Readings for Meditation and Reflection

by C.S. Lewis, Walter Hooper (Editor)

Extolled for decades as one of the most influential Christians of his day, C. S. Lewis has stirred millions of readers through his probing insights, passionate arguments, and provocative questions about God, love, life, and death. C. S. Lewis: Readings for Meditation and Reflection gathers daily readings from his most famous published works—The Screwtape Letters, Mere Christianity, The Four Loves—as well as his lesser-known writings, letters, and essays. This collection of readings covers a wide range of topics from spirituality, to materialism and sexuality, as relevant and compelling today as when they were written.

Genres: Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction, Religion, Philosophy, Spirituality, Theology

176 pages, Paperback

First published February 9, 1996

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Clive Staples Lewis was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. He was a Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Oxford University until 1954. He was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include Mere Christianity, Out of the Silent Planet, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, and the universally acknowledged classics The Chronicles of Narnia. To date, the Narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and been transformed into three major motion pictures.

Lewis was married to poet Joy Davidman.
W.H. Lewis was his elder brother]

Reviews

[Kari Trumbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was like water for my soul. As I read it, I wanted more and more. This book takes themes from many of Lewis' books and gives a small taste of what he had to say. I now want to read much more.

[Audrey Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really good! I enjoyed it with my morning bible time. I really like that you get different snippets from a mixture of C.S. Lewis's books (even The Chronicles of Narnia!).

[Jaclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

i especially like the excerpts from Mere Christianity.

[Kylie! · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was so amazing and reading it over about four months slowly with about a page a day was really
nice and allowed me to soak in what i was reading, cs lewis had an amazing mind and could explain complicated biblical and theological things to people in a way you can understand which has helped me so much. i look forward to finishing mere christianity and reading more of his books because they are just so good and real and slay 🫶🏻

[Samantha Carter]

I thought this was quite the comprehensive book of tidbits from Lewis! Not only was it a great sampler of what the author has to offer, but it was also perfect to study in small-sized chunks and think about throughout the day. Great companion to morning devotions!

[Francesca Pohlman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked reading excerpts from Lewis's major works, especially The Screwtape Letters. Sometimes a whole book of his is a little more than my brain can handle, but taking chosen little bits at a time to reflect on made a big difference. Even though he was a brilliant man, he humbly communicated what Christianity for the common man looks like.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

CS Lewis is my favorite author and theologian. It is not easy reading by any stretch. Sometimes I would have to re-read passages and still didn't get it. Overall, I did a lot over underlining and it was a great book study to do with others.

[Timothy Riordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably my island book. It’s not my favorite book of all time. But it’s basically the greatest hits from one of the greatest minds the Christian faith has ever held. Every page is a wealth of beauty, wisdom and insight. Thank you Jesus for C. S. Lewis.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book to start my mornings. Each meditation is very thought provoking. Many are above my understanding. CS Lewis had such a brilliant mind.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of this was great food for thought.
It'll be good to go back and ponder some of the concepts here, in more depth.
Recommended? Yes
Buy/Borrow? Either or

[David Roark · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of short essays/stories. A little hard to get into the flow.
But glad I read it, since I haven't read much Lewis.

[Catlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love C.S. Lewis. This compilation includes many of his well known and wonderful writings in an easy to digest format. Love it so much!

[Lynne Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is easy, "bite sized" pieces of Lewis' writings. Accessible yet profound, it was an enjoyable read.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hubs and I read this together each morning, as the format is perfect for a daily short reading. It is a catalyst for some very rich discussion!

[Samantha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me.

[Janie · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is a compilation of lewis' books and correspondences - in morsels. i've always been intrigued by lewis since the beginning of my bibliophile days, way back when narnia was a subjective visual experience, lest you saw the bbc version on public stations or rented vhs tapes, then the b-rate stuffy brown cat suit, they dare to call aslan and whiny buckedtooth lucy was the only exposure one may have had to experience this wonderful author. and that, would be a great injustice to this creative, intellectual, thoughtful, deep, kind, compassionate man. but i digress....

this book contains excerpts from the narnia collection, four loves, screwtape letters, mere christianity, and personal letters (mostly to malcolm, his step-son, i think) and then some. all very thoughtful and touching.

i've been reading this book off and on (since 1996). but recently, i've been using this book as a devotional and found it a gem to wake up to in the morning. i have a feeling that lewis is someone i'd like to just sit and shoot the breeze with. someone i would have liked to have known as a friend.

[Tim Baumgartner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminds me of a fruit salad--my taste buds are enhanced through the variety of fruit that is included. C.S. Lewis' "Readings for Meditation and Reflection" is just that in literary form--a collection of the highlights of his major works. They are all in 'bite-sized' form and can be read daily as a devotional to activate the title. This book includes excerpts from Mere Christianity, The Problem of Pain, Miracles, The Screwtape Letters, The Four Loves, The Great Divorce, Letters to Malcolm, etc. Well, don't just take my word for it, get to reading!!!

[Rachel | All the RAD Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's no secret I love C.S. Lewis. I grabbed this one to get to the free shipping amount on Amazon (no shame) but it didn't blow me away, considering how it was all excerpts from other books he's written. I always think I'm going to like books like this, and I do in the sense that it's quick and easy to read a chunk over breakfast or on the go, but I really just love getting into the full books instead and getting the complete context. If you want a taste of Lewis and his writings broken down more by topic, this is a great place to start!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far this book is really great. It just gives small passages from CS Lewis' works. It is a nice way to hear about Christianity. He has a really great way of getting a point across simply and poignantly. I would highly recommend it. Not hard to get through. A pretty quick read. I already feel like I want/should read it again and highlight.

I think I will be reading this again. I still think about some passages after the fact. I think that's a good sign.

[Pat]

I hold dual citizenship in Narnia. Another anthology. I haven't touched these books for a long time. Reading CSL introduced me to lots of beautiful ideas and works and hard questions. Most of all to the possibility that I was wrong about God. I'll read this stuff again one day, after some distance and learning.

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's little snippets of thought from C.S. Lewis other works. After reading each one I had to smile and let all the great points seep into my pores. Would recommend it to any Christian. :) It was a joy to read. This was one wise man.

[Mark Nenadov · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable read. It's basically a collection of short excerpted essays from a pretty good cross-section of Lewis' work. Apart from actually having to read the 13 or so books represented here, this is probably a good way to benefit from (and get the basic drift of) the thought of C.S. Lewis.

[Larissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend it!

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trying to read just one or two each night to make it last, but the selections are too compelling . . .

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing words CS Lewis has. Reading this while I am at camp for the summer. The Truth leaks into Lewis' writing. Its a great devotional to have. Anything by him is.

[Debby Kean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've just finished reading this for the 3rd time. It's extremely valuable for reminding me of things I ought to know, and letting me see others clearly and from a new point of view.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational and thoughtful reflections! Great way to begin or end your day.

[Julie Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book compiles some of the greatest musings of C.S. Lewis. If you are a spiritual person like me, you will like it. He's deep and challenging and he always grows my brain. :)

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A "greatest hits" of some of Lewis' most profound thoughts put together topically in bite-sized one-to-two paged chunks. Highly recommended.