Tag Archives: Reading

2025: My Year in Books: The Infographic and the Aftermath

Posted on January 20, 2026 by Brenton Dickieson

In a New Year message, the author shares their Goodreads “My Year in Books” infographic, reflecting humorously on their reading accomplishments and a lack of compliments. They met their goal of reading 120 books and mention winning badges–though the real prize is the reading experience itself. They express hopes for future reading challenges and share well wishes for the upcoming literary year. Continue reading →

Posted in News & Links, Reflections | Tagged book-reviews, books, C.S. Lewis, Discworld, fantasy, fiction, Inklings, J.R.R. Tolkien, L.M. Montgomery, literature, Octavia Butler, P. G. Wodehouse, Reading, Stephen King, Terry Pratchett | 2 Comments

Where Do We Find Meaning When We Read? A Spectrum of Discovery in Storytelling

Posted on September 25, 2024 by

Where is the meaning found in the art of reading? Is it in the text itself–some magic of language or mystery of persuasion in the telling of a tale? Or do readers carry meaning in their own curiosity and willingness … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged allegory, Animal Farm, Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand, C.S. Lewis, Canada Reads, George Orwell, His Dark Materials, Jonathan Livingston Seagull, lion the witch and the wardrobe, literary criticism, Literary Theory, Narnia, Philip Pullman, Reading | 6 Comments

2023: My Year in Books: The Infographic

Posted on January 1, 2024 by Brenton Dickieson

Happy New Year everyone! I wanted to share the Goodreads “My Year in Books” infographic, with some brief reflections to follow. You can see the interactive online infographic here, or read on. “Congratulations! You’re really good at reading, and probably a … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged Anne Rice, C.S. Lewis, Goodreads, Harry Potter, Hugo Awards, J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien, Jane Austen, L.M. Montgomery, Octavia Butler, Reading, Stephen King, Ursula K. Le Guin | 3 Comments

A Rationale for Teaching C.S. Lewis’ Fiction in The Wrong Order

Posted on March 29, 2023 by Brenton Dickieson

I am in my sixth year of teaching “The Fantasy and Science Fiction of C.S. Lewis” at The King’s College in New York City. I inherited this online course from Dr. Sørina Higgins, who followed the original mind behind the … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged C.S. Lewis, Dante, liberal arts, lion the witch and the wardrobe, literature, Narnia, Reading, Science Fiction, Teaching, The Ransom Cycle, The Screwtape Letters, theology, Till We Have Faces | 19 Comments

2022: My Year in Books: The Infographic

Posted on January 5, 2023 by Brenton Dickieson

Happy New Year, everyone! I am once again assembling the “reading nerd data” in an upcoming post. I love charts. And behind every chart is a great spreadsheet. I guess I just love spreadsheets. Meanwhile, as is my tradition, I … Continue reading →