I have become more disciplined in my book-reading lately. During my schooling, my reading was handed down to me. Now, I get the privilege of reading what I desire.
I’ve tried different methods concerning what types of books I am reading, and I am trying to stay on a rhythm of reading at least one book a week right now. For me, that is a huge step-up from where I have been, but it is doable.
I got Tony Reinke’s book, Lit!: A Christian’s Guide to Reading Books because I wanted to hone the craft a bit.
Reading a book about reading books meant I had officially reached nerd-status.
After reading the book, I was never so happy to be a nerd!
Reinke did a great job of articulating a lot of what has been going on my mind but also pushing me in some further places which was much appreciated. He does a great job about the purpose of reading and then gives some practical tips on how and what to read. This volume was a true joy!
Favorite Quotes
- Many authors are average (grass). Other authors are incredibly talented, fruitful, and colorful (flowers)…Man-made literature can help us live more wisely or grow spiritually, but only the God-inspired word is eternal (27).
- Faith in Jesus brings with it a critically important benefit for the Christian reader – discernment (35).
- It didn’t take long for Israel to abandon God’s Word in favor for a culturally-shaped image (41).
- …the most treacherous spiritual dangers arise from theologically twisted books written by wolves in sheepskins (60).
- My conviction is that non-Christian literature – at least the best of it – is a gift from God to be read by Christians (65).
- By using fantasy and engaging our imagination, God can reveal forces, communities, and struggles in a way that straightforward language cannot (86).
- So the Bible is rightly affirmed as the highest reading priority in the life of every Christian (94).
- The best books, the books that cover a topic well, are the books we respect, cherish, reread, and recommend to our friends (117).
- …fictional literature may prove at times to be more true than nonfiction (121).
- Nothing squanders time away more than pursuing things without a purpose. And given that the average American adult (18-34) invests only 10 minutes each day reading, yet watches 116 minutes of television, I think many of us have time that we can spend differently (134).
- Social media (like Facebook and Twitter) and online browsing patterns will train our minds to hunt for information in small, isolated bits (138).
- Active readers must not become cynics, but they must be critics (153).
- One great way to sink details deep into our long-term memory is to read and discuss books with friends (156).
- Read your books in front of your kids. Young children prize what they see their parents prize (167).
- Book-induced exhausting reveals a bigger failure, a negligence of wisdom (178).
Book Synopsis
Whether reading is your addiction or your phobia, this book is for you. A practical guide built on the gospel, Lit! models the skills needed to build a balanced reading diet of Scripture, theology, and devotional books, but without overlooking important how-to books, great stories, and books meant to be enjoyed for pleasure. Literature scholar Leland Ryken calls it “a triumph of scholarship,” but mostly it’s a non-pretentious book about reading from an average reader who wants to share important convictions and skills you can use for the rest of your luminously literate life.
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Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.