The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber

This was definitely strange. A little sci-fi, a little theology, a little apocalypse, a little romance. Overall, I liked it quite a bit, but the ending was a smidge disappointing.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert

On the one hand, this was flabby and sprawling. But on the other hand, parts of it were great.

Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult

Started out strong but then got kind of lame.

Hearing the Whole Story: The Politics of Plot in Mark's Gospel by Richard Horsley

I think liberationist and economic readings of Mark are very important, but this book just was not very good. Read Ched Myers instead.

Mark as Story: Retrospect and Prospect ed. by Iverson and Skinner

This book is a reception history and exploratory extension of Mark as Story, which is one of the most important--and accessible--introductions to the modern study of Mark. So this book is pretty "inside baseball," and, while interesting, is definitely not a substitute for Mark as Story.