- RSS FeedSubscribe
- « Previous PostA La Carte (06/08)
- Next Post »A La Carte (06/09)
Reflections on Reading
- 06/08/06
- 37
As you might imagine, I receive a good deal of email from people who read this site. More often than not I am glad to receive these emails and to respond to them. Communication with readers has proven to be a tremendous challenge and encouragement to me, for which I am exceedingly grateful. Probably the most common questions I receive deal with the subjects of books and reading. It seems that I have established a reputation as a bookworm (which may be justified: I did a Google search on my site this morning for the term “reading.” Google turned up 10,700 results) and people often ask just how I find time to read so many books. I thought that today I might share a little bit about how I read as well as why I read and hope it proves interesting and perhaps helpful.
I love to read and have always loved to read. There have been times in life where I have preferred other hobbies, but on the whole reading has been my favorite past-time since I was just a child. When I was younger my parents gave me books by Christian authors like R.C. Sproul and encouraged me to read biographies of great men and women. They modelled a love for reading as both of them constantly read good books. While I chewed on the books they gave me dealing with spiritual topics, I positively devoured books on history, and in particular, military history. My love for this subject took me through university and into adulthood. About four or five years ago, though, I began to be drawn towards Christian books. As far as I can recall, the first of these I bought was Classic Christianity by Bob George and it was soon followed by Ashamed of the Gospel by John MacArthur. That began a trend that has only intensified a the years have gone by.
It just just about three years ago that I decided, mostly on a whim, that I would try to read a book each week for what I hope will be the rest of my life. Subsequently, I also decided that I would attempt to provide reviews of the majority of these books. My reasoning was simply that through these reviews I could help other people who are interested in reading only a few books per year focus on books that are worth their while, while helping them avoid the mountains of trash on the bookstore shelves. My primary inspiration in both reading and reviewing was Gary Gilley of Southern View Chapel and I will always be grateful to him. I realized that if I were to live for another fifty years, this commitment would mean that I would be able to read over 2500 books before I die. The thought of being able to learn from what God has taught 2500 other people was inspiring. Since I set that goal I have found that I can actually read closer to two books every week, so now tend to read and review between 100 and 120 books a year. I suppose this raises the potential to reading over 5,000 books in the next fifty years. I’m going to need some more bookshelves.
What follows is some seemingly-random points about reading that you may find helpful.
The more I read, the easier it is to read. A couple of years ago I read four books that discussed godly principles for decision making. Three of them were based primarily on the fourth (and anyone who has read about this subject will know what book I am referring to). Needless to say, it became progressively easier to read and understand each subsequent book. I have found that this is true of any topic. It is also true of reading in general. The more I have dedicated myself to reading, the better I have become at it. I have often spoken to people who have given up on reading because they have found it difficult. To these people I offer this encouragement: press on. Like any discipline, reading will become easier as you dedicate yourself to it.
A lot of the books I read are short. The majority of the books I read are under 250 pages, and quite a few have fewer than 200 pages. I generally do not discriminate against a book based on its page count, so this is either a product of coincidence or of percentages. It seems to me that the average “Christian Living” book weighs in between 160 and 200 pages. Biographies and books dealing with theology or church history tend to be longer and require greater effort.
I read all the time, or most of it anyways. I do not watch all that much TV, but even when I do, I usually have my nose in a book. I also get out of bed a couple of hours before everyone else so I can have some quiet time to read. When I go to the doctor or the barber, I tend to stick a book in my pocket so I can use that fifteen minutes doing something other than reading old copies of People magazine. It is amazing how many ten and fifteen minute periods there are in life that can be used for reading. I realized two Sundays ago that the perfect Sunday afternoon involves being sprawled out on the couch reading systematic theology, sipping on a Coke (with Lime, and in a glass with ice) and having a baseball game (the Toronto Bluejays, of course) on in the background. Life does not get much better.
I do not advocate reading while driving or while operating heavy machinery.
For those who insist that they have no time to read, consider this. If you were to read one page of a book per day, you would be able to read at least two of the average Christian Living books in a year. And, of course, a bathroom break is the perfect time to read a page or two of a book. So consider: if you were to keep a book in the bathroom and read only when you were going to the bathroom, you could read two books per year. If you were to read only when you were brushing your teeth, you could read another book or two a year. So if you feel that you do not have time to read, why not keep a book in the bathroom and commit to reading it there? Here is a good book to keep in the bathroom.
One of my peculiarities, but one I have found helpful, is reading two or even three books at a time. I used to find that I would sometimes mistake physical fatigue for what was actually a fatigue brought about by dwelling too long on a particular subject. A perfect example is the biography of William Tyndale I was reading last night. It is a difficult, dense book and I found myself growing very tired as I was reading, even though it was only nine o’clock. When I put it down and began reading a second book, I immediately felt refreshed. My mind was tired and this was making my body feel tired.
I have never been taught how to best read a book. It is entirely conceivable that I do things all wrong. I know there are some excellent books on the topic, but it seems somehow strange to me to read a 500-page book that will teach me how to read a book. Over the past years I have tried a few different methods, some of which have worked and some of which have not. Here is a basic outline of how I read a book.
I begin by giving the book a quick scan, hoping to understand what it is about, what the author is going to attempt to prove and how he is going to set about this task. I read the back cover and the endorsements. I skim over the table of contents and look through the endnotes and bibliography. Having done that, I tend to linger a little bit over the introductory chapter(s), for I find this to be the most important section in the book. It generally lays out the basic framework of the author’s argument and lets me know what he is arguing against. I read with a pencil in hand (I buy those clickable Bic pencils by the box) and underline liberally (usually using a Monergism.com bookmark as a ruler). I also tend to jot short notes and questions in the margins or at the end of chapters. Points that are important to the author’s argument tend to receive a *, and points that are exceedingly important receive a bigger *. I often also make a list of important page numbers and questions on the inside front cover of the book. In some cases I’ll make two or three columns of page numbers. For example, when I was reading Mark Driscoll’s Confessions of a Reformission Rev. I found myself writing down the page numbers that contained his best points in one column and the page numbers containing his irreverent, crude points in another. I don’t know if there is an objectively good way of marking books, but I doubt it. So work on a system that works for you and stick with it.
This method does not always work. Lately I find myself doing a lot of reading while holding a baby. I can hold a baby and a book, or a pen and a book, but not a baby, pen and book all at the same time. I also tend to spend a lot of time reading while walking the baby in endless circles from the living room to the dining room to the kitchen to the hallway and back to the living room. In such cases I continue reading and try to return later to mark down important points. Looking over the books I have read recently, I can tell which chapters I read while walking the baby as they tend to have far less markings.
I forget a great deal of what I read. Anyone who tells you otherwise may not be telling the truth (unless he has a Spurgeon-like photographic memory). I used to be discouraged if, a year after reading a book, I could barely remember the content. I have since realized that this is inevitable. I focus on remembering what I can and trust that simply because I do not remember the complete outline of a book, this does not prove that a book has not been edifying to me. After all, if this was our standard, every sermon would be a complete failure. I trust that the Spirit works in me as I read good books and that He works despite my imperfect memory.
Reviewing books is an excellent way of driving home the main points of a book. It is as good a memory device as I can imagine. In fact, I would encourage every reader to review the books they read, even if those reviews will never be made public. It is a good discipline to think through the main points of the book and is as valuable a discipline to formulate thoughts on whether or not the reader agrees with a book.
When looking for a good book to read, find a person whose judgment you trust and read what that person is reading. I am collecting lists of recommended books from a wide variety of discerning Christian authors and leaders and will soon post these lists at Discerning Reader. I believe these lists will prove valuable and I am excited to work my way through the books on some of these lists.
Let me wrap it up this way. I see reading as a discipline, but a pleasurable one. I love it and have found it to be tremendously beneficial to my spiritual life. Reading and writing have together brought me untold benefit. I can honestly say that most evenings there is nothing I’d rather do.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I worship and serve as a pastor at 
Releasing on April 1, The Next
Published in 2008, this book
This is a guide that calls men,
This review of the bestselling
New to the site? You can get
This is a guide written
Comments (37)
Tim said, “If you were to read only when you were brushing your teeth, you could read another book or two a year.”
This made me smile. Attempting this would probably leave the books with a lot of splatter marks on them, wouldn’t it? Maybe Soli Deo Gloria can develop a separate line of books with laminated pages so we don’t have to worry about splattering the pages with water, toothpaste, and saliva.
Military history has been my favourite subject for an long time as well. I remember is junior high knowing almost all the answers to quizs held in history class.
Thanks for the encouragement to make reading an active part of our life. As believers we need to study to show ourselves approved. I believe this includes not only consistent time in the Word, but also the reading of historical, exegetical, topical, and current events material.
An added benefit of reading is that it will keep your mind sharp long into old age when the body begins to deteriorate.
The other discipline being lost is that of creative writing and letter writing. I think the blog format enables almost anyone to practice and enhance their skills at making written arguments that are succinct, to the point, and stimulating.
God bless,Jim
Tim,Are there any books besides the Bible that you return to again and again to fully digest and perhaps meditate upon?
From one reader to another. Yep…it’s all about the reading. I have read every day since I was very young.
I have recently become interested in military history, since I have been trying to research my family history. I found out my grandfather who was an engineer, was involved in the Western Front, battles at St. Thibaut, Aisne-Marne offensive, River Vesle offensive, and perhaps more. So, now I need to find out more about WWI. He then signed up again during WWII. I enjoy history.
“I see reading as a discipline, but a pleasurable one. I love it and have found it to be tremendously beneficial to my spiritual life. Reading and writing have together brought me untold benefit. I can honestly say that most evenings there is nothing I’d rather do.”
Ditto. I did not start reading for pleasure until late in my young life. Senior year in high school I remember saying to someone that nothing other than the bible is worth reading. While this might be comparatively true, It took working at a book store to change my mind. I am always reading a book it seems, and enjoy doing so. It is a big part of my life as English and Philosophy major. It has greatly helped my writing ability, and has influenced my walk by leaps and bounds. I too wake up before my wife to have some quite time reading a devotional book of some sort and God’s word.
A good friend of mine also meets Friday morning to discuss a current book we are reading along with each other.
Any good Christian book will leave you thirsting after God’s word. If it does not, you are either placing too much importance on the book, or the author is not placing enough importance on the Bible.
Thanks for this post Tim, and thank you for replying to an email I sent regarding Church history. I am happy to hear what you are doing at Discerning Reader.
I’m not sure how I feel. Either I’m going to be energised to try to read half as much or I’m going to sulk for being so dumb and not well read.. How did I get accepted to a top tier business school in Chicago? I’m useless.
“Any good Christian book will leave you thirsting after God’s word.”
Amen!
“Lately I find myself doing a lot of reading while holding a baby. I can hold a baby and a book, or a pen and a book, but not a baby, pen and book all at the same time. I also tend to spend a lot of time reading while walking the baby in endless circles from the living room to the dining room to the kitchen to the hallway and back to the living room. In such cases I continue reading and try to return later to mark down important points.”
Oh my! We have much in common, my friend. I did this last night from Midnight to 3AM. Baby in one hand, the word of God in the other. And when needing to hold baby with two hands, last night, I listened to some of Covenant Seminary free course podcasts. http://www.covenantseminary.edu/worldwide/default.asp I love it!
Glad to hear about the Discerning Reader recommended reading lists. I look forward to who and what is recommended. I appreciate your work (blog)/ministry. Keep it up!
I have been reading a lot of books on writing lately. I just finished William Zinsser’s “On Writing Well” and am about to head into another book along the same lines. But I only can seem to get in about 3 books a month. Like you, Tim, I run a business, am involved in church activities, and try to write my own stuff so I am constantly busy. I don’t know how you can read 2 books a week. (while toothbrushing or not…)
z.
Great post as I have rediscovered the joy of reading - especially good Christian books. Your reviews have been an excellent resource for myself and for gift giving. Thanks again for your ministry Tim!
It is always interesting to learn more about you Tim.
Yes, I do agree with you that you should NOT read while driving or operating heavy machinery. Besides, what would you do with the cell phone while keeping an eye on your GPS. ;-)
Ah, but my husband has found a way to beat that. He has books on mp3 and Audible, so getting through to make contact is even more fun. (As if we ladies don’t have enough challenges connecting with our husbands already.) I never know “when he is plugged into a book” since his left ear or window ear (in the car) is his favorite for the earphone.
While I do love reading books on Christian living, etc. , the Bible is my book of choice. I love to go verse by verse, gleaning on what the Holy Spirit has for me from this passage? The BIBLE - You cannot beat it.
God Is Faithful!
OK… now I’m just wondering, what is the attraction with keeping all of these books and building more shelves? Have you ever thought of doing this?
Reading while actually driving is bad, but I read at red lights all the time (bummer, it turned green!) I was a bit disappointed when my route to work changed such that I was on the freeway most mornings and couldn’t read, but that’s when I became more dependent on my iPod for lectures and messages. They are wonderful tools!
“Ah, but my husband has found a way to beat that. He has books on mp3 and Audible, so getting through to make contact is even more fun.”
I am so rarely in the car that it hardly matters. But when I do drive long distances I normally take some Phil Johnson sermons with me.
“Have you ever thought of doing this?”
Never. I lend books, but I don’t give them away!
Tim,
I really enjoy your blog, and especially this post. I am an avid reader “wanna-be”, but find two things that prevent me from this:
1) I am a very slow reader. Although I retain a lot of what I read, I can’t seem to get through a moderately sized book in any less than 2 - 3 weeks.
2) When I’m reading other books, I feel like I should be reading my Bible. I have found it quite ironic that as I read a book about reading the Bible, I feel like I should just put down the book I’m reading and pick up the Word.
Now that you’ve given us your tips on how to read books, how about giving us your tips on how you read your Bible? I’m eager to learn any study techniques you use. As well, I’m interested in learning how you have time to read so many books (while carrying a baby) and stay rooted in the Word all at the same time—something I would very much like to be able to do (sans baby! :-)
Blessings
Mike - this post summarizes how I do devotions at least some of the time. To be honest, though, my reading, praying, Bible-reading, etc all kind of blend together. I once read R.C. Sproul say that he doesn’t have a separate Bible time as his sermon preparation, book writing, etc cause him to spend so much time in the Word. That is, much of the time, true of me.
I am, in many ways, but a novice when it comes to personal worship or personal devotions. I’m always eager to learn from others, but have found few people willing to share how they go about it!
Tim,I don’t know if this is what Mike meant, but the impression I got was, not so much about devotions, but about how you also have time to just read Scripture. If I mis-characterized Mike’s thoughts, forgive me.
My question would be, how much time would you say is spent by you reading books compared to reading Scripture? Not in devotions, per se…just reading it?
Sproul challenged me at last year’s Ligonier conference when he made the comment that he tries to read 10 (ten) chapters of Scripture a day. My first thought was, “You have got to be kidding…TEN chapters…a DAY???” But, when we got back home, I decided to start doing just that…and it has been absolutely amazing.
If I counted correctly, there are 1189 chapters in the Bible…at ten a day, one could read through the entire Bible THREE times a year! Now, I admit that, realistically, I have had trouble keeping that pace on a consistent, daily basis. But, I try hard to stick to it at least during the weekdays…Monday thru Friday.
So, if one instead read ten chapters a day for FIVE days during each week, he/she could read through the Scriptures TWICE a year. What are your thoughts on that kind of reading compared to the reading of books? In other words, which would you suggest we spend more time doing, reading Scripture or books?
Thanks.
I forget a great deal of what I read. Anyone who tells you otherwise may not be telling the truth (unless he has a Spurgeon-like photographic memory). I used to be discouraged if, a year after reading a book, I could barely remember the content. I have since realized that this is inevitable. I focus on remembering what I can and trust that simply because I do not remember the complete outline of a book, this does not prove that a book has not been edifying to me. After all, if this was our standard, every sermon would be a complete failure. I trust that the Spirit works in me as I read good books and that He works despite my imperfect memory.
That’s not a big problem. How much do you know but can’t remember where you learned it? You may not remember the book, but you have probably retained much of the information it contains. I know that’s how my memory works.
I would love to see a theologically informed review of Bob George’s Classic Christianity.
We used to get him on the radio where I live, and he drove me absolutely batty. There’s unfortunately a real dearth of materials dealing with his stunningly shoddy theology.
Some good thoughts Brian. I think a lot of what you were speaking about depends on how you like to do your quiet times.
I respect Doctor Sproul quite a bit and would never say that reading 10 chapters of scripture a day is not the way to go about it. That method does not work for me though. For instance. Last year I began to read Philippians thinking I would spend a day or two. 5 weeks later I finally finished all 4 chapters worth. I must have read them 5 dozen times and made just as many pages of notes. To me, that is how I like to do my quiet times. Going through theBible slowly trying to digest every word carefully.
When I read books, I do not do it with as much attention to detail. I can read waiting at a doctor’s office, in the car if my wife is driving, or before bed (which is what I prefer). For me, reading the Bible and reading a book are completely different things. I like to read the Bible in the mornings when my full attention with no distractions can be given to God’s word. I am not as picky about reading books.
With this in mind, there is more time during the day when I can read scripture how I desire to do so. Alone, in silence, and with no distractions. For me, this can be done early in the mornings. Every other part of the day does not offer this environment, so instead of watching more TV, I read.
I hope this makes sense Brian. I would be interested to see how you do your devotions. I have always liked what you post and have benefited greatly from your comments.
On marking in books, you made some nice suggestions. Here’s what I do, in PEN
- If a passage is good, i draw a vertical line next to the sentences i find compelling. - If a passage is really good, i use two vertical lines, parallel to one another. If a passage is just outstanding, I use three lines- I often write a one or two word subject title in the margin for later referral- I underline words I don’t know in order to look them up- If the author is giving clear point by point outline, I often put a circled number in the margin next to the start of the items, since they are often not well set off in the text with any more than some italics.
One of the best chapters I have ever read on reading is in J. Oswald Sanders Spiritual Leadership.
One thing I would like to hear you comment on, Tim, is Sanders’ contention that rather than merely reading many “ephemeral” works, we would benefit more from re-reading and mastering the more enduring works. He quotes Daniel or Noah Webster (I think - don’t have book with me) as saying “If I had read as much as my contemporaries, I would know as little.
Another great principle for reading comes from C.S. Lewis, who said something like “For every contemporary work you read, you should read a similar work from the past.” I believe this is important in that you can see which themes and positions are enduring, and which seem to be just a fad of contemporary culture.
For example, I am reading Christianity and Liberalism, published in 1922. Some of the positions criticized as liberalism in the past are now doctrines that modern Christian conservatives have adopted!
Hey, what’s up w/ your stylesheet? I notice that the hyperlink on my name in the comment header is impossible to read… same color?
If I’m in a position where underlining in a book is not possible, I use little flags (like the ones that say ‘sign here’) to mark pages/passages so I can come back later and mark or copy out quotes. I go through them pretty quickly, but they’re an absolute lifesaver. Some wind up staying in books if I go back to particular passages often enough and don’t want to have to hunt.
I would be interested to see how you do your devotions. I have always liked what you post and have benefited greatly from your comments.
Thanks for the comments, Dallas. In the past, when I was still a teacher at the seeker-sensitive, growth-obsessed (numbers, not maturity) church that we left about a year ago, my times of study would consist of intense reading about and in-depth study of one particular passage as I made preparations to teach it that next Sunday.
These days, I do a lot more of just meditating on the Scriptures (and I’m NOT talking about anything mystical or transcendental or metaphysical here). I’m talking about just reading the word of God, and thinking about what I am reading (meditating on it). A good bit of my time is also spent discussing what I am reading in Scripture with my wife (this is extremely valuable, as I am able to then transfer what I am thinking about what I have read, and articulating it out loud causes the brain to think through it even more).
So, that’s it. My times in the morning (mostly) are spent reading the Bible - ten chapters a day - thinking on what I am reading…then spending time in prayer afterwards…and finally talking through biblical themes and events with Pam.
I am ashamed to say that up until last year, I had not read the Bible all the way through. I am amazed at how much clearer so many things are once they are read in their FULL context within the whole of Scripture.
I would be curious to know how many out there who are (were) like me…devoted to Christ, but by and large unread of His word. If you are in that category, ask the Lord to give you a longing for His truth…THE truth, that can only be found between Genesis and Revelation.
“Your Word have I hid my heart, that I might not sin against You”…well…it doesn’t get into the heart through osmosis…you’ve got to turn off the TV, and maybe even put down that Christian book, and read God’s Word. And NOT just the New Testament…How many of you have read through the NT, but have never gone throught the OT??? I think I have a more complete picture of the character and true nature of my Savior by reading through the Old Testament than if I had just read through the New.
If interested in learning to read better, I recommend Mortimer Adler’s How to Read a Book.
Tim said: I see reading as a discipline, but a pleasurable one. I love it and have found it to be tremendously beneficial to my spiritual life…
Thanks Tim. This was a helpful and encouraging post. God has been so good to supply so many good teachers throughout the ages, and then preserving their writing for the building up of the body of Christ. It is encouraging to hear of your aggressive stewardship.
I have found that walking w/the baby, and reading out loud to them tends to accomplish two objectives: i get to read and they often times quiet down (while staring with innocent profundity at me as I read ;^D….)
Tim, I remember that the first book you were absolutely determined to have, when you were tiny, was “Pilgrim’s Progress.” That is why we bought that beautiful, illustrated copy for you. I trust you still have it.
I also enjoy such rapid reading. I like to walk alot, so I have learned to read and walk at the same time. If I do not ride my bike into work, I need to park 15 minutes walk from work, and that gets me reading at least a book a month.
I actually enjoy reading text books when I can, I find intellectual stimulation enjoyable, but I have also read numerous other little books, well over 2-300 in the last 5 years.
Perhaps I will indeed throw my copy of “Now Thats a Good Question” in the bathroom, I have not read that one completely yet.
Peace in Christ,Tom
Martin Luther’s “Tabletalk” is also a good bathroom read—short sections.
I’ve found that reading the Puritans regularly helps push you to the next level of reading—not light and fluffy, but requires focus and the ability to follow logical arguments. It is also some of the best stuff for growth and refreshment of the soul.
Mike, I’m also a “slow reader”, but found that it improves somewhat with practicing the discipline of reading.
“I remember that the first book you were absolutely determined to have, when you were tiny, was “Pilgrim’s Progress.” That is why we bought that beautiful, illustrated copy for you. I trust you still have it.”
I do, indeed!
I was particulary struck by your statement, “[t]he thought of being able to learn from what God has taught 2500 other people was inspiring.”
Inspiring indeed!
TomDoctrine Matters
Dear Tim,
1. I think it’s pretty awesome to have your parents post reply’s on your blog. :) ok, but that isn’t the reason for my reply.
2. This reply is a little late, so I’m not sure if you’ll read it, but I have a question.
I love to read as well and blog. But like yourself, I have a newborn in the house. This has taken up a lot of my time that I devoted to reading and blogging. So my question is, how do you continue to do it? I’ve tried depriving myself of sleep, but that doesn’t seem to work to well for me. :)
Y.B.I.C,
Dave.
quote—not light and fluffy, but requires focus and the ability to follow logical arguments
How in the world does one read books like that in short bits and pieces? (ie—brushing your teeth) I find that when I read, I need have a prolonged period of time so I can follow the logical flow of the book more easily. Otherwise, I spend the whole 5-10 minutes trying to remember what I read last time so what I’m trying to read now will make sense. Maybe I need to read easier books! (But, if I’m going to read, I want it to be worth my while.)
wj
Hey, thank you for this post. I’ve linked it here
from my latest post on my pathetic little blog site:
“I took three of my Bibles and averaged their total pages in both the Old and New Testaments. The average total of pages was 1,747 pages of the OT and NT combined. Then, using Tim’s numbers from his post, I used as the average total number of pages of books he reads in a week to be 360 (an average of 180 per book times two). Next, I took that number and multiplied it by fifty-two weeks to get the average total number of pages Tim reads in books for an entire year, which came out to 18,720 total pages!!! Wow! That’s a lot of pages read in one year.
So, then I took that total and divided it by the average number of pages in the three Bibles I used to find out how many times Tim could be reading through the Bible in a year if he read it instead of all these other books. And, after the numbers were crunched (drum roll, please…), the result was that Tim could read through the Bible almost ELEVEN times a year at the pace he uses to read other books! 10.715 times, to be exact.”
I did the math as a fun exercise, of course it showed me how much faster a reader Tim is than me…but also to raise the question of, what should we spend more time reading: Scripture?…or books?
Tim,
I recently started reading your blog—I’ve been enjoying the posts and comments.
I also love reading, but I’ve always read more Scripture than anything else. I think it’s important to set aside time for daily devotions. I’ve always been involved in ministry and am now in seminary, but I still try to spend about an hour or more with the Lord with just my Bible and my journal (used to be 2-3 hours a day before seminary). I read and meditate until the Spirit stirs my heart with something specific and then I’ll journal about it—to me, these times truly feel like having a conversation with God.
I buy one Bible, read through it, and then buy a new one. Happy day!—when I get to buy a new Bible. I’m currently reading a wide-margin NAS Bible. I figured, I book-brief every other book, why not the Bible.
Since college, I’ve book-briefed, meaning I write in the margins (read a paragraph or section and summarize with a word or phrase). Like the person who mentioned underlining, I also underline—but instead of using multiple parallel lines, I vary the intensity of the single line—a very dark line means it’s so good it’s quotable.
In addition to reading, I also love to write and tend to wordy—sorry for the long comment.
Shalom.
Reading is very critical in growing in understanding (obviously knowledge puffs up, so we need to be walking in obedience, as well) and particularly reading edifying books.
I appreciate your commitment to reading that moves you to snatch spare moments to read, but it made think about whether we are aware during those moments of opportunities to witness to someone who needs to hear the gospel. Are we around other people where there may be the chance to share the gospel, but have our nose stuck in a book? I’ve done that and want to have a similar commitment to evangelism as to reading, if not more.