"Mind Siege" [Tim Lahaye]:
This I guarantee-it'll make you think. Hard. This book is all about worldview. It challenges you to think about what you believe and what you're going to do about it.
One recurring theme in the book was about what you fill your mind about and what you believe. Lahaye states, "The mind is to the emotions what food is to the body...what the mind feeds upon becomes the most influential force in your life." This challenges me to think about what I focus on. What I think about. Money? Future? Relationships? He then follows it up with this, "If you want the right feelings, then see and hear the right things". Finally, he states this fact: "Scientists tell us we remember 60 percent of what we see and only 10 percent of what we hear." This is just one example of what the author covers in the book.
Another topic was humanism. Personally, I had never really heard of this. Man, was it an eye opener. Not only is humanism a religion, it is the force behind the majority of the liberal issues we have today. This is another reason to read this book-it's so enlightening, but in a necessary way. We need to be aware of the liberal slants we're being shown in the media, taught in schools, and forced to follow by law.
"Till We Have Faces" [CS Lewis]:
While I was reading this book I realized Lewis is the epitome of a renaissance writer. What I mean by this is he was able to depict stories in all different genres: magical, sci-fi, religious, and in the latest book I've read: mythical.
In this book the myth of psyche and Cupid is retold. Personally, I had never heard of this tale. It's so captivating.
Without wanting to give away the story, Lewis goes beyond the plot of psyche and her sister Maia (told from the latters perspective) and interweaves conversations addressing the controversy of god versus nature. It challenges selfishness, love, motives, and depicts the beliefs of a seemingly barbaric religion.
Addressing the title, "Till We Have Faces" puts into words the shortcoming is humans have because of our mortality. Until we have faces, or rather, until we can see the whole picture from a higher perspective, well we won't understand anything at all. As Paul said, "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." (1 Corinthians 13)
Thus, by reading this book you get both history, mythical, and moral lessons. Another masterpiece by Lewis.
Les Miserables [Victor Hugo]:
I've wanted to read this book for several years now, ever since my older sister finished it within a span of a few days (queue sibling rivalry). I was honestly surprised at the easiness of the read. Having read some Dickens and other similar ages novels, I was expecting it to be a bit slow. Although a few times the author diverges into historical accounts, for the most part the novel is very captivating as the readers watch Valjean's journey of redemption.
There are multiple morals intertwined in this book: Selflessness, Innocence, as well as listening to your conscience. It also addresses several social issues of the day: discrepancies between classes, injustice, and utter poverty. Through these circumstances the author paints a graphic picture in which the core of each character is revealed in the direst of circumstances. And let's not forget the beautiful romance between Marius and Cosette. I won't say any more in fear of ruining the book.
"It is nothing to die; it is frightful not to live."
Darcy's Story [Janet Aylmer]:
I am obsessed with Pride and Prejudice. In my opinion, it is one of the best love stories of all time. I've read the book and seen countless film renditions of the story. So when I came across the opportunity of reading the tale told by Darcy's perspective, I immediately grasped at the thought of further understanding the man whom my sisters and I grew up drooling over.
Aylmer does a stupendous job bringing justice to Darcy. Although the book was a bit of a slow read at times (just because I've heard/read/seen it so many time), I wholeheartedly enjoyed delving into Darcy's mind. However, I would definitely ensure you read the original "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen in order to understand why analyzing Darcy's thoughts is necessary and unavoidable. It's yet another perfect read for summer.
The Abolition of Man [C.S. Lewis]:
In this book, Lewis discusses the importance of being aware of what you're being taught and the tendency of people to manipulate nature to say what they want it to (bend truth). In this aspect, it is a great book for the educator or student of any type in order to be conscious of every and any bias you convey or hear.
Beyond this, Lewis discusses the element and importance of basic truth that is apparent in our world.
"If nothing is self-evident nothing can be proved. Similarly, if nothing is obligatory for its own sake, nothing is obligatory at all."
"The human mind has no more power of inventing a new value than of imagining a new primary colour, or, indeed, of creating a new sun and a new sky for it to move in."
Lewis interweaves the idea of Tao in his book as well, or roughly said, the idea of an undeniable truth that is weaved behind other religions as well: respecting parents, murder is wrong, etc. In this respect, it's evident that the books purpose is not to fight for Christianity, rather to fight against people who try to come up with a "new truth".
Of course, Lewis covers much more aspects than these. But that is the whole point: go read it! It's short, just over 100 pages including the appendix.
This book takes the reader through a journey to determine whether miracles exist, their validity, probability, etc. Beyond this it questions various worldviews and is very relatable to today's day and age. It discusses the natural versus the supernatural or the relationship between earth and heaven. Finally, Lewis walks us through the great miracles of the incarnation, old creation, and new creation.
Miracles challenged me to accept the supernatural in a new way. Lewis depicts the way that God is in relation to the world. At times it may seem unlikely or confusing that God is in the world and affects it, disrupting the nature He created. However, the author takes us step by step to enlighten and explain in a conversational tone.
Lewis once again shows his ability to use countless analogies to paint the picture of a non-tangible item to the reader. All in all, if you're curious at all about miracles, the supernatural, or learning more about humans & our relationship with God, it's a must read.
The Screwtape Letters [C.S. Lewis]:
If you haven't been able to tell, I'm a huge fan of C.S. Lewis. This summer, I'm trying to read through the entire collection of books that my family has by him [yes, we have a collection]. I've already read Mere Christianity, his Silent Planet Trilogy, and listened to his Chronicles of Narnia books on audio repeatedly growing up. I decided to start off this summer with The Screwtape Letters. The book is about a demon, Screwtape, who writes letters to his nephew, Wormwood, about how to win the soul of his "patient". It's easy to forget that we live in a world where spiritual warfare is rampant-we feel it, but sometimes we fail to identify it. Lewis wakes us up-he for sure woke me up.
The letters gives us a different perspective on things. Instead of focusing directly on how the Holy Spirit/God works on us or trying to view things through His perspective, we catch a glimpse on how demons think and work on us, which then gives us God's perspective by figuring out the opposite. It gives us a perspective from "outsiders" on how we view things. How we view time as our own possession. How we live looking to the future or past. How we listen to subtle lies and how potent the conflict between good and evil is. It also lets us see God's perspective in the midst of this spiritual warfare.
So, although it is fiction, The Screwtape Letters helps us look at ourselves from the outside in a completely believable way. It's a short read, with chapters 2-3 pages, so it's the perfect book for beach or pool reading. You officially have no excuse-read it.
Divergent [Veronica Roth]:
After much delay, I finally read Divergent. In approximately two days. I literally couldn't put it down. And believe me, I had my own doubts about it, myself being a huge Hunger Games fan. I wondered if Divergent was really as good as everyone said it was. Believe me-it is. Good thing I was on spring break and was able to get away with non-stop reading. :)
In the purpose of not trying to spoil it too much...
Divergent is a story of a young girl who is in search of herself, perhaps why I related to it, and The Hunger Games, so well. By being physically, mentally, and emotionally challenges, Tris, the protagonist, eventually discovers more of who she is. She is forced to face her fears while separated from her family and placed in unknown circumstances. She also falls in love. I mean, obviously Roth knows how to keep teenage girls, including myself, interested in an adventure/dystopian novel...All in all, a fantastic read and wonderful story. Highly recommended.
Insurgent:
The second book in the Divergent series (also read on spring break..hehe). The story continues, however, this book has more to do with trusting someone you love. Trusting yourself. Not giving in, but persevering. Doing what you know is right, despite the consequences and perhaps all too likely death. It also shows some recklessness, in an effort to distract. Perhaps then, it is the difference between bravery and recklessness. Obviously, the love story between the two protagonists continues. ;)
Allegiant:
The final book in the Divergent series. Similar to The Hunger Games trilogy, many people didn't admire the third book as much as the first two. Although I loved Mockingjay, I surprisingly didn't like Allegiant as much as a third and final book in a series. I just wasn't as captivated by the third as the first two. I may have just discouraged you from finishing the series, whoops. In order to do it justice...it does provide a lot of insight into ideas such as change, confusion, love, etc. Moreover, it wraps up the series (for the most part) nicely. Finally, it does contain a good amount of action, romance, and plot twists.
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