I’ve been known to read several books at once and over the years have been widely asked what I’m currently reading or what’s on my list, so I figured I would begin to share my list here, with reviews of some books I’ve recently finished. I do have to note that I’ve also had other seasons where I read little-to-nothing because it’s a season of true quiet for me. In those seasons I’m longing to hear from my Father more than other voices; in those seasons I turn soley to Scripture. And it’s in those seasons that I feel prepared for the next that is often full and yet just as beautiful, like welcoming a new soul into our family or a change of schedules.
Brother Lawerence had explained how he felt God’s presence just the same whether he was on his knees praying, reading Scripture or washing dishes. I could say the same with reading: whether I’m reading several books at once or reading nothing but a Psalm per day, I feel immensely close to my Father and fully in His presence. And the people I look up to the most, whether a friend in real time or a historical figure and hero of the faith, are people who read, read and read some more. These people are lovers of books of all genres, political points of view, etc. So I make it my goal to be reading a little of different kinds of books at once. For example, I’m currently reading books to learn something, to be inspired by, a book on theology, a book I can easily put down and pick back up as I am playing outside with the kids, another book to read just on the Sabbath (usually fiction), seasonal books or novels, and whatever book my husband is currently reading I find myself reading little bits of that too.
One more note, my writing style is not quite a list-making style or review-type so bare with me. I may have to come back in and reorganize this post. Let’s dive in!
Read/Currently Reading this Autumn
– Surprised by Joy by C.S Lewis*
– Well Lived: Shaping a Legacy of Gratitude and Grace by Sally Clarkson*
– Dancing with my Heavenly Father: Choosing Joy in a Less-Than-Perfect World by Sally Clarkson
– Devoted: Great Men and Their Godly Moms by Tim Challies – every mother who has a son order this today
– Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul by Hannah Anderson
– Books my husband recently read or is reading: The Benedict Option by Rod Dreher and a few others about leadership and serving on commitees.
Sabbath Reads
Lila by Marilynn Robinson; next on my list: Piranesi by Susana Clarke and Remembering by the late Wendell Berry
Theology
Augustine’s Confessions – I read Faith, Hope and Love earlier this year so delving into his autobiography written in prose format has been intriguing and insightful as well as encouraging to my faith and has widened my view and knowledge on church history; next on my list is John the Theologian by John Behr
With/For the Kids
– Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey and Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall
– Narnia series by C.S Lewis (the kids and I are reading through book 3 right now)
– Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family’s Faith Through God’s Creation by Eryn Lynum. This is my easy-to-read book for when I’m sitting on a quilt outside watching my kids play
There are plenty more we read, especially seasonal books we pull out each year or add to our collection, these are simply the ones my family is currently reading and loving.
Preparing to read
– Pre-ordered Into the Quiet by John Mark Comer. It’s now out to order!
– Late autumn/early winter: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. My oldest and I have been planning to read this all year! An Advent devotional called Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas by Plough Daily Devotionals
– Last on my list: You Are A Tree by Joy Clarkson
– Early next year: The Beauty of the Infinite: The Aesthetics of Christian Truth by David Bentley Hart
Reviews
Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis
C.S Lewis’ Surprised by Joy is an autobiography of sorts, except Lewis states that it is indeed not an autobiography which set this book up well revealing his personally and sarcasm. Lewis himself wrote it but he claims it’s not in true autobiographical form and the purpose of the book is to highlight how Lewis went from Atheism to Christianity by speaking of what he calls “joy.” To Lewis, joy is something of “incalculable importance,” and because it is less of a feeling and rather an experience or longing, it is something that once you’ve experienced it you will want it again because of its supernatural characteristics.
In the book, Lewis describes different times in his life that were mostly difficult, losing his mother at a young age, being sent to boarding school, seasons of deep loneliness, and being bullied by adults and children alike. He explains the camaraderie between his brother and him and the different worlds and stories they created as children. It was an interesting read because the reader sees how Lewis grew to have the curious and creative mind he lived into and how God was pursuing him since he was young.
It is a good, easy read written by and about one of the most amazing thinkers, creatives and authors. I highly recommend it!
Well Lived: Shaping a Legacy of Gratitude and Grace by Sally Clarkson
I recently ended a summer book club with some friends where we read Sally’s book she wrote with one of her daughters, Sarah, it is titled The Lifegiving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming, which was also a delight. Her most recent book Well Lived is about her time spent in Oxford, Uk. Sally was initially invited by her oldest to help with her first baby as she finished grad school and Sally ended up staying in Oxford for 4 years. Sally’s wisdom and expertise made for an easy read that filled you with awe and wonder and inspiration of the legacy you, too, will leave… And the photos in this book made it feel more like a magazine than book so it was a delightful, beautiful and one I recommend reading in the afternoon with a cup of tea in arms reach.
If I Had More Time to Read
Any Kristin Hannah books
Works by Frederick Buechner, Wendell Berry, Tolkien and a few others. I currently have 64 books in my amazon cart so all I’m lacking is time 🙂
I hope you enjoyed this read and my list. Feel free to discuss in the comments, and what books are on your current list?
