As summer looms for leaders and readers in the Northern Hemisphere, I’m reviewing books for your summer reading enjoyment! Whether you read on the beach, in the backyard, or at a B&B, Scott Rodin’s first novel, “The Four Gifts of the King,” is a must-read.If you’ve my previous reviews, you might think that I’m the reader in my family—but that would be incorrect. Our 16-year-old granddaughter, Zuzana (“Zuzu”), is the voracious reader, so she happily accepted my invitation to read this novel and share her feedback.GRANDPA JOHN: OK, Zuzu—it’s only June and you’re a busy high school student—so how many books have you read so far this year?ZUZU: I just finished my 68th book.GRANDPA JOHN: Yikes! Really…68? That’s amazing! (I better up my game!) So…what did you think of "The Four Gifts of the King," by Scott Rodin?ZUZU: Before I answer…is Scott Rodin a friend of yours?GRANDPA JOHN: Actually, he is. But don’t hold back!ZUZU: Thanks. I loved it. I enjoy reading fiction and spiritual warfare books—and "The Four Gifts of the King" reminded me of C.S. Lewis. Rodin’s writing flows nice and easy—and his writing style adds to the story; it didn’t distract. I appreciated that.Note: I interviewed Zuzu over lunch this week at our favorite Chinese restaurant. Zuzu had the lemon chicken; I had sweet and sour pork. Grammy Joanne also got in on the fun and the food because we were celebrating Zuzu’s birthday—howbeit a few months late.GRANDPA JOHN: As you know, a good friend encouraged me to read this book—because the setting was so relevant: four adult children gathering for their father’s memorial service—and then two days with an attorney (a family friend) to go over the details of the will. Could you relate to the story?ZUZU: Well, as you certainly know, I have four siblings. Hopefully, such a gathering is a long way off for us. But I did feel that the characters in this novel were real people—with real emotions.G. JOHN: Right. All four adults had careers, but none were married yet. And wow, plenty of sibling pokes and stabs. Hurt feelings. The four social styles (analyticals, drivers, amiables, and expressives) popped right out. What did you think about the unique approach the author took?ZUZU: It was unique. The attorney had arranged for this two-day gathering at their parents' home (the mother had died previously) and the will required everyone to read a book together—out loud! So the kids took turns reading the story their father had written for them. (Their dad, by the way, was a retired rescue mission CEO.)G. JOHN: And… (sorry to interrupt!)…at the end of each chapter in their father’s story (set a few centuries back), we were then back in the living room in real time with the four family members and the attorney—as they debriefed each chapter. I remember this paragraph at the end of Chapter 18:“…Anna read the last words and set the book down. Anna stretched. ‘Well, that explains a lot of things. Now we know what the Quash was for.’“Alex stood and joined her in a stretch. ‘Four gifts, four lands, and four distortions. It’s all coming together.’“‘And four of us.’ Meredith leaned back. ‘I think Dad has us right where he wants us.’”ZUZU: Yes. So there are actually two stories going on. The family members learning about their father’s will—and then the fictional story of Steward, the teenager, on a journey through four lands. The metaphors were intriguing…G. JOHN: ...and convicting! Those four distortions. Oh my and yikes! We can’t do a spoiler alert here—but of the four lands, were you gripped by any one setting in particular?ZUZU: The “ramps” metaphor. I know your people reading this review won’t have a clue what that means—but they’ll get it when they read the book. I thought all four lands described our culture today—sadly—but the “ramps” imagery was especially shocking. It reminded me, a bit, of “The Great Divorce,” by C.S. Lewis.G. JOHN: Do I dare mention here that you’ve read “The Great Divorce,” but I haven’t? (I just ordered it.) And since your dad (our amazing son, Jason) is a listener, not a reader, you might remind him that if he hasn’t read this C.S. Lewis classic either, he can listen to the audio of this allegorical “bus ride from hell to heaven” (length: three hours and 22 minutes).ZUZU: I will! All of the metaphors were thought-provoking and…GRAMMY JOANNE: …can I jump in here, Zuzu? Grandpa John says I should read "The Four Gifts of the King " and it’s on my summer reading list also. But I like to ask people if a book has made them think differently about something. Did it change your thinking about a key issue or concept?G. JOHN: Grammy always asks the best (and often the most convicting) questions.ZUZU: That’s a great question, Grammy. Let me read you my fortune cookie: “You will enjoy another delicious meal here soon!” So…my answer will cost you another lunch!G. JOHN: Brilliant, Zuzu! But let me ask you one last question. Donald Rumsfeld, one of my favorite management authors, notes: “Many people have the ability to review something and make it better. Few are able to identify what is missing.” So, what was missing from this book? Would you have added anything?ZUZU: In the allegory, there were certainly glimpses of women with spiritual backbones. But I would have appreciated the storyline featuring a woman who demonstrated the character and strength of Mary. If I added anything else for your review, I might spoil the plot!G. JOHN: Wow. Great insight. And thank you for reading this book. I’m intrigued that you think millennials will also enjoy this book. Parents and grandparents should read it too. And we should do this again! Of our triplet grandkids, you win the prize for being the reader. Maybe you can inspire Emelia and Anders to read at least a book-a-month? (That might be worthy of an In-N-Out Burger lunch!)