As some of you may remember, one of the three goals I set for myself for this year was to read ten books. The list can be found here.
I have completed two of the ten books as of right now. With each book or books I finish, I'd like to share a little bit of what I thought of each of them and whether or not I think you should have them on your shelf.
Book 1: Repentance by C John Miller (theology/counseling)
If you do not have this book on your shelf, you need it. I have spent all of my life in the Church, and I have heard many sermons and classes on repentance. I've read systematic theology texts about it. And yet in reading this book I found my eyes opened to a newer, deeper understanding of repentance. I've realized all the more the absolute dependence I must have on Christ for my righteousness, and that such a dependance is the model for repentance.
It is a very short read; you could easily read it in one sitting. It won't take up too much of your time, and it is very much worth every minute.
Favorite Quote: "What we must see is that God never promised to transform us into super-Christians who would never again sin and never again need to repent. He never promised anybody strength apart from continued dependence upon Himself."
Book 2: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (British literature)
This book gets a less-than-enthusiastic review. Don't get me wrong: Dickens has a way of embedding subtle humor into his works, even when they're written in first-person, and this work is no different. In fact, that subtle humor is what helped me persevere to the end (that and I said I'd read it so I did). The first two-thirds of the book are painful, because the main character, Pip, decides to spend a good deal of his younger life being a jerk. He feels remorse, but not really. He feels remorse when he cuts off the only father-figure in his life, Joe... but not really. He is sorry when he jilts Biddy, the only girl who truly cares about him... but not really. He spends the first three hundred pages pining for Estelle, who uses him horribly and really doesn't care how hurt he became in the process.
As a main character Pip makes a pathetic protagonist at best.Through some very painful and humbling circumstances he finally learns just how foolish and arrogant he's behaved. Pip finds perhaps some redemption by the end of the story, without the help of his embittered love, Estelle. Her ending remains ambiguous, and I admire Dickens for leaving it so (even though he was forced to write a second, slightly happier ending for the newspaper). This work left me with no less admiration for Dickens as an author, particularly after the last hundred pages. There was mysteries solved and reconciliation all around, in true Dickensian spirit, and an appropriate number of characters died of illness or murder.
While I am quite happy I finished it, I would not give this book the same raving review I gave the first. If you feel a deficit in the British-lit department, and Little Dorrit or A Tale of Two Cities aren't readily available, you might try your hand at this book. Perhaps you'll find it a touch more enjoyable than I.
I have completed two of the ten books as of right now. With each book or books I finish, I'd like to share a little bit of what I thought of each of them and whether or not I think you should have them on your shelf.
Book 1: Repentance by C John Miller (theology/counseling)
If you do not have this book on your shelf, you need it. I have spent all of my life in the Church, and I have heard many sermons and classes on repentance. I've read systematic theology texts about it. And yet in reading this book I found my eyes opened to a newer, deeper understanding of repentance. I've realized all the more the absolute dependence I must have on Christ for my righteousness, and that such a dependance is the model for repentance.
It is a very short read; you could easily read it in one sitting. It won't take up too much of your time, and it is very much worth every minute.
Favorite Quote: "What we must see is that God never promised to transform us into super-Christians who would never again sin and never again need to repent. He never promised anybody strength apart from continued dependence upon Himself."
Book 2: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (British literature)
This book gets a less-than-enthusiastic review. Don't get me wrong: Dickens has a way of embedding subtle humor into his works, even when they're written in first-person, and this work is no different. In fact, that subtle humor is what helped me persevere to the end (that and I said I'd read it so I did). The first two-thirds of the book are painful, because the main character, Pip, decides to spend a good deal of his younger life being a jerk. He feels remorse, but not really. He feels remorse when he cuts off the only father-figure in his life, Joe... but not really. He is sorry when he jilts Biddy, the only girl who truly cares about him... but not really. He spends the first three hundred pages pining for Estelle, who uses him horribly and really doesn't care how hurt he became in the process.
As a main character Pip makes a pathetic protagonist at best.Through some very painful and humbling circumstances he finally learns just how foolish and arrogant he's behaved. Pip finds perhaps some redemption by the end of the story, without the help of his embittered love, Estelle. Her ending remains ambiguous, and I admire Dickens for leaving it so (even though he was forced to write a second, slightly happier ending for the newspaper). This work left me with no less admiration for Dickens as an author, particularly after the last hundred pages. There was mysteries solved and reconciliation all around, in true Dickensian spirit, and an appropriate number of characters died of illness or murder.While I am quite happy I finished it, I would not give this book the same raving review I gave the first. If you feel a deficit in the British-lit department, and Little Dorrit or A Tale of Two Cities aren't readily available, you might try your hand at this book. Perhaps you'll find it a touch more enjoyable than I.
