For avid readers, there is just something about the summer. Some little hint of permission to read thick, juicy paperbacks that smack of vacation time.
She will never get through them all, but this is Karen Stiller’s summer reading pile, gathered from one awesome yard sale!
For avid readers, there is just something about the summer. Some little hint of permission to read thick, juicy paperbacks that smack of vacation time. Maybe it’s extra time available to read a theological work that builds your spirit, even if you’re reading it on a chaise lounge. Or, better yet, maybe it’s both. Maybe your summer reading includes play and pray?
We asked some of our Faith Today family and EFC colleagues to let us peek at their reading lists. Maybe it will inspire your own reading this summer?
Aileen van Ginkel is vice president, ministry services at the EFC. Here’s her ambitious (and a little bit intimidating) list:
Leading in Disorienting Times, by Gary Nelson and Peter Dickens
The Courage to Teach, by Parker Palmer
Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Friere
Craig Mcartney writes the Inspiring Ideas and Note Worthy sections of Faith Today. Here’s what he is planning to read this summer:
Bible (obviously) [we love that he said ‘obviously!’]
Happy Happy Happy by Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty)
Life, God, and other Small topics by Eric Mattaxas
The Mission of God’s People by Christopher Wright
Letters and papers from prison a collection of Dietrich Bonhoeffer writings
And various books on riflery and precision shooting
Patricia Paddey is a senior writer for Faith Today.
Here’s what’s on her bedside table awaiting her attention:
Learning To Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor
The Excalibur Parchment by Barrie Doyle (Our book club’s next selection)
Making The Best of It: Following Christ in the Real World by John Stackhouse
The Imitation of Christ -by Thomas A. Kempis
The Writing Life by Annie Dillard
A Writer’s Space by Eric Maisel
Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster
Robert White is a writer for Faith Today, and takes cool pictures. Here is his summer reading pile:
Rick Hiemstra is director, research and media relations for the EFC
“I’m always trying to understand what is going on in the church and in culture. I like to read books that others have already digested, and come with their recommendation. These four came recommended to me by people I respect for their insight. (Looks pretty gloomy just reading all the titles together, doesn’t it? As I read I’ll just take comfort in the fact that Christ “upholds the universe by the word of his power.)”
What Is the Mission of the Church? By Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert
Powers of Darkness: Principalities & Powers in Paul’s Letters, by Clinton Arnold
Towards Juristocracy: The Origins and Consequences of the New Constitutionalism by Ran Hirschl
Charisma: The Gift of Grace, and How It Has Been Taken Away From Usby Philip Rieff
Bill Fledderus is a senior editor with Faith Today. He shares his summer reading picks:
This summer I am preparing to teach a course at Redeemer University College that I haven’t taught before, so I will be reading over books such as Inside Reporting, Newswriter’s Handbook, The Elements of News Writing and News Writing. Guess what the course is about!
For fun, I hope to re-read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, a historical fantasy set in early 1800s England. I stumbled on this lengthy novel as an audiobook at the library a few years ago, and look forward to reading the paper version. It’s slow-moving in spots, but it offers a fascinating otherworldly experience with remarkable period detail, memorable characters and a compelling alternative mythology.
As a gift I recently received the novel Lila by Marilynne Robinson,the acclaimed Christian literary author. It’s the third of three novels set in the fictional town of Gilead, Iowa, and undoubtedly beautiful and thought provoking.
Lastly, I am also trying to keep up with some of the books my sons like to read, and so I am currently in the middle of Book 8 of the Ranger’s Apprentice series by Australian novelist John Flanagan. These semi-medieval adventures continue for at least three more books, and then there is the related Brotherband Chronicles, so I don’t think I will be free of Will, Halt, Horace and friends for a while.
We hope that you will include Faith Today as part of your summer reading! Let us know what you plan to read over the next few months.