Books: January 2017

This is the first year in a while that I haven't set myself a target number of books to get through for the year. There's a number of reasons for this -- it's partly because I think I read too many books last year and partly because I want to focus on producing good writing instead of just reading it.

Despite this, January has been a good month for reading and I read some amazing books to share my thoughts on.

The Silver Chair
C. S. Lewis

I know, I know -- I am very late to the Narnia game. I loved the movies as a kid, but didn't come to the books until my early teens and even then only made it through the first three books before (foolishly) moving on to other things. My family was gifted a beautiful hardcover edition of the series a couple of years ago and so last year I hauled it with me to my flat and made it through the first five books with utter delight. The Sliver Chair thrilled me just as much as the others did; adventures galore, quirky characters (Oh, Puddleglum!) and beautiful, eye-opening biblical allegories. I was particularly struck by Aslan's caution to Jill at the beginning of the book: "Child, perhaps you do not see quite as well as you think. But the first step is to remember." Jill had to repeat the words of Aslan over and over again to herself in order to not forget them. How much more do I need to repeat God's words over and over to myself? I've loved the books so much that it's a little bittersweet to be coming to the end of the series but I can't wait to get through The Last Battle and let you know what I thought.

The Handmaid's Tale 
Margaret Atwood

I didn't take English in my final year of high school but many of my friends who did studied this book. I remember being intrigued by its premise and made a mental note to read it at some point in the future. Fast forward two years -- I've read it and I am so glad that I did. Margaret Atwood's writing style is mesmerising and I cared so deeply about what happened to Offred and her counterparts. So many futuristic novels are too gory or too unrealistic but I understood completely how the rigid sect of Gilead came to control much of the world. I loved the final section of the book, too, when the earlier section is dissected as a firsthand historical account and we get to understand the context that little bit more. Overall, a great, quick read and one that'll definitely make me consider reading more of Margaret Atwood's writing.

Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen

If you read this post, you'll know that a good portion of my January was just hard. What do I need in hard times? Comfort reading. Pride and Prejudice is such a comfort read for me. I've read it twice before but I was as enamoured with it the third time as I ever have been in the past. One thing I either realised anew or missed the last couple of times was that it's just so funny. I found myself laughing out loud so often at Mr. Collins and Mr. Bennet. Lizzie was delightful and relatable as she always is, and this time even more than in the past I found myself reflecting on the ways in which I am blinded by my own pride and prejudice. Jane Austen is still a master and I remain her faithful devotee.

Generous Justice
Tim Keller

I can't tell you how much of my theology and spiritual life have been shaped by Tim Keller. His intelligence, clarity and humility have served time and time again to point me to Christ. I wasn't as profoundly impacted by this book as I was by Prayer or Every Good Endeavour, but there was still so much biblical truth to glean from it and anecdotes that will stay with me for a long time. Tim Keller (skilfully) fleshed out a belief that I've had for a long time: Christians are called to live their lives with a radical concern for social justice. There are some incredible people out there who claim faith in no God and still go out of their way to speak up for the voiceless and ease the burdens of those who need it most. How much more should Christians work towards the same goals? We have a Saviour who put on flesh, loved and cared for the lowliest in society and then commanded his disciples to do the same. To be a Christian is to live a live of generous justice, says Tim Keller, and all God's people said Amen.

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy
Eric Metaxas

I almost squealed with delight when I found this near-pristine biography in a Salvation Army in Wanaka (!!) on Christmas Eve. I happily forked over $5 for it and considered it an early Christmas gift to myself. I started reading it almost immediately and found it utterly compelling from the first page. Eric Metaxes is a fantastic writer, but his subject is one of the most complex, courageous figures I have ever encountered in fiction or non-fiction. I had heard of Bonhoeffer and his theological works prior to picking up this book, but I had no idea how extraordinary and prolific he really was. His affluent background was fascinating to read about and it made his resistance all the more amazing. He was a man who could have made it through the war relatively unscathed and yet he adamantly refused to bow to Hitler's idea of Germany and instead picked up a cross that would ultimately lead him to his death. It's a meaty book (it took me just over a month to get through it) but one that I would highly, highly recommend.

(Side note: I did a quick google search of Eric Metaxas and ended up scrolling through his twitter feed. I was surprised by its tone and found a lot that I didn't agree with -- he didn't fit the image I had painted in my mind. I guess it just goes to show that people are not meant for our pedestals.)

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Maya Angelou

This was another re-read for me -- my friends and I are reading it as our first book-club pick of the year -- and it was another one that did not disappoint the second time around. I have no point of comparison for Maya Angelou; her style, voice and story are so utterly unique. Here is a woman who has faced unspeakable atrocities and perhaps because of that truly is a phenomenal woman. I found myself reflecting a lot on the racial injustice Maya Angelou describes and found many disturbing parallels to the situation that many in and out of the US are currently facing. This is a timeless book: read it and take note of what this incomparable woman has to say.

I have a few good books on my stack for February including Sons and Daughters of Ease and Plenty, Silence and The Reason for God.

What are you reading right now? Comment below or send me an email -- I'd love to know!