A brief summary of what I’m currently reading or have recently finished, why I read it, and whether I’d recommend it. Although really, it’d have to be truly terrible for me to bother writing about a book I wouldn’t recommend……
The Hiding Place (Corrie ten Boom) – The Hiding Place is the classic story of a Dutch watchmaker’s experience during World War II, first as she and her family – her older sister Betsy and her father – hid Jews in their house, and then later as she and Betsy were imprisoned in Ravensbruck. The most impactful part was Corrie’s honesty about her feelings, particularly when they weren’t always Christ-like; and Betsy’s perspective, which really seemed otherworldly much of the time. It’s not the first time I’ve read this one, and unlike many of the books I’ve shared here, it won’t be the last.
The Boys in the Boat (Daniel James Brown) – As rumblings of war were beginning to move across Europe, Germany was preparing to fool the world into thinking that all was well through the spectacle of the 1936 Olympics. Daniel Brown – not to be mistaken for Dan Brown – relates the story of the 9 men who represented the United States in rowing eights, and how they came to that point. It’s a peek into the lives of Depression-era young men, and it’s worth the time to get that look.
Cry, the Beloved Country (Alan Paton) – This classic novel of South Africa has been on my to-be-read list for several years, and I finally got to it, thanks to my lengthy commute. It’s not an easy book, and in many ways it is distressing, but it’s a classic for a reason. It was moving and engaging, and I still don’t quite have sufficient words to describe the experience, but it is well worth the time.
The Business of Heaven (C. S. Lewis) – The Business of Heaven is a book of daily readings comprised of excerpts from his other works, compiled by Walter Hooper, the literary advisor of the Lewis estate. I’m not normally a big fan – or really a fan at all – of reading only bits and pieces, and there were days when it was a bit jarring, particularly when, after reading excerpts from one book for a few days, there was a transition to a different book. I did appreciate, though, the opportunity to get a taste of several of his books, and see which ones I may want to prioritize for a thorough reading.
So there you have it: 4 books I’m reading right now or have recently finished. If you’ve read any of these (or decide to after reading this post), drop me a note and let me know what you thought of them! And let me know what you’re reading right now too.
All of these are wonderful, but The Hiding Place has always stuck with me. I got The Boys in the Boat for my stepson one year. I read it, and was drawn to its sense of honesty and camaraderie