Dear Reader,

In many ways, we are what we read. Though not always perceived, books make indelible impressions on us. Like meals, we won’t always be aware of the mark they are making, but unquestionably books mold and refine us; they expand our thinking as we venture into worlds unknown and times not our own. As people of the Word, we have even more reason to testify to the power of words as they change and renew us (cf. Ps. 1; 119; John 17:17).

But it isn’t just any kind of reading that does this. As we saw in last month’s newsletter from Leland Ryken, we need what he calls “deep reading.” Karen Swallow Prior likens deep reading to stretching and preparing our brains for “receptiveness of meaning and truth, perhaps like the harrowing of a field prepares it to received seeds and yield a harvest.”

So as you plan out your summer, log off social media and carve out time for deep reading—the immersive kind that plunges you into a riveting tale, an enlightening history, a delightful collection of poetry, a moving devotional work. Need suggestions? Here are some favorites:

(1) John Steinbeck, East of Eden (1952)
(2) Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice (1813)
(3) Augustine, The Confessions (397–400)
(4) John Bunyan, The Holy War (1682)
(5) Marilynne Robinson, Gilead (2004)

Read one (all?) of these over the summer and then report back to me by emailing books@thegospelcoalition.org.

A few updates:

• We launched a new series that surveys some of the best picture books for children, Christian and non-Christian alike. We pray these roundups would offer opportunities for conversations with children, stir faith in Christ, and point to the things that are good, true, and beautiful. The first entry is of picture books on patience.
• For the On My Shelf series, I enjoyed asking Carl Trueman about books. Don’t miss Trueman’s answer to my last question. Need more recommendations? Check out the entire On My Shelf archive.
• We published several books, one of which is on the deconstruction/deconversion phenomenon. If you or someone you know is struggling with the Christian faith, I pray this book would be a welcome resource. I’m biased as the editor, but I’m really proud of the 15 contributors to this project—Karen Swallow Prior, Derek Rishmawy, Jared Wilson, Rachel Gilson, Brett McCracken, Claude Atcho, Trevin Wax, and many others. With truth and love they engage disconcerting trend. The church at its best can help us deal with doubts as we trust in the never-failing love of Christ. See all books.

Happy reading!

Ivan Mesa

Editorial Director