We use to have a Book Report Night during the summer months so that the kids’ minds would stay sharp. They would come into the living room and give a summary of what they have been reading the last couple of weeks. We would hear of mystery, Wang doodles, Sojourner Truth, hobbits and the like.

Now we simply enjoy hearing the spontaneous reviews of titles like ‘The Screwtape Letters’ by Lewis or McCullough’s account of ‘1776’ or Verne’s ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’.

Summer is a great time to catch up on your reading. And if you’ve grown weary of Oprah’s choices here are a couple of suggestions you might want to consider.

The Bible ought occupy a ready place in your home for daily delving but why not take these last days of the season to focus on a particular portion. Take a closer look at Israel’s trek through the desert on their way to the land of milk and honey. Or maybe dive into the rich emotion of the Psalms. Or what is possibly the most magnificent piece of literature ever penned, the Book of Romans.

The Bible has no rival in its ability to engage the reader making him part of the story.

John Bunyan’s ‘Pilgrims Progress’ is a must read. Take the journey with Christian as he flees the City of Destruction weaving his way to the discovery of a lifetime. You might find yourself well acquainted with many of the characters and situations he encounters along the way.

Revisit a couple classics like Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ or ‘Robinson Crusoe’. Another look at ‘Moby Dick’ and you may decide that you have been holding that grudge against friend or family member way too long and it just might kill you!

A fascinating and intense read can be found in Bridgette Gabriel’s ‘Because They Hate’, in which she recounts surviving the Lebanese Civil War. A compelling look into the ideology that drives Islamic terrorism.

A biography has got to be on your summer reading list. You would be hard pressed to find a more inspiring character than ‘William Wilberforce’, the English statesman who nearly single-handedly did away with Britain’s slave trade. McCullough’s look at ‘John Adams’ will have you falling in love with history again.

If you are looking for a new daily devotional, try John Piper’s ‘A Godward Life’.

One Pittsburgh native, Annie Dillard, is on my top-ten list of writers. Dillard paints with words. ‘Pilgrim At Tinker Creek’ may have you looking at your world with keener eyes.

Well, get lost. Get lost in a good book. And thanks for making “The Issues of Life’ a small part of your reading.

Wayne Jackson
Pastor of First Assembly of God
in Coraopolis