Have a Little Faith

I'm a huge fan of Mitch Albom. Tuesdays with Morrie is one of my favorite books of all time and since then, I've read everything else he's published. Have a Little Faith is his first nonfiction book since Morrie. Needless to say, I had high hopes.

This book is the true story of two, at first, vastly different religious leaders in two different states. Mitch is asked by his childhood Rabbi, Albert Lewis, to give the eulogy at his funeral. Mitch, while at first stunned by this request, spends a great deal of time getting to know Rabbi Lewis and his family. He learns a lot about tolerance and faith from this wise man.

To contrast with his experiences with the Rabbi, Mitch spends time getting to know a Detroit pastor, Henry Covington. Henry arrived at his role as a pastor in a way that shocks Mitch. Henry was a drug addict and ex-con. He uses his past to connect with and counsel his parishioners.

Mitch realizes that while the way that these two men lead is vastly different, their unwaivering faiths and passion for helping others are identical. Their faiths--Jewish and Christian--are not as different as Mitch once thought.

This book, as with all of them, is uplifting and inspiring. This book makes me want to be a better person.

Albom, Mitch. Have a Little Faith. New York: Hyperion, 2009.

A Little Bit Wicked

I've been reading a lot lately, due in part to the awesome teacher appreciation sale at Barnes and Noble. I purchased a lot of new books and, since I'm always trying to "beef up" the nonfiction section of my classroom library, picked up two great nonfiction books.

I love love love Kristin Chenoweth! I've been crazy about her since she was in the revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. I loved her in Wicked and about died when I met her after seeing her amazing performance in The Apple Tree. A Little Bit Wicked is her autobiography. She is very candid about growing up in Oklahoma and her road to fame. Kristin, who begins by telling the reader about finding out she was adopted and her early life as a beauty queen, is absolutely hilarious. Her book took me through all sorts of emotions and it was great to learn a little bit more about her.

Fans of Kristin will love this book!

Chenoweth, Kristin. A Little Bit Wicked: Faith, Love, and Life in Stages. New York:
Touchstone, 2009.