Jump to content
An Old School Catholic Message Board

Best Book You Read This Year?


Lil Red

Recommended Posts

Basilisa Marie

Three Big Bangs: Matter-Energy, Life, Mind  by Holmes Rolston III

 

I read it for an Eschatology of Hope class, and used it in a paper on how all of creation points toward the effects of salvation.  It's very accessible for anyone with a basic interest in this kind of stuff. Here's the amazon summary: 


 

By dividing the creation of matter, energy, life, and mind into three big bangs, Holmes Rolston III brings into focus a history of the universe that respects both scientific discovery and the potential presence of an underlying intelligence. Matter-energy appears, initially in simpler forms but with a remarkable capacity for generating heavier elements. The size and expansion rate of the universe, the nature of electromagnetism, gravity, and nuclear forces enable the the explosion of life on Earth. DNA discovers, stores, and transfers information generating billions of species. Cognitive capacities escalate, and with neural sentience this results in human genius.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not The Philosopher

Fiction-wise, it's definitely Peace by Gene Wolfe.  Wolfe is already one of my favourite authors, but I think this is the most endearing thing of his I've read yet. On the one hand, it's pretty simple: just a guy reflecting on his life in Midwest America. But it's told in a very mind-bending and at times poignant fashion. There's not very much apparent plot; most of what makes it special is in the execution. It's not an easy read, though.

 

If we expand things to include nonfiction, I'm not so sure as to what would be tops.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you are going for the Story of a Soul, look for this translation and edition:

 

John Clarke is the best translatin in English, and the Study Edition gives you a lot of really helpful background....

 

http://www.icspublications.org/bookstore/lisieux/b_lisieux10.html

 

And YES!!! you can order it from Amazon thru the Phatmass Amazon connetion & earn pin money for dUSt!!!!

 

 

 

 

My book find and recommendation this year is:Christopher Jamison, OSB's book, Finding Sanctuary

 

"In Finding Sanctuary Abbot Christopher Jamison, host of the BBC television series The Monastery, suggests the 1,500 year-old teachings of St. Benedict offer insights for everyday life--for those who are religious and for those simply searching for spiritual guidance.

 

"By integrating modern realities and the wisdom of St. Benedict's Rule, monasteries continue to be places of sanctuary today. This book explains how people living outside of monasteries can also achieve that sanctuary, along with peace and insight."

 

 

It has truly been a great help in living a more prayerful life as a lay person.  Everyone who has read it has loved it...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

rly

 

It's actually not boring.  Ivo Andric moved from being a leftist partisan to a conservative of sorts and was a diplomat for Yugoslavia.  His book does an amazing job of exploring the complexities of human existence and the evolution of human and social relationships.  For examples his very subtle and interesting observations on the differences between Austrian and Turkish occupation.  I wouldn't expect a sodomite to understand genuine art, though.     

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll give you best thing I've read recently, because I have done an absurd amount of reading this year.  Archbishop Chaput's Render Unto Caesar was really excellent.  It's his reflections on Catholics and American political life.  I'd be hard pressed to sum it up, but its value is more in some of the really interesting ideas he raises.  It really made me think.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It has been a full decade since I read any kind of fiction of my own free will.
 
I did read a lot of Lincoln biographies this year in prep for Spielberg's movie. Best one: With Malice Towards None by Stephen B. Oates. Older, without the most up to date scholarship ... but highly accessible to the casual reader and still the go-to classic.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's actually not boring.  Ivo Andric moved from being a leftist partisan to a conservative of sorts and was a diplomat for Yugoslavia.  His book does an amazing job of exploring the complexities of human existence and the evolution of human and social relationships.  For examples his very subtle and interesting observations on the differences between Austrian and Turkish occupation.  I wouldn't expect a sodomite to understand genuine art, though.     

 

I fell asleep on the fifth word of your incredibly boring post. Your mom woke me up when she brought in my sandwich, and I posted this response.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="Winchester" data-cid="2527733" data-time="1356648342"><p>
I fell asleep on the fifth word of your incredibly boring post. Your mom woke me up when she brought in my sandwich, and I posted this response.</p></blockquote>



Why would ny mother be around to get you a sandwich???

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just finished "The Pride and the Glory" by Graham Greene about a priest during the Mexican revolution. May have to change my vote to that for best book read this year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...