After spending much of my life skimming over required reading for english/literature classes and trying to find cliff notes for certain books instead of actually reading the books. I have now found much enjoyment in taking in a good fiction novel. Though I must say it wasn’t only fiction that I didn’t read, but most books for that matter. I did enjoy non-fiction to some extent, maybe because of the knowledge that I gained or because I like facts. It was easy to pick up an almanac or history book and start to read. Sports Almanacs were always my favorite, though I guess I wouldn’t consider it a non-fiction book, probably a book of quite useless information as I think about it now, but nevertheless that is what I read growing up.
Reading was never a hobby or an activity that I wanted to do until a few years ago. After Christ came into my life, He not only opened me up to the Word but also to the words of others. Up until this past year, I never considered reading anything other than books on theology, spiritual disciplines, and any other type of Christian work. Then I picked up Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and loved it. It opened my eyes to the beauty of fiction. I think Al Mohler sums it up quite well.
“I believe that literature and the fictive imagination are among God’s gifts. I read a great deal of fiction, and try to keep up on what the culture is reading. That does not mean that I always have to read what the world is reading, but I do read enough to know what is shaping the minds of those around me. Beyond that, I truly enjoy losing myself in a story. I am a big fan of authors such as Flannery O’Connor and Walker Percy, and I read quite a bit of contemporary fiction. Of course, one must choose carefully here, and fiction is recreational reading — not study.
One of the main values of reading fiction and great literature is that it develops the imagination and enhances literary style. Just admit that you like fiction, if you do — but keep it in its place. I keep a literary project going at all times, but it falls last in priority. Plunder the Egyptians, and read the classics of literature.”
What sparked this post was once again I find myself reading Jane Austin, this time it’s Sense and Sensibility. It has been a very enjoyable read thus far and look forward to reading some more of her and other fiction works in the years to come. So take some time and pick up a good fiction book, I would recommend a classic like Pride and Prejudice.
*And yes I am a guy
*And yes I like to read Jane Austin and I am not ashamed of it
A couple of questions to spark some discussion…
What fiction books would you recommend?
Is there any other “guy” out there who likes Jane Austen?
10/12/2006 at 18:46
I like Steve Austin, but that’s because he’s bionic, and that’s cool. I don’t think he’s written any books, though.
10/12/2006 at 18:48
I love Pride and Prejudice… and I’m not a guy, but I have raised androgen and testosterone levels… so I almost count! 🙂 I also like Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights is pretty good too.
Other fiction books I recommend:
The End of the Affair by Graham Greene
It or The Stand by Stephen King
Gosh… I guess I have a lot more nonfiction suggestions:
Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer (actually anything by Krakauer is good)
Devil in the White City… I forget who wrote it
Pilgrim at Tinker’s Creek by Annie Dillard (again, anything she writes is great)
Or you could just check out my librarything to see what I’ve been reading lately… not that I necessarily recommend everything I read. But it’s a good place to go check stuff out…
10/12/2006 at 19:02
Ha! Thank you EN. I’m too young to get that without looking it up though. 😦
My favorite fiction authors thus far have been Tolkien and Chesterton. So I would recommend The Club of Queer Trades or The Man Who was Thursday, both by Chesterton.
Currently I have a copy of Graham Greene’s The Power and the Glory that I’m 20 pages into, and have been for several months. I’m going to wrap up Judson (this week!), perhaps I’ll spend some time with Greene, he’s brilliant.
10/12/2006 at 19:08
I found Under the Banner of Heaven terribly disturbing and even depressing when I read it. I think I am a little more resiliant now than when I read it, but it is a serious look into the depravity of the mormon cult, presented from the religious skepticism of Krakauer (who is honest about his perspective, HT to him there.) Not an easy read on me for the heart.
Just thought I’d mention that.
10/12/2006 at 20:37
I have an Audio CD of “The Power and The Glory, but it’s not by Greene. Perhaps it would make a nice background while you read.
10/16/2006 at 12:55
In response to your question: NO, I don’t believe any other guy likes Jane Austin.
10/16/2006 at 17:50
I am going out on a limb and say that that is because they (guys) have never “actually” read her. I know what your thinking, “I had to read her in high school and I couldn’t even finish the book.” Well, I was the same way. How could a guy like myself ever read these “girlie” books. Guys aren’t supossed to read these types of books because their not “manly.” Is this the attitude you still have? Are you still hiding behind your manininity and refusing to read a book becasue girls like them? 😉
10/16/2006 at 23:44
“It has been said of Jane Austen’s novels that they should be read first for the fourth time, meaning that only fourth time around will their special excellences of balanced structure, gentle satire and subtle humour come into focus in the reader’s mind.”
– J.I. Packer, in his introduction to The Mortification of Sin, by John Owen
🙂
10/17/2006 at 2:42
Under the Banner of Heaven is certainly not easy on the heart, but it is well written and truly drew me into a deeper understanding of Mormonism (the mainline and the fundamentalists)… and Mormons are certainly on my heart, perhaps because I know a lot of them…
04/15/2009 at 15:16
The style of writing is quite familiar to me. Have you written guest posts for other bloggers?
10/22/2009 at 11:29
Is it an open source project or not? ,
10/23/2009 at 10:33
Montoya is the focus of an uneasy truce between Gordon’s forces and the crime boss Two-Face. ,