Free for All by Don Borchert (2007)

Borchert gives anecdotes of the people who use the library. It is full of delightful little impressions: parents who leave their children to be babysat in the library, the fights that happen in the parking lot (not just the children!), the multiple ways people try to talk themselves out of library fines (or just try to get a new card), the employees that can't get fired, drug dealers using the pay phone outside, and more. It is definitely worth reading.

The year of living biblically by A.J. Jacobs

Overall, this book provided some fascinating insights into the Bible. I had difficulties with his goal in approaching the project of living one year following the Bible literally - he wanted to show how ridiculous it was to take it literally. In light of this goal, and his tendency to be self-focused and independent, it was hardly a humble quest (as the title seems to suggest).

Nonetheless, he captures some of the beauty of the Bible: the wonder of Sabbath, of ritual, and of celebration (see end of the chapter on December for a good quote on the beauty of ritual and laws). He shows how trying to live following the rules really shapes how you see the world. He also shows how going to far (following the letter of the law instead of the intent of the law) can lead to some problems. He addresses these problems somewhat by noting the choices he had to make of which rule to break in certain situations. And he illustrates how there is more going on in following the Bible than what might be immediately apparent.

He is changed somewhat by the experience, although that he is not a Christian in the end is a bit of a disappointment. And yet, it is perhaps not so surprising - after all, how many Jews (especially Pharisees) who were good at following the regulations actually became Christians?