Christmas Reading List
Over every break, I try to maximize my reading by having a plan in advance. Breaks are the best (not necessarily the only, but the best) time to read books that don't make class reading lists. So, for the Christmas break, here is my list (in order of probable reading):
- Surprised by Joy, by C. S. Lewis. This is one of the few nonfiction apologetic works by Lewis that I have not yet read. Also, I bought a copy for $.50 from the Samford Library, so it's been burning a hole in my bookshelf.
- God of Promise, by Michael Horton. This is a short book on covenant theology. I deemed it worth reading because I saw a good review of it awhile ago, and covenant theology is always worth studying. It should make good airplane reading.
- Till We Have Faces, by C. S. Lewis. I read this two years ago, and it just didn't click for me. This bothered me because it was Lewis's favorite, so I want to give it another shot.
- The City of God Against the Pagans, by Augustine. I started to read this over the summer and had to quit because the semester started. I was about 400 pages into it and just about to get to the good stuff, so I'm looking forward at finishing it.
- Any suggestions for a wildcard book?
That is a great idea, compiling a list of books to read during breaks. I find that I barely have time to read anything since I am working most of the time. Usually, the breaks are a good time to rest and do absolutely nothing. But, reading the books can be a form of relaxation and gives you a sense of accomplishment.
Posted by
Anonymous |
8:50 PM
Maybe something by Chesterton? Orthodoxy is one of the most amazing books I've ever read so you could give it a go. I also love Til We Have Faces, but it took a couple reads to feel like I understood even part of it.
Posted by
Anonymous |
1:36 AM
Put "Surprised by Joy" at the top of your list. (Though it appears that it already is.) It's a little rambling, but I loved it when I read it. Then again, I love all intellectual biographies.
Posted by
andrew |
4:07 AM
And as for my Christmas reading list thus far...
1. Against Christianity - Peter Leithart
2. The Outrageous Idea of Christian Scholarship - George Marsden
3. The Soul of the American University (continue) - George Marsden
4. He Shines in All That's Fair - Richard Mouw
Although reading will only be done to fill in gaps of time between doing things with Bethany, my friends, and family, so these are just ideas. I'll be lucky if I get one finished.
Posted by
andrew |
4:11 AM
Jake--Great suggestion, but I read both Orthodoxy and Everlasting Man a couple of years ago. I knew that he was an incredible author, but, when I stumbled across his Complete Works at our library, I was shocked to find that he was such a prolific author. I was aware of the fact that he wrote both fiction and nonfiction, but the amount he wrote was simply staggering.
Andrew--Good luck, and I would point out that you have a considerably longer flight than I do. So, maybe you can finish the first one or two on your list on your way to and from the States. By the way, I'm really looking forward to seeing you again!
Posted by
Jacob |
5:48 AM
Have you forgotten so quickly your request for my Ratzinger book? You ought add The Spirit of the Liturgy by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger on that list too. It's not terribly long, either.
Posted by
Anonymous |
10:06 AM
Oh, yeah! I knew that I was forgetting something. Well, count that as the wildcard book. Oh, and I also checked out Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen. I guess I have a few books on the wildcard list! :)
Posted by
Jacob |
10:57 AM