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Lit!: A Christian Guide To Reading Books (2011)

by Tony Reinke(Favorite Author)

4.24 of 5 Votes: 6

ISBN

1433522268 (ISBN13: 9781433522260)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Crossway Books

review 1: Lit! is a great book for those who are looking to learn to love reading more, and for those who already love reading and are always looking for new books.Pros:While there were a lot of great bits of practical advice, I appreciate how Reinke started with a "theology of books," in looking at what the Bible has to say about books and such before jumping into all the practical applications.Reinke made some very good points about the importance of writing in your books. While I already jot down notes and underline in books, Reinke gave me a lot of ideas of other things to write down in books which sound very helpful (although to follow his whole approach is a bit too time-consuming for me.)Reinke made a lot of really interesting and correct points, particularly when he talked ... moreabout how a lot of times, there are only two or three really important lines/ideas we get from a book, and how that's okay and even should be expected. While that's only one example, there are quite a few things in Lit! that made me think about the purpose of literature and how to use it.Cons:At one point, Reinke argues that fiction is more for enjoyment and appreciating beauty than for impacting a worldview. While I would agree that enjoyment is important, I think this somewhat falls short of the power of literature to actually change minds and impact the world (think Uncle Tom's Cabin for an example of how it can do this). While readers should be cautious about accepting a book's worldview and always hold it up to the light of Scripture, I disagree with Reinke on this point. Yes, fiction is for enjoyment. But it is also for instruction. And good books should make you think as well as impact your worldview.Overall:After reading the prologue, I was kind of expecting a book that was mostly focused on those who were a bit more hesitant about reading, and was thus worried that there wouldn't be much out of the book to glean. It was to my delight therefore that I discovered myself wrong. While certain parts of the book aren't as applicable (talking about why books are important, discussing ways for parents/pastors to instill a love of books in their children/congregation), overall I got a lot from the book and have a lot more to think about. Highly recommended to anyone who loves books and is willing to consider more what the role of literature is in the Christian life, and how to apply this to their daily living.4-4.5 stars.
review 2: 4.5 stars.Overall, I think Reinke's text is an excellent introduction to the topic of reading for any Christian that wonders if it is important that they read, and if so, how and what they should read.The text is divided into two sections. The first section, titled "A Theology of Books and Reading," highlights the importance of reading for Christians. Reinke insists that the first priority of a Christian is reading the Bible, being the direct written work from God himself After that, regardless of what we read, it is important that we judge it over and against a Christian worldview. This does not mean that the author suggests that Christians should dismiss "secular" works or certain topics out of hand; in fact, he devotes an entire chapter to why Christians should read non-Christian works. There is also a chapter on why an imagination is vitally important to Christians. My one quibble with the first section is that it seems to pound home the idea that God uses words too hard, as if visual art were somehow less holy than books. I cannot tell if this is intentional, or simply the repercussion of this being a book about, well, books.The second section, titled "Some Practical Advice on Book Reading," is exactly that. The topics covered include choosing a book, how to read different types of books well and remember what you need to know for the future, finding the time to read, finding reading partners, and some special advice for parents and pastors. All of this advice is delivered in a tone that is not preachy, but the author instead seems to be offering tricks that were helpful to him, which the reader can take or leave (provided they are still immersing themselves in Scripture and reading from a Christian worldview). I was particularly pleased to see that reading books for pleasure is something that the author understands to be vital. Again, the only quibble I have is that I found Reinke's approach to fiction somewhat wooden. He admits an appreciation for fiction has been difficult for him, and it shows in the way fiction is characterized as being largely emotional, rather than directly intellectually poignant.Reinke's general style is brief, and the text is rather short at 185 pages. I believe the book was primarily written for non-readers, but I did not feel as if I was left out from the audience as an avid reader. In fact, I am amazed at the sheer number of topics covered in a style that is certainly introductory, but hardly without depth. I found myself referring to the notes frequently to discover the origin of a quotation, and I intend to use many of the citations from this book for further reading.On a more personal note, my mother-in-law gifted me this book last year for Christmas. I chose to read it now after a difficult year in which I was spending a lot of time reading books in a way that I knew was not healthy (i.e. for pure escapism and some for their glorification of sin). This book has both convicted me in terms of ensuring that what I am reading is actually to my spiritual benefit (or at least not to my detriment), but has also helped to put me at ease about reading for pleasure or concern that I have to completely avoid certain types of content.I would recommend this book as an excellent introduction for anyone with questions about how reading fits into a Christian life. less

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