Thankful Thursday - the Top Five Edition

I'm thankful today for reading.  Literacy, at one time, was a precious commodity.  To be able to read opened up the world in so many ways.  Literacy rates are better now, but even here in North America, there are some who do not have functional literacy.  I have a dear friend who works with the Literacy Council here in Ontario, helping people learn to read.  This is something I am considering doing next year after my son is away at school.  Of all the things I taught my children during the eight years we homeschooled, the most enjoyable for me was teaching my youngest to read.

Reading the Bible and reading other books has changed me in ways I cannot describe, so I'm thankful for reading.  In light of that, here are five books I enjoyed most in 2011.  I have a life that involves cooking for people, caring for them, and keeping a house, so the concept of reading 30 or 40 books doesn't compute, but these are five I enjoyed most, and they are not in any particular order: 

1. The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction, Alan Jacobs.  This book encouraged me to read fiction again, and to read "just because."  I tend to be a reader because I long to understand.  I have rediscovered my love of reading fiction again, and it's wonderful.
2. Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child, Anthony Esolen.  I enjoyed Esolen's writings from when I subscribed to First Things, so when I saw the intriguing title of this book (and I'm sure Justin Taylor wrote about it as well) I bought the book.  This book made me really see how we micromanage our children rather than just letting them be children.  It made me feel sad for things I didn't do when my children were little, but I really enjoyed it.
3. The World-Tilting Gospel, Dan Phillips.  I consider Dan a brother in Christ and a friend, and now he's an author I appreciate.  This book deals practically yet so powerfully with the gospel.  You can read my review of the book here.
4. Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor, D.A. Carson.  The man is simply a gifted writer.  He can write the most technical commentaries, yet offer the most beautiful, engaging reflections about his father.  This is a book every Christian should read, I think.
5. Lucy Maud Montgomery; The Gift of Wings, Mary Rubio.  As a young girl, Montgomery's books were a staple of my reading.  Who didn't want to be friends with Anne Shirley?  The life of Anne's creator was a sad, sad story.  Rubio had complete co-operation with the family of Montgomery in writing this biography, so it is complete and accurate.  Rubio is a professor at the Univesity of Guelph, where the Montgomery archives are held.  I e-mailed her to thank her for her excellent book, and she was kind and gracious enough to e-mail back, and is always willing to answer questions.

Comments

[Dan Phillips]

Thanks, Kim.

(c:

[Kim]

It was my pleasure :)

[rosemary]

Harry and I are flying to Houston to a wedding this weekend. I have "The World-Tilting Gospel" on my iPad and look forward to reading it in spare moments.