Gilead, again

Last night I finished Gilead. Oh what a wonderful book! It's so beautifully written and the joy of it just stays with you. I'm glad I read it. I realized I haven't thought that about reading a book for a long time. I'll say it again: I'm glad I read it.

I'm not going to tell you that you should read Gilead. Telling people they should read a book has always seemed to me like telling them they should eat their lima beans. It only awakens resistance in the people you're telling. But if you want to read it, I think you'll be glad.

And here's a bit of good news about Gilead: Christianity Today has honored it with its 2005 Book Award for Fiction.