"But Don't Take Me For Granted."

I went to a book fair yesterday.

I was in my element. I think the most expensive book I bought was $4.50. All books should be that cheap. Of course, I say that and then think that if I ever get published I would like to make a little more money than that.

We live in a material world and I am a material girl. Rock on, Madonna.

Anywho, I bought the most amazing book yesterday. So amazing, I took a break from Dubliners to start it (which probably means that poor Joyce will be forgotten and abandoned. I hope not).

The book is called Body Piercing Saved My Life: Inside the Phenomenon of Christian Rock. Its written by Andrew Beaujon, a journalist and so not a "Christian."

But this book is so awesome.

I mean, it might be about Christian rock music, but so much of what is being said in this book is exactly what I've been thinking about lately, and what I've been talking about with my friends and enemies. This book, written by someone outside of the Christian bubble, articulates all of my beliefs and doubts, desires and fears, in a way I didn't know possible.

I just can't get over it. I'm not finished with it yet, and I'm sure there will be a couple of points made that I will disagree with and may be even offended at...but I don't care.

This book is a must read. Seriously.

One thing that I am known for is how much I love to underline my books. I started this book without a pen handy, and after the first chapter I finally put the book down and ran to dig around in a drawer, looking for a good and hearty reliable pen, before rushing back to my seat to re-read chapter 1 and mark it up accordingly. This book is getting so underlined I'm almost embarrassed.

The age-old question seems to be: What makes a band Christian? Is a band Christian or are there Christians in the band? This book has name-dropped so many times, its unbelievable. P.O.D. to Relient K, U2 to Switchfoot, Social Distortion (Social Distortion! My jaw dropped at that one. I mean, so it was a former member of the group, but still! I even looked it up: check out this interview with HM.) to Underoath. Pedro the Lion to Carmen.

Plus, I have this rather nostalgic desire to go and dust off old Amy Grant and Steven Curtis Chapman CDs, even though I know just one song would make my skin crawl.

Really, you need to read this book. Go buy a copy (hopefully for a cheap price similar to mine), read it, and then come back here and argue all you want with me about it. I'd love you if you did.