As I was looking through galleys of forthcoming titles recently, I came across a book that I thought looked interesting from a small but long-established publisher. It sounded like it might at least earn an online mention and so, before I assigned the review, I looked through more carefully. Centering on a “bucket list”-type theme, the book offered a set number of activities to do before you pass away (“hug someone,” “plan your own funeral”). Morbid topic but the book livened it up a bit.

Comedian Dennis Swanberg releases his book The Man Code (Freeman-Smith LLC), along with co-writer Ron Smith, on May 1. In this Q and A, he explains his passion for men's ministry, how retailers can attract more male shoppers and the challenges of Christian comedy.

Cue Bette Midler vocals...”Did I ever tell you you're my hero?” For those of you who never did, shame on you. But now there's another chance now on the Web site called “The Noticer Project.” Inspired by the Andy Andrews book The Noticer (Thomas Nelson) releasing April 28, the site gives visitors a chance to pin down the five most influential people in their lives. From that point, they decide how to best “notice” the person – whether taking them to coffee, writing a note or building a monument (I made that last one up).

Other than paying honor to those who deserve it, “The Noticer Project” will also help draw more attention to the title, helping to “really move books” at retail, said Rusty Shelton, managing director of Phenix & Phenix, which, along with Andrews and publisher Thomas Nelson, is helping to promote the site: “We are seeing great buzz so far.”

The book follows a mysterious character named Jones who appears at crisis moments to offer advice to strangers. Andrews writes,”when we notice things about ourselves and other people that allow us all to regroup, take a breath, and begin our lives again, the best is surely yet to come.”

Are there five people who've contributed to your life in a meaningful way? I think the hardest part will be whittling your list down to just five. Also, will the key influencers also be your best friends or is it something to consider that sometimes even your enemies have contributed to your current path? Perhaps even strangers?

Aames--who also starred as superhero Bibleman in videos from 1995-2004--filed for bankruptcy last year and sold off his belongings March 26, The Kansas City Star reported. After struggling for years with drug and alcohol addictions, Aames, 48, became a Christian and an ordained minister.

If you're not sure what the emerging church is, you're not alone. Judging from this lively debate, which took place at Christian Book Expo (CBE), authors Tony Jones and Scot McKnight seem to say it's hard to define exactly what it is. Kevin DeYoung, a co-author of Why We're Not Emergent (Moody Publishers), square off against the two during the presentation, which also includes Alex and Brett Harris, authors of Do Hard Things (Multnomah Books).

During a breakfast at International Christian Retail Show 2008, Phyllis Tickle, author of The Great Emergence (Baker Books), seemed to sum up at least part of the movement by saying it's a modern Reformation, changing Christianity from an entirely Scripture-based approach to one that accommodates for some emotion and feeling. Jones' comments in the video support that when he says it would make people “uncomfortable” to know his views on the reliability of Scripture.

I think there's a bit of an identity crisis going on or at the very least a strong resistance to labels. McKnight points out there are more conservative theologies included in the movement and doesn't seem to like them all lumped together. After the debate, I asked author Donald Miller, since his name was mentioned as a leader and he pointed out that he attends a non-emergent church. He seems to refuse the label and being drawn into the discussion. Rob Bell (Jesus Wants to Save Christians), another author frequently drawn into the mix, pretty much said the same thing when I asked him last year.

Maybe labels could be done away with (which we all know isn't going to happen) or perhaps a new set are needed for a group that is a little more diverse and less united than many thought.

As a retailer displaying books by all the authors mentioned, perhaps side by side, how do you direct your customers to what they are looking for and handle the complaints from those purchasing a book they discover they strongly disagree with?

Check the video out here.

The "main event" of last month's Christian Book Expo, the debate/panel discussion "Does the God of Christianity Exist?" featuring author Christopher Hitchens, Doug Wilson and Lee Strobel, has been posted. You can watch it here.

The discussion was the best attended event at the show, even drawing a few Hitchens supporters from the Dallas area. Although the moderator provided some personal perspective, some of the people I spoke with felt he overstepped his bounds to engage Hitchens, taking time away from the panelists. Still, it's an informative panel. Take a look and let us know what you think in our comments section.