Meh_Gerbil
August 28th 2004, 11:17 AM
I mention this every once and awhile and if you've read it before you'll likely read it again. One of the best things I've done for myself in the past year was to sign up for Easton Press' book of the month club. I get a new leather bound classic every month. (www.eastonpress.com (http://www.eastonpress.com)) I'll grant you they are expensive (about $50 a volume) so if you cannot afford that then I'd recommend getting the books in paper back form through www.amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com) (Amazon mirrors Easton Press' efforts with significantly more affordable copies).
I think what suprises me most about the books I've been getting is the level of insight some of these writers have into the human condition. Although the books are mostly ficiton, I'm left wondering how it is that 'secular' books can have more insight than many sermons I've been forced to endure.
I'm moved to point this out again because I've just started the book Robinson Crusoe and on page 13 I ran into this quote:
I have since often observed how incongruous and irrational the common temper of mankind is, especially of youth .... namely, that they are not ashamed to sin, and yet are ashamed to repent; not ashamed of the action for which they ought justly to be esteemed fools, but are ashamed of the returning, which only can make them to be esteemed wise men.
That sort of writing gives me chills.
Anyways, I don't work for either company mentioned above, nor do I get any sort of payment for turning people here onto these classics. Get them at either company above OR at your local library -- I don't care which -- but do get them and jump into something so much better than what you've been watching on TV. =)
HOT TIP: Buy an electronic dictionary to set on your nightstand (get one that pronounces for ya). You'll need it. These guys don't write on the 5th grade level.
I think what suprises me most about the books I've been getting is the level of insight some of these writers have into the human condition. Although the books are mostly ficiton, I'm left wondering how it is that 'secular' books can have more insight than many sermons I've been forced to endure.
I'm moved to point this out again because I've just started the book Robinson Crusoe and on page 13 I ran into this quote:
I have since often observed how incongruous and irrational the common temper of mankind is, especially of youth .... namely, that they are not ashamed to sin, and yet are ashamed to repent; not ashamed of the action for which they ought justly to be esteemed fools, but are ashamed of the returning, which only can make them to be esteemed wise men.
That sort of writing gives me chills.
Anyways, I don't work for either company mentioned above, nor do I get any sort of payment for turning people here onto these classics. Get them at either company above OR at your local library -- I don't care which -- but do get them and jump into something so much better than what you've been watching on TV. =)
HOT TIP: Buy an electronic dictionary to set on your nightstand (get one that pronounces for ya). You'll need it. These guys don't write on the 5th grade level.