tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908871735324286268.post3916070138393332413..comments2023-08-04T06:55:11.148-04:00Comments on Forty Maxims: 4. Read good books, a little at a time.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908871735324286268.post-9078717796674561632009-03-08T17:03:00.000-04:002009-03-08T17:03:00.000-04:00A Severe Mercy is one of the most poignant books I...A Severe Mercy is one of the most poignant books I have ever read. Thanks for reminding me of it, Emily.Aelwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13883776541084645202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908871735324286268.post-88250384239741572352009-03-06T16:17:00.000-05:002009-03-06T16:17:00.000-05:00Spiritual wisdom is wonderful, of course, but I lo...Spiritual wisdom is wonderful, of course, but I love good fiction, too. A few classics are anything by Tolstoy (short stories are a good place to start, but don't stop before Anna Karenina!) or C.S. Lewis. I also love "A Severe Mercy" by Sheldon Vanauken -- a beautiful love story. <BR/><BR/>As the Akathist of Thanksgiving says, "the Holy Spirit inspires artists, poets, scientists." It's good to remember that something can be salvific even when it doesn't have an overtly Christ-centered message; all that God created is good, so Wordsworth and Rodin can be as spiritually uplifting as the Philokalia in the proper context!Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05922034122755058166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908871735324286268.post-73871624935943564452009-03-05T22:31:00.000-05:002009-03-05T22:31:00.000-05:00Have you read Father Arseny? There are 2 of them....Have you read Father Arseny? There are 2 of them. The first is about his life and the 2nd is more of his spiritual children writing about him. Here are a few more that are in my pile to finish or to read:<BR/>"The Truth of our Faith" by Elder Cleopa of Romania, "The Holy Angels" by Mother Alexandra, "On the Prayer of Jesus" by Isnatius Brianchaninov,<BR/>"We Shall See Him as He Is" by Archimandrite Sophrony, "Saint Nektarios The Saint of our Century" by Sotos Chondropoulos, "Athonite Flowers" by Monk Moses of Mount Athos, "The Brothers Karamazov" by Fyodor Dostoevsky.Michele Mulderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15371347707144079973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908871735324286268.post-80741955381751862372009-03-05T18:56:00.000-05:002009-03-05T18:56:00.000-05:00I was inspired to do more reading of good books af...I was inspired to do more reading of good books after reading your post, and inspired by yesterday's reminder to read Scripture, as well. Could someone suggest other "good books" they have found particularly enjoyable and exceptional? Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908871735324286268.post-67787434087451471802009-03-05T16:46:00.000-05:002009-03-05T16:46:00.000-05:00My husband just finished "Surprised by Christ" and...My husband just finished "Surprised by Christ" and I was on chapter 5 when my spiritual father asked me to read "Ladder of Divine Ascent" with my husband and since I am a one book at a time kinda gal I stopped and will pick it up after I finish Ladder. I highly recommend this book. My husband says it is one he would recommend to any seeker of Orthodoxy. It would be his first choice of recommendation. I enjoyed your post.Michele Mulderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15371347707144079973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908871735324286268.post-26988920445557429602009-03-05T14:16:00.000-05:002009-03-05T14:16:00.000-05:00This is the one that I struggle with the most (rea...This is the one that I struggle with the most (read a little at a time?) but I greatly appreciate your words and need to take them to heart.Mimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02645484704486562810noreply@blogger.com