well this is embarrassing

It seems that the last time I posted about what I'm reading was... a week after Daphne was born.

So, a year and a half ago.

My bad.

Life is organized chaos lately, and no one better judge me for having little-to-no-time to read let alone WRITE about what I'm reading with a toddler always just around the corner getting into the dog food and one on deck about to make his appearance in ten weeks.  Seriously.

But since I value this, I'm going to continue my reading updates.  Starting with this year's.  So, here goes!

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride, by Cary Elwes

We listened to this on Audible while moving cross-country, and it was the perfect way to spend the time.  Cary Elwes (aka Westley) narrated, and other cast members contributed, so listening is the way to take this one in.  If you're a fan of The Princess Bride at all, you're missing out if you don't pick this up ASAP.  Fun anecdotes and tender moments shared by the cast and director reminded me just how special the film is, why it's such a success, and just how truly quotable and endearing it will always be to my family and me.  Love love love.

The Weight of Glory, by CS Lewis

And now for something completely different.... 

This collection of Lewis's essays and memorable lectures to various organizations, of which The Weight of Glory is most famous, is not exactly light reading.  He addresses important topics, though, that are as relevant now as they were then in the midst of the WWII and post-war England.  Jack once again succeeds to simultaneously crush with his brilliance (half of his arguments go about ten feet over my head?) and encourage with his still-grounded understanding of Christianity.  He's a genius, but he knows all knowledge is nothing if the hope of Christ is not communicated.  

Doxology and Theology: How the Gospel Forms the Worship Leader, by Matt Boswell

I read this in a day.  What a thorough discussion of worship that is equally relevant to the layperson as the worship leader, in my opinion.  In it, a number of worship leaders and pastors communicate various aspects of worship in the church, but I was overwhelmingly encouraged that the majority of them made it a point to comment that while excellence is desirable, excellence in worship is not an end in itself.  It's all in vain if we miss the gospel and the God who requires our praise.  Yes.  This is what I want to see in our churches.  True gospel worship.  Read this book.

Rhythms of Grace: How the Church's Worship Tells the Story of the Gospel, by Mike Cosper

Can you tell I was on a worship kick for a bit there?  This one was good, but definitely for more of an average churchgoer.  And in that respect, it was spot on.  I liked the way Cosper walked through major events of the Bible and how each event corresponded with a new revelation of who God is and what worship should be.  A great biblical overview for students, in particular, I thought.  The rest of it was sort of blah to me, after having just read Doxology and Theology, which had a lot more weight and meat to its teaching.  Still would recommend.

Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe, by Bill Bryson

Don't get me wrong... I love Bryson.  I've rents' house while Daph and I visited them for a week, just as a bit of light reading.  I've read at least five of his books, and they're all engaging and a fun read.  This one was no less.  But Neither Here nor There is also the first of his that I've read that's not about language, or Shakespeare, or something other than his own personal life.  As interesting as his meanderings through Europe are, it was sort of like turning on a travel show with a narrator whose voice you like who throws in a few cuss words and mildly naughty anecdotes to show he's authentic, and just having that on in the background while you do other stuff around the house.  That may be the best comparison I've ever come up with.  So I came away from this book feeling a bit meh toward it.  Not bad, but won't pick up again.

A History of the World in 6 Glasses, by Tom Standage

The idea of this book is far better than its actualization.  In a nutshell, Tom Standage walks the reader through history, detailing the development of six different beverages that at one stage or another influenced culture in an enduring way.  First, beer in ancient Mesopotamia.  Then, wine in Italy and Greece.  Spirits in America.  Coffee in the Middle East to Britain to America.  Tea in China, India, and Britain.  And finally, Coca-Cola in America and worldwide.  It could have been such a fascinating read, had Standage's writing style been more engaging than a (albeit thoroughly researched) senior thesis.  It ought to have been more lively, as a whole.  To his credit, things started picking up toward the middle, with the development of liquors and the importance of coffee in coffeehouses and the advancements that came about through the discussions that occurred over those beverages.  That is what I wanted in every chapter.  If you have any interest in world history, delicious beverages, and the social influences of pub- or coffeehouse-culture, you may want to pick this up.

Walking with Wesley: A Ninety-Day Devotional, by Nick Harrison

Devotionals are not really my thing, but I picked this one up because Kevin left it on our counter, and I want to know more about the man who founded and inspired the denomination we're now a part of.  I was looking for a bit of an overview of John Wesley's life, and maybe a bit more about his personal beliefs of salvation and living in the power of Christ.  I found those things in this book, but Nick Harrison seems to have an earnest sort of infatuation with the man Wesley, and I just couldn't get past it.  I mean, I realize that the purpose of the devotional was to be encouraged by his life and challenged by his convictions, but he's still a man.  He had faults.  We can't put him on a pedestal like that, Nick Harrison.  For the next book I read on Wesley, I'd like to read about his struggles, about times he was humbled, times he stumbled and needed correction, and how he responded to that.  Do we have record of that?  That's what I want - stories of real human beings with active relationships with God that can be touch-and-go and shaky at times.  That's what's encouraging to me: when people choose God when the going gets rough and it hurts to be faithful, not these saints with no recorded flaws and perfect responses to every person with a question.  That's real life.  Give me a real person's story.  Please and thank you. 

The Abolition of Man

The Abolition of Man, by C.S. Lewis

Though this book (or, rather, collection of essays) is a mere eighty seven pages, I think I read it about three times by the end of it.  His mastery of the argument and the English language oftentimes goes right over my head; I had to reread sentences, paragraphs... Jack, I know you're brilliant, but what exactly did you just say?

Once I grasped where he was headed, I became completely enmeshed in his defense of objective morality.  I was not expecting literary criticism in the defense, though that, and his understanding of ethics flouted by technological and scientific advances, certainly makes me wonder what he doesn't understand or what arena does not fall under his umbrella of expertise.  Further, the connection he sees between this worldview and education makes it an essential read for any Christian, sociologist, and educator.

"Only the Tao [Lewis' term for the Way of objective truth] provides a common human law of action which can overarch rulers and ruled alike.  A dogmatic belief in objective value is necessary to the very idea of a rule which is not tyranny or an obedience which is not slavery.  I am not here thinking solely, perhaps not even chiefly, of those who are our public enemies at the moment.  The process which, if not checked, will abolish Man, goes on apace among Communists and Democrats no less than among Fascists.  The methods may (at first) differ in brutality.  But many a mild-eyed scientist in a pince-nez, many a popular dramatist, many an amateur philosopher in our midst, means in the long run just the same as the Nazi rulers of Germany.  Traditional values are to be "debunked" and mankind to be cut out into some fresh shape at the will (which must, by hypothesis, be an arbitrary will) of some few lucky people in one lucky generation which has learned how to do it" (81, emphases mine).

Phew.  Will have to read this one again.  You need to, too.  Trust me; it's worth the effort.

The Great Divorce

The Great Divorce, by C.S. Lewis

How on earth could I have forgotten the brilliance of dear Jack?  My love for (and envy of) his command of language?  The way he articulates belief?  His sheer imagination?  So glad am I to have been reintroduced!

I read this today.  A) It is that brief, and B) it is that good.  Lewis wrote this little piece - obviously reminiscent of Dante's Inferno - as an allegory describing Heaven and Hell, in order to counter the idea of universalism.  The theme is direct, but whether or not you agree with his theology, this book is worth the read for the issues it raises, and his gorgeous descriptions.  

Please read!  You won't be sorry!

How Wide the Divide?

How Wide the Divide? A Mormon and an Evangelical in Conversation, 

by Craig Blomberg and Stephen E. Robinson

Wow.  What an intellectual and gratifying read!  Written by an evangelical Christian and a Mormon on four of the main "issues" of Christian orthodox beliefs, the book attempts to discern the differences and (significant) similarities between the faiths.  Both are respectful, patient, and willing to work toward a common 'vocabulary' of theological terms that would promote further discussions between evangelicals and Mormons.  As one who has interacted with Mormons extensively (and loves them to death!) I was so pleased to see some of the conversations I have already had (or attempted to have) with my friends in a scholarly format.  It's encouraging to see that we're doing something right - promoting positive discussion and mutual respect!  Highly recommend, if you have any interest whatsoever in Mormon-Evangelical beliefs!

Our Search for Happiness

Our Search for Happiness, by M. Russell Ballard

Brief: A good summary of the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and an interesting look into the history and perspective of this system of faith.  While I admire the sincerity of faith in the Mormons I know (and love!), I cannot accept it as truth from God.  This is perhaps more of a side not, but, a vibe I got was the importance and centrality of personal happiness... rather than the glory of God.