summer reading

Each and every summer I start my vacation off with a celebratory trip to my local library.

Over the years I’m sure I’ve given over a hundred dollars in late fees and fines.  But still, I love the library.

This summer I had the opportunity to read with a freedom I had lost while in college.  Works of fiction and nonfiction came alive as I scanned the pages, looking for new ideas, words and stories to experience.  Books allows a sharing of experiences, be those true, in the case of nonfiction or imagined and created, in the case of fiction.  Some might say to read is to escape from reality.  Rather, I think reading is a time to experience situations, emotions and events that perhaps we may never encounter.  While reading, I seek to gain a better understanding of the human condition based on what I’ve read.

Let me say, this was my World War II summer.  Last year I spent many of my non fiction choices on the Civil and Revolutionary War.  This year, inspired by watching the miniseries Band of Brothers, I read great selections from Stephen Ambrose, Ken Burns and many of the men who served in Easy Company.  Ambrose’s book, Band of Brothers is the basis of the miniseries and well worth reading.  Major Richard Winters tells the oft forgotten details of a harsh time in our world with an elegance and grace not often found in modern biographies.

While reading these true accounts of life in a world totally different from my own, I couldn’t help but wonder, “where have these type of men gone?”

A different set of values and standards ruled this generation and reading their stories left me wondering about our times, struggles and values verses theirs.

I also dedicated my time to reading a few works of classic fiction.  Starting my summer with Willa Cather’s O Pioneers, Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men and working through Jane Austen while at the beach.

Mixed into the lot was a book on yellow fever in America at the turn of the century, a true story of life on an Iowa farm during the Great Depression, a few works by Tracie Peterson and Tolkien’s The Hobbit (which I have tried to read since February).

On my list for the rest of this year are a few theological pieces by Dr. Stephen Nichols (a prof of mine from college and an excellent theologian and writer), Humility: True Greatness by C. J. Mahaney and perhaps any suggestions you might have.

Have you taken time to enjoy a book (or two) recently?  Why do you choose the books you read?

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