Reader Asks: What Should I Read?

Nathaniel T. writes,

In the new year, I'm committing to some more regular reading habits. 

 

What serious books would you recommend to someone outside academia who has about half an hour uninterrupted in the morning to read, three times a week? How about a list that would last that person a year? 

 

Here are some additional parameters that might aid in your selection:

 

I went to St. John's College in Annapolis, so I've read many of the "greats" in whole or in part, at least once. I have kept up some serious reading since my graduation in 2012, just irregularly. 

I already pray and read the New Testament and spiritual reading daily. 

 

Thanks for your insight and writing!

 

The best advice I could give anyone  with your background who is committed to the life of the mind is to buy and study a copy of A. G. Sertillanges, O. P., The Intellectual Life: Its Spirit, Conditions, Methods. He explains how to proceed.  It is a classic. He draws upon Aquinas and upon Alphonse Gratry, of whom C. S. Peirce had a very high opinion. So I also recommend Gratry's Logic if you can find a copy. Reference here.

 

I hesitate to offer a list of books on particular topics given the constraints on your time.  But here are a couple that are  short, very clear, and unusually thought-provoking: Athanasius of Alexandria, On the Incarnation (make sure to get the Sea Harp Press edition which contains an introduction by C. S. Lewis); Romano Guardini, Jesus Christus (anything by Guardini is worth reading).

 

If perchance you are interested mystical theology, and have already read the great Spanish mystics, Juan de la Cruz and Teresa de Avila, and have the stamina for a long slog, then I recommend Augustin Poulain, The Graces of Interior Prayer: A Treatise on Mystical Theology. Reference and notes here.

 

For more suggestions see my Bibliophilia category.

 

Combox open if anyone has any recommendations.

 

By the way, has St. John's College, Annapolis gone 'woke'?  

Comments

[Joe Odegaard]

Winston Churchill, who saved civilization, wrote a 5-volume history of the second world war. The first volume, "The Gathering Storm," is the best, most practical anti-war book ever written, because it shows all the mistakes that people made which resulted in the second war. It did not have to happen. Basically, the elites let evil get a head of steam, and did not stop it when it would have been easy to stop it. The lesson is universally applicable. Plus, Churchill writes well, and the book is a page-turner. I have read my copy 3 or 4 times, and have written many notes in it.

[Daniel Ludovicopolis]

Ascetical Homilies of St Isaac the Syrian
Fifty Spiritual Homilies of Saint Macarius the Egyptian
The Philokalia (5 vols.)

[BV]

Yes, the Philokalia. Especially Evagrios Pontikos.

[epistleofdude]

For what it's worth, if anything:

1. I think An Introduction to Christian Philosophical Theology: Faith Seeking Understanding by Stephen Davis & Eric Yang is a good place to start that's both intelligent reading as well as shouldn't prove too time-consuming; it should be achievable to read in short compass in thrice-weekly 30 minute increments. The aforementioned book likewise references many ancient and modern classics which are worth reading and re-reading in their own right (e.g. Augustine's Confessions, Anselm's Proslogion, Alvin Plantinga's various works).

2. I have a mild interest in and enjoyment for Christian apologetics so I'd wish to recommend the following as well: Apologetics by John Frame; The Mystery of the Trinity by Vern Poythress; Why Should I Believe Christianity? by James Anderson; and Confessions of a French Atheist by Guillaume Bignon. All these men are fine scholars (theologians and/or philosophers) in their own right. I believe many of Frame and Poythress' works are available to read for free via their website.

[Dominik Kowalski]

For a small book in the mystical tradition, I'd recommend "The Pocket Meister Eckhart"