While the year has included plenty of reading through C.S. Lewis, it has also been a wonderful year for reading outside the scope of Lewis. There will be several books here regarding him, but I hope that you enjoy the eclectic arrangement of books. I have decided to remove my favorite quotes and rankings on the books to help keep the blog post to a more readable length. So please forgive me, and I hope you check out some of these titles.
Cheers.
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
You have been warned that I may have a new favorite book (I’m so sorry To Kill A Mockingbird). The length of this masterpiece is considerable and may keep readers from tackling it, but I would petition against that decision. The story follows three brothers, Alyosha, Ivan, and Dmitry as they deal with their father. Dostoevsky wrestles with God’s existence, free will, moral ethics, and the driver of the plot: patricide. One of the most beautiful chapters outside of the Scriptures can be found in “The Grand Inquisitor”. It is incredible to see his philosophical ideas from Notes from the Underground developed in this beautifully thrilling novel.
The Pooh Perplex by Frederick Crews
This tongue-in-cheek literary criticism was a riot to read. Crews embarks on impersonating a different style of criticism in each chapter eluding to its ridiculousness through A. A. Milne’s well-known stories of Winnie the Pooh. The criticisms are a little dated and required some research for certain chapters, but overall full of humor. It is to be enjoyed by English and Literature graduates, though still enjoyable for all Winnie the Pooh enthusiasts.
Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie
I thought I had the murderer pegged this time, but once again the Queen of Mystery has fooled me. Agatha Christie’s famous Hercule Poirot is approached by a young woman whose mother has just passed away while serving time for murder. Yet, the daughter has recently received a final letter from her mother maintaining her innocence. Poirot takes up the case to resolve the daughter’s conscience and formally investigate the matter 16 years later. There were five family friends there that fateful day, and now they stand suspect again. Christie can’t be matched, and while this novel is not among her bests (And Then There Were None, The Murder on the Orient Express), it is an excellent one that the mystery lover will enjoy.
The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie
This quick little read has several great ideas for cultivating a family that reads. Hannah originally ordered this, but she was busy with another book, so I moved it to the top of my TBR (to be read) list. Mackenzie does an excellent job of understanding and empathizing with the ever busy family. She also excels at assisting the reader in prioritizing what matters most. This is a wonderful addition for any family that wants to cultivate a culture of readers.
On Writing by Stephen King
The King of Horror is not an author I expected to read. And yet, here we are. This celebrated work is King’s memoir/lesson for writers everywhere. It is an enlightening read on writing. This is a great resource with practical advice throughout. I wish I had read this book three years ago when I started this blog. This book probably won’t make any of its audience the next Shakespeare, Austen, Dante, Tolstoy, or O’Connor, but it may help you become an excellent writer.
C.S. Lewis and the Final Frontier by Sanford Schwartz
This is one of the most insightful studies on Lewis’s Space Trilogy, and if you are looking for a guide to that Trilogy, look no further. Schwartz explores the plethora of influences that Lewis works into this relatively short series. My favorite chapter is probably when Schwartz tackles the complex, That Hideous Strength, and points us to the many Gothic influences gracing its pages. I highly recommend for the dedicated Lewis fan.
The Faun’s Bookshelf by Charlie Starr
This book helped to inspire research into Lewis’s thoughts on mythology (C.S. Lewis and Why We Need Myths). This short volume begins with one of the most interesting premises for a book on Lewis. Starr is intrigued by the books on Mr. Tumnus’s bookshelf in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. That section alone sparked this amazing little book that dives into mythology and its influence on Lewis’s childhood, conversion, and life. I plan on rereading this soon.
Steal Away Home by Matt Carter and Aaron Ivey
The true story of Charles Spurgeon and Thomas Johnson is captured so well through this book. The authors rotate each chapter between Spurgeon and Johnson. I had no idea about the story of these two men. The prose was excellent, I felt that I was in the room for their conversations. I am very thankful for this book.
Planets in Peril by David Downing
Another wonderful study on Lewis’s Space Trilogy. Downing’s book serves as an excellent introduction to Lewis and the Space Trilogy. I enjoyed many of his thoughts and analysis on the series, but his reasoning on the organization, N.I.C.E. in That Hideous Strength and how its structure mirrors the nine levels of Hell in Dante’s Inferno was eye opening. I recommend starting this one first as an introduction before moving on to Schwartz’s study.
Becoming by Michelle Obama
This excellent autobiography was released last year. It is divided into three large sections of Mrs. Obama’s life. The first section focuses on her childhood in Chicago. The next section the reader follows her through college, beginning her professional career, and meeting Barack. Finally, the last section (and best for a presidential history nerd) is her experience in politics and campaigns, and the White House years. I enjoyed this insightful book and hope you give it a chance too.
Circe by Madeline Miller
This bestseller of 2018 deserves its well earned fanfare. Miller tells us the story of Circe, daughter of Helios and how she came to be witch of Aeaea (you might recall her story in The Odyssey). A tale of tragedy and redemption, Circe’s story is a page turner. Hannah and I enjoyed reading this together and hope you give this book a try.
Jack and the Book Stalk 