Summer Reading and Shifting Gears

I just finished Michael Crichton's latest book, State of Fear. As a novel, I found it somewhat inferior to his previous titles. I did agree, however, with his (very vocal) opinion on the widespread fearmongering associated with "global warming." And while he has his finger on an important cultural phenomenon, he often sacrifices the integrity of the book's plot for truth claims that just came across as preachiness. Oh well, for an $8 NYT bestseller - what more can you really expect?

Anyway, my next book read involves some more usual fare, namely, Joseph Ratzinger's Milestones, the autobiography that details his early life and various ecclesial posts before taking over CDF. The first chapters completely put to rest the nasty story that the MSM tried to keep afloat about his (forced) association with the Hitler Youth. So much for that. Next up: the details of his time at seminary.