Currently Reading

I am currently working my way through the following books. As I am somewhat vision impaired, I do all of my “reading” via audiobooks.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY

Here is the much-anticipated new translation of Virgil’s epic poem from the award-winning translator Robert Fagles.  

The publication of a new translation by Fagles is a literary event. His translations of both the Iliad and Odyssey have sold hundreds of thousands of copies and have become the standard translations of our era. Now, with this stunning modern verse translation, Fagles has reintroduced Virgil’s Aeneid to a whole new generation, and completed the classical triptych at the heart of Western civilization.

The Aeneid is a sweeping epic of arms and heroism and a searching portrait of a man caught between love, duty, and the force of his own destiny. Here, Fagles brings to life the timeless journey of Aeneas as he flees the ashes of Troy to found Roman society and change forever the course of the Western world.

Fagles’ translation retains all of the gravitas and humanity of the original as well as its powerful blend of poetry and myth.

©2006 Robert Fagles
(P)2006 Penguin Audio, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. All rights reserved.

My undergraduate degree covered a substantial amount of Classics (Homer, Plato, Aristotle, Virgil, Ovid, etc.) I not only had to red The Aenid for class, but I enjoyed it immensely and subsequently read it again multiple times for enjoyment. (I embodied the “my husband thinks about the Roman Empire surprisingly often” meme before it was trendy.) So far, and unsurprisingly, I am enjoying my first experience with this story in the audiobook format.    

Current Progress: 25%

The modern apologetics classic that started it all is now completely revised and updated – because the truth of the Bible doesn’t change, but its critics do. With the original Evidence That Demands a Verdict, best-selling author Josh McDowell gave Christian audiences the answers they needed to defend their faith against the harshest critics and skeptics.

Since that time, Evidence has remained a trusted resource for believers young and old. Bringing historical documentation and the best modern scholarship to bear on the trustworthiness of the Bible and its teachings, this extensive volume has encouraged and strengthened millions.

Now, with his son Sean McDowell, Josh McDowell has updated and expanded this classic resource for a new generation. This is a book that invites listeners to bring their doubts and doesn’t shy away from the tough questions.

1 Peter 3: 15 but ^gin your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect

make a defense = ἀπολογία apología, ap-ol-og-ee’-ah; from the same as G626; a plea (“apology”):—answer (for self), clearing of self, defence.

I got more interested in apologetics a few years ago when I started reading about the “pagan” origins of Easter, only before coming to realize that most of those alleged origins are not supportable. I have posted about it a couple of times, including HERE. The experience of doing that research made me wonder how much other “common knowledge” information regarding Christianity was, in fact, quite wrong. (If you’re curious, the “pagan” origin of Christmas is not well supported either: Part 1 and Part 2.)  

I prefer to be informed, regarding most things, and Peter states that Christians should be prepared to make a defense (i.e. participate in apologetics.) So here we are. Evidence is a fascinating but dense read, filled with a lot of compelling information on archaeology, evidence supporting the validity of current Bible translations, arguments for internal textual consistency, text interpretation, philosophy, etc. The goal of the book is to provide comprehensive answers to difficult questions and common criticisms, regardless of what those things might be. My guess is that for most people, after the first read-through at least, this would be excellent reference material on your library shelf.

If you’re someone with a strong opinion regarding Christianity – either for or against – this is a very useful and informative book

Current progress: 65%

My Wheel of Time re-read efforts charge forward. I have been working through recap and reaction posts for each chapter, of each book, in this very lengthy series. You can find my previous Wheel of Time posts HERE:

The Fires of Heaven is a fantasy novel by American writer Robert Jordan, the fifth book in his series The Wheel of Time. It was published by Tor Books and released on October 15, 1993.

I currently have published posts covering the first seventeen chapters, but have scheduled future posts all the way out through Chapter 21. There are fifty-six chapters in total. I won’t finish this one until early next year (February or March, most likely.)

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I have a few ideas for what I will read when I finish up some of these projects. However, if there is a classic you particularly enjoy (adult classic, children’s classic, etc.) I will readily accept and consider it.  

My completed book reviews are HERE: