From the Library of C. S. Lewis

Read from June 27 to December 31, 2012 -- I own a copy

Imagine yourself in Lewis's library asking for a recommended read... then imagine reading his notes and thoughts along side passages... all I need is for this book to be leatherbound with fun fonts in annotation.

I am in love with the concept behind the From the Library of C. S. Lewis: Selections from Writers Who Influenced His Spiritual Journey books compiled by James Stuart Bell. Wouldn't you love to enjoy the same works of authors that influenced C.S. Lewis?! Well with this one book you can save a lot of shelf space and still enjoy inspiration writing that may indeed have inspired the ultimate inspirer in C.S. Lewis. Whether you use this as a daily devotion or just research, it is interesting and enjoyable to read in bitesize pieces. I cannot imagine the time that went into research to find these passages from the personal library, annotations and references of the writing of C.S. Lewis, but I'm sure it is a labor of love and deserves a place on every library shelf.

Divided into 18 sections there is enough here to keep you busy and amazed at God for a while to come.

On Loving God" -St Bernard of Clairvaux. Love this excerpt!

Might be a good resource for classical copywork along down the line.

Thanks to Blogging for Books for providing a copy for review.

I don't know about you, but I have loved C.S. Lewis since I was a small child reading the Chronicles of Narnia. As I have gotten older, I've found much wisdom is his other collections of writings. He was indeed a fascinating man; the kind of man, I think, who would inspire you to sit and talk for hours about the deeper meanings of life. So when I saw a book of little snippets of the people who influenced his thinking most, I was immediately excited to read through it. And I have not been disappointed.

I've been slowly making my way through the immense collection. The pages are filled with everything from theology to poetry to classic literary prose. The book is broken up into 18 different sections relating to topics such as "suffering", "faith", "prayer and contemplation" and "knowing God", among others. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in C.S. Lewis and the works/authors who inspired him. My only note of caution is that this isn't some quick read. Each snippet leads to much thought and meditation and further reading.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group as part of their Blogging for Books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

What I Loved: I absolutely loved discovering and savoring the writings of which were C.S. Lewis' main circles of influence, in the literary and theological sense. This book is awe-inspiring. Just to glimpse those bits of influential story and theology and unique perspectives on Christ and on life that C.S. Lewis took to heart, and assuredly to his own desk when writing his own great works, is greatly enlightening and full of such wisdom. That said, these bits and pieces of faith and life, shown from the very writings of countless writers who had inspired Lewis so very deeply throughout his life, in turn, have had me as equally inspired and influenced.

I will be keeping From The Library of C.S. Lewis as a dearly beloved part of my own personal library, as I feel that returning to its unique words from time to time will most definitely be found as quite becoming of myself and my Christian walk with the Lord. This book houses a vast collection of brilliantly thought provoking bite-sized masterpieces, and simply cannot be taken in in one or two or even three sittings with it. This is an influential book that rightly deserves to be revisited and pondered upon for the years to come. And I, for one, am looking forward to returning to it from time to time.

What I Didn't Like So Much: This book took me forever to read through, not because I didn't find it interesting, but rather because I found it to be so moving and deeply thought provoking. This book must be taken in sips and not in large swallows, as this is not an easy light read. But this collection of writings is most assuredly a worth-while one, if indeed you are looking to embolden your faith and perspectives on life.

I'm Recommending This Book... If you happen to love the works of C.S. Lewis, or are looking for glimpses of varied texts, drifting from mediums such as poetry, life, theology and some fantasy even, then you will find this collection of writings to be a rightful breath of fresh air.

I recently, well, okay, like months ago, received a copy of From the Library of CS Lewis: Selections from Writers Who Influenced His Spiritual Journey. I grabbed it because I wanted to read something a little more intellectual than what I typically gravitate toward, and my husband is a huge CS Lewis fan, so I figured I couldn't go wrong.

Well, while it is an excellent compilation of some really well-known, and not so well-known, authors and thinkers, it just wasn't for me. I am not super intellectual who enjoys reading about philosophy and other stuff of that nature. I really wish that I had enjoyed this book, because I know it took a lot of work to put it together, and it will remain on my bookshelf as a reference.

If you like reading books along the lines of John Bunyan and Tozer, then you would probably really enjoy this anthology, if not... well... borrow it from the library if you ever need some short snippets to think on. You can check it our for yourself at Amazon.com.

I received this book for free as part of the Blogging for Books Program through WaterBrook Multnomah. All opinions are 100% mine. Don't forget to rate my review on their website!

Okay, what is not to love about a book that is gives us C.S. Lewis' favorite "Selections from Writers Who Influenced His Spiritual Journey." The Library of C.S. Lewis is a nearly 400-page compilation of some of the greatest writers through the centuries, those writers who influenced Clive.

James Stuart Bell (who wrote his master's thesis on Lewis and compiled all the selections) wrote in the introduction, "To truly understand Lewis and his works we need to get behind his role as Christian apologist to his interest in philosophy and literature, in reason and romanticism. Lewis was not a one-dimensional reader. His eclectic tastes ranged over a wide variety of genres and time periods."

That explains the wonderful breadth of writers and excerpts featured in the book. What I loved is the sampling one gets of such a great variety of writers and thinkers. At the end of each excerpt is a paragraph bio on the writer...providing an opportunity to seek out complete works to read. I also loved that you can pick and choose what to read -- it is not a linear book but rather one arranged by topic. In fact, it would be great to enjoy an excerpt each day versus reading it all through at once.

The book is organized into 18 categories: "Follow After Agape": God's Love "You Have Transfixed My Heart:" Our Love of God "How Dearly You Have Paid for Me": The Life and Sacrifice of Christ "I Will Seek You": Knowing God "Mutually Christ's": Community and Loving Others "Constantly Dying": Self and Soul "The Lack of the Divine": Sin and Temptation "Fatherly and Forgiving Goodness": Grace and Redemption "You Shall Find Your Ground in God": Suffering "Inexpressible Sweetness": Prayer and Contemplation "The Eyes of Your Heart": Faith "Divine Influence": Living a Devout Life "The Most Pleasing Sacrifice to God": Obedience and Will "Worthy to Receive More": Humility "A Peculiar Joy": Truth, Apologetics, and Christianity "Fine Fabling": Fantasy and Imagination "Borne on the Gusts of Genius": Creation, Poetry, and Writers "The Gleaming of Divine Brightness": Heaven, Death, and Immortality

If you enjoy reading a variety of authors, you will appreciate and savor the selections in this book.

(Note: WaterBrook Press provide me this book in exchange for an unbiased review.)