I’ve decided to do something a little different with my reading in 2021 to help me be more intentional. As a gift to myself, I purchased some simple bookplate stickers at a local stationery store. I’m going to carefully choose what books I read and keep this year and really try to share great books with friends. Books that I decide to maintain in my library will get a bookplate annotated with the date when I finished reading the book. Other books will be donated to local libraries or charities.
Looking for a great book on writing? @LisaHendey recommends "The Art of Spiritual Writing" by Vinita Hampton Wright @LoyolaPress Share on XI just completed my reading of the wonderful book “The Art of Spiritual Writing” by Vinita Hampton Wright. Vinita signed the book for me when I heard her speak at a conference a few years back. I “read” her book then, but not really as I should have. I just finished reading it again, one chapter per day, and shared my thoughts on each of the chapters in a freelance writing group (to keep me on track!).
This book is really finding me again at a critical moment in my life when I need encouragement and wisdom and patience and self-compassion. If you share words in any way, I encourage you to pick up this book. I’m blessed to know Vinita in real life and can’t wait to someday attend a writing retreat with her. Until then, I’ll be coming back to the many pages in her work that have touched my heart.
What are you reading right now?
It has begun as a big reading year here too! I started the St. Jospeh consecration in December and am in awe about how little I knew about him. Did I really only know he existed, took care of Mary and Jesus and was a carpenter? It’s amazing how it’s making me contemplate his life! My husband and I have begun daily holy hours as a part of his Exodus 90, and I was just telling him last night that I’m so thrilled to finally be choosing to make time to read! And now I’m mapping out the schedule to renew various consecrations!
I’m also realizing that some books can be passed on but I have a deep love for building up my library with books that have changed my life. In this digital age, it makes me realize there aren’t as many copies of each book being published anymore and how I desire to hold on to the “classics” of our faith and a little treasure in Earth to enjoy.
Here’s to sharing those books who have served their purpose and keeping the ones who are still changing who we are in Christ!
Courtney, congratulations on your consecration and prayers as it continues! How wonderful to have mapped out time to read and pray! I too can’t part with many of my favorite books. You should see my office… But moving so much in recent years has helped me thin my collection a bit, paring it down to classics, books with which I have a connection to the author, out of print books, and those that have truly blessed my journey. Every book does that in a way, but it’s getting easier for me to “share the wealth” by donating books or giving them away.
I really loved your reflections on Vinita’s book, and I appreciate how you helped us all to reflect back on various sections her discussion-thank you! It’s also nice to read about your resolution to be more careful/intentional about what you read. This year, I am trying to “read fewer books.” I love to read, and in 2020 read well over a hundred (because I read a variety of genres), and many were excellent-but this year I’m hoping to tackle some books that I have been avoiding for years. I just started Brothers Karamazov, and I’m intrigued to see how it goes!
AnneMarie, thank you for taking the time to comment! That’s an ambitious read. Please let me know how it goes!