Comments on: Summer Reads http://ylcf.org/2009/08/summer-reads/ YLCF Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:52:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Proper Introductions: Rumer Godden « Lanier's Books http://ylcf.org/2009/08/summer-reads/#comment-12219 Proper Introductions: Rumer Godden « Lanier's Books Tue, 05 Oct 2010 17:50:24 +0000 http://ylcf.org/?p=3898#comment-12219 [...] In This House of Brede is personally one of my very favorite books. Here’s an excerpt from a review I wrote of it for YLCF: [...] [...] In This House of Brede is personally one of my very favorite books. Here’s an excerpt from a review I wrote of it for YLCF: [...]

]]> By: jodi lenz http://ylcf.org/2009/08/summer-reads/#comment-9817 jodi lenz Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:02:53 +0000 http://ylcf.org/?p=3898#comment-9817 "Smoke on the Mountain" by Joy Davidman “Smoke on the Mountain” by Joy Davidman

]]> By: Kendra B. http://ylcf.org/2009/08/summer-reads/#comment-9783 Kendra B. Sat, 29 Aug 2009 02:56:11 +0000 http://ylcf.org/?p=3898#comment-9783 My husband and I have been reading out loud to each other the first three books of the Chronicles of Narnia series. We are now onto Prince Caspian and enjoying it very much. It is a great, relaxing way to spend time together, and I think C.S. Lewis's books are beautifully written. I'm majoring in Art Education right now at my university, so naturally Madeline L'Engle's "Walking on Water" looks like a very interesting read! I'll have to pick it up sometime. My husband and I have been reading out loud to each other the first three books of the Chronicles of Narnia series. We are now onto Prince Caspian and enjoying it very much. It is a great, relaxing way to spend time together, and I think C.S. Lewis’s books are beautifully written.

I’m majoring in Art Education right now at my university, so naturally Madeline L’Engle’s “Walking on Water” looks like a very interesting read! I’ll have to pick it up sometime.

]]> By: Lisa http://ylcf.org/2009/08/summer-reads/#comment-9772 Lisa Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:22:41 +0000 http://ylcf.org/?p=3898#comment-9772 Thank you so much for the list! I really appreciate it. :) Thank you so much for the list! I really appreciate it. :)

]]> By: Jen http://ylcf.org/2009/08/summer-reads/#comment-9768 Jen Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:39:46 +0000 http://ylcf.org/?p=3898#comment-9768 I've been on a Russian literature kick. :) I just read Anna Karenina, by Tolstoy, and now I'm in the middle of The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoyevsky. Very different from my normal reading pattern! (I love Elizabeth Goudge as well). In both stories, the (numerous) characters are forced to live with the consequences of their own choices, with many of them being poor choices. Anna Karenina, particularly, was a page turner as well as sometimes hard to read because of sheer frustration with how she was throwing everything away for a short term passion. Sad. I’ve been on a Russian literature kick. :) I just read Anna Karenina, by Tolstoy, and now I’m in the middle of The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoyevsky. Very different from my normal reading pattern! (I love Elizabeth Goudge as well). In both stories, the (numerous) characters are forced to live with the consequences of their own choices, with many of them being poor choices. Anna Karenina, particularly, was a page turner as well as sometimes hard to read because of sheer frustration with how she was throwing everything away for a short term passion. Sad.

]]> By: Ashley http://ylcf.org/2009/08/summer-reads/#comment-9767 Ashley Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:57:39 +0000 http://ylcf.org/?p=3898#comment-9767 Ahh, Victorian Literature. It is my great weakness. In fact, that was one of the reasons that I chose to read the Southern lit books this summer, so that I could expand my horizons. There are so many great novels from this period, but here are some of my favorites: -Anything by Charles Dickens, but "Bleak House" is my favorite so far. -"North & South" by Elizabeth Gaskell (check out the BBC adaptation as well). -"Kidnapped" and "The Strange Case of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson. -"The Moonstone" by Wilkie Collins -"The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" by Anne Bronte -"Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte -Any Sherlock Holmes story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Other works that I want to read but haven't made it to yet: -"Villette" by Charlotte Bronte -"Daniel Deronda" by George Elliot -"The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde -"Lorna Doone" by R. D. Blackmoore Soo many books and soo little time! BTW, I think that your idea for a Victorian lit survey is great! Ahh, Victorian Literature. It is my great weakness. In fact, that was one of the reasons that I chose to read the Southern lit books this summer, so that I could expand my horizons. There are so many great novels from this period, but here are some of my favorites:

-Anything by Charles Dickens, but “Bleak House” is my favorite so far.
-”North & South” by Elizabeth Gaskell (check out the BBC adaptation as well).
-”Kidnapped” and “The Strange Case of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson.
-”The Moonstone” by Wilkie Collins
-”The Tenant of Wildfell Hall” by Anne Bronte
-”Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte
-Any Sherlock Holmes story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Other works that I want to read but haven’t made it to yet:

-”Villette” by Charlotte Bronte
-”Daniel Deronda” by George Elliot
-”The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde
-”Lorna Doone” by R. D. Blackmoore

Soo many books and soo little time! BTW, I think that your idea for a Victorian lit survey is great!

]]> By: Lisa http://ylcf.org/2009/08/summer-reads/#comment-9766 Lisa Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:40:47 +0000 http://ylcf.org/?p=3898#comment-9766 Wow, what cool literary ambitions! That survey of southern literature sounds fabulous. I've only read To Kill a Mockingbird, from those, but I'd love to read more. My current literary adventure is an attempt at a survey of Victorian literature; I have this crazy idea that I'll write a historical novel. I'm praying that I will be able to do it! Anyway, I'm trying to read Victorian literature as research, because I'd like to play with its themes and forms in my hypothetical novel. Do you have any Victorian novels to recommend? Wow, what cool literary ambitions! That survey of southern literature sounds fabulous. I’ve only read To Kill a Mockingbird, from those, but I’d love to read more. My current literary adventure is an attempt at a survey of Victorian literature; I have this crazy idea that I’ll write a historical novel. I’m praying that I will be able to do it! Anyway, I’m trying to read Victorian literature as research, because I’d like to play with its themes and forms in my hypothetical novel. Do you have any Victorian novels to recommend?

]]> By: Ashley http://ylcf.org/2009/08/summer-reads/#comment-9765 Ashley Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:57:34 +0000 http://ylcf.org/?p=3898#comment-9765 "Jane Eyre" is my most favorite book. I agree that it might be more of a winter book, but I'll pick it up anytime of the year. "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" is also a favorite. I usually give myself a challenge for my summer reading. Last year, my goal was to read "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This year, I chose to focus on Southern literature and my reading list comprised of the following: "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee "Everything That Rises Must Converge" by Flannery O'Connor "The Moviegoer" by Walker Percy "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell "As I Lay Dying" by William Faulkner Now that my challenge is over, I'm spending the rest of the summer reading "Freckles" by Gene Stratton Porter and "Captain Blood" by Rafael Sabatini. “Jane Eyre” is my most favorite book. I agree that it might be more of a winter book, but I’ll pick it up anytime of the year. “The Witch of Blackbird Pond” is also a favorite.

I usually give myself a challenge for my summer reading. Last year, my goal was to read “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This year, I chose to focus on Southern literature and my reading list comprised of the following:

“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee
“Everything That Rises Must Converge” by Flannery O’Connor
“The Moviegoer” by Walker Percy
“Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell
“As I Lay Dying” by William Faulkner

Now that my challenge is over, I’m spending the rest of the summer reading “Freckles” by Gene Stratton Porter and “Captain Blood” by Rafael Sabatini.

]]> By: Samantha R. http://ylcf.org/2009/08/summer-reads/#comment-9763 Samantha R. Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:34:39 +0000 http://ylcf.org/?p=3898#comment-9763 I loved reading about what you're reading, Lanier!! ;) This summer, I haven't read much other than various books in the Bible but I have slowly been through 2 good reads: "The Shepherd of the Hills" by Harold Bell Wright and "Ruby Among Us" by Tina Ann Forkner. Both are very thought provoking and in some ways, "deep" books. I'd recommend both though the latter is probably not suited for anyone under age 16. <b>Review on "Shepherd of the Hills" </b> "Harold Bell Wright was truly one of America's master writers of the early twentieth century. His books have sold millions of copies. He possessed an amazing ability to capture a slice of memorable history, to introduce unforgettable characters, and through it all to weave meaningful truth and spiritual significance. The Shepherd of the Hills is the classic story of the stranger who takes the Old Trail deep into the Ozark mountains, many miles from civilization. His appearance signals intellect and culture, yet his countenance is marked by grief and disappointment. He is a man with a mission, yet one which no one understands. What is his purpose in taking on the lowly work of tending local sheep? And how is it that he befriends these simple hill folk, despite his coming from the world beyond the ridges? Mystery and romance envelop this gentle yet compelling story as the identity and purpose of the strange-turned-shepherd is gradually unveiled." <b>Review on Ruby Among Us: </b> "Lucy DiCamillo is safely surrounded by her books, music, and art -- but none of these reclusive comforts or even the protective efforts of her grandmother, Kitty, can shield her thoughts from the mother she can barely recall. Lucy senses her grandmother holds the key, but Kitty seems as eager to hide the past as Lucy is eager to find it. From the streets of San Francisco and Sacramento to the lush vineyards of the Sonoma Valley, Lucy follows the thread of memory in search of a heritage that seems long-buried with her mother, Ruby. What she finds is as enigmatic and stirring as it is startling in this redemptive tale about the power of faith and mother-daughter love." I loved reading about what you’re reading, Lanier!! ;)
This summer, I haven’t read much other than various books in the Bible but I have slowly been through 2 good reads: “The Shepherd of the Hills” by Harold Bell Wright and “Ruby Among Us” by Tina Ann Forkner.

Both are very thought provoking and in some ways, “deep” books.
I’d recommend both though the latter is probably not suited for anyone under age 16.

Review on “Shepherd of the Hills”

“Harold Bell Wright was truly one of America’s master writers of the early twentieth century. His books have sold millions of copies. He possessed an amazing ability to capture a slice of memorable history, to introduce unforgettable characters, and through it all to weave meaningful truth and spiritual significance.

The Shepherd of the Hills is the classic story of the stranger who takes the Old Trail deep into the Ozark mountains, many miles from civilization. His appearance signals intellect and culture, yet his countenance is marked by grief and disappointment. He is a man with a mission, yet one which no one understands. What is his purpose in taking on the lowly work of tending local sheep? And how is it that he befriends these simple hill folk, despite his coming from the world beyond the ridges?

Mystery and romance envelop this gentle yet compelling story as the identity and purpose of the strange-turned-shepherd is gradually unveiled.”

Review on Ruby Among Us:

“Lucy DiCamillo is safely surrounded by her books, music, and art — but none of these reclusive comforts or even the protective efforts of her grandmother, Kitty, can shield her thoughts from the mother she can barely recall. Lucy senses her grandmother holds the key, but Kitty seems as eager to hide the past as Lucy is eager to find it.

From the streets of San Francisco and Sacramento to the lush vineyards of the Sonoma Valley, Lucy follows the thread of memory in search of a heritage that seems long-buried with her mother, Ruby.

What she finds is as enigmatic and stirring as it is startling in this redemptive tale about the power of faith and mother-daughter love.”

]]> By: Suzanne England http://ylcf.org/2009/08/summer-reads/#comment-9762 Suzanne England Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:54:39 +0000 http://ylcf.org/?p=3898#comment-9762 My husband and I are reading Wisdom of the Last Farmer by David Mas Masumoto. It is about an organci family orchard in Central California. Both of us can relate to the feelings of working and being as one with the land since we are ranchers. It is wonderful to have book recommendations to plan for future winter and summer reading! My husband and I are reading Wisdom of the Last Farmer by David Mas Masumoto.
It is about an organci family orchard in Central California. Both of us can relate to the feelings of working and being as one with the land since we are ranchers.
It is wonderful to have book recommendations to plan for future winter and summer reading!

]]> By: Rachelle http://ylcf.org/2009/08/summer-reads/#comment-9761 Rachelle Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:10:58 +0000 http://ylcf.org/?p=3898#comment-9761 I also like to pick books that someone I trust has read first! Thank you, Lanier, for these reviews! I just ordered two of them off of PaperbackSwap and can't wait to read them! I also like to pick books that someone I trust has read first! Thank you, Lanier, for these reviews! I just ordered two of them off of PaperbackSwap and can’t wait to read them!

]]> By: Lisa http://ylcf.org/2009/08/summer-reads/#comment-9760 Lisa Tue, 25 Aug 2009 01:42:17 +0000 http://ylcf.org/?p=3898#comment-9760 Thank you, Sarah! It really is special. We started reading aloud about a year ago, when we were timid and a little shy about it. Now, we do all the voices! We do plan to read the whole series, and we get all our books from the library. That book you recommended sounds like just the thing I would love! Anyway, I would recommend reading aloud with a husband or with a husband and children...we like it so much we plan on doing it for the rest of our lives! Thank you, Sarah! It really is special. We started reading aloud about a year ago, when we were timid and a little shy about it. Now, we do all the voices! We do plan to read the whole series, and we get all our books from the library. That book you recommended sounds like just the thing I would love! Anyway, I would recommend reading aloud with a husband or with a husband and children…we like it so much we plan on doing it for the rest of our lives!

]]> By: Sarah http://ylcf.org/2009/08/summer-reads/#comment-9759 Sarah Tue, 25 Aug 2009 01:05:23 +0000 http://ylcf.org/?p=3898#comment-9759 Lanier, I love how you described some books as "winter" books and some as "summer". That is so true! I too, met dear Mr. and Mrs. Boffin and John and Bella for the first time last winter! Thanks for sharing your reading list. I nearly always pick my books based on someone else's recommendations! Lanier, I love how you described some books as “winter” books and some as “summer”. That is so true! I too, met dear Mr. and Mrs. Boffin and John and Bella for the first time last winter! Thanks for sharing your reading list. I nearly always pick my books based on someone else’s recommendations!

]]> By: Sarah http://ylcf.org/2009/08/summer-reads/#comment-9758 Sarah Tue, 25 Aug 2009 01:03:16 +0000 http://ylcf.org/?p=3898#comment-9758 I think it must be so special to read with a husband! It is so wonderful you are taking the time to do it! I grew up on the Little House books and re-read them every few years. It is interesting how I relate to specific books in the series depending on what season of life I'm in. Be sure to read the entire series! Then, check your local library for books about the real Laura and her family...one of my favorites is the Laura's Album: A Remembrance Scrapbook of Laura Ingalls Wilder. It has so many gorgeous photos and artifacts. I think it must be so special to read with a husband! It is so wonderful you are taking the time to do it! I grew up on the Little House books and re-read them every few years. It is interesting how I relate to specific books in the series depending on what season of life I’m in. Be sure to read the entire series! Then, check your local library for books about the real Laura and her family…one of my favorites is the Laura’s Album: A Remembrance Scrapbook of Laura Ingalls Wilder. It has so many gorgeous photos and artifacts.

]]> By: Grace http://ylcf.org/2009/08/summer-reads/#comment-9757 Grace Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:52:53 +0000 http://ylcf.org/?p=3898#comment-9757 Lanier, You may be interested to know (or perhaps even you already do!) that the BBC produced a wonderful televised adaptation of Lark Rise to Candleford earlier this year. It was extremely popular here in the UK, and would be well worth trying to source in US. Lanier,

You may be interested to know (or perhaps even you already do!) that the BBC produced a wonderful televised adaptation of Lark Rise to Candleford earlier this year. It was extremely popular here in the UK, and would be well worth trying to source in US.

]]> By: Clarissa http://ylcf.org/2009/08/summer-reads/#comment-9756 Clarissa Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:52:39 +0000 http://ylcf.org/?p=3898#comment-9756 I just finished reading The Two Towers and The Return of the King, the last two books in the Lord of the Rings Triolgy. They are so much better then The Fellowship of the Ring. I am reading Love as a Way of Life right now and I am being very challenged, especially when I think that I am doing God in one area and I am not. I just finished reading The Two Towers and The Return of the King, the last two books in the Lord of the Rings Triolgy. They are so much better then The Fellowship of the Ring. I am reading Love as a Way of Life right now and I am being very challenged, especially when I think that I am doing God in one area and I am not.

]]> By: Ruth Wiechmann http://ylcf.org/2009/08/summer-reads/#comment-9755 Ruth Wiechmann Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:02:20 +0000 http://ylcf.org/?p=3898#comment-9755 In between my garden and my milk cows, my three children and my husband, I am picking my way through "Golden Fleece," by Hughie Call. Mingled with the stories of a "Tenderfoot" sheep rancher's wife in Montana are truths about being that best of helpmeets to her husband, and good neighbor to her community. It's definitely better "summer fare" than the Three Musketeers series that my husband and I read over the course of about a year---and yes, we did read it ALL:-)---a book to make you laugh, especially if you are at all familiar with sheep, but also a book that has reminded me of the role I cherish as helpmeet to my own husband. In between my garden and my milk cows, my three children and my husband, I am picking my way through “Golden Fleece,” by Hughie Call. Mingled with the stories of a “Tenderfoot” sheep rancher’s wife in Montana are truths about being that best of helpmeets to her husband, and good neighbor to her community. It’s definitely better “summer fare” than the Three Musketeers series that my husband and I read over the course of about a year—and yes, we did read it ALL:-)—a book to make you laugh, especially if you are at all familiar with sheep, but also a book that has reminded me of the role I cherish as helpmeet to my own husband.

]]> By: Chantel http://ylcf.org/2009/08/summer-reads/#comment-9754 Chantel Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:27:28 +0000 http://ylcf.org/?p=3898#comment-9754 I, too, just finished re-reading Little Women and once again was inspired and humbled through it. Watch for more on it here at some point! :) I, too, just finished re-reading Little Women and once again was inspired and humbled through it. Watch for more on it here at some point! :)

]]> By: Lisa http://ylcf.org/2009/08/summer-reads/#comment-9753 Lisa Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:20:28 +0000 http://ylcf.org/?p=3898#comment-9753 Little Women is my favorite book! One of the reasons it is my favorite is because every time I read the book (which is many, many times) I get something different out of it. As a spirited, young, attention-loving youngest daughter, I related most to Amy. Now, as a young woman learning how to be a good wife, I find that I relate most to Meg! I recognize just about every passage...reading it is like being home. Little Women is my favorite book! One of the reasons it is my favorite is because every time I read the book (which is many, many times) I get something different out of it. As a spirited, young, attention-loving youngest daughter, I related most to Amy. Now, as a young woman learning how to be a good wife, I find that I relate most to Meg! I recognize just about every passage…reading it is like being home.

]]> By: Lisa http://ylcf.org/2009/08/summer-reads/#comment-9752 Lisa Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:18:07 +0000 http://ylcf.org/?p=3898#comment-9752 I am currently reading two wonderful books: Little House in the Big Woods, and Jane Eyre. The former I am reading with my husband, and the latter I am reading alone. I haven't read Little House in the Big Woods since I was little, and my husband has never read it. We love it! It is giving us so many ideas for the life we want to create for our own family. As for Jane Eyre, it really might be more of a winter book...but perhaps, it being summer, the unrelenting tragedies of Jane's young life don't bog me down as I imagine they might in winter. I love it dearly so far; it is a book I can read anywhere. Some books, if I read them in a place with noise and distractions, it's all I can do to concentrate on it; but with this book, I get so engrossed that it seems there is nothing that can distract me. My husband and I also just finished reading The Witch of Blackbird Pond, which is so excellent. I am currently reading two wonderful books: Little House in the Big Woods, and Jane Eyre. The former I am reading with my husband, and the latter I am reading alone. I haven’t read Little House in the Big Woods since I was little, and my husband has never read it. We love it! It is giving us so many ideas for the life we want to create for our own family. As for Jane Eyre, it really might be more of a winter book…but perhaps, it being summer, the unrelenting tragedies of Jane’s young life don’t bog me down as I imagine they might in winter. I love it dearly so far; it is a book I can read anywhere. Some books, if I read them in a place with noise and distractions, it’s all I can do to concentrate on it; but with this book, I get so engrossed that it seems there is nothing that can distract me. My husband and I also just finished reading The Witch of Blackbird Pond, which is so excellent.

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