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TheLivingWater

posted on Feb 28, 2007 - 03:52 AM

I'd have to say a great book is Tess of the dUrbervilles, by Thomas Hardy. It is an excellent book of literary merit, though was highly controversial in its time for being unconventional in its ideas and beliefs towards religion and other subjects as well. If you do read it, pay very close attention to the last scene in the first phase, a very subtle yet very important event takes place that forever changes the life of the main character. Also, Thomas Hardy is very big on biblical allusions, with references from Rachel and Leah to Ephraim, so you'll be able to pick up on the symbolism.

Also, an outstanding book, and my all-time favorite is The Count of Monte Cristo, written by Alexander Dumas. It's a bit long (the abridged form is 600 pages) but I guarantee you it is worth your time. It's by far the best book I've ever read in my life and is very intricately weaved with a plot that compares to no other book's.

_________________
"He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet." Proverbs 27:7

Joined: Feb 05, 2007 | Posts: 59

TheLivingWater

posted on Feb 28, 2007 - 04:05 AM

Also, another book which will incite emotion out of you is Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. Just a little bit of background information, but Emily Bronte actually published this book under a pseudonym (because women weren't allowed to publish books during her time period), and I think that is seen mostly as all the characters in the book seem to be ruled by strong emotions.

I'm not sure of your taste in literature, but if love stories which very accurately represent the time period in which they are written and which provide satires for the behaviors of society in general interest you, then I think you'll also like Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen.

Sorry for all the recommendations, but I'm a little bit of a reader.

_________________
"He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet." Proverbs 27:7

Joined: Feb 05, 2007 | Posts: 59

Fortunatus

posted on Feb 28, 2007 - 05:10 PM

+Iryny nem `hmot,

These are all great... I was wondering, though, if there were some great spiritual books in tune with the Lenten season that people can recommend.

I'm thinking right now, "Discourses and Sayings" by Saint Dorotheos of Gaza...

Any others?

Please pray for me.

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Alpha2Omega

posted on Mar 01, 2007 - 04:50 AM

A GREAT book that i would recommend for the period of lent is "The Spirituality of Fasting" By His Holiness Pope Shenouda III. This book is a great read which truly opens one's eyes about the true meaning of fasting. Also, His Holiness' style of writing is just truly AMAZING!! some how beginners find his writing sooo simplistic that they are able to easily get through his books having no experience in reading, yet advanced readers find the SAME books soo spiritually deep, filled with tons of nourishment for the soul. i recommend ANY book by His Holiness because he TRULY has the gift of WISDOM and it shows in his writing.

If you want other book recommendations that aren't by priests or saints, i'd definitely recommend, which someone already recommended, "The Way of the Pilgrim" FANTASTIC READ!!! And books by Max Lucado, David Jeremiah, & C.S. Lewis. Here is my recommendation for 1 book by each author:
-"It's NOT About Me" by Lucado
-"Searching for Heaven on Earth" by Jeremiah, this one is a contemplation/explication on the book of Ecclesiastes, one of my FAVORITE BOOKS,
-"The Screwtape Letters" by Lewis.

†TC & GB†

_________________
+The soul which crucified its desires ought to say, 'I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.+
+For those who will perish, the Cross seems like final defeat, but to us believers it is the beginning of victory, power and triumph.+
+No Human being is capable of carrying the Cross of our Lord Jesus, but the Lord Jesus honours me by making me another Simon of Cyrene.+
Father Bishoy Kamel

F.R.O.G
Fully Rely on God

Joined: Oct 09, 2004 | Posts: 79

Mathitis

posted on Mar 01, 2007 - 01:32 PM

Mourad can back me up on this.

"Way of the Ascetics" by Tito Colliander. During Lent and beyond, this book is a masterpiece in Orthdoox Spirituality. To all, I highly reccomend that book.

_________________
For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned. - Matthew 12:37

+ To Protect and Preserve +
HCOC: Sing it! Live it! Love it!

Joined: Oct 07, 2003 | Posts: 1621
Location: "Legitimate" Business Headquarters

HopelessCase113

posted on Mar 02, 2007 - 12:19 AM

i highly recommend Pope Shenouda's "The Release of the Spirit"..its good for lent or anytime... its a really easy read.... and its really beautiful...if you haven't read it, you're really missing out...

_________________
My joy is in Your praise, my splendor is in Your glory, O My Lord Jesus Christ, to You is due all glory.

Who am I, who is weaker than all who are on the earth, to speak of your honor, O Mary, the daughter of Joachim.

Holy Mighty, who by weakness showed forth what is greater than power.

Joined: Oct 11, 2004 | Posts: 227

Biboboy

posted on Mar 02, 2007 - 12:52 AM

Agape,

Since Lent is the time of giving, I think it's also good to learn about our role as Christians on earth: that way, we give to the earth and all its creatures the respect that is due to all creation of God, and through that we give to the poor because we can choose to live sustainable lives.

So, I'm going to suggest a nice - and important - book to read during Lent: Thomas Berry, The Great Work: Our Way into the Future (New York: Bell Tower, 1999).

Thomas Berry has 3 other related and interesting books:
The Dream of the Earth.
Befriending the Earth (co-authored with Thomas Clarke).
The Universe Story (co-authored with Brian Swimme).

_________________
"Our hearts are restless until they find rest in You, Lord" (St. Augustine, Confessions, I, 1).

"Pray gently and calmly,
Chant hymns with understanding and rhythm;
Then you will soar like a young eagle
High in the heavens"
+ St. Evagrius the Solitary, On Prayer, 82.

In Christ,
Bishoy
HCOC Member

+ To Protect and Preserve +

HCOC: Sing it! Live it! Love it!

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Joined: Sep 28, 2004 | Posts: 722

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