A Christian Guide to Loving Books

Tony Reinke's Lit! A Christian Guide to Reading Books is a very good book on a far too neglected subject. Let's be honest. Not many of us have thought deeply about the importance of reading good books. And, not many of us have a strategy for a lifetime of reading good books. With so many books available, which books should we buy and read, and which books should we avoid? Reinke is here to help.

Lit! is divided into 2 sections: (1) A Theology of Books and Reading and (2) Some Practical Advice on Book Reading.

The first section is helpful because it lays a foundation for how to view books and why we should spend precious time reading books. Reinke makes clear that we should read all books in light of the one authoritative book (the Bible). He rehearses the gospel and makes sure we are shaped by a Biblical worldview.

The second section was most helpful and challenging to me. Some of my favorite chapters include: Six Priorities That Decide What Books I Read (and Don't Read), 20 Tips and Tricks for Reading Nonfiction Books, Six Ways to Find (and Protect) the Time You Need to Read Books, How Internet Habits Cripple Book Reading, and The Fine Art of Defacing Books with Pencils, Pens, and Highlighters.

A few of the practical issues that Lit! addresses:

-Which books to avoid.

-The benefits of reading "non-Christian" books.

-The benefits of reading fiction.

-The drawbacks of e-reading devices.

-Why and how to mark up a book with permanent ink.

-Reading in groups.

-Raising kids who love to read.

If you are serious about making the most of your reading, you should read this book. Or, if you have a long list of excuses for why you don't read, you should read this book.

You can get Lit! for 40% off at WTS books.