The Dog-eared Days of Summer, Entertainment, Books

Your Guide to Some Cool Late Summer Reads

Here's today's dispatch from the crossroads of faith, media and culture.

This summer’s crop of Hollywood extravaganzas just not doing it for you? Summer’s so-called “reality shows” not ringing all that real? Had your fill of YouTube videos? I’m personally pleased to find that books are still around for those of us seeking pleasant diversions and an insight or two. Here are a few I’ve read and highly recommend that you consider sinking your mind into.

John W. Kennedy is the founder of Creative Universe/JWKMEDIA, a script development and consulting company focusing on positive entertainment. He is an author of children’s books and has worked as a producer/writer for CNN and Fox. John also blogs for Beliefnet at Faith, Media and Culture.

The Three Keys To Open Doors

An accomplished scientist, entrepreneur and motivational speaker, Harold Finch shares his Christian-based secrets of success in a short book that’s an easy read. But don’t be fooled by the brevity. There’s loads of wisdom packed inside its 58 pages. I read it, endeavored to follow its actionable advice. Though my discipline has hardly been perfect, I do believe my imperfect efforts are bearing fruit. I can honestly tell you that this summer has yielded from very positive development that I thank God for. With His help, I hope to be able to elaborate shortly.

I first met Dr. Finch on the El Paso set of Unlimited, the faith-based suspense film he’s producing which is due out next year. I must say. I’ve found the man to be totally sincere and the real deal. Plus, he’s got great advice.

Magnetic Christianity

Also on the “usable insight” front is this one from the host of Seize the Day on SiriusXM’s Catholic Channel . Morning guy Gus Lloyd’s guide to accentuating the positive lists 11 God-given attributes that we’d all be wise to develop to the best of our ability. Magnetic Christianity takes many of the principles of motivational, positive mental attitude and self-help thinking and puts them into a Biblical perspective. I don’t think a spoiler alert is necessary to report them as consisting of enthusiasm, friendliness, confidence, humility, honesty, kindness, compassion, approachability, generosity, positivity and encouragement.

Gus’s gift — as he demonstrates on his daily program — is his ability to confidently elaborate on such topics in a positively approachable, enthusiastic and encouraging way.

Gus (while talking about the value of enthusiasm) addresses that subject directly in one of my favorite excerpts from his book:

“The culture, he writes, “tells us it is okay to tears others down…Many people are under the mistaken notion that by tearing others down, they somehow build themselves up. By gossiping, bullying and making fund of others, we not only degrade others, we degrade ourselves. This kind of attitude is the antithesis of encouragement. Encouragement is about lifting others up.”

Good insight. Good book.

October Baby

The novelization of the surprise-hit movie about a young abortion survivor (played by Rachel Hendrix) isn’t due out until September 1. It’s a story of 19-year-old Hannah, who goes on a road trip to find answers after learning she is adopted and the survivor of an attempted abortion.

An emotional — yet, in places, surprisingly humorous — story, the movie may just be the most intelligent dramatic treatment of the abortion debate I’ve seen. The book promises to provide more background and insight into the compelling and, essentially, very human and likable main characters