From the Library of C.S. Lewis

Selections frrm Writers Who Influenced His Spiritual Journey, compiled by James Stuart Bell with Anthony P. Dawson.

"To truly know Lewis, one must become familiar with the body of literature that marked his life.  Jim Bell and Tony Dawson give curious students of Lewis a glimpse of the books and authors that informed his life's work and kindled his imagination." - Jerry Root, coeditor of The Qutable C. S. Lewis and a C. S. Lewis scholar


About the Author
James Stuart Bell wrote his master’s thesis on C. S. Lewis, receiving his M. A. from University College Dublin, in Ireland. The owner of Whitestone Communications, the former executive editor of Moody Press, and director of religious publishing for Doubleday, Bell has authored several books, including The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Bible.

About the Book

C. S. Lewis was one of the most influential thinkers and writers of the twentieth century. But who influenced C. S. Lewis? What were the sources of his inspiration? Who were his spiritual mentors?

Drawn from Lewis’s personal library, annotations, and references from his writings, this book includes more than 200 selections from literary giants such as Dante, Augustine, and Chaucer, as well as more contemporary writers such as G. K. Chesterton, Dorothy L. Sayers, George MacDonald, and J.R.R. Tolkien, providing a vast array of inspiration from those who have shone forth as messengers of light in Lewis’s own thinking, writing, and spiritual growth.
In this treasury, you will…
· Glean wisdom on living a devout life from Andrew Murray and Brother Lawrence
· Tap into fantasy and imagination with William Wordsworth and Geoffrey Chaucer
· Ponder creation and poetry alongside Sir Walter Scott and Aristotle

My Thoughts

I like what Walter Hooper, Literary Advisor to the C. S. Lewis Estate, one of the world’s leading authorities on the life and works of C. S. Lewis, and the editor of dozens of Lewis’s works wrote about this book,  This is the perfect entrance to the world C. S. Lewis inhabited, and it arrives just when that world of books is under threat of extinction. Thanks to those who have given us such a gold mine.” 

That kind of expression made me want to read this book right now!

I found the writings of the many masters who influenced C.S. Lewis not as difficult as I first suspected. Growing up without the opportunity to read many of the 'old books' made me excited to review this valuable summary of so many pieces of literature. Each excerpt provides knowledge and inspiration. After reading even a short portion of the book quickly reveals why C.S. Lewis is one of the masters of literature.
I would recommend this book for students or someone wanting to discover short snippets of writings from long ago.

Thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for sending me a free copy of this book to review

Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity

My first impression of this small book was surprise.  I expected a large volume to review regarding "A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity" as I read Primal, the latest book by Mark Batterson.  


What would your faith look like if it were stripped down to the simplest elements possible? Storyteller and pastor Mark Batterson explores the four foundational principles of Great Commandment Christianity: compassion (heart), wonder (soul), curiosity (mind), and power (strength)---and supplies a new reformation beginning for your generation, your church, and your life!

Mark begins his story within the catacombs of ancient Rome while he and his wife were on vacation.  The following can quickly sum up what is the primal essence of Christianity:

    "As I tried to absorb the significance of where I was, I couldn't help but wonder if our generation has conveniently forgotten how inconvenient it can be to follow in the footsteps of Christ.  I couldn't help but wonder if we have diluted the truths of Christianity and settled for superficialities.  I couldn't help but wonder if we have accepted a form of Christianity that is more educated but less powerful, more civilized but less compassionate, more acceptable but less authentic than that which our spiritual ancestors practiced."

The four foundational principles are easily outlined and the heart, the soul, the mind and the strength are each defined with stories and scriptures.  

One of my favorite remarks in this book is, "We don't see the world as it is; we see the world as we are.  So wonder, or the lack thereof, simply reveals what is in our souls.  If our souls are full of wonder, then life is wonderful.  Why?  Because you see with your soul. And when you see with your soul, everything becomes a reflection of the glory of God."

If you are a Christian, I believe this book will renew your spirit to retain your soul.  If you are searching and questioning then I suggest reading this book.  One thing I like about Mark Batterson is his honesty and his encouragement to ask questions.

I give this book 5 stars for reminding us of the 4 basic principles of living we each need.

Thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for sending me a free copy of this book to review.

Fierce Beauty, by Kim Meeder

Choosing to Stand for What Matters Most is the topic Kim Meeder, author of "Fierce Beauty", shares with inspiring true stories from her own life of adventure, love, and loss.
Real beauty isn’t a look, it’s an action.

This is now one of my favorite books.  Why?  Kim has a way of writing that makes me feel as if she's sitting across the table from me and sharing each story she has written.

The story of sitting on the boulder "no matter how stable things in this life might seem nothing in this world is going to last - nothing" confirms that we each have a choice to make about our future with Christ.  No amount of beauty, popularity, power, wealth, or anything the world can supply can keep us from crumbling or prevent us from dying.  That's a pretty humbling statement.

Another chapter tells the story of the mama grizzly bear.  "Why do you think the Lord allowed us to be charged by a bear?" Kim asked her friends traveling with her through Yellowstone National Park.  Reflecting on their encounter, one of them replied, "I want to be just as ferocious as a charging bear toward anything that comes between me and God"  You'll want to read the entire story to understand how light and darkness cannot live in the same place. So true.

I hope you'll take time to read this book filled with well-told gems of true stories.

Thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for sending me a free copy of this book to review.

The Harvest of Grace, Ada's House Series #3, by Cindy Woodsmall

It was easy to be swept into the life of Old Order Amish in this third book, "The Harvest of Grace", from the Ada's House series, by Cindy Woodsmall.

Reeling from an unexpected betrayal, can Sylvia find relief from the echoes of her past…or will they shape her future forever?
Although Sylvia Fisher recognizes that most Old Order Amish women her age spend their hours managing a household and raising babies, she has just one focus—tending and nurturing the herd on her family’s dairy farm. But when a dangerous connection with an old beau forces her to move far from home, she decides to concentrate on a new start and pour her energy into reviving another family’s debt-ridden farm.

I liked the determination and values of the main character, Sylvia.  She struggles with the same issues all of us face each day.  Being honest with others, wondering how our past mistakes can ever be forgiven, and finding hope in the simple things.  When Sylvia takes time out to rest under a tree in the hot summer heat, or notices the strength that comes from generation after generation working to build a dairy farm, or the tenderness she gives to the little kittens she finds in the barn loft, you can almost believe you are there sharing those moments.

Sylvia has to learn to trust her new friends, too.  Aaron, Grey , Cara, Ephraim, Trevor and the other families who all come to Ada's House, will bring you to appreciate traditional Amish events and the daily routines that are part of the Old Order Amish heritage.  I would recommend this book for those who appreciate the Amish community and for those struggling with the issues of forgiveness and God's grace.

If you'd like to read the first chapter of this book, just click here:    http://www.scribd.com/doc/58119222/The-Harvest-of-Grace-by-Cindy-Woodsmall-ch-1-excerpt

Author Bio

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best-selling author whose connection with the Amish community has been featured on ABC Nightline, in The Wall Street Journal, and in other media. She is the author of the Sisters of the Quilt series, The Sound of Sleigh Bells, and a nonfiction work, Plain Wisdom, which was written with her closest Old Order Amish friend. Cindy lives in Georgia with her family. Visit her website at CindyWoodsmall.com
 
 "I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"

As Silver Refined by Kay Arthur

What Can You Do When Life Doesn't Turn Out Like You Planned?As Silver Refined
Answers to Life's Disappointments, As Silver Refined, written by Kay Arthur, is an eye-opening book which guides you to biblical truths that will help you break that cycle and instead embrace disappointment as the cleansing fire God uses to make you - as silver refined - a reflection of His goodness.
My first reaction was disappointment as I expected to find the answers in a more simplified explanation.  However, the depth of explanation is extensive, accurate, and extremely well presented.  As I read through each chapter I concluded how important this book is for individual study or a small support group.  It would be wise to take time to digest the wealth of information provided by Mrs. Arthur.
Now for the information provided.
Take Courage! How? That's what this book is about! How to handle life's disappointments God's way OR fall into the awful pit of despair.
My favorite part of this book was understanding meekness.  "Meekness is the key to acting rather than reacting . . . . the key to meekness is understanding the sovereignty and the character of God." (page 152) I hope you will read this book for this reason alone.
The companion study guide provided at the end of the book would be very beneficial to the application of each topic addressed.  Topics include failure, regrets, stress, pain and the positive scripture based topics of courage, joy, hope, victory and restoration. 
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.