100 books

I'm a donkey! I read this ages ago and forgot to review it! Its a really beautiful collection of essays and thoughts about, well essentially lust and sex but at the same time none of that. He writes about moving beyond the little things that obsess us. Its a really beautiful little book.. well worth a read. He just writes so well!

I was pottering around the monastery last night looking for something to read after Bonhoffer. And I stumbled on this. It’s a very lovely little 100 page book that talks a little about entering into a deeper life of prayer. Its full of quotable quotes, and in that sense could be mildly annoying (you find yourself thinking, do you not have anything original to say lady?!) But there are some little gems in there too- particularly a very succinct explanation of centring prayer.. If you can find it I reckon its worth a read.

As I picked this up yesterday to finish it off I found that the book marker in it was a plane ticket for the 6th July. And I think there has been good reason as to why its taken so long to get round to finishing one of the seminal works on community. It starts really slowly. Maybe it’s the translation, maybe its me but this is a book that took a lot of getting into! But it is worth sticking with! The chapters on the Day alone and on confession are wonderful! I still prefer Vanier but am beginning to appreciate the Bon!

It is a truth universally acknowledged that it was 12 years since II had read this literary classic. I studied it for A-level: and loved it. I confess I did not always love it so well as I do now. It’s a beautiful book (seeming familiar by the general over indulgence in the magnificent BBC adaptation). Elizabeth Bennett is really a delight to behold- and lets face it, Mister Darcy (to be said in slightly breathy tones) is every girl’s dream. Was also lovely to read a love story where you know its not about to burst forth into over detailed sex. I must be getting old but twas nice to have some understated good old love in there. Marvellous!

The little tag line that goes with this book really does sum it up well. It simply says “Insights From Manchester’s Impacting City Wide Prayer Movement”. And that is essentially what the book is. Its not a manual telling you three easy steps to bring revival to your City, but it does tell you (in a very accessible and down to earth style) what has happened in Manchester in the last ten years. The principles of united prayer are there, but you need to dig them out rather than reading a simple checklist. There are names that you will recognize, places that are familiar and a story which you may have seen little snippets of if you have read Youthwork over the last few years. I enjoyed reading Frank and Debra’s story. But do accept it for what it is- there are no “how to”’s until you reach page 157 (out of 214 pages!). If stories inspire you, then read on. Frank and Debra articulate the journey in prayer if one city in a wonderful way. And as you read it you just know that the st...

I’d been eyeing this book up for ages as I popped in and out of bookshops. I finally took the lunge just a couple of weeks ago and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I still don’t fully understand why this journalist took it upon himself to write about the London that exists below those terribly hard on your feet pavements (he was sacred of the Tube before he started the book!).. but I’m glad that he did. From the Underground to sewers, to crypts to wine cellars, he explores them all. Its all kind of exciting! Certainly helped me to understand a bit of London (and has made me even more of a tube geek!) I think you will like it!