This is a call for contributions -- with a special challenge to my theological colleagues in the Twin Cities and environs.
Pontificator has a book thing going over at his blog. He asks questions about favorites, etc. (I'm not quite sure what a "meme" is, but this seems like it can be an open game. So let's go on this front.
I'll supply answers off the top of my head (I don't suggest that this become a competition in "The Great Books" I've read -- after all, I used to work for the Great Books Foundation in Chicago; I can't afford to be one-upped.) and then you respond with yours. (We can also comment on each others' choices.
1. One book that changed your life:
Honest to God by Bp. JAT Robinson (I'm not saying for better or worse, but this book woke
me up)
2. One book that you’ve read more than once:
Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry (4 times and counting -- it is simply one of the most beautiful
books I've ever read)
(I'll cheat and add that I've read most of Robertson Davies' novels more than thrice)
3. One book you’d want on a desert island:
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare -- annotated, of course
4. One book that made you laugh:
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
5. One book that made you cry:
Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving
6. One book that you wish had been written:
Do This In Remembrance of Me: A Rubrical Guide to the Celebration of the Mass by Jesus,
Foster Son of Joseph and Son of Mary
7. One book that you wish had never been written:
The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown (not for its controversial subject, but because it simply
sucks)
8. One book you’re currently reading:
Embodying Forgiveness by L. Gregory Jones
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read:
Summa Theologica by Aquinas
There you go. I await your replies. Keep in mind (he says defensively) that this is not a result of long meditation. I may give it some more thought and enter the names of books that I think were better answers -- but this is what came pretty much to mind right out of the chute. You may go either route: profound or knee-jerk.
Peace
5 comments:
I played, over on my blog. Thanks, Brother Dwight.
1. One book that changed your life:
The Book of Guys by Garrison Keillor
2. One book that you’ve read more than once:
Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner
3. One book you’d want on a desert island:
The Lutheran Book of Worship
4. One book that made you laugh:
The Brothers K by David James Duncan
5. One book that made you cry:
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
6. One book that you wish had been written:
Out of Retirement: Brand New Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson
7. One book that you wish had never been written:
The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren
8. One book you’re currently reading:
Why Catholics Can't Sing by Thomas Day
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read:
A More Radical Gospel by Gerhard Forde
OK, I'll play -
1.One book that changed your life:
For the Life of the World, Alexander Schmemann – changed my life in a lot of ways, only recently (and back when my life was that of a Cantor at a small, urban Lutheran Church, The Church Musician, Paul Westermeyer)
2. One book that you’ve read more than once:
Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer (read it lots of times!)
3. One book you’d want on a desert island:
Sounds cliché, but it’s totally honest, The Holy Bible
6. One book that you wish had been written:
Do This In Remembrance of Me: A Rubrical Guide to the Celebration of the Mass by Jesus, Foster Son of Joseph and Son of Mary
Ha! I echo this sentiment!
7. One book that you wish had never been written:
Why Christianity Must Change or Die – John Shelby Spong
8. One book you’re currently reading:
The Orthodox Way, Bishop Kallistos Ware
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read:
Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down, by Marva Dawn (although at this point I am hard-pressed to find a reason why I should read it).
-C
Couldn't resist:
1. Worship as Pastoral Care by William Willimon influenced me quite a bit during my seminary days.
2. Kitchen Table Wisdom by Racheel Naomi Remen, MD – I’ve read these wonderful, healing stories many times and have used them often in my work.
3. I’d love to have a daily newspaper on the desert island and probably a copy of the Psalms too.
4. I Am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe
5. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
6. Answers to All Your Questions – Yes, All of Them by God
7. Angels and Demons by Dan Brown – worse than the subsequent DaVinci Code.
8. I’m trying to make my way through Saturday by Ian McEwan. Slow going so far.
9. Far too many to name.
RAR
Brother RAR,
Your no. 6 would have to be a subscription series -- with annual updates. And as for a newspaper -- or any other -- subscription: You have made me aware of an unspoken supposition on my part, viz., that "on a desert island" means "unreachable, lost, forlorn." It could as easily be a hermitage, a retreat, a vacation even. That would make some difference in selecting a book.
Cheers!
-D
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