On and off the shelf

When in doubt, write about books.  So...

Recently completed:

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins: If you are a mystery lover, this is a must read. The Moonstone is not the semi-precious stone but a yellow diamond stolen from an Indian idol. This cursed gem is given as a gift to Englishwoman, Rachel Verinder, on her 18th birthday but is stolen that very night from her bedchamber.  Whodunit? I won't tell, but I will say I thoroughly enjoyed this classic English country house mystery. Also Collins' use of multiple narrators added to its charm, although I winced a little at Miss Clack's Christian caricature. Considered the first detective novel in the English language. both Dorothy Sayers and G.K. Chesterton thought it to be the "finest" and the "best" detective tale written.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett: I was late in reading this one, but also enjoyed it .  As to its complete accuracy, I can't say, but here's a review by Thabiti Anyabwile.

Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell, audio book: One of my favorite novels and a great audio version from Blackstone Audio read by Nadia May. If you've seen the BCC mini-series, her voice characterizations capture the various accents so well.

Christ and Him Crucified by Jon Cardwell: This small book brings us back to the centrality of the cross of Christ and its implications for the Christian. Brother Jon writes like theologians gone by (and that's a good thing).  I also loved the original hymns at the end of each chapter.

Still in progress:

John G. Paton, Missionary to the New Hebrides: This is a gripping book, but I don't think it's overly dramatized. Paton's matter-of-fact writing of living under daily death threats only makes his love for the people of Tanna that much more noble and God-glorifying.

Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey: Also halfway through and good preparation for next week's Ligonier conference on The Christian Mind.

Still reading a chapter a week in the Institutes and The Good News We Almost Forgot. Calvin is much more readable than I thought. He does use long sentences, however, almost as long as the apostle Paul.

Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot: This is the first book in a personal project. World magazine's article on the courtship phenomena intrigued me. I'm interested in seeing for myself how much is moralism and how much is gospel in at least three of the most popular courtship books.  I may be the odd woman out, but after a third of the book, this is not clicking. I may share my notes at some time, but it's probably going to step on toes and tip over some sacred cows.

Sinclair Ferguson's In Christ Alone has been set aside but hopefully I'll pick it up again soon.

In the wings:

No Place for Truth by David Wells. I started this a few years ago and need to finish it.

What is the Mission of the Church? by Kevin DeYoung & Greg Gilbert