What I’ve Been Reading Lately
After several slower months, this has been an excellent reading month for me! Here’s what I’ve been reading lately. Check out Modern Mrs. Darcy for more Quick Lit reviews.
The Golden Goblet
Would you be upset with me if I told you that I didn’t really understand all the buzz about A Wrinkle In Time? I might just need to try it again, but I finished that book feeling kind of ‘Meh’. Meet the Austins was completely different for me. I loved it, through and through. It’s a gentle, sweet, real family story. L’Engle’s descriptions made me feel like I knew this family personally. It’s a very character-driven plot. Slow-moving in a perfectly lovely way. I can’t wait to move on to the other books in the series.
Long Days of Small Things
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place
I’ve had several people tell me recently that this book needed to be bumped to the top of my to-read list. I’m glad I finally got my hands on it. It’s a light, fun, witty story. Full of hilarious and insightful one liners and with endearing characters. It’s the first in a series, too.
Motherhood Realized
Apparently, I’ve been in need of a mothering pick-me-up this month. I’ve had this book sitting on my nightstand for years, borrowed from my very patient sister-in-law. I finally dusted it off and read it this month. I found some real nuggets of mothering inspiration in this book. And while it’s not really groundbreaking, the comfort of reading words from other Mamas in the trenches lifted me up.
The Running Dream
James and the Giant Peach
A children’s classic that I read with my nine year old son this month. We took turns reading and even though he’s somewhat of a reluctant reader, he absolutely loved it. When we finished the book he threw his arms around me and exclaimed, “It was just SO GOOD!”. Can’t ask for anything more! And if you’re looking for a good book for boys, Roald Dahl almost always delivers.
I received an advanced readers copy of the 50th anniversary edition of Christy. This is a modern classic for a reason. The way Marshall describes the Appalachian village of Cutter Gap and its colorful residents is unforgettable. I first read this as a teenage and I’m so happy to have been able to dive into it again. Christy tells the story of a 19 year old woman who left her comfortable life in the city to teach “Highlanders” in a rural mountain village. She was swept away by a powerful sermon and discovers her true grit as she faces difficulty upon difficulty as the new teacher to nearly 70 children; many of whom had never attended a formal school. She learns their customs and culture and her life is forever changed. I had no idea when I read this previously that it’s based upon the true story of Catherine Marshall’s mother. That just makes it all that much better in my opinion.
Click on the photo below to enter a drawing to win the book and a cash card to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this timeless book.
Pass It On: A Proverbs Journal for the Next Generation
I love taking time every morning to study scripture, journal and connect with God. I was so delighted to get my hands on this beautiful leather bound study journal. It’s jam-packed with insights into the book of Proverbs. Each chapter focuses on one chapter of Proverbs and includes the following sections: Guided Tour, which tells the background information and summarizes what the chapter contains; a beautiful modern English translation of the chapter; Reflections, which prompts you to write out a verse that was meaningful to you and to journal about it; and Going Deeper, which is a list of journal questions to help you understand the verses better. I am so thrilled to be able to slowly study and learn more about Proverbs using this beautiful book.
