the sparrow
by mary doria russell

In 2019, humanity finally finds proof of extraterrestrial life when a listening post in Puerto Rico picks up exquisite singing from a planet which will come to be known as Rakhat. While United Nations diplomats endlessly debate a possible first contact mission, the Society of Jesus quietly organizes an eight-person scientific expedition of its own. What the Jesuits find is a world so beyond comprehension that it will lead them to question the meaning of being "human." When the lone survivor of the expedition, Emilio Sandoz, returns to Earth in 2059, he will try to explain what went wrong... Words like "provocative" and "compelling" will come to mind as you read this shocking novel about first contact with a race that creates music akin to both poetry and prayer.

I just finished this book. I really enjoyed it. It forced me to ask the question, 'what do you get when you take a science fiction donut and fill it with a jelly commentary on contemporary spiritual thought?' The answer: alot for the mind to digest but something that is very enjoyable with a Saturday morning and a cup of coffee. I also enjoyed the sneaky way it was written although a few of the characters seemed to lack a few dimensions at times.

i must admit that when i found out that we were going to read a science fiction i was not thrilled. it turns out that i loved it! this book made me think about the effects that we have on everyone that we encounter and about my own spirituality. it has carried over into my own life and taught me to assume nothing.