You may know Dr. Brett Opalinski as the Assistant Dean of Methodist Studies and Assistant Professor in the Practice of Spiritual Formation and Church Leadership at Candler. This week, we’re excited to have Dr. Opalinski offer our summer reading recommendations and give us a glimpse into how he’s entertaining himself this summer.

First on Dr. Opalinski’s list is The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder by David Grann.

In this work of narrative nonfiction, David Grann tells the harrowing story of shipwreck survivors of His Majesty’s Ship the Wager, who washed ashore in South America in 1742. As survivors continued to arrive on land, the story of the wreck quickly turned from a tale of heroism to one of violence, mutiny, and murder, leaving lives on trial in a military court. Full of twists and turns, The Wager is sure to keep readers captivated with this nonfiction tale (which is quite honestly unbelievable).

The Wager is available at the Woodruff Library and the Dekalb County Public Library.

Next is King: A Life by Jonathan Eig.

Renowned biographer Jonathan Eig delivers once again with a thorough, compelling, and updated volume on the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. Using recently declassified FBI documents, Eig recounts MLK’s inner turmoil, complex family dynamics, and persecution by the US government. Even if you are familiar with the story of MLK, this timely biography will fill in gaps and complicate the narrative we often hear about one of our nation’s greatest minds and martyrs, offering a more complete picture of King as a man, and not just a public figure.

King: A Life is available via request from the Oxford College Library and from the Dekalb County Public Library.

Finally, Dr. Opalinski recommends a brand new streaming show, Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss.

In this documentary series, Rainn Wilson travels the world, exploring sites known for being the happiest and least happy places on earth, seeking the secrets to a happy society. The show is based on an earlier book by Eric Weiner, called The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World. Both the book and show navigate the science of happiness with humor, curiosity, and seriousness, and viewers are sure to learn something about the world and themselves.

The Geography of Bliss is streaming on Peacock.

Like what you see? Stay tuned for more summer reading recommendations from the faculty and staff at Pitts and Candler!