The Book That Got Away

OK, fess up:

Name one book that you know you should read, that you ought to read, that you've been meaning to read, that you've been trying to get around to reading, but you just haven't done it yet, for whatever reason. Secular books can be included.

For me, one example is Shelby Foote's 3-volume The Civil War. Owned the set for years, have dipped into it from time to time, but have not yet read it through.

bookslover said:

OK, fess up:

Name one book that you know you should read, that you ought to read, that you've been meaning to read, that you've been trying to get around to reading, but you just haven't done it yet, for whatever reason. Secular books can be included.

For me, one example is Shelby Foote's 3-volume The Civil War. Owned the set for years, have dipped into it from time to time, but have not yet read it through.

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Foote's Civil War is very good on audiobook:

https://www.audible.com/author/Shel...5a7-13cef5d729fe&pf_rd_r=TFH96XDGQNGVF397DQHJ

Do an hour of push-ups or squats and listen to the book every night of the quarantine. By July you'll be buff and ready to ride with General Forrest.

Ok, I'll join in. For me, it's Pilgrim's Progress; I've owned it in physical and digital form for years, but it always comes in second place as "the next book I'll read after XYZ".

I am working through Beek'e Reformed Preaching right now, and I am hoping to tackle Pilgrim's Progress next (for real this time!).

For me, I would have to say Ralph Erskine's works or Joseph Caryl's 12 volumes on Job. I have dipped into them but not read them through. As the days pass, Caryl sounds more and more applicable to the times.

Before, it was Thomas Boston's works, but I am currently working through them.

Calvin's Institutes.... I'll show myself out.

Jonathco said:

Ok, I'll join in. For me, it's Pilgrim's Progress; I've owned it in physical and digital form for years, but it always comes in second place as "the next book I'll read after XYZ".

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What?! Drop everything right now and read it!

I suppose for me it is Edwards' works. I made it through most of the sermons and smaller works but got bogged down on some of the larger treatises.

And I suppose Turretin is on my list but keeps dropping.

Saint Augustine's Confessions and the City of God.

hammondjones said:

Calvin's Institutes.... I'll show myself out.

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Logan said:

What?! Drop everything right now and read it!

I suppose for me it is Edwards' works. I made it through most of the sermons and smaller works but got bogged down on some of the larger treatises.

And I suppose Turretin is on my list but keeps dropping.

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I've read all three volumes of Turretin through. It's a hard slog being patient with his style of writing. Like Calvin, it takes him a long time to get to the point at times.

The Bible...

I keed, I keed!!! I’ve been meaning to read a C.S. Lewis book at some point, perhaps Mere Christianity, just to see what all the hub bub with him is.

bookslover said:

I've read all three volumes of Turretin through. It's a hard slog being patient with his style of writing. Like Calvin, it takes him a long time to get to the point at times.

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I’ve felt this way about Matthew Henry, who I just read through the book of Job with. There are moments... sometimes hours of reading where I ask myself, did I take anything away from this?

Jonathco said:

Ok, I'll join in. For me, it's Pilgrim's Progress; I've owned it in physical and digital form for years, but it always comes in second place as "the next book I'll read after XYZ".

I am working through Beek'e Reformed Preaching right now, and I am hoping to tackle Pilgrim's Progress next (for real this time!).

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Here's to this one....and I own it as well, somewhere?

I'll also add Foxe's Book of Martyrs...I always get a few pages in...but then, oh look, a squirrel..

I am finally getting around to reading the Naphtali Press edition of George Gillespie's English Popish Ceremonies. Previously, I started reading the edition in the two-volumes of Gillespie's works, but since it is in double columns and has lots of untranslated Latin, I stopped when the new Naphtali edition was released. Weird that it has taken me six years to get to it, but I think a combination of the lockdown, the time of year, and my growing weary at Richard Hooker's fan-girls tipped me over the edge.