Joy in Books

As our ‘Unstoppable’ sermon series draws to a close our Resource Centre is a good place to dig a little deeper. Here we hear what’s on offer under the theme of ‘Renewing Joy’.

Do you wish to know more of the early life of the author of the ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ books? If so, in this autobiography, Surprised by Joy, C.S. Lewis describes his crisis as an atheist and his quest for a fuller existence, which he names ‘joy’. 

The book covers his early life up to his early 30s. His journey took him from understanding the inadequacy of atheism, through seeing there must be a God, to meeting Christ. 

The book is a thoughtful and intriguing account of Lewis’s quest.

The second recommendation is The Book of Joy. Despite the many years of exile and oppression they have experienced, in this book Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama share how they find joy in the face of life’s suffering. 

They met in 2015 to celebrate the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday. Through stories, jokes and spiritual practices they share their perspectives on joy. Helpfully at the end of the book there is a chapter that lists the ‘joy practices’ discussed in the book.

The book has been described as ‘a gift to humanity’, with humility and humour throughout.

Mike Pearson
Resource Centre