Several months ago, I subscribed to Russell Moore’s newsletter. In it, he mentioned that he publishes a bookshelf or playlist each week submitted by subscribers – the list are the books or songs you would want with you on a deserted island. I thought making a list of books for a deserted island would be a worthy challenge and so I compiled my list. And then I submitted it! That was July 2024. Today, my list made his newsletter!
From the Newsletter
This week’s submission comes from Beth Ferguson of Cedar Park, Texas, who is a new reader of this newsletter. Beth says that a Desert Island Bookshelf was a challenge because she ordinarily doesn’t reread books. She writes:
I selected this specific set of books for three reasons. First, they all feature beautiful, lyrical, poetic, and sophisticated language. Second, the themes in each book are thought-provoking. Third, the books prompt me to focus on higher things. I believe these books will withstand the test of time and uplift my spirit.
Here’s her list with her commentary:
- I have shared Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney with many children. I love asking children how they can make their world more beautiful.
- Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing by Sally Lloyd-Jones is a beautiful devotional book for kids. It is made of heavy paper, has lovely illustrations, and features free-verse poetry. It ministers to my inner child.
- The Valley of Vision edited by Arthur Bennett is a collection of Puritan prayers. I love to use their words to shape my own prayers.
- Scott Erickson and Justin McRoberts’s book Prayer: Forty Days of Practice appeals to me because it combines a visual picture with a one-sentence prayer. I love to ponder the picture, journal what comes to mind, and finish by reading the associated prayer.
- The many blessings in John O’Donohue’s To Bless the Space Between Us encourage me and help shape my prayer life.
- Luci Shaw’s poetry in Eye of the Beholder is beautiful. To choose just one poetry book is difficult.
- Madeleine L’Engle’s A Circle of Quiet may be the oldest book in this stack. For many years I read it annually during the Christmas holidays.
- Eugene H. Peterson is a favorite author, and I chose Run with the Horses because, if stuck on a deserted island, I can’t think of a better prophet to meditate on than Jeremiah.
- Since I will have time to ponder the deep things of God, I wanted a theology book. I enjoy Phylicia Masonheimer’s Every Woman a Theologian: Know What You Believe. Live It Confidently. Communicate It Graciously.
- Tish Harrison Warren’s Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life will help me practice seeing the hand of God in everyday life.
- Emily P. Freeman’s A Million Little Ways: Uncover the Art You Were Made to Live will encourage me to be creative!
- Last but not least, the newly published The Understory by Lore Ferguson Wilbert is added for its beauty of language and fascinating descriptions of the complex interrelationships in the forest floor.
Final Thoughts
Russell Moore’s newsletter often has thought-provoking articles about current affairs, cultural issues, and encouragement. The main article in today’s newsletter is titled, “Cynicism Makes Sense Right Now—and It Could Cost Us Our Souls.” If you haven’t subscribed, you might like to — it’s free and published weekly. And maybe you would also like to create your “desert island bookshelf!”
