On the other hand, I get a bit down seeing the amount of books that, well, to be honest, seem kinda crap. I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but I still do. And so many books I see instantly get my back up, just with first appearances. So many look like self help books, and have a picture of some perfect, happy, attractive, smiling person on the front. Read this and be happy! Be rich! Be awesome!
I also get turned off by the titles. E spotted a book called 'How would Jesus Raise Your Child'. This just irks me. I can see how it could be okay, but to me it just seems silly. Jesus was so many things. Why write a book about something that He wasn't? To me it feels like, I am interested in such and such, and I'll write a book about that topic...and then somehow squeeze Jesus in there. Jesus isn't someone to be squeezed in to a topic. But hey, you might love that book and find it helpful, I don't know. I'm probably too cynical.Anyhow, I was far more attracted to some of the older books, and picked up a couple that I have been wanting for ages-- The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis (sorry Dad, I will finally return your copy now!), and The Confessions by St. Augustine.
I did have some thoughts of doing The Confessions for Book Group... but having flicked through it looks like a bit of a hard slog! Anyone interested, or who has read it? Worth it? Other ideas for Book Group were something by C.S Lewis or J.I. Packer.
13 comments:
I reckon confessions the most accessible thing Augustine wrote, but like most stuff he wrote it can be tiresome reading - not bad, but lots and lots of mining in order to get your nugget of pure gold.
Hmm. That's what I was afraid of.
Have you come across any really good books that aren't too impossible to read?
I don't reckon it's that hard if you give yourself a little info on some key issues for his time and place. I've been reading Confessions over the last couple of weeks now, and I reckon it's actually quite breezy. Small sections, and he's an astonishingly good writer.
But I'd like to read the imitation too... If not that, Life Together by Bonhoeffer - it's only 100 pages or so!
A fourth book that is really cool and easy going, Free of Charge by Miroslav Volf.
I recommend How Long Oh Lord by Don Carson. I'm currently reading through it now and it's great. Basically it's about suffering - death and sickness, etc - and how to think through these issues from God's vantage point. The idea is that when you actually go through suffering, the last thing you want to do is read theology about it. Best to read this stuff in preparation, so when hard times hit you are better prepared (if that's even possible...)
Anyway, Don has great discussion questions at the end, which should aid the book review process. Lots of meat and complex still to think through, but still accessible and not too hard to read.
I agree with samr about confessions. I know other people have suggested it, but I think it may be a bit of a slog, especially for people who aren't naturally literary types - ministers and college students struggle through it, so I know I wouldn't fare any better.
Better to have a win with something more accesible, I reckon, and save Confessions for down the track!
Re being "breezy". Drew...I would argue that you're probably a little more adept than the average reader :)
Hey Drew-- Thanks for your suggestions. I was reading a random bit of confessions last night, and it was pretty amazing. But yeah, the surrounding soil to that bit of gold was hard digging!
Hi Soph-- Sounds like a good book. I don't really know Don Carson, but I listened to a talk by him the other day which I found pretty good..
Yeah I am sort of in favour of something not too hard and not too long.. but still good.
Ps- Re Drew, I was going to say the same thing Soph! 'Quite breezy' to Drew would be gail force to me:)
I think you guys over-estimate my reading abilities!
Just on people who aren't naturally literary types - ministers and college students struggle through it, perhaps I can suggest that sometimes people try too hard reading - they want to find 'nuggets' too much. Just roll with it... Also, you could not set the whole book, just a few sections.
Short? Bonhoeffer!
hmmm...good point drew. Then maybe short chunks of Confessions?
hmm. I'm liking the excepts idea. What about a mini book group, where say someone who has read confessions (ie, you drew:)) chooses say three chunks,or chapters, and we do a three week book group?
Do-able.... but you need to give me time to finish it. You could do another short book in the mean time.
btw I just meant you choose the sections, you don't neccessarily have to post on it..
I am keen to be part of book club. I'd recommend doing something like Spiritual Depression by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the book Andrew promoted in his sermon.
cool leanne. Thanks for the suggestion- will add it to the list..
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