Read and reflect throughout Lent

As they move into the season of Lent, many United Methodists will begin more frequent and extensive reading and study of Scripture. Many will also use these 40 days for other reading to feed their spirit, bring reflection or stretch theologically.

Interpreter recently asked readers to recommend books for Lenten reading. Here is the list. Some of the books will inspire you, others will intrigue you, some may annoy or even anger you, but your brother and sister Interpreter readers have found them meaningful.

Bales, Kevin: Ending Slavery: How We Free Today's Slaves (University of California Press), The Rev. Joy Moore, associate dean, Center for Lifelong Learning, Duke Divinity School

Berry, Wendell: Blessed are the Peacemakers: Christ's Teachings about Love, Compassion & Forgiveness (Avalon), Ray Waddle, editor, Reflections, Yale Divinity School

Borg, Marcus J. and Crossan, John Dominic: The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus' Final Days in Jerusalem (HarperSanFrancisco)

Briehl, Susan & Marty Haugen: Turn My Heart: A Sacred Journey from Brokenness to Healing book and CD (GIA Publications), "Helpful quotes, moving music, please-sit-with-me photos and useful reflective suggestions ... (lure) me to listen to the Spirit -- waiting with a fresh anointing of grace," Kim Coffing, General Commission on the Status and Role of Women.

Brueggemann, Walter: Prayers for a Privileged People (Abingdon Press), the Rev. Jim Strickland, retired deacon, Tennessee Conference

Buechner, Frederick: The Faces of Jesus: A Life Story (Paraclete)

Buechner, Frederick: Peculiar Treasures, a Biblical Who's Who (Harper and Row), "His writing makes me laugh and cry and think and helps me see more clearly the ways of God," the Rev. Marilyn Gregory, Independence, Kans.

Burns, Stewart: To the Mountaintop: Martin Luther King Jr.3' Sacred Mission to Save America 1955-1968 (HarperCollins Publishers), "A realistic perspective on the life and calling of Dr. King (with) great theological themes, often comparing the time line of the movement to the passion of Christ. Compelling for sure," the Rev. Paul Bonner, Franklin, Tenn.

Chilton, Bruce: Mary Magdalene: A Biography (Doubleday)

Chittister, Joan: Lenten Study (Benetvision)

Claiborne, Shane: The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical (Zondervan)

Dillard, Annie: Holy the Firm (HarperCollins Publishers) and For the Time Being (Random House)

Douty, Linda: How Can I Let Go If I Don't Know I'm Holding On?: Setting Our Souls Free (Morehouse Publishing), Jan Sparkman, Franklin, Tenn.

Ellsberg, Robert: The Saints' Guide to Happiness: Practical Lessons in the Life of the Spirit (Doubleday)

Friedman, Thomas: Hot, Flat and Crowded (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), "Although it's not the typical Lenten reading material, it's important stuff," the Rev. Erik Alsgaard, Florida Conference.

Griffin, David Ray, John B. Cobb Jr., Richard A. Falk, and Catherine Keller: The American Empire and the Commonwealth of God: A Political, Economic, Religious Statement (Presbyterian Publishing Corporation), the Rev. Clayton Childers, General Board of Church and Society.

Gulley, Philip and James Mulholland: If God Is Love (HarperCollins Publishers), (The authors) "help us take God's love for every person seriously and look at what the world would be like if we did so," Delia Halverson, author and Christian educator.

Halverson, Delia: The Gift of Hospitality (Chalice Press)

Halverson, Delia: Growing the Soul: Meditations from My Garden (Dimensions for Living)

Henderson, Jim and Matt Casper: Jim and Casper Go To Church (Tyndale House Publishers), "In the spirit of Rethink Church ... ," Emily Reece, Path 1, General Board of Discipleship.

Heschel, Abraham Joshua: The Sabbath (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), "A reflection of what spirituality means to the people of God, how spirituality fits in our lives and a perspective of what it means to us. It speaks to the iGen," Rebecca Kohler, member, General Commission on Communication.

Indermark, John: Gospeled Lives: Encounters with Jesus, A Lenten Study (Upper Room Books),

Kalas, J. Ellsworth: Seven Words to the Cross -- A Lenten Study for Adults (Abingdon Press), Heather Bennett, United Methodist Communications

Kimball, Dan: They Like Jesus But Not the Church: Insights from Emerging Generations (Zondervan)

King, Jr., Martin Luther: Strength to Love (Augsburg Fortress)

Kinnaman, David and Gabe Lyons: UnChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity and Why It Matters (Baker Publishing Group)

Lewis, C. S.: A Year with C.S. Lewis: Daily Readings from His Classic Works (Harper)

Maier, Paul: A Skeleton in God's Closet (Thomas Nelson), This novel and study guide are "best used throughout Lent without reading ahead in the chapters -- you don't know where the book will take you next," the Rev. Cynthia Abrams, General Board of Church and Society.

McLaren, Brian D.: Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crises and a Revolution of Hope (Thomas Nelson)

McLaren, Brian: Finding Our Way Again: The Return of the Ancient Practices (Thomas Nelson), "Returning to our ancient spiritual practices -- informs us in cultivating our own spiritual vitality and being able to share our faith with others," Bishop Sally Dyck, Minnesota Area.

McQuiston II, John: Always We Begin Again (Morehouse)

Meacham , Jon: American Gospel ( Random House), "Excellent presentation of the various views of our early founding fathers & how they sought for religion to provide a role in our lives personally and publicly -- and yet not control government," the Rev. John Decker, retired, Wichita, Kan.

Merrill, Nan. C.: Psalms for Praying; An Invitation to Wholeness (Continuum), "A fresh, refreshing, poetic paraphrase translation of the Psalms which draws us to encounter God in vivid imagery and with deep, reflective and active engagement," the Rev. Sue D'Alessio, Wisconsin Conference.

Moore, Christopher: Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal (HarperCollins Publishers), Paul Jeffrey, Eugene, Ore.

Moore Jr., James P.: One Nation Under God: The History of Prayer in America (Random House)

Mortenson, Greg and David Oliver Relin: Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace -- One School at a Time (Penguin), "An incredible personal response to all we imagine about western Asia and the Middle East," the Rev. J. F. Lacaria, West Virginia Conference.

Muyskens, J. David: Forty Days to a Closer Walk with God (Upper Room Books), "Practical ideas and exercises about how to deepen your spiritual practice through centering prayer," Beth Richardson, General Board of Discipleship.

Norris, Kathleen: Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith (Riverhead)

Nouwen, Henri J.M. (compiled by Judy Bauer): Lent and Easter Wisdom (Ligouri)

Nouwen, Henri J.M.: The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming (Doubleday)

Nouwen, Henri J.M.: Show Me the Way; Readings for Each Day of Lent (Crossroad Publishing)

Nuessle, John Edward: Faithful Witnesses (General Board of Global Ministries, Academy of Mission Renewal)

Oden, Marilyn Brown: Wilderness Wanderings (Upper Room), "A rich and honest writer; I resonate with and am challenged by her insights," Mary Brooke Casad, The Connectional Table.

Parsons, Sarah: A Clearing Season (Upper Room), "A Lenten study that avoids a heavy-handed, legalistic approach -- (not) a cookie-cutter guide for perfect Christians but a grace-filled tool for exploring one's imperfections," Bill Lizor, General Board of Discipleship.

Reese, Martha Grace: Unbinding the Gospel: Real Life Evangelism (Chalice Press)

Robinson, Anthony and Robert Wall: Called to Be Church: The Book of Acts for a New Day (Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company)

Runyon, Theodore: The New Creation: John Wesley's Theology for Today (Abingdon Press)

Schaper, Donna E.: Calming Plotting the Resurrection: Lenten Reflections for Individuals and Groups (United Church Press), the Rev. Betsey Heavner, General Board of Discipleship.

Sohl, Joyce D.: A Journey in Song: Lenten Reflections on Hymns by Women (Women's Division), Dana Jones, White Plains, N.Y.; Kelly Martini, Glen Haven, Pa.

Storey, Peter: Listening at Golgotha & Jesus' Words From The Cross (Upper Room)

Sweeney, Jon M., Jennifer J. Wilson (Photographer): Praying with Our Hands: 21 Practices of Embodied Prayer from the World's Spiritual Traditions (SkyLight Paths Publishing), " ... encourages me to consider new patterns of prayer," the Rev. Debra Tyree, Nashville, Tenn.

Taylor, Barbara Brown: When God Is Silent (Cowley Press)

Tickle, Phyllis (compiler): Eastertide -- Prayers for Lent and Easter from The Divine Hours (Doubleday), "a highly structured devotional encouraging people to pray the Divine Hours," the Rev. Don Noble, Spring Hill, Tenn.

Volf, Miroslav: End of Memory: Remembering Rightly in a Violent World (Eerdmans, William B. Publishing).

Waldman, Steven: Founding Fathers (Random House)

Weems, Ann: Kneeling in Jerusalem (Westminster John Knox Press), "71 prayer poems for reflection throughout Lent and Easter," the Rev. Kathy Noble, editor, Interpreter and Interpreter OnLine

Wentz, Richard: Why People Do Bad Things in the Name of Religion (Mercer)

Wiesel, Elie: Night (Hill and Wang).

Wright, N. T.: Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection and the Mission of the Church (HarperCollins Publishers), Joy Moore

Young, William P.: The Shack (Windblown Media), "... provides a unique perspective on the nature of God and our relationship to God,C Jack Shaw, Ocean, N.J.

The Upper Room Devotional (Upper Room), the Rev. Nancy Neelley, Nashville, Tenn.