On Reading

Al Mohler is talking about reading at Together for the Gospel. Hey, my favorite subject! Al lists six pieces of advice for readers, but the one I want to focuse on is the first. Strategize!

Like me, Al Mohler likes to "strategize" his reading. He talks of maintaining several long-term reading projects. He says that at any given times he is reading in each of the following categories: Theology, Biblical Studies, Church Life, History, Cultural Studies, and Literature. That is, he is pursuing a plan of study in each of these categories all the time! He writes, "I have some project from each of these categories going at all times."

Well, that's setting the bar pretty darn high! Nevertheless, I think it's very good advice. I try to have something going in History, Theology or Biblical Studies (one or the other, but usually not both), devotional or inspirational, and literature, but inevitably one of these categories (at least) seems to fall by the wayside.

I've also returned to an early love, sometimes called imaginative literature or fantasy. Along with my son, Nate, I'm reading George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones, which is the first of a 4 book set (thus far). Nate and I are reading the book and blogging about it together at A Blog of Thrones. Not likely to be of any interest to anyone who hasn't read the book (and probably not even to those who have), but it's a way for Nate and I to kind of hang out together around a common interest. BTW, it's a cracking good yarn!