Animal Farm by George Orwell My rating: 4 of 5 stars Library audio. I have a deep-abiding hatred for dystopian literature. It began with Brave New World in high school and has not left me. In fact, we were supposed to read this 2 years ago in our AmblesideOnline curriculum, but I wanted the kids…
When The Legends Die by Hal Borland My rating: 4 of 5 stars Own. I first read this book as a Freshman in High School, some 32 years or so ago. I always remembered that I liked it, and as I am following the Literary Life Podcast’s reading challenge of #20for2020 this year, and they…
For 2020 I wanted a verb that included the idea of “enthusiasm.” I toyed with using “enthuse,” but decided that it had too much … cynicism intrinsic in the very word itself. I want to be positive with enthusiasm; interested; participatory in a good way, interested with . As I thought more and more about…
Bright Evening Star: Mystery of the Incarnation by Madeleine L’Engle My rating: 4 of 5 stars “Oh, that Madeleine.” As a master storyteller herself, L’Engle helps the reader to view the gospels through a different lens – true story. How do we read stories that are common to us? L’Engle helps us turn the gemstone…
Thunder on the Right by Mary Stewart My rating: 4 of 5 stars There are poorly marked spoilers in this review: I enjoyed reading this on Kindle. Probably really a 3.5. I liked it but there are better Mary Stewart books out there. Great literature? No, but Stewart is talented enough to give us beautiful…
For Today… September 9, 2019 Outside my window… the night is starting to fall. I am thinking… about Education Philosophy, Anthropology, and Theology and how they fit together. I am thankful… for Kroger Pick-Up groceries. I was able to order and pick up the week’s groceries all in a single day. I am wearing… sweat pants…
Crampton Hodnet by Barbara Pym My rating: 3 of 5 stars I read this on Kindle. I enjoy Barbara Pym and I enjoyed this book … but even less than the usual for Pym happens in it. In many ways, the characters learn to be content with their lot, which is a great lesson in…
For Today… September 3, 2019 Outside my window… the sky is baby blue with streaks of white clouds. It’s lovely and cool, but will warm up later. I am thinking… I have a lot to do today! We have a big day tomorrow and I need to prep food today. I am thankful… for the…
Airs Above the Ground by Mary Stewart My rating: 4 of 5 stars Mary Stewart’s Gothic mysteries are always a treat. They’re literate – she throws in allusions with abandon – and eventually fast paced. I say eventually, because they build steam as she goes, often beginning somewhat slowly and not immediately “hooking” the reader…
Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More—Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist by Karen Swallow Prior My rating: 4 of 5 stars Own. I’ve long wanted to read this – I’ve had it for Kindle for a number of years, but just never could get moving on it. This winter I went ahead and bought all of…