One of the perils of Christmas shopping is that, inevitably, I find myself staring blankly at the shelves, wondering what friends and loved ones might like to receive on a quiet winter morning, and cataloguing a dozen or so items that I wouldn't mind finding under the tree for myself.
It happened again today. And I should have known better. I should never have gone into a bookstore; I remain the only person in my family who likes to read.
But there it was. A J Jacobs has produced a memoir called The Year of Living Biblically, a chronicle of the months he spent trying to take every rule and regulation he could find in the pages of Scripture (from not stealing to not wearing clothes of mixed fibers) -- literally.
It was calling my name.
I'm not sure if "Thou shalt not buy for thyself in the Christmas season" is actually in there, but I'm pretty sure I broke something walking out with my new purchase. Regardless, I'm looking forward to seeing what Jacobs' encounter with Biblical literalism produces. For a couple of reasons.
(1) Applicability of Scott's "Hermeneutics of Hospitality" course from Spring Semester senior year -- I wonder if Jacobs found the "No interpretation necessary!" version for his project.
(2) This guy's last project was to read the Encyclopedia Britannica in its entirety and write a memoir about it. I admire without question a person who can launch a full-immersion intellectual project like that JUST SO HE CAN FIND OUT WHAT IT WILL DO TO HIM.
(3) The first page is a montage of photos chronicling that year's untamed beard growth.
Wish me luck.
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