The Christis Library Shelf
Are you starting uni? There’s nothing like curling up with a good book to unwind after a busy day’s lectures (or procrastination,
if that’s your thing). Here, Christis’ writers select the pick of the pile for the discerning Christian reader.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, JK Rowling, £8.99 (Bloomsbury)
Do you remember when Harry Potter first showed up at Hogwarts, and Christian family groups warned us off this dangerous occultish oik? Times have changed, and Joanne Rowling’s Church of Scotland roots are showing as never before. There’s a Bible quote (2 Cor 5:16), and I kept expecting Dumbledore to jump up, shouting “I am the Resurrection and I am the Life!” This isn’t the best of the series by any means, but it’s perfect easy reading after a long day of lectures, and if you admit it, you’re addicted to Potter.
Life After God, Douglas Coupland, £7.99 (Scribner)
“You are the first generation raised without a religion” — just one of the provocative phrases we find in Douglas Coupland’s collection of short fictional biographical accounts. It’s a fascinating exploration of the search for meaning in a world devoid of a traditional religious metaphysic. A search for God in an age where God is dead. Douglas Coupland is one of the finest contemporary authors and this book gives a taste of the themes he develops further in other books. A simple yet profound book that is difficult to forget.
Why I am not a Christian, Bertrand Russell, £7.99 (Routledge Classics)
This might seem like a strange book to recommend to Christians, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I disagreed with pretty much every point he made. In this book Bertrand Russell sets out some of the more common philosophical arguments against God, along with some personal gripes about religion. My school RE teacher said this book should be compulsory for all churchgoers — if you can’t respond to these arguments, how can you call yourself a Christian?
The Good Shopping Guide, Charlotte Murvey, £14.99 (The Ethical Marketing Group)
God’s put us in charge of his earth, but even by going shopping we can indirectly fund oppressive regimes, exploit the environment and support unfair trading practises. This book lists all sorts of consumer products, from outdoor clothing to washing up liquid, and gives breakdowns of the producers’ records on workers’ right, pollution, irresponsible marketing, and so on. It can only deal with large brands so you won’t be able to use it for all your shopping, but it’s invaluable nonetheless.
Studentdom, Matt Stuart, £9.98 (Kingsway Publications)
Going to university’s a big event and when I started, many people wanted to give me advice — whether I liked it or not! The bible says things about most of the issues faced by new students; responsibility, loneliness, money, relationships, commitment to God — and advice on being a Christian student was a lot harder to come by. Studentdom does just that — talks about the specific issues you’ll deal with as a Christian fresher, and gives advice from a biblical perspective. My copy was much thumbed by the time I gave it to another fresher after my first year.
The Book of God, Walter Wangerin, £6.99 (Lion)
Are you a Christian who’s not read the whole Bible? I haven’t: I just got bored by Leviticus…who wants to know how to prepare a fatted calf for sacrifice? Well, I can offer an easy way out: read “The Book of God” by Walter Wangerin, who’s reworked the Bible in easy fictional form, following the stories of the Biblical characters from their perspective. It’s helped me to make more sense of the Bible whilst making some of the more minor stories more memorable. What are you waiting for? It should be available at all Christian bookshops and I guarantee that it’ll be more interesting than your reading list!