bookish
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The Freedom of a Lower Reading Goal
Last year, I intentionally set my GoodReads goal lower than the year before. Admittedly, I still ended up reading 76 books, but having a lower goal led to more discerning, attentive, and formative reading—both of dense classics and the occasional “brain candy” book. If you’re looking to read better—not just more—this year, consider keeping your Continue reading
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January Recommendations
It’s a beautiful sunny day in Iowa—if you don’t step outside, that is. To help you get through the winter blues, here are a few recommendations for reading, listening, and learning. 1. This podcast that sparked my theological imagination. I regularly listen to Think Biblically, a podcast by my alma mater, Biola University. In a Continue reading
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Reading Roundup: My Favorite Books from 2023
I set a GoodReads goal of reading 60 books this year. Admittedly, I chose this number because I knew I could hit it and wanted that victory. Thanks to unexpectedly starting school again, I ended up reading 82 books (and counting). My reading habits are eclectic, to say the least. From sci-fi to Christian living, Continue reading
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Reading Roundup: February 2023
I read ten books in February and, as usual, my reading tastes are unpredictable. The genres I enjoyed range from speculative fiction to poetry to journalism and nonfiction to historical biblical fiction. It would be a wild ride if I weren’t, well, sitting comfortably on my couch with a cup of coffee and a blanket. Continue reading
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Make Christian Nonfiction Beautiful Again
Yesterday, several people asked me what I was reading. When I replied, “Abraham Kuyper’s The Work of the Holy Spirit” and showed them this thick treasure-trove of a tome, there were two basic responses: 1) nodding and backing away as though Reformed theology is contagious and 2) an appreciative nod accompanied by some comment that Continue reading
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Till We Have Faces – Discussion Questions
A friend and I are reading C.S. Lewis’ Till We Have Faces. This is my third trek through this masterpiece and, upon finishing it this morning, I decided to look up the HarperOne reading guide. The questions on this guide are fine, but seem a bit surface-level for such a mythical, mystical book. So, here Continue reading
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2022 Reading Roundup
I read 55 books this year. Here are a few of my favorites: 1. Historical Fiction: Andersonville by MacKinlay Kantor I’ve been wanting to read this Civil War epic since high school, but was determined to find a vintage copy in a used bookstore. Finally, my hunt was rewarded. The Book Cellar in Grand Haven, Continue reading
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The Spirit Moves in Mysterious Ways…and then other times the Spirit is VERY Clear
This title really says it all. Yesterday, I had a moment of angst. I was hard at work on my book proposal when my laptop began to act up again. I’ve been ignoring its quirks for months now and, finally, had to admit it was time for an update. My workflow was disrupted for the Continue reading
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Books Recommending Books
I’ve noticed a trend in books that I love: they also love each other. When I first read Anne of Green Gables, I was intrigued by the part where Anne gets caught reading Ben-Hur when she is supposed to be doing her history lessons. First of all, I share a great deal with my partial Continue reading
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Seven Books for Spooky Season
Autumn is upon us, which means I am devouring mystery novels. Here are a few of my favorite spooky season reads: Continue reading
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Reader’s Slump: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatments
There is no greater affliction in the bookish life than the reader’s slump. This nonfatal but distressing issue is frequently caused by excellent books. For instance, one patient succumbed to reader’s slump after binge-reading Eric Metaxes’ biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Because of the brilliance of this book, the patient was unable to find any other Continue reading
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To the Former Owner of Andersonville
Dear Jack, I recently obtained what was previously your copy of Andersonville. I just wanted to express how thankful I am that you (or your heir, perhaps) gave this book to The Book Cellar, where I added it to my stack of purchases. I have wanted to read Andersonville since high school when I first Continue reading
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