We are in the middle of another media blitz for “A Year of Living” book. Since Alan Jacobs wrote A Year of Living Biblically, evangelical Christians have been inspired to write The Year of Living Like Jesus and now A Year of Biblical Womanhood. This phenomenon puzzles me, because I would think that any Christian who has read the book of Hebrews would know that these ideas are 2,000 years out of date. We are not required, or even supposed to dress and eat like a first century Jew or a wife in Leviticus. Do authors, publishers, and readers really not know this?
Apparently not, which is why I am announcing that on Monday I will begin researching my new book, A Year of Living Like a Mesopotamian King. I don’t yet know what that will entail, but I’m pretty sure I won’t be showing up for work. There may also be a fair amount of swordplay, processions, and festive dinners. There should also be wine. Lots and lots of wine. My first royal act will be to fire my agent—I might do worse but this Mesopotamian still lives under the rules of Michigan—so publishers please contact me directly.
In case you want to get in on the action, some of the choicest roles are still available, such as: A Year of Living Like Pharaoh’s Daughter, A Year of Living Like a Roman Centurion, or A Year of Living Like Balaam’s Donkey. There are an astounding number of possible titles, so pick your favorite and let’s all have some fun. These books might make us look silly, but not much sillier than what we’ve already got.
Mike Wittmer 
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