☕ Book Break ☕ | Nonfiction The Evangelical Imagination: How Stories, Metaphors and Images Created a Culture in Crisis by Karen Swallow Prior

I grew up in an evangelical community.

I’m also a writer and a reader of inspirational fiction. (Although I read general market fiction and well and read widely.)

I found this nonfiction book utterly fascinating and liked hearing about the history, the first precursors to novels, how the different influences of societal ideas, religious ideas, and literature have all impacted each other. The first chapter may be a little slow for some readers, but it picked up after that, and because I found the subject interesting it kept me listening. I got the audiobook and felt the narration was well done.

As like many people in the Christian community, I’ve been examining my faith traditions, and books of this sort are helpful when trying to understand how we got to where we are today. I have always enjoyed reading history and trying to puzzle out how different events shaped society.

I would describe this book as somewhat scholarly but accessible. If you like history or are curious about how today’s attitudes and beliefs systems came into being, or if you are interested in learning about and exploring the culture’s effect on literature and vice versa, you might enjoy this book.

I was particularly fascinated by the origin of the novel as story, how the form was influenced, and how the current structure and format of today’s novels came into being.

Recommended.

Currently Reading The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry

I’m currently reading The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer.

“In the chronic problem of human beings felt experience of distance from God, God isn’t usually the culprit. God is omnipresent – there is no place God is not. And no time he isn’t present either. Our awareness of God is the problem, and it’s acute.”

I’m still working my way through this book, but so far there are nuggets of wisdom galore. Being a research nerd, I like the sources he cites as well. In part of the book, talks about how social media and our behaviors are reshaping us. It’s difficult to walk away from social media, to be sure. For the exploration of this topic alone and how it influences our peace of mind, I would encourage all readers to consider this book. It’s one to explore in preparation for holiday pressures, or anytime really, but especially if life is hectic or stressful. And whose life isn’t stressful these days?

I’m interested to see what advice this book has for me.

☕ Book Break ☕ | All My Knotted Up Life by Beth Moore

Beth Moore is a gifted storyteller and writer. I’ve enjoyed listening to her speaking and reading her studies and books for decades now.

The memoir unfolds in her typical style. but has the ability to make you feel like you know her, as if she would be completely comfortable talking with you over a cup of coffee. Down to earth style. Sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking.

She has a way with words and doesn’t take herself too seriously which makes it enjoyable to read—except when she’s breaking your heart.

Beth Moore fans won’t want to miss this memoir. In her previous writings and teachings, Beth has alluded to her past, but in All My Knotted Up Life, she reveals a bit more about what was going on in her past and the depth of her pain. She talks about her search for a place to belong after breaking with the SBC.

Great writing
Heart wrenching
Five stars all around.