November 14, 2016

5 books on my future reading list

The Fellowship: The Literary Lives of the Inklings

C.S Lewis is one of my favorite people. I love his writings and how they have encouraged me. I find this 'inklings' part of his life fascinating and would like to learn more.

I don't know much about the other three men, other than Tolkien being the author of 'The Lord of the Rings' books.

So I'm really looking forward to this one.

Goodreads says of it here:

"C.S. Lewis is the twentieth century’s most widely read Christian writer and J.R.R. Tolkien its most beloved mythmaker. 

For three decades, they and their closest associates formed a literary club known as the Inklings, which met weekly in Lewis’s Oxford rooms and in nearby pubs. 

They discussed literature, religion, and ideas; read aloud from works in progress; took philosophical rambles in woods and fields; gave one another companionship and criticism; and, in the process, rewrote the cultural history of modern times."



Hidden Christmas

Christmas is coming and I love reading books with a Christmas theme. 

I also love Tim Keller's writing. 

I don't know if my library will have this one in before Christmas, but I'm hoping it will!

Goodreads say of the book here:

"In his new book Timothy Keller takes readers on an illuminating journey into the surprising background of the Nativity. 
 
By understanding the message of hope and salvation within the Bible’s account of Jesus’s birth, readers will experience the redeeming power of God’s grace in a meaningful and deeper way."



 The Secret Garden

I've never read this classic book before and thought it was time to get to it. I think I watched a movie based on the story, years and years ago, but vaguely remember it.

Amazon describes the story here:

 "When orphaned Mary Lennox comes to live at her uncle's great house on the Yorkshire Moors, she finds it full of secrets. 

The mansion has nearly one hundred rooms, and her uncle keeps himself locked up. And at night, she hears the sound of crying down one of the long corridors.

The gardens surrounding the large property are Mary's only escape. Then, Mary discovers a secret garden, surrounded by walls and locked with a missing key. 

One day, with the help of two unexpected companions, she discovers a way in. Is everything in the garden dead, or can Mary bring it back to life?" 



 Francis A. Schaeffer Trilogy

I've been wanting to read these for awhile now, but felt a bit intimidated by the length of all three together. I think I will try to just read one of the books in this trilogy for now.

I loved Schaeffer's book 'How Should We Then Live' which is so relevant for today. I highly recommend it.

So I think I will enjoy these as well.

Amazon describes the three books here:

"In the first book, The God Who Is There, Schaeffer shows how modern thought has abandoned the idea of truth with tragic consequences in every area of culture and from philosophy, to art, to music, to theology, and within culture as a whole.

Escape from Reason, the second book, explains especially how the disintegration of modern life and culture grows from corrupted roots that reach far into the past.

In the last book, He Is There and He Is Not Silent, Schaeffer contrasts the silence and despair of modern life with the Christian answer that God can indeed be known because He is there and He is not silent." 



Cranford

This is another novel I've never read before, but have seen the BBC adaptation. I remember really enjoying it and after reading 'Ruth' by Elizabeth Gaskell, I've wanted to get to her other books.

I just started listening to it on audio and I'm liking it so far.

Goodreads says of it here:

"A portrait of the residents of an English country town in the mid nineteenth century, Cranford relates the adventures of Miss Matty and Miss Deborah, two middle-aged spinster sisters striving to live with dignity in reduced circumstances. 

Through a series of vignettes, Elizabeth Gaskell portrays a community governed by old-fashioned habits and dominated by friendships between women. 

Her wry account of rural life is undercut, however, by tragedy in its depiction of such troubling events as Matty's bankruptcy, the violent death of Captain Brown or the unwitting cruelty of Peter Jenkyns. Written with acute observation, Cranford is by turns affectionate, moving and darkly satirical."



38 comments:

  1. Thank you for these books. I do not know "Cranford" but want to look into it. The others I know or have read but will add a couple to my TBR list! I always like to find books that I would want to read recommended.

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    1. I'm almost finished listening to Cranford and though its not my favorite classic, it's very sweet. Hope you enjoy whatever you choose to read next!

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  2. I'm planning on reading The Secret Garden for the first time next year. I've read Cranford but have not seen the BBC adaptation - would love to one day. I read He Is There and He Is Not Silent last year, I think. It wasn't what I was expecting but provided a lot of food for thought.

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    1. If you enjoyed Cranford you will love the BBC adaptation. I'm thinking of getting it from the library and watching it again. : )

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  3. An interesting mix of book, thanks for the food for though. Mich x

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  4. I love The Secret Garden; it's been one of my favorites ever since I was in middle school.

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    1. I'm looking forward to starting it. Glad you loved it!

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  5. Oooh. This is a delicious assortment! I love the idea of listening to Cranford. I just listened to something by P.G. Wodehouse and it was a real treat!

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    1. I've just recently heard of P.G. Wodehouse. All good things. I'll have to try one of his books some time. : )

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  6. I watched the movie The Secret Garden and really enjoyed it. I have never read the book though. I have read one book by Timothy Keller and enjoyed it. I am hoping to read another one in the future. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Timothy Keller is one of my favorite Christian living authors right now. His book called 'Prayer' is really good and I highly recommend!

      Thanks for stopping by Tanya.

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  7. I love the Secret Garden, and Cranford looks very interesting as well. I might have to check it out of the library. :)

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    1. How you enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by Angi. : )

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  8. Loved all your suggestions!

    I had never heard of the Inklings before! That is fascinating!

    Our church has done a lot of Timothy Keller Bible Studies and I like his style of writing. So I am definitely interested in reading his book about Christmas during this Advent season.

    One of my favorite books was L'Abri. Francis Schaeffer's writing is so rich and edifying. This triology sounds perfect to read in these times we live in.

    I use the term "secret garden" a lot, but have never read this classic! I honestly didn't know what it was about, but now that you've shared about it, it sounds like the kind of book I would like reading!

    Thank you so much for sharing all of these great book suggestions.

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    1. I'm looking forward to learning more about these men 'inklings' who influenced C.S. Lewis and vise versa.

      I just recently found out what the 'Secret Garden' was about too! Looking forward to starting it soon.

      Glad you stopped by Karen!

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  9. Cathy, I enjoy reading a variety of genres as well (usually at the same time). Your list is intriguing. Thanks!

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    1. Sounds like me. I am reading six books right now! I find it so much easier, not trying to push through one book at a time. This way I just pick up what I feel like reading about that day.

      Thanks for stopping by Traci, I'd be interested in what your reading right now.

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  10. these look great ! thanks for sharing -

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  11. The Literary Lives of the Inklings sound interesting - I bet my hubby would really like it. My daughter and I found a Secret Garden cookbook to go along with our study of The Secret Garden. :) Thanks for linking up with Literacy Musing Mondays!

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    1. 'A Secret Garden Cookbook' that sounds nice! Thanks for stopping by Brandi.

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  12. Thanks for sharing this list. I'm interested in the Tim Keller book. I love reviewing books also!

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    1. Glad you stopped by Sarah! I'll have to check out your reviews.

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  13. Such an interesting list. Elizabeth Gaskell was an amazing Christian lady and her writings are very varied but always a good read. I hadn't heard of the Inklings before despite living in Oxford for a while - our housegroup met in C S Lewis' house!The Tim Kellor book sounds like a good choice for this time of year.

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    1. I've only read 2 of Elizabeth Gaskell's books and you are right, her writing is very varied! "Ruth' and 'Cranford' are so different from each other.

      That's so cool you met in C.S. Lewis's house! Thanks for sharing. : )

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  14. I have read the Francis Schaeffer trilogy, but I've never read The Secret Garden, though I've seen movies about it. The other books sound intriguing. I love C.S.Lewis and Tolkien and knew about the Inklings, but the other members were unknown to me. I also like Tim Keller, so I'm definitely interested in this new book. Have a great weekend and may God bless. I'm a neighbor at #Faith'nFriends!

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    1. I know very little of the other two 'inklings' as well but looking forward to getting to know about them.

      Thanks for stopping by Gayl!

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  15. This is a great list for fortifying your heart and mind (even the fiction titles). Enjoy!

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  16. The Inklings book is good, but long and a bit disillusioning. I think you'll enjoy The Secret Garden and Cranford a lot. I find Francis Schaeffer hard to read, not because I can't understand, although there is a bit of that, but because his writing style is turgid and unclear. At least, I found it to be so. I can't help comparing Schaeffer to the clarity of C.S. Lewis.

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    1. I've only read one book (How should we then live?) by Francis Schaeffer and really loved it, but it was a bit hard to get through. He gives you a lot to think about!

      Thanks for stopping by Sherry!

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  17. These all look so interesting! Thanks for sharing!

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  18. Such an interesting selection of books! The Inklings looks really fascinating. I just picked up a book about them for my son, who is majoring in English and loves everything CS Lewis! And I'm pretty sure I've never read The Secret Garden either... not sure how I missed that! Happy reading. Stopping by from #WordofGodSpeak :)

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    1. Glad to hear your son loves CS Lewis! Hope enjoys the book you picked up for him.

      I'm looking forward to the Secret Garden! Hope you like it too.

      Thanks for stopping by Laura!

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Feel free to leave your own thoughts in the comments. I try to respond to all of them by the end of the week. : )