I have a few connections at church and other places who appreciate the written word. I have people in uniform who likewise share the itch. And I have others who have retired, but who still devour the written word. What’s more, I have a longing for depth on behalf of the Christian church. There are saints who are withering on the vine because they are starved for intellectual stimulation. I track with those people’s longings. If I am not stimulated intellectually, I quickly check out and go off to feed myself again.

For as long as I can remember, I have had a passion for reading, and there are other bibliophiles out there, too. With them (and others) in mind, I share some of what I am reading. The goals? First, to say, “You’re not alone.” Second, to say, “There is depth out there; come along.” Do not lose hope.

A Few Qualifiers:

First, I read multiple volumes simultaneously.

Second, I read seven main genres (but occasionally expand/contract these).

Third, the usual genres into which I divide my reading follow:

1. Bible/biblical history/biblical cultures (one never masters the Book of all books; it sets the standard)
2. Theology/philosophy/worldviews
3. Literary fiction (mostly, the classics. Sometimes, however, I read certain writers that speak to me irresistibly, that are not yet recognized as canonical; I can share those names, if there is interest.)
4. Literary drama (Sophocles, the Bard, Aeschylus, Euripedes, etc.)
5. History (I’m a soldier, and devour military history, and especially war memoirs/diaries/stories/novels, but I’m currently reading Sears’ Gettysburg, e.g.)
6. Culture (the history of ideas/worldviews/trends/prognostications, etc.)
7. Poetry (currently I’m on a John Donne and Elizabeth Bishop wave again)

On my reading agenda this week are the following volumes:

Ambrose Bierce: The Life and Mysterious Disappearance of the Famous American Author

Sears’ Gettysburg

Chesterton’s The Everlasting Man

Conroy’s South of Broad

I’m currently reading the gospel of Matthew (ESV English translation) over and over as part of my intake of Scripture.