May 10, 2006 – Recent Reads March 17, 2008

Per my oldest’s recommendation, I read Stormy, Misty’s Foal. To be honest, I have never really been into horse books, but she is, so I picked it up. I could not put it down. It is an excellent story of the people of Assateague, and the horses of Chincoteague, and how they survive a devastating storm. The descriptions are rich, the characters engaging, and the conflict gripping. I especially enjoyed the many references to God in the book as the One who cares and comforts.

 

The other book I read was The Tale of Despereaux. It is a classic “once upon a time” tale with some great twists-the very unlikely hero is a mouse. The author frequently addresses the “dear reader” with an insight. This is currently the book I am reading aloud to the kids. Normally, if I choose a book that is engaging to my older two (9 and 7), the chapters are a bit too long and the plot a bit too complex for my 5 year old. This book has short chapters, and all three kids are absolutely hooked.

 

What have you been reading recently?

My Top Ten – 9/11/2005 March 17, 2008

Tonight on the Well Trained Mind forum MFS posted a fascinating challenge: In short, can you prepare a list of books that actually says something about you? I have been thinking about this challenge all night. What books actually helped to shape me? It has been so fun to read other’s lists at the forum. I see so many familiar friends, and so many books I have never even heard of before. Soooo….here is my list-in no particular order!

 

1. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery – the whole series

2. The Secret Garden and A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

3. Heidi by Johanna Spyri

4. Little Women/Little Men/Jo’s Boys by Louisa May Alcott

5. The Bible

6. The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

7. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

8. Emma by Jane Austen

9. The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner

10. Out of Africa by Isak Dineson

 

It brings back so many memories to read through this list-lonely Mary Lennox, imaginative Anne, tender Heidi, brave and selfless Aslan. All these characters have sparked something in me-made me want to be more than I was, to be less selfish, to imagine more, to be brave.

 

Thanks, MFS, for such a great assignment!