And So I Began to Read: Books That Have Influenced Me

by Faith Cook

Ralph Ireland has written this
Faith Cook has written 22 books largely biographical, and they have influenced a great many people most of whom look forward to her next work. This book is different.
Over the past few years it has been my privilege to appraise draft manuscripts of several of those books and offer constructive comments. This book tells us how Christian books have influenced the author herself. It offers rich insights into how she grew as a Christian under their influence. It does it challenges the reader to read (or re-read) the books she refers to. In my own case it challenged me to re-read her own Grace in Rutherford in verse (Banner of Truth 1989). With better understanding of what drove her to write it, I read it as if I had never read it before !
This book complements her Troubled A Missionary Childhood in war torn China (Banner of Truth Trust, 2004) and those who haven't read that book
will almost certainly want to do so after reading this one.
This book also reveals two other major literary sources that have strongly impacted her the writings of John Bunyan, and Christian hymns that have been written down the ages; here you can gain some insights into how she was impacted.
If these insights whet your appetite there are two other volumes you might like to
Fearless the life and times of John Bunyan, and Our Hymn Writers and their hymns.
Meanwhile, enjoy this one.

Genres: Biography, Christian, Memoir

120 pages, Paperback

Published May 2, 2016

About the author

Faith Cook was born in China, the daughter of OMF missionaries, and now lives in Derbyshire. She is married to Paul, who served as a pastor in churches in Northallerton, Shepshed and Hull. They have five children and ten grandchildren. She is also the author of Lives Turned Upside Down, The Nine-Day Queen of England, Our Hymn-writers and their Hymns, Seeing the Invisible and Under the Scaffold.

Reviews

[Michael Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

God-glorifying biography and book recommendations abound in this little encouraging book.

[Phil Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful, honest and humble account of the life of Faith Cook from her early days as child of missionary parents in north -west China to being wife of Church minister Paul Cook and mother. The book shows some of the trials and difficulties she faced along the way, but how Faith was greatly blessed by sermons she heard, specific books she read and hymns she knew, Godly people she came into contact with and times of God's hand being at work in the Church. It also provides an encouragement to those considering writing. The book encourages me to read some of the excellent books mentioned but above all to remember 'the love that will not let me go' found only in our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ

[Helen Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful and encouraging book. Faith Cook takes us through her struggles honestly and gently whilst in a very helpful pastoral way.

[Dogeared Wanderer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Faith Cook has written quite a few biographies and nonfiction Reformed books. This book is a short overview of how God used various books to impact her life for good, mostly Reformed works. I enjoyed her life story as it was woven in and would be interested to read her memoir, Troubled Journey.

Personally, I found this a strange book. It was primarily about books, quotes, poetry, and read pretty boringly. The book was like a conversation that I would have liked to listen to but will never read again. I don't know how to rate it because it wasn't poorly written, but it just wasn't my type either.