I l read or reread at least one Lewis book a year but this volume was something a bit different, daily readings from many of his works. I have a frienI l read or reread at least one Lewis book a year but this volume was something a bit different, daily readings from many of his works. I have a friend who is working on a project to find all the quotes attributed to Lewis that he never wrote or said, at least in this selection you will find authentic Lewis with some of his best quotes. A very nice way to start out each morning. I generally have a devotional to read after my devotions in the morning and this served that purpose for me in 2018.
I am sure I will return to this in a couple of years. ...more
This is an expensive and beautiful book with rich color plates and a nice ribbon to keep your place. The paper is high quality and it is simply lovelyThis is an expensive and beautiful book with rich color plates and a nice ribbon to keep your place. The paper is high quality and it is simply lovely. The theme is much different from the usual Advent fare. In a sense it is about suffering. It is about the art of Advent and the church through the ages through the eyes of wounded men. Most of the artists represented in this book lost a child or a family member along the way. The book touches on the depth of sorrow and its manifestation in the art of Advent. It is a stark reminder that Christ was born into a real world full of suffering and longing and not a pretend romantic world. Perhaps that means this book is not for everyone, but if you do find yourself sometimes suffering with loss during the holiday season you will probably appreciate the depth and beauty of this volume. ...more
One of the best. From entering Narnia through a painting to Eustace Scrubb deserving his name, to the Island where dreams come true and Reepicheep theOne of the best. From entering Narnia through a painting to Eustace Scrubb deserving his name, to the Island where dreams come true and Reepicheep the brave (and annoying) mouse, this simple book is chockful of itself being the 'right kind of book' and then some....more
This was a free Audible Christmas offering with Richard Armitage and delightfully better than expected. Armitage not only has a melliflous voice himseThis was a free Audible Christmas offering with Richard Armitage and delightfully better than expected. Armitage not only has a melliflous voice himself, he does other voices even female voices without seeming ridiculous. The thing that heightened my attention was the ideas on educations which very much paralleled Charlotte Mason's ideas. It was so pronounced I looked up the author and found she was contemporary to Charlotte and also a mother of 6 along with being a stepmother. She is also the author of the famed Lady Audley's Secret which I vaguely remember reading....more
I did not expect to like this book as much as I did. Not knowing anything about it, I thought at first it was a NYC or NJ story and was surprised thatI did not expect to like this book as much as I did. Not knowing anything about it, I thought at first it was a NYC or NJ story and was surprised that it took place in Oklahoma. For some reason this made it more believable. Of course, it is dated but the themes are not. My twelve year old student was suspicious of the book at first but warmed to it greatly and I think we are both going to miss Ponyboy, Darry, and Soda Pop....more
This was a short, free Audible giveaway which I thoroughly enjoyed. It put a touching, realistic story to the well-known Christmas Eve episode of 1914This was a short, free Audible giveaway which I thoroughly enjoyed. It put a touching, realistic story to the well-known Christmas Eve episode of 1914. ...more
Our book club read this as a quick December read. Our other recent books had been pretty stiff reading. This was a delightful departure. Yes, Dickens Our book club read this as a quick December read. Our other recent books had been pretty stiff reading. This was a delightful departure. Yes, Dickens knows Christmas! ...more
Well written history of ancient times for young students. I love Hillyer's writing style but this stands up well to rereading too. Well written history of ancient times for young students. I love Hillyer's writing style but this stands up well to rereading too. ...more
This is a tremendously beautiful story. By the time it ends you feel like you know every single character. I hated to say goodbye to the Logans but I This is a tremendously beautiful story. By the time it ends you feel like you know every single character. I hated to say goodbye to the Logans but I am also afraid to read the other stories in case they are not as good. Truly important book which continually made me ask myself, "Would I have done that if I grew up in that culture?" It is a scary question....more
Long awaited entry in the Cormoran Strike series by JK Rowling. I am conflicted about this book. Rowling is a very good writer, obviously, but this boLong awaited entry in the Cormoran Strike series by JK Rowling. I am conflicted about this book. Rowling is a very good writer, obviously, but this book got off to a slow start and went on for a very long time. I was not really that interested in all the long Robin/Matthew drama. I knew where it was headed and while I suspect Rowling wanted us to understand things about these sorts of relationships, I really just wanted to get it over already. Still, I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next one. ...more
Hello, Harriet Vane. We don't know you very well yet, but we will.
I am not sure how many times I have read this but it was even more enjoyable this tHello, Harriet Vane. We don't know you very well yet, but we will.
I am not sure how many times I have read this but it was even more enjoyable this time because of my trip to England. I have now walked some of the streets mentions and could visualize it all so much better. As always I have the feeling that I am just not smart enough yet to get all the jokes and nods. But I got more this time around than last....more
Short but encouraging treatise on suffering for Christians
If you are walking through hard times, as many of us are at any given time, this book is likShort but encouraging treatise on suffering for Christians
If you are walking through hard times, as many of us are at any given time, this book is like having a friend hold your hand and walk beside you. It is a little book that will help us affirm,"It is good for me that I have been afflicted."...more
Finally! I read The Aeneid for the first time. I do think it is helpful to have read the Iliad and Odyssey first. I enjoyed the first part of this booFinally! I read The Aeneid for the first time. I do think it is helpful to have read the Iliad and Odyssey first. I enjoyed the first part of this book especially as it fills in those stories. I think Virgil does a fine job of imitating Homer, and I do not fault him for it, but in the end it is a little less epic, though generally easy to follow.
I will now try to get around to reading it in print rather than audio, using a different translation. I did enjoy Charlton Griffin's narration as always. ...more
Exactly the kind of book I love to read, well-written, no ridiculous (although some bad language) language or anachronisms, British, Spy novel, WWII, Exactly the kind of book I love to read, well-written, no ridiculous (although some bad language) language or anachronisms, British, Spy novel, WWII, BBC, it hits all my buttons. The audiobook narrator, Fenella Woolgar, is superb. I could listen to her all day long and did today!...more
This book was so badly written and so repetitive that I am struggling to believe anyone would like it and yet it has thousands of 5 star reviews even This book was so badly written and so repetitive that I am struggling to believe anyone would like it and yet it has thousands of 5 star reviews even among some of my favorite readers. The anachronisms were constantly jarring and the over use of words like ‘shriek’ and ‘adorable’ also grated. The pregnancy added nothing to the plot even though it took up huge portions of the narrative while the author continually called it ‘her little problem’. The seed for the story was compelling. The reading painful....more
This is the last of L'Engle's Crosswick Journals and it is both a fascinating and very sad look at her marriage (and his death) to Hugh Franklin. As IThis is the last of L'Engle's Crosswick Journals and it is both a fascinating and very sad look at her marriage (and his death) to Hugh Franklin. As I said with her book The Summer of the Great Grandmother, timing is everything. This book also helped me think of my own father's illness in light of his 58 year marriage to my mother. It is good to have books like this to walk us through these universal experiences, especially in a world where we have often disconnected ourselves from the past and the wisdom that comes with it....more
For me this is a 5-Star book but as it really doesn't stand alone, I will give it four stars. So many iconic, memorable scenes: Uncle Andrew and the aFor me this is a 5-Star book but as it really doesn't stand alone, I will give it four stars. So many iconic, memorable scenes: Uncle Andrew and the animals, Diggory ringing the bell, meeting Jadis for the first time and then Jadis in the tree soiled by the fruit, Diggory's terrible battle with hope and despair over the apple, the lovely creation of a beloved world, and the final amazing ending where it all comes together. It is so much fun to read this to a student and wait for the epiphanies. Remember not to steal them!
Mary C Morrison was in her 80s when she wrote this but it is sprinkled with her journal entries from earlier aspects of ageing too. I found that offerMary C Morrison was in her 80s when she wrote this but it is sprinkled with her journal entries from earlier aspects of ageing too. I found that offered helpful insights. As I stand in the batter's box of late middle age, this book offers me comfort and wisdom. I will return to this book again and again, I imagine....more
This is the third Crosswick Journal. It is a walk of thoughts through the church year. It some ways it is a departure from the first two, more abstracThis is the third Crosswick Journal. It is a walk of thoughts through the church year. It some ways it is a departure from the first two, more abstract, not quite as personal, but in other ways it is very, very personal. The book is scattered with Madeleine's poems. At times reading someone's own poetry seems embarrassing, as if they are probably not very good, but I found these poems to be mostly thoughtful and deep, and with excellent tempo.
I feel a great affinity and kindredness with Madeleine. I don't always agree with her conclusions but I find them well worth reading....more
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