Dec
30
Filed Under (General) by Rob on 30-12-2010

(Roughly in order of preference)

After completing my thesis in May, I rediscovered the joy of reading for sheer pleasure. For a year or two previously, I’d mostly been reading (these books and others) for research purposes, and a lot of reading it was! Enjoyable too, but being able to choose what you read and when now seems like a luxury!

So, here are 9 books I’ve read this year (mostly in their entirety):

(NB click on titles below to see the books on Amazon)

1. The Daily Message (Bible)
A great way to re-read the Bible in a new and enlightening way. The modern idioms and up-to-date language may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for me it has been a great help. 10/10

2. How to Win Friends and Influence People
Of all the secular books I’ve read, this one has had the greatest effect on me, so I thought I’d read it again. If you’ve never read it, buy it now and do so – it will change your relationships with others for the better! 10/10

3. The Heavenly Man
Two things: (i) read this book and (ii) believe every word of it. It’s an increadible testimony of Brother Yun and the sacrifices he made for the Gospel (and the amazing experiences he had in doing so). 9/10

4. Où es-tu?
Another great novel by Marc Levy, one of France’s best I think! A gripping and moving tale of international travel and unrequited love! A wonderful read. (In French) 9/10

5. Dark Star Safari
Paul Theroux’s true story of his journey from Cairo to Capetown. I really enjoyed his meticulous descriptions of places and people, which brought the journey to life. However, his constant whingeing about Africa and how filthy it is became wearing after a while and I think it should’ve finished 3 chapters sooner. 8/10

6. L’Attentat
I’ve read almost all of Amélie Nothomb’s books and always enjoy her bizarre outlook on life and humourous narratives. This is the tale of a hidiously ugly man who ends up participating in fashion shows across the world. It also has something of Beauty and the Beast about it. (In French). 7/10

7. La Noisetière
Picked this up 2nd hand in Ségou; I’ve never read any Antonin Malroux before, but this was a pleasant read of a middle-aged man’s return to Provence to face his somewhat troubled childhood. Lots of Pagnol-esque descriptions of the region and plenty of emotion. (In French) 7/10

8. Dead Aid
I read Dambisa Moyo’s book about why Aid to Africa isn’t working thinking I’d disagree with most of it. In fact, there were bits that made sense and might even work! Still a bit of a pipe dream though, I fear. 6/10

9. China’s Christian Millions
After reading Brother Yun’s moving first-hand account, this book seemed clinical and impersonal. Still a fascinating and encouraging account of church growth in this country over the past few decades. 5/10

Happy New Year to you all!



Comments are closed.