The Daniel Tammet biography, Born on a Blue Day, is a fascinating book. He's an autistic savant, and high-functioning. The book is a sensitive telling of his struggles with Asperger's Syndrome and early epilepsy, his amazing mental powers, and his successful attempts to build an independent life. He is a Christian, and the last chapter, where he tells about his conversion and explains his approach to worship, is simply beautiful.

Inspired by Azron's postings of quotations from Merton, I'm sharing here a meditation by Jeremy Taylor, a 17th Century Divine. This is from his "Short Meditations to be used in the night, when we awake"

"Meditate on Jacob's wrestling with the angel all night; be thou also importunate with God for a blessing, and give not over till he hath blessed thee."

Many nights I have laid awake with the night table, and done just that. Since I have never yet failed to go back to sleep and wake in the morning, I believe the blessing is always given.

Aside from the aforementioned Carter Beats the Devil, here are some of the books I've been reading this summer:

Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet
What the Dead Know by Laura Lippmann
The Water Will Hold You by Lindsey Crittenden
The Kings of New York by Michael Weinreb
Kafka's Soup by Mark Crick
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
Monkey Girl by Edward Humes
Sun Dancing by Geoffrey Moorehouse
The Giver by Lois Lowry
The Maytrees by Annie Dillard
Leepike Ridge by N.D. Wilson
My Antonia by Willa Cather
Holy Living and Dying by Jeremy Taylor

Commentary and recommendations to follow!