Inspired by Julie at Happy Catholic and Mama T at Summa Mamas, I’m going to forego the library (except for audio books, of course!) and Half Price Books and focus on clearing off a small corner of my to-read bookcase. I’m going to try to read these books by the end of December. Ahhh, the challenge, the perspiration, the hours of reading bliss ahead of me (I hope). The pattern here was supposed to be one nonfiction for every fiction, though I think I stacked the deck a bit against my fiction-loving tendencies. Some of these are books that people have given me, and some of them are books that have been on my to-read list for years (I was an undergrad when at least one of these books was added, so that puts it at almost a decade!). I’m going to buckle down and truck along, and see just how unrealistic I’m being…there are 2,690 pages here…*taking a deep breath* OK, let’s READ!
- Out of the Silent Planet, by C.S. Lewis (Fiction: currently reading and LOVING it…first in the acclaimed space trilogy…and I am going to put off the last two for what I suppose will be the Winter Reading Challenge…mwahaha)
- The Marketing of Evil, by David Kupelian (Nonfiction: Patrick Madrid spoke at our parish a month or so ago using this book as the basis for his talk, which was of the same title. I’ve had it waiting for me and now that I’m a chapter into it, I can’t wait to keep going!)
- Go in Peace: A Gift of Enduring Love, by John Paul II (Nonfiction: gift from a friend, and how can I turn down the chance to read more of JP2’s work?)
- Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong, by James W. Loewen (Nonfiction: lent to me by a sister-in-law whose nose is in books I just drool over. I have no real idea what it’s about, but I’m going to find out!)
- God’s Plan for Marriage and Family (Nonfiction: the Year 1 book of the Familia series; I have no idea how you get it if you don’t go through the Familia classes or borrow it from a friend (like I did). It was handed to me after we talked a bit about how I’ve been muddling through Theology of the Body again, and how much he and Christopher West have changed my life. I can’t wait to dig in!)
- Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger (Fiction: the guilty book that I purchased, I think, as an undergrad. Well, this must be the time to enjoy it!)
- On Writing Well, by William Zinsser (Nonfiction: purchased on the recommendation of someone who has been one of my number one fans, but for some reason tucked away and never read. Hah! We’ll take care of that!)
- The Art of Theological Reflection, by Patricia O’Connell Killen & John de Beer (Nonfiction: I picked this up after reading a blurb about it that just caught my eye. Good thing it’s pretty short, because it looks like it will be pretty intense.)
- A Painted House, by John Grisham (Fiction: I’ve just been meaning to read this. I would not even own it, but for someone “throwing it away” and a mother-in-law who can’t stand to see things thrown away but who doesn’t really read much.)
- Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of Saint Therese of Lisieux (Nonfiction: ever since the movie, I’ve been meaning to read this.)
- Pope Fiction: Answers to 30 Myths and Misconceptions about the Papacy, by Patrick Madrid (Nonfiction: a book that’s dusty from being on my shelf so long. Bad me!)
Please, if you read “Story of a Soul,” don’t use the John Beevers translation. Read the authoritative English translation by Father John Clarke, OCD, available from http://www.icspublications.org. It’s the very best.
Aaaargh! I hate the way that YOUR challenge has me tempted to put several books on MY “to read” list!
I will be doubly curious to see how you like #2 & 4 … those temptations that are calling to me!
Anon – Eek, I don’t know what copy I have…but if it’s the John Beevers, I will consider getting the Father Clarke one from the library. But the point of the challenge, you know, is to read the books I have here. No buying new books for me! (fingers crossed, breath held)
Julie – I know just what you mean. I read YOUR challenge and thought, hmm. But, as you and Mama T said, the point is to read the books that are here already…
My goal is to post reviews of the books, so you’ll hear how I like em (hopefully – again, fingers crossed, breath held). 🙂
I read the John Beever’s translation. I can’t compare it to Father Clarke’s, but I did find the Beever translation to be inspirational, humbling, and led me to a deeper conversion.
Of course, NOW, due to Anon, I think I could be an even better person if only I read a different translation…I feel robbed of my true potential! I’d run right out and get the Clarke version, but unfortunately, I have a growing pile of my own not-yet-read books to get through. My betterment will have to wait for another time.