary-
Combining history, psychology, and anthropology, Tribe explores what we can learn from tribal societies about loyalty, belonging, and the eternal human quest for meaning. It explains the irony that-for many veterans as well as civilians-war feels better than peace, adversity can turn out to be a blessing, and disasters are sometimes remembered more fondly than weddings or tropical vacations.

-Rating-
8/10, for young adults

-Themes-
Community, Unity, Suffering, Hardship, Initiation, Manhood

Amazon Link

A Time to Kill

By John Grisham

-Summary-
Carl Lee Hailey is a heartbroken black father who avenges his daughter's rape by shooting the men responsible for the crime as they are on their way to trial. He turns to attorney Jake Brigance to defend him. Given Hailey's race and the deliberate nature of his crimes, Brigance is uncertain that he can win. A graphic and touching story of justice in and out of the court room.

-Rating-
9.5/10, for adult readers

-Movie-
A Time to Kill (featuring Samuel L. Jackson & Matthew McConaughey). Rated (R).

Amazon Link

The Great Divorce

By C.S. Lewis

-Summary-
In The Great Divorce, the narrator finds himself in Hell boarding a bus bound for Heaven. The amazing opportunity is that anyone who wants to stay in Heaven, can, but many choose not to. This is a starting point for a meditation upon good and evil, grace and judgment.

-Rating-
10/10, for readers of any age

-Themes-
Judgement, Death, Afterlife, Good & Evil, Morality, Free Will, Lust, Justice

Amazon Link

The Scarlet Pimpernel

By Baroness Orczy

-Summary-
The Scarlet Pimpernel is Baroness Orczy's classic adventure novel about Sir Percy Blakeney, a wealthy Englishman who has a secret identity as a daring rescuer of aristocrats from the French Revolution. Orczy's thrilling tale of heroism and romance is a timeless classic that has captivated readers for over a century.

-Rating-
10/10, for young adult readers

-Movie-
The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982) - A wonderful adaptation!

Amazon Link

The Nightingale

By Kirstin Hannah

Summary
The story of two sisters in France during World War II and their struggle to survive and resist the German occupation there.

-Rating-
8.5/10, for adults

-Themes-
Sisterhood, Family, Forgiveness, Overcoming Suffering

Amazon Link

BONUS: Surprised by Oxford

A tribute to Oxford, higher ed, faith, and C.S. Lewis.