Better Book Reading
Thursday, August 23, 2007 at 08:19AM 5 Tips for Better Book Reading. When I saw this link over at Challies.Com you KNOW I just had to follow. I'll let you go to the link to read Stephen Altrogge's whole post, but I've cherry picked his "five" seven tips and invite you to respond as well:
Read Books By Dead People
I've never read a book written by a dead person, (**grin**) but I suspect that at least 85 percent of all the books I read have been written by men who have long since died.
Find A Dead Historical Hero
Mine is Jonathan Edwards. In every way, his writings have challenged not only my thinking but the way I think.
Read Books Recommended By Godly Men
My love for theology and the Puritan writers was born out of the recommendations of a good friend of mine, Pilgrim, from The Highway. My life has been immeasurably enriched by the example he set for me in the reading and study of good books through the recommendations he has made over the years.
Read Books That Make You Laugh
I don't doubt that this is a great tip, but I can't really say that I've read all that many funny books. Or at least, nothing comes to mind at present. Do you have any recommendations for me?
Read Biographies of Godly Men and Women
I recommend the 2 volume biography of the life of The Doctor, Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, by Iaian Murray. His biography of Jonathan Edwards is also recommended, as is the George Marsden's bio of Edwards. If you could only recommend one biography, what would it be?
Read One Good Book Over and Over
I have read Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings over and over and over and over. They are in a class by themselves, in my opinion. However, if I could get you to read one book over and over, it would be Les Miserables, by Victor Hugo. It is my favorite novel of all time.
Read "The Chronicles of Narnia" and "The Lord of the Rings"
Chronicles of Narnia? I've read them four or five times, but they are not in the same league as, nor as dear to my heart as, Tolkien. To my way of thinking, there is really no comparison. How about you? C.S. Lewis vs. Tolkien. On whose side do you land?
Reader Comments (7)
Love the recommendation to read books by dead people! I think I'd have to go with Tolkien. I usually set Lord of the Rings down after re-reading it and weep with appreciation that God let someone write so well...
Have you read any Dorothy Sayers Peter Whimsey mysteries? Those make dear and I laugh. Not guffaw kind of laugh more of a chuckle...and she's dead!
I don't read many books that make me laugh, either, however, I do enjoy Calvin & Hobbes. We have several of Watterson's collections. I've read through them several times and they are always good for some real laughs.
Funny books - Neither Here Nor There by Bill Bryson (it's raunchy in parts, but mostly just in a wistful-thinking sort of way.)
My Life and Hard Times - James Thurber
And I CS Lewis, all the way. Have you read any Charles Williams? He was a close friend to both men and they both really looked up to him.
Kim,
Thanks for the plug! In terms of pure humor it's hard to improve upon Calvin and Hobbes or The Far Side. I love these guys...
This is a good discussion, Kim! As far as recommendations, for laughs, I recommend Dave Barry, Tim Allen and Bill Cosby. Yes, there may be some PG-13 moments, but I find them very funny writers.
Biography - not sure. I don't read a lot of biographies of the faith, so to speak. I've read biographies of public figures but not many about godly men and women.
And as far as C.S. Lewis vs. J.R.R. Tolkien, that would be like asking me to choose which of my (past and present) dogs is my favorite: it's the one with me at the time!
As far as laughter goes, I strongly recommend P. G. Wodehouse, preferably the Jeeves stories.
Read Books Recommended By Godly Men
This might be a bad thing, but these days I find myself automatically noting the gendered nature of statements such as this.
Oh, and the title of the original post has been changed. ;)
The books by James Herriot are very amusing.