Let's Bust a Recap : Present Concerns

And speaking of our favourite 20th century Brits (which we were on Tuesday, in case you missed it) let's talk about our C.S. Lewis selection for 2022. 

C.S. Lewis gets an automatic slot on my book list every single year. Last year, I didn't really make much of a list and decided to let my whims guide my reading. And horror of horrors, I didn't end up reading anything by C.S. Lewis. And his literary presence was sorely missed. 

But this year, we're back on track and I read this collection of essays that was published posthumously in 1986. 

(Sidebar: I've gotten in the habit of photographing my C.S. Lewis books with a hot beverage because it just seems appropriate, and I thought it was very clever—and aesthetically pleasing in this particular instance—to photograph Present Concerns with a cuppa from Starbucks. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?)

Anyway, moving on. Present Concerns includes nineteen essays that reveal his thoughts about democratic values, threats to educational and spiritual fulfillment, literary censorship, and more, demonstrating Lewis' wide range of interests and his absolute mastery in conveying his thoughts through the written word. These essays were originally published in various newspapers, magazines, and books between the years 1940 and 1962, and were compiled and introduced in this book by Walter Hooper. I couldn't have chosen a more fitting title for this collection. Though the topics Lewis discusses in these essays were obviously timely for their original audience, they were just as relevant in 1986 when this slim volume was published and continue in their applicability today. 

As is always the case, I was once again impressed with Lewis' ability to communicate his thoughts in the simplest language even while articulating some of the most profound ideas I've ever read. The man was just so dang smart and I always feel like such a dunce when I'm recapping his books because my sentences seem so lame in comparison. Of the nineteen essays included in Present Concerns, there were only two that I wouldn't wholeheartedly recommend: "The Empty Universe" (while I had a vague grasp on his main point, this one was just a bit over my head) and "Interim Report" (which was an article for The Cambridge Review comparing Oxford and Cambridge, neither of which I have much firsthand knowledge of). Two of the essays that particularly stood out to me were "Three Kinds of Men" (in which I felt like old Jack proceeded to kick me in the gut, but then followed up with a pat on the back and a, "No worries, chap, I'm in the same boat as you.") and "Talking About Bicycles" (mind blown; just read it). 

All in all, another triumph from one of my all-time favorite authors. I really appreciate the people like Walter Hooper who took it upon themselves to compile these essays into books because they're turning out to be some of my favorite of Lewis' work. I saved a few quotes from this one that I'm sure I'll share on here someday. In the meantime, what C.S. Lewis book should go on next year's book list?

Let's Bust a Recap : The Inimitable Jeeves

Ah, yes, I've finally been properly introduced to Bertie and Jeeves—two of P.G. Wodehouse's most popular characters—and it was a hoot. Due to the fact that Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse was one of the most widely read humorists of the 20th century and I pride myself on being a bookworm, I was aware of his work. But I'd be lying if I didn't credit Rory Gilmore with being one of the motivating factors for adding Wodehouse to my LIFE LIST. Now, I'm not one of these Gilmore Girls diehards that have decided to read every single book mentioned or seen on the show (lists have been compiled), but I watch the show often enough that every time I hear Rory telling Richard during her sophomore year at Yale that she's "very into Wodehouse right now", I mentally remind myself that I really need to get around to Wodehouse myself sooner or later.

Well, 2022 was the year I finally got around to him, and now he'll be popping up on my book lists for the next twelve years, because I have added ALL the Wooster and Jeeves books to my library and this first foray into his work provided a side-splitting good time. This first installment—well, I guess technically the second installment, but I don't want to get into all that right now—was published in full in 1923, but it pulls together short stories that were published between 1918 and 1922 so all things considered, I ended up reading this barrel of laughs right as it's coming up on its 100th anniversary of entertaining readers. 

In The Inimitable Jeeves we are introduced to our fashionable young Londoner and indolently wealthy Bertie Wooster and his all-knowing valet Jeeves. Throughout the course of the novel which is actually just a series of short stories strung together, Bertie gets roped into helping his hopelessly romantic friend Bingo Little who can't help falling in love with every girl he sees. And when I say Bertie gets roped into helping Bingo, I ultimately mean Jeeves gets roped into helping them both, because Bertie cannot possibly function without Jeeves' always correct advice, and when he attempts to solve a problem on his own, he inevitably makes the situation worse and needs Jeeves to fix it anyway. 

And it's hilarious. I literally laughed out loud at some point during every single episode Bertie found himself in, and my very favorite bits were Jeeves' insistence about Bertie's proper attire and Bertie's equal stubbornness over wanting to wear the most ridiculous things. Which always resulted in the inescapable result of Jeeves being right and Bertie getting rid of the article in question. They're a riot.

As my sister-in-law Caroline would say (and once again, she has endorsed an absolute winner), Wodehouse's books are the perfect literary palate cleanser, and you can be sure the next volume in my collection—Carry On, Jeeves—will be on next year's book list.  Definitely would recommend a Wodehouse for anyone who needs a laugh. 

Have you read anything by P.G. Wodehouse?