What's On Your Nightstand - July

Another month is almost gone, but I had a great month of reading so I'm happy. Not only did I get quite a few books read, but I was able to listen to a pile of them. I found some time to catch up on my ironing (yes, I'm one of those) and I also did quite a bit of sewing which gives me a lot of time to listen. Plus I did quite a bit of traveling back and forth to work and two days of homeschool convention so I had some quality listening time. 

I didn't get one July's Nightstand's books finished, so I'm bringing it over to August. It is my only pick for August due to my family and I heading out to visit my parents. I'm only taking my Kindle and I'm pretty sure I won't get much read and that's okay!

For August:

From June's Nightstand I read:

• Things We Couldn't Say by Diet Eman - This is a amazing story of woman and her fiancee who helped rescue Jews in Holland during the Nazi occupation.
• Batting Rocks Over the Barn by Lawn Griffiths - Essays about farm life.

I also read:

• The Woman of the House by Alice Taylor - After reading Country Life by Alice Taylor last month I looked to see what else she had written. This is a first in a fiction series. Some language but I still found the story compelling.
• Across the River by Alice Taylor - The second in the series. A story about family, the land, and revenge. I'm still undecided about this book, but I find Mrs. Taylor can weave a good story.
• Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay - I believe everybody has read this. I ordered it from the library and it took me two months to get it, but I have to admit it was a fun read. A twist on Daddy Long Legs with a lot of Jane Austen thrown in.
• Laddie: A True Blue Story by Gene Stratton Porter - Even though this book is about Laddie and how he wins the love of the neighbor girl, I think my favorite character was "Little Sister". She really was the heart of the story. If you enjoy Grace Livingston Hill you will definitely enjoy Gene Stratton Porter.

I listened to:

• Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott - My kids listened to Ivanhoe last school year and I started to listen to it (my second time through), but I stopped since I didn't want to lose their spot. When I started up all my sewing I decided to find my spot and start it back up again. When I read this a few years ago I was disappointed that Ivanhoe doesn't end up with Rebecca, the Jewess, but this time through I realized that Scott doesn't even really allude to that in the story. This makes me wonder why I felt that way the the first time I listened to it. Maybe since I knew it wasn't going to happen I could be more subjective about it. Anyhow, I'm not sure, but this still is a fine read (or listen).
• The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis - It took me awhile to warm up to this story. One thing about The Chronicles of Narnia is the little truths that are mixed right into the story. Sometimes I can't even go find them to jot them down, but I find myself dwelling on the idea of them.
• The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis - When this story started off with an ape and I knew I was in trouble. This is a hard story to take. What I found really profound is how much this story describes the worldview of today. 
• The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - So I bit the bullet and listened to The Hobbit. I can't say I was very crazy about it though. Maybe if I had read the book I would like it more or may not. Who knows.
• Venetia by Georgette Heyer - This one was for pure pleasure. After finishing the The Last Battle I had to have something funny.

See what others have read over at 5 Minutes for Books.