- Biltmore House Library – Asheville, NC
Well, I had so much fun doing this last year that I thought I’d take another crack at a year-in-review reading list. It’s interesting (at least to the author) to trace where I’ve been with my reading time outside of sermon preparation. In many cases, these were books that I targetted at the beginning of the year. In several other cases, they came from urgent recommendations from others. Themes related to my interests can be easily traced. But there is definitely an eclectic element to this as well. Perhaps it will prove useful to you if you’re looking for a gift for that bibliophile on your list. The order is simply alphabetical according to the author’s last name. Here goes…
Traveller (Richard Adams) – You may recognize the author as the source behind Watership Down. Traveller, you may know, was Robert E. Lee’s great war horse and the storyline is told from his equine perspective. I started reading this as part of family “read aloud” time at home – partially for the pleasure, partially to stimulate the interest of our kids in the sesquecentennial of the Civil War. It seems to be working.
The Collects of Thomas Cranmer (C. Frederick Barbee and Paul F. M. Zahl) – Cranmer’s prayers were a major component of the original Book of Common Prayer. They are soaked in Scripture, reflective of the traditional church calendar year, and a real aid to personal devotions. In addition, the editors do the reader a service through the brief histories behind the wording and their own reflections as well.
Heaven Is for Real (Todd Burpo) – One of the few books on the list read by every member of my family. It’s the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about who and what he saw. I won’t say anymore than that except that it’s quite a conversation starter. And cause to consider who and what lies ahead.
Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals (Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, and Enuma Okoro) – I learned of this through a Steve Brown, Etc. podcast. Crossing over the lines of many denominations, the authors have consulted experts in several liturgical traditions and done a great service in introducing the reader to what each has to offer. Useful both for private, couple, or family devotions.
Hokie Football Annual 2011 (Chris Colston) – What can I say? I’m a fanatic. If you’re a Virginia Tech football fan, it’s a great resource to have by your side as you get your game on.
Part two coming soon…
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