WHAT have you finished reading recently? The Dark Sacred Night, Michael Connolly. A Bosch/Ballard novel in which his grumpy retired cop and his increasingly-annoyed-at-the-system novice cop join forces to drink black coffee, listen to jazz, and grouse about the system together. It may not get a review, because my reading of it was interrupted; I read half, then read an entire series by CJ Box, then finished it.
WHAT are you reading now? Currently enjoying The Goblet of Fire, full-cast audio edition, and committing to my Confessions re-read for Classics Club, Lent, and a buddy read.
WHAT are you reading next? I need to start Paradise Lost for CC since it was the spin.
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. I already have two formidable Lenten challenges set before me — rereading The Confessions and tackling Milton, though spiritual boons of reading Paradise Lost are suspect at best. I’ve been fairly faithful in doing the Bible in a Year podcast, and in Lent I want to introduce and maintain the practice of doing it first thing in the morning, before I do anything else. I also want to finally commit to The Religion of the Apostles, a history of first-century Christianity: I’m very curious about the subject, and have been pecking at a copy of the Book of Jubilees just to better appreciate the first-century Jewish-turned-Christian mind, but have not yet really settled down with it.
Reading Freely 
The Confessions AND Milton! What a challenge 🙌 Is this your first time reading Paradise Lost? I haven’t read it before, but I have, over the years, been eyeing a nice hardcover edition with illustrations by Gustave Dore. Just not super excited to read Satan apologia XD (Half joking but I do hear Milton tried to make the evil one a sympathetic character!) It was so influential though, I know it’s a must read.
Mr H and I are going tackle Kierkegaard’s The Sickness Unto Death, which is a suspiciously thin book for the wordy K, plus a few other essays on Christian topics.
I suspect Milton will be more of a challenge than Gus — I managed Confessions last time with a translation I’ve since seen dismissed (Pine-Coffin), and well before I converted to Christianity. This time I’m in the very able hands of Anthony Esolen. 🙂
As regards Milton….yes, this is my first time reading him, though I did read Lewis’ Preface (a seperate book) and I’ve seen Satan’s speech ‘I myself am hell” printed all over the place.
I’ve never gotten into Kierkegaaard! I couldn’t tell you a blessing thing he’s written without googling….I only know I’ve heard his name over the years .
Just started ‘Confessions’ this morning. Only around 30 pages in (including the Intro) and already have a *fundamental* issue with his philosophy… (the last paragraph of part 6 of Book I). But I should have expected that! [grin] I’m taking it slowly though & I’m fully expecting it to be a very bumpy road… [lol]
I’m going to do my best not to skim TOO much…
I hope you enjoy this read, Cyberkitten. 🙂 There are definitely some bumps in Confessions when I read it, but my favorite part (apart from the devotional-religious aspects) was getting a glimpse into the Roman world. In particular, I remember this part where he talks about the gladiators. It was very similar to Seneca’s description of the same. It really shook my assumptions that everyone in ancient times was fine and chill with violence – some people were properly shaken!
Two books in and I expect to finish another two today… Its not as bad/difficult as I thought it would be… although I can’t say that I’m *enjoying* it yet. Looking forward to insights into Roman civilisation! Review should be on 5th March at the latest.
I feel Kierkegaard’s Fear and Trembling would be pretty accessible to you (especially since you’ve made it through the philosophical sections of Confessions). It starts with a look at Abraham and Isaac and the different interpretations of the text. But he gets very devotional, so it’s not all dry analysis 🙂
Thanks! Will keep him in mind for future exploration.
Paradise Lost is fabulous!
Last #book I finished: The Chinese Maze Murders, by #RobertVanGulik
#Amreading: Lock In, by #JohnScalzi
#Amlistening to: Cantique du chaos, by #MathieuBelezi
#TBR Reading next: Satantango, by #LászlóKrasznahorkai
Hope you enjoy the Scalzi! That was a fun little series.