The Napoleons
provided several important blessings for us: extremely valuable stimulation and
accountability to read quality literature, an improvement in our literary
criticism skills, the special inspiration that comes from reading and
discussing books with ministry colleagues, and an increased understanding of
the world and our principled response to it.
We remain
close friends, of course, with all the former Napoleons. And we still deeply
appreciate the “ripple effects” of those 30 years. However, we are all dealing
with what is almost inevitable when a book club ends; that is, a serious
decline not only in the number of books a person reads, but also in the quality
of the books which do get read. And the absence of our monthly discussions
means that those stretching, sharpening conversations over books are not
happening.
So, what
to do? If we believe that reading noble literature remains of great relevance
to our intellectual and spiritual growth, how are we pursuing that goal in the
post-Napoleon era? Here are the things Claire and I are doing.
1) We remind each other of how easily it is to pass by the bookshelves on our way to social media, You Tube surfing, or streaming television. Just as one knows that a green salad topped with salmon is a healthier choice than biscuits and gravy, one knows that reading Robert Louis Stevenson or William Shakespeare or a commentary on John’s gospel are healthier choices than scrolling through Facebook for humorous memes or playing solitaire on your smartphone. But, let’s face it; despite our knowing what's best for us, the lure of the easier, more comfortable, lazier options is often oh-so-strong. An effort is required to make the best choices…and helping each other to exercise discernment and diligence is invaluable.
2) In order to keep the “need to read” before us, Claire and I have for many, many years included Reading among our categories of New Year Resolutions. That also means not only the initial resolve, but purposeful prayer, mutual encouragement and accountability, and making quarterly evaluations of how well (or weak) we are doing.
3) We find it is helpful to keep lists of what we read. And in my case, I also assign ratings to those books. This is especially helpful in considering future reading choices because the lion’s share of my reading is re-reading. We also bring planning to our reading discipline. For instance, I try to keep some degree of a balance regarding reading genres -- so much classic literature, so much theology and Christian living, so much politics and culture, and so much recreational reading. There are also several favorites that I make sure I read every other year (or every 3rd or 7th year or whatever.)
And finally, 4) It is probable that Claire and I will never again find a book club of any
comparison to the Notting Hill Napoleons. (Though, I admit to still cherishing
hopes!) But that doesn’t mean that we stop trying to utilize whatever “book
partnerships” we can come up with to help keep us reading “good stuff” and being
able to interact with friends about what we’re reading. Claire sometimes
persuades friends to join her in reading Jan Karon novels; I occasionally have close friends agree to
reading the same books with a view to exchanging views; and there remains the
quarterly Book Brunch discussions that Vital Signs Ministries offers. Indeed,
we have one coming up on ---- dealing with a provocative treatment of spiritual
warfare as we talk about our responses to Randy Alcorn’s classic Lord Foulgrin’s
Letters. (Details on that are right here.)
In
summary, reading quality literature is very important to us. Therefore,
whatever help we can get in our pursuit of this intention is very important to
us also. And so, if you perhaps feel the same, consider checking in with us (or
with other friends of yours) and see if we can’t make a better job of staying
with it.
