As a kid, I read vigorously. Unfortunately, that habit has been much harder to maintain as an adult. And there really isn’t anyone to blame but myself. I can easily put the time aside to read, but typically I just don’t. It’s easier to watch a movie or surf the internet.
So this year I’m tackling a stack of books on my shelf, plus a few from the local library that intrigue me.
Here they are, thus far, in order of consumption.
David and Goliath by Malcom Gladwell
I’m really not sure why I decided to read this one. It wasn’t one of the long neglected books on my shelf. I picked it up from our library on a whim after hearing something about it that intrigued me. I can’t remember where or exactly what I heard about it.
Malcom Gladwell writes about true-life situations where the underdog, against all odds, won. The book jumps rather drastically between various people and situations that fit the books thesis. But Gladwell’s ability to write brings out the drama in every situation, making it a tight and engaging read.
It’s a book that makes you think but doesn’t necessarily give any conclusions. Think, This American Life in book form.
Quitter by Jon Acuff
Even after a glowing review from a friend, I put off reading this book. Motivational, go-get-your-dream books generally are sappy, shallow and overall unhelpful in dealing with reality. Thankfully this book wasn’t like that.
Though it didn’t really contain any new information about the subject, Jon’s take did seem unique. And it’s well written with a twist of humor, which kept me turning pages. And in the end I was challenged to consider how to make the move from day job to dream job.
No magic. But thankfully Jon doesn’t pretend like there is.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Chronologically the fifth book in the Chronicles of Narnia series, it relates the experiences of Prince Caspian, Edmund, Lucy and their cousin Eustace as they explore the Eastern Seas.
This is one of my least favorite books in the series. The over-arching plot is thin and the vignettes at the various locales become somewhat repetitive and tedious as the book progresses. Not a bad book, just not as evocative as some of the others in the series.
The Lord God Made Them All
I distinctly remember my father reading this book when I was a child. James Herriot’s relates his experiences as a veterinarian in the Yorkshire Dales during and after WWII.
He does a wonderful job of taking everyday situations and weaving them into quintessential stories that anyone can relate to. It’s the perfect book for slowing down the mind and relaxing the body.
