It’s Friday, and I feel overwhelmed. But it’s not what you think! My sermon preparation for Sunday is complete. But I feel overwhelmed because there are a dozen books I need to read. Make that “dozens.” So many books, so little time! I did something this week, though, that I think will help.
I cleaned off my desk top and made six ‘stacks’ of books. Actually, each stack has no more than two books. But each stack represents a reading category. My categories are: theology (biblical, systematic), preaching (which includes communication), culture (which includes apologetics as well as current issues), Bible (which covers works on language, linguistics, translation, and hermeneutics), history (which includes biography), and ministry (which includes leadership and church ministry).
There’s nothing magical or revolutionary about my system. It simply helps me focus and prioritize. My intention is to read for at least 30 minutes each day in one of these books. This is not a problem for me. In fact, sometimes I’ll take home a book. My challenge has always been selecting which book(s) to read. I get overwhelmed when I realize that I have thirty un-read books waiting for my attention. My system narrows the categories down to six. That’s still a lot of books to read at one time. Realistically, I’ll read no more than two or three at once. But at least I have an intentional waiting list.
Yesterday, I finished one of the books in the preaching stack. The book on the bottom of the stack now moves to the top. The next preaching book I want to read goes to the bottom.
Undoubtedly, my system may strike some as rather anal! For me, though, it provides some structure and focus without being overly complex. How do you handle the problem of “so many books, so little time”? What’s on your desk top?
Posted by Steve Mathewson at 7:49 AM on May 23, 2008
Comments
Steve, I suffer the same thing. I have an unread stack and even a shelf dedicated to my unread books.
A larger problem than that is to help my mind keep up with the material that I'm reading. Usually, I'm reading more than one book at a time and keep each one tucked away in whatever environment it is meant to be read. So that when in that environment, I pick it up.
For instance, there are certain books that I like to read before dozing off in bed. So there is a short stack on the table next to my side of the bed. That is my bedtime-books-to-read. I keep a couple hidden in the living room cabinet. A few in the kitchen. A few in my carrying bag (used for work and visits). And last but not least, I keep some in each of the bathrooms of our house. Those stacks really inspired them all! (I never tell which books are there because I don't want people assuming that I think poor of the authors - they are usually the really short books.)
To help me with my memory of what I am learning. I am now highlighting or underlining things that I think are worded wisely or worthy to be recalled later for some reason. And, I log my books and notes in the online library software called, The Preacher's Library.
I am a co-developer of the application and think that you and your readers may enjoy it. It is free and growing in its capabilities. You may want to give it a shot. Go to http://www.thepreacherslibrary.com
Posted by: Jacob Abshire on May 23, 2008
So Many Books, So Little Time!--AMEN!! Steve, like you I hate having books piled up waiting for my attention. So, about a year ago, I started keeping a reading list. Now, I restrict myself to reading one book at a time (although I've cheated this summer and am reading two since I'm not teaching Sunday School this summer and have some extra time on my hands). As I finish one book, I just go to my list, cross off the one I've read, and select my next book. Of course, with so many good books out there, sometimes a book will catch my attention and I'll start reading that one rather than going off my list. Now I sound anal! :) Also, you can maintain a reading list at goodreads.com and get the benefit of reading others' reviews of your books and you can review your own and make recommendations. The site allows you to categorize your list by "currently reading", "to-read" and "read".
Posted by: Pat on June 6, 2008
As soon as I graduated from seminary I made a commitment to not leave my learning behind. So I created a reading catalog based on the MDiv subjects at my school. Also, I added other subjects for breadth (fiction, biographies, history, etc.) I made a goal of how many books I would read a year and I have check boxes under every category. This ensures that I am reading outside of my own favorite interests and it also keeps me on track with managing the "so many books, so little time" dilemma.
Posted by: Lucas on July 14, 2008