Keeping the Library Relevant
I have been throwing out older books again, and this time I was particularly struck by how the language in the religious works published as recently as 40 to 50 years ago can seem outdated in a way that makes the reading duller than it might have been originally. While our favorite classics have a beauty about their language, other works can rapidly become old and stuffy. Why is that? I have a feeling that our contemporary religious language is directed toward hot topics of the day in the popular language used for those topics. If you have other thoughts, I would be interested. I do want to keep the library relevant to the interests at Covenant.
The latest addition, donated by Carol Holsinger, is The Power of Half; One Family’s Decision to Stop Taking and Start Giving Back (2010) by the father-daughter team Kevin and Hannah Salwen. The story begins when Hannah is 14 and points out to her dad that if that man in that big Mercedes had a less nice car, perhaps that other man, looking hungry, could have a meal. The family was touched to the point of action. So, amazingly, they sold their Atlanta mansion, moved to a house worth half the amount, and gave the proceeds to a charity. The chapter headings read like this: the treadmill; you don’t know till you listen; deal or no deal; the power of half; if you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there, etc. Each chapter concludes with Hannah’s own words. Isn’t this pretty relevant in our area today? I think so.
Other recent additions continue to be located on one shelf to the left of the Bibles. For others, browse, or look through the listings in the binder by number, author and title, call me for help at home or email merudolphdyck(at)comcast.net?subject=.
I’m starting off the new year behind in the books I intend to comment on. Want to help?
Rudy Dyck, Librarian