Winter Break Reading List

I used to be an avid reader. I would read everything under the sun -- anything that was well written that I could get my hands on. Unfortunately, that passion for reading has faded over the past five or six years. Life has happened and the joy I once found in books, languages, and learning has been replaced by unhappy events, stressful semesters, and the drama of real life relationships. Not all of life has been bad but it seems that energy that has been required to live life has left little energy for anything else.

Lately, however, I have seen my time and energy wasted on Facebook, chatting, and even tv. The more time I have wasted the more I've disliked this easy, dare I say lazy, lifestyle. Finally, I decided to do something about it. I went to Barnes and Noble and wandered aimlessly until, finally, I found something and set my mind to reading it. The 460 page book was read entirely within the course of a few days. Though just a historical fiction novel, it gave me so much food for thought and new desire to learn again, not for the sake of passing a class or getting a grade but for the sake of truth and growth.

For all of that, I present not only the book that started it all but also the books that have and are intended to follow.


REDEEMING LOVE by Francine Rivers

Oddly enough, this book has been around since 1997. I hadn't heard of it until this year. What I enjoyed most is who it presents God to be.

The story is based loosely on the story of Hosea and Gomer but while it builds the character of Hosea it also builds the character of God (after all, Hosea was supposed to display an image of God as He interacts with Israel).

I do not know if I have ever felt more convicted at my own behaviour, as I compared myself with Angel (Gomer), or more gratitude and love for my Saviour because of His unending faithfulness and grace, as displayed by both Hosea and God himself, than I did when I had finished reading this book.



THE GIFT FOR ALL THE PEOPLE by Max Lucado

Admittedly, I am not far into this book, and yes, I do realize that it is not a theology book, but I picked it for a number of reasons.

The book picks up where Redeeming Love left off in that it continues to build my appreciation for what God has done in sacrificing Himself to secure my freedom in Christ.

It is also a short book and not a difficult read so it caters to my need to ease myself back into the world of reading. I find Lucado's writings are always a good way to remind myself of the gospel and light enough to slowly retrain my mind to focus long enough to get through a chapter.





LUKE FOR EVERYONE by Tom (N.T.) Wright

I began reading this one a little more than a month ago and I am taking it very slowly. I bought it initially for a devotional aide and that is what I am using it for.

In short it is a commentary, but as the title says, it is for everyone. Everyone can be defined as anyone who wants to know more about The Gospel of Luke but would not pick up a standard commentary and read it for fear of being lost or not knowing enough Greek.

I have a feeling I will be reading it for a while because I am going through it so slowly but I am not complaining. I am enjoying it.





HE IS THERE AND HE IS NOT SILENT by Francis Shaeffer

I bought this book for a class but, because I discovered the class was unnecessary, I dropped it and as a result never read the book. I want to remedy that.

Though it was written well over 30 years ago, the questions Shaeffer addresses in this book still perplex people today. His writing style is sometimes considered difficult to follow but I am convinced that a little perseverance for such a small book will prove fruitful.








THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS by C.S. Lewis

I can't lie. I've started reading this book countless times before but the fact of the matter is that I never had the attention span for it.

I cannot deny that is a lousy excuse for not completing one of the best works of the 20th century so I am attempting it once again. I am convinced that with renewed vigour and mental discipline I will complete it and gain much helpful insight in so doing.

Don't be misled by my poor history. This book is by no means dull. The letters exchanged between demons are helpful for understanding Satan's intent on destroying God's people.

Well, I am certain that this list is just the beginning of fulfilling one of my new years resolutions: To be diligent in my studying and growth and to enjoy reading with renewed energy, self discipline, and excitement.
There can never be a good excuse for apathy in any area of our lives.