Reading Journal 2020: January - March

 

Warning: This is a very long post. I have been very remiss in getting my reading journals this year so while I'm in quarantine I thought I would try to get caught up. January and February were very good months for reading while my reading life took a drastic drop in March. I think some of this was at first due to struggling to find something that was catching my interest and then at the end of the month I just had trouble focusing on anything including reading. Thankfully, I have been able to get past that. So here goes:

January:

• Magical Melons by Carol Ryrie Brink (read-aloud) - I read Caddie Woodlawn to my youngest in December and she wanted to read the sequel so I obliged. She really enjoyed this book. I don't think it's as outstanding as Caddie, but still a worthwhile read.
• Death Has Deep Roots by Michael Gilbert - This was a mystery set in World War II. I reminded me a little bit of Rumpole of the Bailey. It was a good read.
• Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor & Heather Webb - I'm still at a loss at why I even bothered to finish this book.
• Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (audio) - I read this along with The Literary Life Podcast.
• Peace Like a River by Leif Enger - I read this along with the Circe Close Reads Podcast. I have read Leif Enger's other two books, but had never read the first one. I have enjoyed everything I read by him, but I think this is his best.
• Venetia by Georgette Heyer (audio) - An old reliable read.
• Find Your Weigh by Shellie Bowdoin (audio) - Some great points in this book. I listened to it, but I need to actually read the book and jot down a few things.
• House of Dreams: The Life of L.M. Montgomery by Liz Rosenberg - I saw this recommended in a group I'm in and thought I'd give it a go. I know that Montgomery's life was nothing like her books and was pretty sad and could never muster up the courage to attempt to read about her. I thought maybe a book aimed for younger readers may make it an easier read. So here are a few thoughts--This is a lovely book. The artwork is very sweet and I think Rosenberg does a great job at presenting the material of Montgomery's sad life. That being said I wouldn't hand this book to my 12 year old or even to my 20 year old. They would be depressed and honestly I think this could turn younger readers off from reading Montgomery's books and that would be a tra gedy. I am truly of the opinion that beautifully written books don't require an extensive knowledge of an author's life to truly enjoy a story. Many author's had horrible lives yet in the midst of their pain they still produced something that was beautiful and lovely.
• M.O.M.--Master Organizer of Mayhem: Simple Solutions to Organize Chaos and Bring More Joy to Into Your Home by Kristi Clover (audio) - For me I didn't find much in this book that I haven't heard before. It does have rave reviews though so you may want to check it out.
• Mother Culture by Karen Andreola - This is a beautiful book for the homeschool mama even if she doesn't ascribe to the Charlotte Mason method.
• The Second World War: Milestones to Disaster by Winston Churchill (audio) - My son wanted to study World War II history so we are using his last two years of school being immersed in it. He read the book and I cheated and listened to the audio book. (This audio book goes along with the  Churchill's abridged edition of Churchill's six volume Second World War series which my son is reading since we didn't have enough time for six volumes.)
• Whatever Happened to Justice - Richard Maybury (read-aloud) - This is part of our government study that is pretty much an ongoing subject in our house. Honestly, this has been my favorite of all the Maybury books. He says to start with Whatever Happened to Penny Candy, but if you aren't used to his style he can be a little offsetting and Whatever Happened to Justice just seems a better starting point to me and helps you to understand his other books.
• When Less Becomes More:Making Space for Slow, Simple, and Good by Emily Ley (audio) - Okay, I get that social media is a problem. I think most of us would admit it, but does every book about simplicity and slow have to be about taking it out of your life (not permanently, but way less of it). Honestly, I'm not faulting the author because it obviously worked for her, but it seems like every book that has come out in the last 2-3 years had been the same message--"less technology, more _______" I think we all know we could use less technology and since everyone's message is the same obviously things aren't changing so it may be time to find a new message. The funny thing is as I write this review while I'm in quarantine due to COVID-19 there may be a new market for all these books since I'm most attempts at cutting back went out the window!

February:

• The Gown: A Novel of Royal Wedding by Jennifer Robson - I really enjoyed this read about the Queen's wedding dress and a story of friendship. One caveat: I didn't enjoy the page of a rape scene (which was probably comparatively mild) which only needed a paragraph. Why do authors think this is necessary. What if that scene was triggering to someone reading it? Head up authors, reader's do have imaginations we don't need everything in detail. I'm off my soap box.
• Laeticia Rodd and the Case of the Wandering Scholar by Kate Saunders - A cozy mystery that I enjoyed.
• The Rising Tide (World War II 1939-1945 #1) by Jeff Shaara (read-aloud) - I'm reading through this series with my son for part of his World War II study. Shaara does such a great job with these books. It's probably the favorite part of our day.
• Shepherd Abiding by Jan Karon - I'm still working my way through the Mitford series. I did enjoy this book better this time around that my first read through.
• The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey - This was an odd book with a sad ending. I don't like sad endings.
• The Tempest by William Shakespeare - The kids and I listened to this (with our books) for our Shakespeare study. I also picked it since The Play's the Thing podcast was doing it also.
• Thimble Summer by Elizabeth Enright (read-aloud) - I read this aloud to my youngest daughter.
• The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare - Another Shakespeare play.
• Finish: Give Yourself a Gift by Jon Acuff (audio) - I've seen several recommendations for this book so I gave it a go. I will definitely need a re-read since I spent the first listen through dying laughing at Jon Acuff's stories and illustrations.
• Handbook of the Gospels by Jeffrey Brickle - My husband started a Biblical Training program and a couple of my kids are doing it. This is one of the books required and I recorded it for them to listen to since they have been busy working. (Even now two of them are still busy working.)
• Love That Laughs: Lighten Up, Cut Loose, and Enjoy Life Together by Ted Cunningham - I saw a little clip online of Ted Cunningham which I enjoyed so I went looking for his books. I found this one on Cloud Library, This is probably a good read for someone who need to learn to laugh. If you're an old married couple like us you are probably doing pretty well in that department.
• Seven Men Who Rule the World from the Grave by David Breece (read-aloud) - I started reading this aloud to my two middle kids and then my daughter graduated so I read the rest to my son. This book is on the AmblesideOnline list and it is highly recommended in Truthquest History. This was really a thought provoking book that I really enjoyed. I don't know if my kids got much out of it, but I did.

March:

• The Cater Street Hangman by Anne Perry - I was looking for a new series and decided to check this out, but it was not my cup of Dt. Coke.
• Light from Heaven by Jan Karon - Another Mitford book!
• The Light Over London by Julia Kelly - I found this an interesting read.
• Growing a Church by David K. Bernard - Anther book I read and recorded for my kids.
• On Reading Well: Finding a Good Life Through Great Books by Karen Swallow Prior - This was a dense read. I honestly don't know how I feel about this book and I probably enjoyed I think my biggest problem is that it just seemed to take me a long time to read it. I just never felt very compelled to read it.
• On the Bright Side: Stories About Friendship, Love, and Being True to Yourself by Melanie Shankle (audio) - I needed something cheerful not too long after quarantine started. I always enjoy Melanie Shankle and as always she makes me laugh.
• United We Stand by Arthur Clanton - Another book I read and recorded.
• When Ye Pray by Joy Haney - A book by one of my former Bible School teachers.