The First Quarter Scores

It has been a good year for reading thus far but, of course, every year is if one selects the right books to read.  I tend to guarantee high scores on that front by doing a lot of re-reads.  Indeed, spending time with old friends (including books) is always an enjoyable, profitable experience.  But this quarter is a little different with re-reads constituting less than 1/4 of the list. Still, I’ve been very fortunate in my choices and 13 of the 23 books read I’ve been able to rate 3 or 4 stars. So, like I said, it’s been a good year for reading thus far.

Recommendations from this group?  Well, the 3 start ratings include the 100 year old (but still remarkably relevant Eugenics and Other Evils by G.K. Chesterton; a WWII novel about British submarines, Gone to Sea in a Bucket by David Black; suggestions on fresh approaches to evangelism, Soul Whisperer by Gary Comer; a brief but valuable book by a British theologian long living in heaven, The Cross by J.C. Ryle; and two Rafael Sabatini novels featuring his buccaneer hero Peter Blood, Captain Blood Returns and The Fortunes of Captain Blood.  All fine.

And the 4 stars? 

* Hunting the Nazi Bomb by Damien Lewis. An enlightening, inspiring book about the desperate efforts made to stop Hitler from making an A bomb.

* Your Time is Now by Jonathan Evans.  An excellent book on the necessity of both grace and grit in the sanctified life.

* To Be Where You Are by Jan Karon.  The final in the highly esteemed Fr. Tim/Mitford series.  These are wonderful books which stimulate a life of faith, humility, gratitude, and joyful faithfulness to serve Christ in the “little things.”

* The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas.  This is one of those “old friends” I mentioned earlier.  A terrific read.

* Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini.  Finely written, exciting, cleverly planned plots – Sabatini is a treasure and this is one of his best.

* The Stalking Horse by Rafael Sabatini.  Another fine novel of adventure, redress of injustice, and a bit of romance.

* The Railway Children by Edith Nesbit.  Read on my Kindle during a long plane ride, this proved a real find.  It is a charming story for children…and for grownups who are wise enough to know there’s a lot to appreciate and learn in the best so-called “children’s literature.”

Next up (that I know of now) are a re-read of Joni Eareckson Tada’s Heaven: Your Real Home; Apostate by Dr. Mark Christian; Showboat by Edna Ferber; and re-reads of Michael Ende’s Neverending Story and C.S. Lewis’ The Problem of Pain.