In case you haven't noticed, I have a book list on the bottom right side of my blog. I'm forever searching for new and wonderful books to read, so if you have any recommendations, I would love to add them to my list! I won't say this is a "rule," but what I've found to be my preference is this: I mostly enjoy books that are set in either another time or another place. I love historical fiction, or something foreign, a witty story, or something uplifting. Present day America is where I live, so I'd rather not read about it... and I certainly don't enjoy clouding my mind with talk of murder, divorce, or anything like that. My most recent book added to the "books I've read lately" list is "I Capture the Castle" by Dodie Smith. It's about a quirky family who lives in an old ruined castle in England during the 1930's. It is so beautifully written... I had the hardest time putting it down. There's also a movie based on the book, but it's not nearly as good... are they ever?
I'm currently taking a break from my book list (which, by the way, I never follow in order... I just see what I can find at the library!) and I'm re-reading one of my all-time favorite books, "A Severe Mercy" by Sheldon Vanauken. I first read this book back in 2005. One of my friends had found it at a thrift store for 50 cents and was compelled to pick it up since it mentioned on the cover, "with 18 letters by C.S. Lewis." She read the book and was so excited about it, and I remember her saying, "Shannon, you HAVE to read this!" I can't even begin to describe all of the reasons that I love this book. There's the love story (which is amazing), the traveling (which is something right out of my dreams), the time spent at Oxford (a place that I visited briefly and loved, and the way he describes it sounds like Heaven, and reminds me ever so slightly of Clemson!), the C.S. Lewis letters (makes me want to read more of his books), and finally the description of how he decided to become a Christian. It's just a wonderful book that makes me think about so many things and I'm really surprised that it took me 5 years to pick it up again. Just yesterday I read this line from the book (how ironic!)... Van (the main character) is talking about a conversation he had with C.S. Lewis: "Re-reading books, we said with immense agreement, was the mark of the real lover of books!"
2 comments:
Shay - I love how much you love to read and that we share that between the two of us. I can't remember if we ever talked about it - did you get the books I sent you earlier this summer?
Hunt gave me a Kindle as my wedding gift since he knows I usually take 5 books or so on trips. :) He gave it to me before I packed thankfully! I have been reading like a maniac thanks to how easy it is to take along.
I just finished "The Little Stranger." Set in post-WWII England - and is definitely a thrilling story. Though read when Eric is not away. I read late into the night one night that Hunt was in the hospital and got spooked.
I've just started Power of a Praying Wife and Fannie Flagg's latest book.
Did you ever read "The Help?"
I'll check out your list for some new suggestions!
Hey Shannon, I love that you have read a couple of the AMS books lately. I just love his writing so very much. Wasn't Little Bee just fabulous? And Sarah's Key was a great story as well! I'm on the library hold list to get the latest one from Tatiana de Rosnay, can't remember the name of it. Yes, like Melissa said, you have to read The Help! It's one of my favorites. I want to read the book you are re-reading, you made it sound so good. I'm glad I came to your blog to catch up tonight! Love ya, Ginger
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