Summer Reading Challenge

If you’re like me, then maybe you’re thinking “Summer is here! This will be the year I get some real reading done whilst I bake-in a beautiful tan by the pool, or while I sit by the glow of a campfire, or while I relax on a much-needed family vacation”!

Many of us think this way, only to be stymied when it comes time to finally crack open volume III of War and Peace (because you already finished volumes I and II in your spare time).

As Christians we know the value of a good book (especially THE Good Book!), and how enjoying literature through Christian eyes can open up new worlds of discussion/community, self-awareness, and appreciation for the world God created. Malcom Muggeridge once captured this well when he said…

“Books like Resurrection and The Brothers Karamazov give me an almost overpowering sense of how uniquely marvelous a Christian way of looking at life is, and a passionate desire to share it.”

But as beneficial as reading can be, it can also be daunting.

That is why I would like to offer you a few ideas of good books as well as a Summer Reading Challenge.

The Challenge is simple: pick a book from the list below, and along with some friends from community group, or other Veritasers, and read the book together. Then, share your experience with me as the summer progresses. Our goal is to send out updates throughout the summer along with thoughts about these books from other community members, and see how the gospel shapes our literary experience.

Should you choose to accept this mission, here are a few ways to enjoy your summer reading:

  1. Read with friends from Community Group or other fellow Veritas friends! Get together a few times for coffee, breakfast, or playdates and talk about the book, or send each other obnoxiously long texts during the week about the book!
  2. Listen to the book – this is a great guilt-free grace-driven audible-empowered alternative to reading. This is perfect if you’re doing a lot of driving, if you just don’t like to read, or you’re just plain lazy.
    Read something from below which challenges and stretches you – then try not to brag about it as you pretend like you understand its philosophical or spiritual depths.
  3. Read aloud to your kids (if you aren’t blessed with kids, just enjoy your book in peace and quiet). Kids benefit a great deal from age-appropriate stories which fire their imaginations!
  4. Click here for 10 ideas for your reading pleasure this summer!

PJ Wenzel