Lit: A Christian Guide to Reading Books // The Week in Words

I have sooooo much to say about Lit!: A Christian Guide to Reading Books, but it's not something I want to rush through either thinking or talking about. I spent all of last week with this title and finished it up over the weekend. Many ideas are still peculating in my brain. This book was on my Fall Into Reading Challenge list (linked to my goals) and I did want to mention that I finished it (on schedule! in 2011!) but I think I want to wait and talk about it in more detail when January rolls around.

Lit! has definitely changed the way I approach books. It may have even changed the way I write about them. It definitely changed my online habits which effect my ability to read.

I think everyone who calls themselves a reader should read Lit!. I also think that everyone who thinks that they are not a reader should read this one. Then, I also think that those who say that they would love to read but can't find the time should read it as well! This is a book for everyone. It is full of things to ponder. But wait - I said I didn't want to talk about it in full. So, using Barbara's The Week in Words meme, I'll just share a few passages that grabbed me:

"When we set out to read important books, we can expect opposition from our hearts. Reading is a discipline, and all disciplines require self-discipline, and self-discipline is the one thing our sinful flesh will resist.
Our spirit may be eager to read a book, but our flesh is weak. Our flesh would rather self-indulge on passive entertainment. Movies and television can be wonderful gifts from God if we use them wisely, but unchecked they will hijack our schedules and rob us of our reading time. Book reading is not just a matter of time management; it is a matter of warfare. Wherever sinful self-indulgence dominates our free time, we can be certain that personal idols are at work in our flesh, seeking to divide and conquer the soul (1 Pet. 2:11). (Chapter 10, Too Busy to Read, page 131)

"As with most areas of life, success requires planning. Having a clear purpose for why you read will ensure that the few books you choose will be the books most likely to benefit your life." (Chapter 7, Read With Resolve, page 94)

I hope to make 2012 a more successful reading year than 2011 was. I think I made quite a few mental changes as I read along this past year, but there are certainly more changes to come, thanks, in part, to Lit!. So stay tuned!

(Seriously - if you want to challenge yourself when it comes to how you pick and choose your reads and order your reading life, pick up a copy of this book. I cannot see how you would end up regretting it!)

Thanks to Crossway for sending a copy of it my way. I think. ;D (More to follow on this book and this topic.)