World of Wonders: A Spirituality of Reading

Reading is “a decidedly spiritual discipline” that expands one’s world, spurs personal growth, and fosters connection with God and others, according to this resonant meditation from Crosby (The Language of the Soul), president of the Evangelical Christian Publishing Association. Drawing from his 40 years in the publishing industry and the work of such Christian authors as C.S. Lewis and Philip Yancey, Crosby begins the account with suggestions for cultivating a regular reading practice. They include designating a specific time of day to read, using a format that works best, discussing books with others, and maintaining a ”posture of curiosity, openness, and engagement” when reading. After offering tips on reading scripture, he turns to other genres, highlighting fiction’s ability to evoke empathy and how poetry draws attention to the miraculousness in ordinary moments. Suffused by genuine passion for the written word and packed with reading lists (including scripture guides), Crosby’s account convincingly frames reading as a means of deepening one’s faith by learning more about God as well as the perspectives of secular writers who are likewise “created in the image of God” and “wrestle with many of the same questions we do.” Christian bookworms will want to dive in. (Oct.)