In the past couple of weeks I've read two books. The first came highly recommended to me - Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. I think when a book or movie comes highly recommended I build it up a little too much in my head and by the time I read/see it I feel disappointed. This was definitely a good book but not my favorite. It is about an old man remembering back on his days with the circus during the great depression. I wish I had a book group to discuss it with. In an interview with the author at the end of the book she mentions how she parallels this story to the story of Jacob in Genesis and frankly I'm just not seeing it.
This past week I read this. Through the Shadowlands contains a brief biograpy of C.S. Lewis and of his wife Joy Davidman. It tells us how they met and how their relationship developed. It was very interesting and inspiring. I happened upon this book in the Bargain Bookstore and thought I would enjoy it - and I did. I often build up a great theologian, writer, artist in my head to be about perfect. Its usually encouraging to get to know these famous folks and find out what weaknesses and imperfections made them just as human as the rest of us. And at the same time it is inspiring because they did live their lives exceptionally as well.
Here's my hang-up as a reader. I like to read. I like to read different genre's but I tend to stay with Christian literature mostly. Which sometimes is flat or just gets boring. So I branch out and read some of the bestsellers - which are usually full of complex characters and amazing details. But then sometimes I feel dragged down by the depravity that is depicted. My heart says "I don't want to know that people are capable of doing such things. I like my sheltered little world. I've dealt with enough of my own pain and depravity in my life."
Then I think, how am I going to relate to this world I live in if I shelter myself. Not that I need to go down every depraved path possible but should I really stick strictly to Christian authors? I think the answer is no, of course. So I guess I'll just keep doing what I am doing which is mixing it up and staying away from those books that when I read the backs seem like they will be too disturbing or upseting to me. Sometimes I think I'm just a big wimp!
