Confessions of a Book Addict

Sometimes I hold my breath right before I walk into a bookstore so that first inhale of pulp-filled air is fully appreciated.

Going to a friend's to watch TV? Yeah I got a book for that, it's called one I've already read and underlined extensively so that I can brush up on the finer points.

I read at stop lights.

My idea of being social is sitting at a table with others while reading.

Hello, I'm Sean Dennis and I'm addicted to books.

So here's my biggest problem: I can't recommend a book for you. There are a number of good books I've read so far this year that I would love to tell you to read, but I can't do it. I could play it safe and only endorse the books that are of the evangelical theological persuasion, but it seems a shame that we can't talk about the books that have really forced me to think. It's one thing to read Francis Schaeffer (and if you haven't you should - consider that a recommendation) and say "isn't the Christian worldview great!" It's another thing to read a book by a non-Christian and think like Schaeffer about the worldview it presents and critique it from the perspective of Schaeffer's understanding of God, man, and the world.

But suggesting a book to read isn't exactly like suggesting a movie title at Blockbuster (trust me I wore the shirt and shirked the responsibility of trying to do away with brick and mortar stores by pressing customers to sign up for the online movie pass). Most books worth reading take the investment of time to read and think on. I can't suggest a title because I don't know what your time is worth. Although I will say if you're watching "Deal or No Deal" and "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" every night then you can afford to read anything.

I can recommend one book for you, but the book you should read, How to Read Slowly, is written by a kindred spirit. In chapter six, "A Time to Read: Knowing What to Read and When," James Sire writes,

You see, I have a problem. I read too much. I pay attention to plot, image, character and theme when I should be paying attention to wife, sons and daughters, the peeling house paint and the leaking toilet tank. Actually, I need advice about how to spend time not reading. So perhaps I'm not qualified to advise others.

So I'd like to thank my brother for noticing my leaky toliet and fixing it for me, thus allowing me more time to read, and even though I can't recommmend any books (other than Schaeffer and Sire - who really provide primers for reading the works of others), I do have some suggestions:

1. Go to the jungle, but don't spend your money there.
I use Amazon all the time to look up titles, and I'm constantly updating my wish-list for family who know that the only thing I want for Christmas is a couple of books, but I don't buy from Amazon because it's just bad economics.

2. Get to know your local independent bookseller.
It's not only good for your local economy to buy from a neighbor instead of an online business, but chances are that guy behind the counter is just waiting to engage someone in a conversation about good books. Since you've already read Schaeffer and Sire, you can present your understanding of any book from a consistent Christian perspective which hopefully will be a chance to bring the gospel into everyday conversation.

3. Support your local library.
Keep that book an extra day or two and be sure to pay the applicable fines. I'm willing to bet that the library in your town is full of "out-dated" books (I prefer the term "classics"). Sure Mitch Albom may be all the talk in your suburban Starbucks but his mush pales in comparison to the great works that are just collecting dust on a shelf downtown.

4. Tolle lege!