Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Just a little more book talk

My head does not like the weather extremes this time of year.  The high on Sunday was 54 and today we barely made it out of the teens.  Christopher had a terrible time driving home last night.  We were vey relieved to see the headlights of the Nissan pulling into the gravel lane close to Midnight.  He had already called us to say one of his best friends had totaled his car on his drive home.  There had not been a lot of snow but what was on the ground had continued to be blown across roads, creating black ice everywhere.

Thankfully, hubby is running much needed errands and stopping by the grocery store as I quickly write.  Thank God for the gift of my laptop, which is the only reason I can write as often as I do.  I am propped up on my living room sofa, soon to return to the fluffed up pillow.  I am very thankful that on such a head-achy kind of day, I can be warm and cozy.  Today was also my last antibiotic day, hallelujah!

Yes... I've been enjoying a January of Elizabeth Goudge (encouraged by my two younger friends mentioned in yesterday's post).  It has been fun as Stephanie has been reading some of the same books.  Although I'll write more about it soon, I must admit to being up until nearly 1:00 this morning reading The Dean's Watch.

Lanier, I can see why it is your mother's favorite.  What a book!  I cried at the end, not only due to the story but I was sorry to have the novel end... it has been a long time since I felt that way about a book.

I pulled my copy of Honey For a Women's Heart off the shelf of favorite books in my bedroom.  I wanted to read again what Gladys Hunt said about Goudge.  I am next reading Gentian Hill and should I have more time this month, I'll see if the library still has one of the other Goudge books I'm interested in reading.

At least for part of 2010, I am going back to that which worked for me long ago... reading at least a few books by one author each month.  I found it far better to really get into the mind of an author this way.  In February I plan to re-read a few of my favorite Edith Schaeffer books... I'll share more about that in a few days.

10 comments:

Vee said...

This is it. I am marching to the library and getting an inter-library loan for two of Goudge's books. I'm only allowed to request two books at a time this way. I'll have to do a reading marathon to get them back in the allotted time, but that'll be okay. You have a way of whetting my appetite...perhaps it was the "it has been a long time since I felt that way about a book."

Anonymous said...

I love your post on reading!! I am always very encouraged.
I really love Edith Schaeffer's Hidden Art of Homemaking. I must of read it 20 times!!
Have you ever read Mrs. Dunwoody's guide to excellent Housekeeping??
It is wrote in a journal style. I think you would enjoy it very much. Thank you for another great post.
Blessings,
Julie

myletterstoemily said...

me, too!

honey for a child's heart was a favorite of mine when my children were little. i have little check marks next to all of her recommendations.

didn't know she had one for me!

reading is my deepest passion, well after my
husband and children. :)

thank you for your leading...

feel better....

Sharon said...

Brenda:
I really appreciate all your lovely book recommendations.It gives me more to look for at our local library which is quite large!:)My husband does not have the same affection for books so is continually amazed at the number of folks he sees walking up and driving up to the library when we go there.LOL In his words"there are more people like me out there than he realized."LOL Blessings~Sharon

Heather L. said...

Always enjoy some good book talk. :) Must read some more goudge this year -- I have a few I've found cheap various places, including Gentian Hill.

Bonnie said...

Brenda,
I have never heard of Elizabeth Goudge before, but based on your recommendation, I went to Alibris and ordered four of her books from one seller. I usually use Amazon (through your widget), but no one seller had as many available - sorry. In any case, I thought to recommend two of my favorite authors to you. One is George MacDonald ("Wee Sir Gibbie of the Highlands" and many, many more) and anythng by Norah Lofts. She is an historic author and I have collected most of her books over the years. George MacDonald was C.S. Lewis's mentor and he is just the very best. I hope that you are familiar with these authors, but if not, you will have much to look forward to! Blessings to you, Bonnie

joyh82 said...

I hadn't heard of Honey For a Women's Heart I see we have at the library, thanks for the heads up! have a great week.

Emily said...

Dear Brenda,
I've had Honey for a Woman's Heart for years, and recently, after first making a list of her recommendations, gave it to a beloved cousin for Christmas.

I like your idea of focusing on a specific author for a month. We've done that with poets, artists, and composers. I have a question for you about Elizabeth Goudge's books, several of which I own but have yet to read. Is there a certain order in which they should be read? My daughter is about to start The Little White Horse which our library is holding for us.

Have a blessed day in the Lord!

Cheryl (Copper's Wife) said...

For all my love of trying to read from various categories every month, to force myself to keep my reading more broad, I've never thought of the idea of reading several titles from one author as a part of that. Hmmmmm.....have to think about that one! It would certainly be fun to have a "Schaeffer" category or "Tolkien" category for example. I'll certainly be pondering that!

Anonymous said...

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Awesome!!!!