As readings and studies are completed of books of interest, personal observations, and thoughts are posted of written impressions of the subject matter. Additionally, as books are read to completion, reflections are posted here as a review in summary or outline format. The readings most generally concern classic fiction and non-fiction whether theological, biographical, historical, liturgical, or modern with social relevance.
Paradiso by Dante Alighieri
In Dante's Paradiso, the journey of the protagonist reaches its culmination in the celestial realms, where he experiences the ultimate redemption by divine grace. As Dante ascends through the various spheres of Heaven, each representing ...
Purgatorio by Dante Alighieri
Dante Alighieri's "Purgatorio," the second cantica of his monumental epic poem "The Divine Comedy," continues the journey of the poem's protagonist—Dante himself—through the afterlife. Having traversed the depths of Hell in "Inferno," Dante and his ...
Inferno by Dante Alighieri
Dante Alighieri's "Inferno," the first part of his epic poem "The Divine Comedy," is one of the seminal works of Western literature. Written in the early 14th century, it provides a detailed account of the ...
1984 by George Orwell
After reading George Orwell's 1984 this week, it fully reinforced my personal views about the evils of socialism and totalitarianism. The novel, set in a dystopian future where the Party, led by Big Brother, exercises ...
The Hobbit
"The Hobbit," or "There and Back Again," written by J.R.R. Tolkien and first published in 1937, is a timeless work in the fantasy genre, offering a richly imagined world filled with memorable characters, profound themes, ...
The Story of a Soul
"Story of a Soul" ("L'Histoire d'une Âme") is an autobiographical work by St. Thérèse of Lisieux (Marie Françoise-Thérèse Martin), a Carmelite nun and one of the most venerated figures in modern Catholicism. Thérèse The book ...
All of Grace
In "All of Grace," Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the renowned 19th-century Baptist preacher, offers a timeless exploration into the heart of Christian theology: the doctrine of grace. Not merely a theoretical exposition for academic theologians, this ...
Gentle & Lowly
"Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers" is a book by Dane Ortlund that delves into the character and heart of Jesus Christ. Published in 2020, the book provides readers with ...
The Abolition of Man
C.S. Lewis's "The Abolition of Man" is a defense of objective values against the encroachments of subjectivism and relativism. While Lewis's arguments are informed by various sources, the classical Greek philosophies of Plato and Aristotle ...
In the Lord I Take Refuge
In the book "In The LORD I Take Refuge," the author, Dane Ortlund, wrote a commentary alongside each chapter of the book of Psalms. As a Presbyterian pastor with a Ph.D., he offers reflections and ...
Mere Christianity
Mere Christianity is a profound work of theological literature written by British writer and lay theologian C.S. Lewis. First published in 1942, the book is a timeless and influential work in Christian apologetics. Much of ...
The Pilgrim’s Progress
Having read The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, it is helpful to understand Bunyan’s background as the author of this widely-known book. The Pilgrim’s Progress is a long-time classic about living as a Christian throughout ...
Confessions by Augustine
A couple of weeks ago, I finished reading Confessions by Augustine. It was the first written work of Augustine I read as a whole, and it is a classic on a personal reading list of ...
Plato’s Republic
The purpose of reading Plato’s Republic is to develop a deeper and richer understanding of Augustine’s The City of God. Before beginning to fully absorb The City of God, Plato’s Republic, written in 375 B.C., ...
Einstein: His Life and Universe
The biography Einstein: His Life and Universe, written by Walter Isaacson, is about the life story of a morally flawed genius. In some respects, the heights of his genius are matched by the depths of ...
