Have you picked up a book, settled into your favorite comfy spot, and started to read--only to find yourself less able to focus and more easily distracted than you used to be? You're not alone. Many adults are discovering a problem with their reading abilities. It's a problem Leland Ryken and I explore in Recovering … Continue reading Recovering the Lost Art of Reading
The 2017 Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded last Thursday to Kazuo Ishiguro, which is good news. Ishiguro writes literary novels that defy genre boundaries and garner popular appeal. Here's the New York Times online story about the award. And here's a Times 2015 interview with Ishiguro that explores his reading opinions and related reflections. … Continue reading Pulitzer Prize Good News
After a recent speaking engagement, I was asked for some book recommendations. Having expended a great deal of mental energy into the talks I'd just given, I felt a little brain dead and came up with only a few favorites. I did recall and mention, however, this earlier post that includes a variety of nonfiction … Continue reading Reading Recommendations
William Boekestein, pastor of Immanuel Fellowship Church in Kalamazoo, MI, was recently appointed as the social media coordinator for Reformed Fellowship, publisher of the The Outlook. In his continuing task to help Reformed Fellowship build an online presence and engage meaningful internet discussion, he posted yesterday (October 20, 2016) a link to my article on Fiction's … Continue reading The Delight and Truth of Fiction
An article I wrote about why Christians should read fiction appears in the November issue of The Outlook. You can page through this online preview to read that article as well as a lovely review of my Matthew books.
Today I'm thankful that a mom in Canada took the time to share this on my Facebook page: I am reading Matthew Muddles Through to my nine-year-old and seven-year-old every evening before bed. They are just LOVING it. Every night I hear, 'Please! Another chapter, Mom. Pretty, pretty please?' It's so great to hear of kids … Continue reading Thursday Thanks
You say you're not a reader? Readers are made, not born. Like anything else, we learn to do it through practice. You read a lot or you want to read more, but you feel like you need direction? Look to the light of Lit! by Tony Reinke. The title is a clever play on words that intentionally … Continue reading Lit! An elliptical book review
Over at the Trinity Forum blog, Cherie Harder, President of Trinity Forum's Board of Directors, writes this excellent defense for reading fiction.
You won't see John Calvin bobble-heads or Martin Luther window clings in the seasonal aisle of your local discount store, but Reformation Day is right around the corner. Many Reformed churches sponsor conferences this time of year, which recharge adults' Reformed batteries, but what about the kids? How does your family or church jumpstart children's … Continue reading Reformation resources
Mysteries were my standard reading fare during the long summer breaks between my highschool years. Ever since I've equated summer reading with mysteries. And although I now have several favorite authors, my first favorite mystery writer--and one who remains a favorite despite some criticisms--is Agatha Christie. Last night I read The Secret of Chimneys, one of her … Continue reading Secret of Chimneys
Glenda Faye Mathes 