Christy, you are such a breath of fresh air! I love how thoughtful you are about each and every part of your life. This video was so thought provoking for me. Prior to my chronic illness I was more open to reading modern literature and wrestling with very opposing viewpoints to my own. The longer I've been ill the more I read for comfort. Lately when I try to read a modern novel it often feels like I'm being yelled at and have no opportunity to respond to the author. I do really enjoy having a sit down conversation with someone much more than reading a book about it. David's graduate school friends that are atheist and communist make for the most interesting dinner guests. Loved getting to take this walk with you! 💜🌼🌸

@ChristyLuisDostoevskyinSpace

5 ай бұрын

❤ Kate, you are the picture of grace, which tells me you have spent a lot of time wrestling with perspectives different than your own. I admire you so much for that! You are absolutely in a season that requires rest. You do so much good just by being you ❤

That's amazing and so genuine and thoughtful, the Christian message is often mistaken as holding certain unmovable doctrines no matter what, but then people closes off their mind, their willingness to see the perspective of the other side, inhibiting the cultivation of love, and I deeply appreciate your insights and I suppose it's also partly due to your circumstances, living in pluralistic culture, keep up the good work!

I think it's so much easier to have a nuanced discussion face to face than online. I was recently recommended a book tuber video - thinking I would be watching a video on a book prize nomination. What I got at the start of the video was a rant about why certain authors from a particular country shouldn't be included in another prize because of their home country's actions. Given my ancestors weren't all Christians, I could have tried to counter the argument but I expect the book tuber would have blocked it. So I appreciate your respect for other people's views and I think we should aim to be respectful towards each other, whether our politics, culture or religion, (or indeed atheism) differ. Generally there is more to unite us than divide us here. 👍

I love this conversation, Christy! I’m thinking more about this. I’m always considering how to be IN the world enough to be able to talk with others, yet stay true to my limited knowledge of how the Bible says to live like Jesus. I agree with listening to others and loving like Jesus being so very important! Not freaking out in fear, but truly caring for the soul behind the issue. Love the Lord with your whole heart and your neighbor as yourself! I think this is a slightly nuanced subject because it can fall under personal conviction. Jesus and John the Baptist had the issue of being considered “too religious” for some and “too secular” for others! 😅

Absolutely 🎯💯 always listen to the other side , that’s the best way to strengthen your point of view .

@ChristyLuisDostoevskyinSpace

5 ай бұрын

Truth!! 🤗 Thanks, Tatiana!!

There is a season for everything! There’s a season for exploring the world you live in, and a season for learning about the opinions of the past, and a season for just good old comfort reads. I tend towards “everything in moderation” in my own reading. I loved this video and appreciated that you are so honest about where you are in life ❤ thanks for letting us peek into your thought process!

@ChristyLuisDostoevskyinSpace

4 ай бұрын

I love your strategy!! I think that's so healthy! I am striving for moderation, as well. Thank you, friend 🤗

Again, i love your eye make up...your beads...i used to read modern literature and novels ( of course just a certain genre - crime and horror....so i cannot really tell why i don' t like modern literature at this time of my life)

@ChristyLuisDostoevskyinSpace

5 ай бұрын

Yesss hahaha Piranesi!! So good! I think we all have preferences and seasons in our reading and that's totally normal. Thank you for leaving your thoughts and supporting the channel 🤗

So much wisdom in this video! When I started following you it was because I wanted to hear more of your thoughts on books; I had no idea how much your channel would also become a spiritual balm to my soul. I'm so glad you're talking about the intersection of faith and bookishness, and I hope you keep sharing this kind of content!

@ChristyLuisDostoevskyinSpace

4 ай бұрын

This gives me so much joy to hear 🥹 Thank you so much for your sweet comment!

I try to do this too, but not with fiction as much. Like for example, I don’t believe in evolution, but in our homeschool we learn about evolution AND creationism. Then we decide what makes the most sense to us. I have found that most of the people that have been hard on us for our viewpoint have only read one side. I also deal with this with the religion I left. People treat me bad over leaving and talking about its problems, but they aren’t willing to read or talk about the other side. Mostly out of fear. I find that a lot of people that say they are neutral are not though (like Sharon says so) and that makes it hard to really get both sides when they aren’t completely honest about their side. I’m sure there are conservative Christians that do this as well. I read and listen to a lot of things I don’t agree with, but when it comes to fiction I have lines I won’t cross because I feel like I don’t need that in my life. 😊

@ChristyLuisDostoevskyinSpace

4 ай бұрын

Sometimes, you really just don't need a book in your life hahaha! That is so accurate. I agree, nonfiction generally hits better for me as well. Recently I have been finding some great modern fiction that's making me wonder what else I'm missing out on, though 😂 I'll try to talk about the good ones here for friends who prefer not to wade through the gunk

I love hearing your thoughts about your faith journey. This was so well said. That is really interesting about the woman from North Korea that found freedom so overwhelming. One of the reasons I have loved this community on booktube is that I can read books (modern or old) with viewpoints I don't agree with, and we can discuss it, argue over it, without judgment, and still be good friends by the end.

@ChristyLuisDostoevskyinSpace

4 ай бұрын

Yes!! Absolutely, same! Booktube is so sane, compared to other internet communities 😂

10: 40 "not worry too much that...the ideas of the past are going to rub off on you..." The converse is true, as well. If you read modern books, with ideas that you tend to disagree with, well, those ideas are not necessarily going to rub off on you either. At some point, the current literature will become "ideas of the past" too. It all comes down to what kind of person you are and whether you have strength of character and strength in your beliefs, regardless of what they happen to be.

@ChristyLuisDostoevskyinSpace

5 ай бұрын

Exactly!! 💯, Kurt!

I thought about this topic yesterday when I finished Katy Hays` The Cloisters as part of the WLJ readathon. I really enjoyed the book (subtle suspense, interesting setting and academic atmosphere...) but had a think about if it´s okay for me as a Christian to enjoy a book about tarot cards. I realised that I´ve always used literature for learning about the world, kind of getting a curated view of it without having to be in it too much (as an introvert), It´s fiction and has nothing to do with my faith. It´s a little like prepping to face all kinds of people and worldviews in real life.

@ChristyLuisDostoevskyinSpace

5 ай бұрын

EXACTLY!! It took me so long to realize just this! Thank you for sharing that you had the same thought journey 🤣

Thank you for addressing this publicly. I am eager to know what others say in response. Presently, I’m reading Demon Copperhead. I have really enjoyed the story and learning about the culture. One thing I’m struggling with is where he is now in his life and how his life may change again. I’m actually feeling anxiety about his fictional story. There is a lot of swearing, abuse and drug use. And lots of choices made. I know it won’t pull me in, but as you stated, when you read things (curse words for example), it can cause problems for you.

Though I am an atheist, I find books on Theology and belief systems fascinating. I respect people regardless of their beliefs, but find it difficult to accept the people who regard their belief system as being far superior to everyone else's. One of the finest books I have read about Christianity is "A History of Christianity" by Diarmaid MacCulloch. A large book, around 1000 pages, it gave me a greater understanding of all the threads of belief systems that eventually coalesced into becoming the Worlds biggest religion. Thank you for an honest reflection on your beliefs and thoughts.

👋❤️

I just don’t read modern literature because most of it is bad…poor writing, writing that seems rushed, uninteresting, uninspiring. The covers even seem shoddily done and one looks like another. Although recently a friend begged me to read North Woods by Daniel Mason and it was written in 2023 and you know what, it was brilliant. There was no gender crap, climate finger wagging, and it was absolutely inspiring. Maybe my ban has been too strict but that being said, I can’t STAND being preached at it books of all things.

@ChristyLuisDostoevskyinSpace

5 ай бұрын

I felt that way for so long, too, until I started watching Alana Estelle's channel. Her reviews on modern literature have led me to some treasures 🥰 I think they are out there, but the trick is finding them 😂

This video was so interesting, and it made me think about my own reading habits. I also used to read classics only (not because of religion), and in the last couple of years I started reading more and more new releases, and I'm enjoying it so far. I think modern literature can be hit or miss for me, meanwhile classics are more reliable in terms of quality. But I like to read about our contemporary world and to have character that I can relate to 😅 the only things I struggle with are vulgarity (I also don't like slurs) and preachy books. Obviously, a lot of older books can be preachy, but for some reason I'm able to go beyond that, meanwhile with newer releases it feels more "on your face". I've been atheist for most of my life but what your teacher told you is terrible! That was so disrespectful and unnecessarily mean. Some atheists are way too obsessed with trying to prove a point and come off as arrogant and rude. I have started reading Willa Cather thanks to you and I'm loving her books so far!! Btw I love your hairstyle in this video

@ChristyLuisDostoevskyinSpace

5 ай бұрын

It is always great to hear from you, thank you so much for leaving your thoughts!! Literally your entire second paragraph is #same 😂 Classics feel like a safer choice, in terms of quality, bc they have usually stood the test of time for a reason...but I also have been enjoying some modern literature. So now I'm curious and want to read more 🤣 THRILLED to hear that you are loving Willa Cather, too 😍 Take care, friend, and thank you always for your civility and kindness.

“Obscenity is the distinguishing hallmark of a sadly limited vocabulary.” ― Gail Honeyman, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine

What a jerk thing to say. Who says that to a little girl. You look so cute btw💜 would it be possible for you to do ur hair and makeup while speaking to us about the ability to think or about books you are reading. I love your look and vibe 🫶🏻

@ChristyLuisDostoevskyinSpace

5 ай бұрын

Aww thank you so much! 🥹 a GRWM sounds like so much fun. Maybe I will do one live. My teacher was really sorry about it afterward, so I forgave him 🤣 I think he was more used to university level students and didn't expect me to cry 😅

@blane1814

5 ай бұрын

@@ChristyLuisDostoevskyinSpace still. Teachers are to teach and inspire not deflate their students hopes or dreams. Especially not there faith. Good I will look forward to that live. 💋💋💋💋

I am very surprised by this fear that modern literature will lead to sinful behavior or being too worldly. The Bible is full of horrific things, none of which have tempted me to emulate. The Old Testament is full of traumatic stories. I've never come to terms with my feelings about Noah. As for Jesus, I agree his teaching is not for the faint of heart. And, it is hard to come from a place of love. Reading about Buddha's heart mediation helped me with that struggle. ❤

@ChristyLuisDostoevskyinSpace

4 ай бұрын

Such a good point! The Bible is very real about the existence of sin 😳😂 Thank you for leaving your thoughts!

They really need to read their Iron Age tome first. Study showed that only 1 in 9 of you has read the thing cover to cover. I used to wonder about how low that number seemed to be until I realize this one fact: That reading the bible is the number one reason for people leaving Christianity.

@ChristyLuisDostoevskyinSpace

4 ай бұрын

I've never heard anyone cite that as a reason for leaving the faith, but thanks for sharing your thoughts!