Apologies for the lull in reviews! Currently, I am busy with a special project (did you catch the You've Got Mail reference in the title?) which honestly needs more than tweaking.
A few months ago, I began reading my pastor Sam Storms' new book Kingdom Come. It is a pretty heavy tome focused on differing eschatological perspectives of theology. And, it does indeed remind me of my Criswell College days. However, I love Sam's writing. He maintains an ideal balance of challenging scholarship and humble accessibility- a rarity in theology books. I was about halfway through the book when my dear baby Evie arrived and turned my world upside down. Thus, I had to put the book away for a while.
Well, due to the increasingly relevant nature of the topic of dispensationalism, I've decided to reread the first half and finish the book- hopefully by the end of the year. However, I haven't mentioned the challenging part yet... I am taking very detailed notes as I read. Why? Because if you are thinking deeply about spiritual truths, forming your own opinions on the topic, and willing to have open discussions with others concerning the material, then you need to make the most of all this heavy reading!
Unfortunately, I am only a quarter of the way to my goal, so I may not make it to my January 1st deadline. If I don't catch up soon, then I may sneak back on here to do a fairly easy review of a recently read book or...if I dare...a classic film.
I also wanted to sneak on here to create a sort of pre-list of potential reads for 2014. I am constantly coming up with ideas for classics and contemporaries I haven't yet read.
Below is a list of titles that have most recently piqued my interest.
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess (A dystopian novella mentioned in the inspired Carolyn Weber memoir: Surprised by Oxford; Check out her blog at... www.pressingsave.com)
Moby Dick by Herman Melville (Needs no explanation, I'm sure.)
Charles Dickens (The author, not the book, if there exists a book. I'm not sure yet which titles I'd like to start with, but I'd love to sample at least a couple of his books in a row. I love getting a better feel for the author by comparing and contrasting multiple works. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. I have A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations, so those are definite possibilities.)
The Unvanquished by William Faulkner (I've read two of his works, and I LOVE the dynamic artistry of his style. I also happen to have this one on my bookshelf, and I am always endeavoring to read every title I own before going out to acquire more.)
The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Willa Cather (An author recently recommended by my significant other.)
Cormac McCarthy (Another beloved author recommended by my beloved.)
Earnest Hemingway (I'll probably start with the collection of short stories recently acquired from Half Price Books.)
The Moviegoer by Walker Percy (Which has been a primary influence for the creation of one of my favorite blogs to read, The Search- www.stillsearching.wordpress.com)
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis (One of those I-Should-Have-Read-Long-Ago reads.)
These are mostly books or names I just read from my bookshelf. As previously mentioned, I prefer to read things I already have on my numerous and cluttered bookshelves rather than merely adding to the collection. I recently heard it said that there was no point in collecting books because they are merely trophies and have no use once you have already read them. I disagree! One may loan them out, reference favorite parts by going back and looking up quotes, and reread them at will. I admit that I rarely do any of those things, but it does happen. I promise. ;)
Stay tuned for more posts. I'm mulling over the possibility of a Why Classics? post and a review of a Hemingway short story I recently read.
What are your favorite classics?
What kinds of books line your shelves, fill up your e-reader, or play on audio?
Do you have any recommendations?
Keep Savoring,
Natasha W.
