Here I am, two years into my blogging and copy writing and book/e-book pursuits and I finally worked up the nerve to introduce myself at MOPS as an aspiring writer.
It was a big step for me. And I know it sounds silly because if I was watching it happen I would think “yeah, this girl is a writer. She writes stuff so she’s a writer. Why was that so hard to say?” But nonetheless, I was a hard phrase to get out of my mouth.
I’m a dork fish.
Adulting is hard.
Ok, moving on.
So also, a really cool part of my jam here on the blog is that I get to review books for Family Christian. I love this for a couple reasons. I love books. I love reading. I love having quality input to think about and swish around as I kick around new output. Glorious.
So when the chance came to read a book on writers and why to read them, I thought I’d better sign up for that. I mean, reading the greats is great.
In Writers to Read by Douglas Wilson, he discusses 9 authors – some more loved and well-known than others – and does three things:
- He gives a short biography of their life and faith.
- Gives examples of their faith and convictions showing through their writings and why/how that should compel us to read that author.
- A list of the best things to read by that author.
The authors on the list include GK Chesterton, HL Mencken, PG Wodehouse, TS Eliot, JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, RF Capon, MS Robinson, and ND Wilson. (And in case you are wondering, yes he makes a joke about his favorite authors only being known by their initials.)
What I like about this book is that short reading list for each author. After learning more about their lives, it’s great to have a place to start exploring their writings – of which several authors have lots of work and it would feel very daunting to just pick something to start with.
Where I struggled with this book was where Wilson took the time to defend the social commentary of the authors, which is definitely a personal preference area. I like to see what people have to say on social commentary on their own.
Overall, I’m really looking forward to checking out some new authors or some different titles than I have explored before. Should be fun!
Who have you read on this list and what is your favorite work by them? Or who are you looking forward to reading the most?
Me? Well, I have read CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien, and TS Eliot. I love the Chronicles of Narnia, especially The Magician’s Newphew and The Hobbit. Classics indeed. I’m excited to look into some Chesteron and Wodehouse as well.
This post is a book review, in which I received the book and compensation for my opinion. The opinion is 100% my own. Please check out my Disclosure Page if you have any questions.
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