Spiritual reading has fallen on bad times. Today, reading is largely a consumer activity, done for information that may fuel ambitions or careers -- and the faster the better. Take and Read represents Eugene H. Peterson's attempt to rekindle the activity of spiritual reading, reading that considers any book that comes to hand in a spiritual way, tuned to the Spirit, alert to intimations of God.
Take and Read provides an annotated list of the books that have stood the test of time and that, for Peterson, are spiritually formative in the Christian life. The books on this list range from standard spiritual classics to novels, poems, and mysteries, and include an equally broad spectrum of authors -- from Augustine and C. S. Lewis to William Faulkner and Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Annotations following each entry offer Peterson's own significant insights into the power of each work.

Eugene H. Peterson (1932–2018) was a longtime pastor and professor of spiritual theology at Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia. His many acclaimed books include Tell It Slant, The Jesus Way, Eat This Book, and the contemporary translation of the Bible titled The Message.

Eugene H. Peterson's profile page

Books & Culture
"A fine gift for students and for new Christians."
Christian Century
"Keep Spiritual Reading within arm's reach. Readers will consult this not only to shape personal reading lists but also for help in pondering predicaments such as what to recommend for a parish retreat."
Clergy Journal
"For Christians who wish to deepen and broaden their understanding of their own religious tradition, this book is like a map to the best reading available to pursue this goal."
Library Journal
"A rich resource for pastors and general readers."
Publishers Weekly
"Peterson's choices range from the expected to the delightfully different. His wide-ranging definitions of what is spiritual and his book-lover's zeal encourage readers also to befriend books and enjoy their deep spiritual rewards."