Nightstands that Gather No Dust

When I find out a person likes to read I always ask them what they are reading or have read lately, don't you? We can quickly learn a lot about each other that way. I was surprised when an acquaintance at the gym asked me that question the other day and off the top of my head I said Faust, wondering if he'd even know . . . and he piped up, "Ah, the universal man." Wow!

If he'd had more time he would have gotten an earful. Probably like you, I'm usually reading several books simultaneously. And probably like you, I try to keep my nightstand neat, but it's always cluttered. The upside is that the books change so often they don't gather much dust, right?

I don't usually get to share my current complete list with anybody, much less an acquaintance at the gym. There wouldn't be time! Hence, I've decided to post my eclectic monthly collections here, along with mini-mini reviews.

On My Nightstand January 2015

Clarissa by Samuel Richardson---where has this been all my life? GREAT and disturbing
The Clocks by Agatha Christie---perfect for my trip to Denver
American Documents--- NO doubt that America was founded for a moral, Christian people 
Faust by Geothe---a few gems but I liked Marlowe's better 
Dying to Meet You by the Klises---funny and clever as usual

At least those are the ones I finished during the month. Now

cluttering my nightstand (and every other surface in the house) are books I'm in the middle of, including The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien (one volume edition), The Royal Road to Romance by Richard Halliburton, Boy by Roald Dahl, Selections from The Federalist, Selected Poetry by William Blake, The Art of the Commonplace by Wendell Berry, The Complete Tales and Stories by Hans Christian Andersen. In addition, I keep handy my scriptures, The Habit of Being (letters of Flannery O'Connor), the PIG Guide to English and American Literature by Elizabeth Kantor, The Lifetime Reading Plan by Fadiman and Major, 25 Books Every Christian Should Read, and Reading the Classics with C. S. Lewis which are books I am always reading or studying or referring to.

As always I'm hoping there will be an entirely new list (of books I've finished reading) next month.Here's wishing there's no dust on your nightstand!