Sisters' Fall Reading Challenge

 

A report on our reading this fall.

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1. Duet Challenge: Read a classic book and a biography of the author.

Charity- The Joy of the Snow and The Rosemary Tree by Elizabeth Goudge

Goudge is an author that always beckons me to linger and savor her books. I’ve always wanted to read her autobiography with the hope that I would understand why her novels have that certain flavor and feel. The Joy of the Snow does not tell about every part of her life, but Goudge shares about the people and places that most influenced her. Through her story I realized why houses often feel like characters in her novels since the homes she lived in were important to her. I relished her stories of her mother’s island home and what life was like in wartime Britain. I didn't agree with her theology and a few other ideas, so take that into consideration, but if you love Elizabeth Goudge’s novels I think you will enjoy this glimpse into the author. The Rosemary Tree is set in post World War 2 England. Once again Goudge creates a place you wish you could visit and fascinating characters with complicated past. It left me longing to grow an English-style garden and to treasure my home and beauty even more. 

Gina - The Man Who Invented Christmas by Les Standiford, Christmas Stories by Charles Dickens

For years, I read Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol each December, but I didn't know much about his life. Standiford's short biography gives an overview of his life, but focuses on the time around when Dickens wrote his most famous Christmas story and the affect that had on his life and on English society. It is hard to imagine just how popular and influential Dickens was in his time. I was surprised to find that after the success of A Christmas Carol, Dickens wrote a novella every Christmas for four more years, probably hoping to capitlize on the initial success. I decided to read them all. Maybe I wasn't in the mood, but I found the Victorian tales to be rather sentimental and struggled to engage with the stories. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the last one The Haunted Man, the most. In that story, Redlaw is promised by a spirit that he will forget his sorrowful memories of the past and have the gift of allowing others to also forget the past. The result of this "gift" brings all sorts of misery to those around Redlaw and eventually it becomes obvious that forgetting the past, even the hard things, doesn't bring joy. 

2. Read a conversion story.

Charity - Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis

I have mostly read Lewis’ fiction and found his story of childhood until conversion fascinating. All of our life is woven together and influences what we believe. Lewis shows that as he tells of his loss of faith and his eventual return to Christ. I was touched by the influence friends had on his life for good and for bad often in ways they may have never known. 

Gina - Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber

Weber was given the opportunity of a lifetime - to study at Oxford. There she met Christians who talked about God and the Bible in ways she had never heard before. Steeped in literature and in the setting of the ancient Oxford buildings, Weber confronts the truth of Christ that will change her life. This book is just delightful for those who love literature and listening into conversations about faith questions.

3. Finish a book you started, but never finished. 

Charity-  The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawling

It is Florida in the 1930’s, a time and place I know little about. Jody Baxter is the only living child of his parents and often lonely. This is a story of growing up, a father’s love and wisdom, and a beautiful fawn that stands in the way of survival. The story is both beautiful and heartbreaking. 

Gina - Watership Down by Richard Adams

I had trouble getting into Watership Down and had abadoned it and wondered why it was a favorite of so many people. But I picked it up again, and eventually I hit the point where I was staying up far too late, reading about the escapades of a group of rabbits in England. A classic tale of journey, danger, and search for belonging that somehow allows these rabbit characters to burrow into the heart.. 

4. Read a book together with a friend. 

Charity - Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry

Such a small book but packed so full of life. Seventy-year-old Hannah tells of her life in the small farming community of Port William, that Berry has skillfully created many stories about. The time period is not long ago, and I find it intriguing to be given a glimpse of a life that my grandparents would have been familiar with. Her story reminds us of the importance of community and how it often holds us together in ways we never realize. But I can’t help but feel a sense of sadness, because Jesus is sadly absent in the story and so hope is also absent. (I couldn’t resist reading Nathan Coulter right after this book, and they deserve to be read close together!)

Gina - Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry

I was delighted to find two used copies of Hannah Coulter which made a perfect book for Charity and I to read together. I had already met Hannah in some of Berry's other books, but in this one, Hannah gets center stage as she shares the story of her life as a twice widowed matriarch in the Port William community. Her journey is echoed by many women in rural American who watched a community disapear with changing times. Even though this book is fiction, it shows the long-term impact that our choices. And Berry's beautiful writing makes me want to linger over the pages.

5. Memorize a chapter of the Bible.

Charity- Ephesians 1

Why is it so hard to decide what to memorize? Or am I just revealing some procrastination? Most likely that is the answer. Needless to say I am barley half way through the chapter. But I am so glad to be memorizing again and I won’t be stopping just because the end of fall has arrived! 

Gina - Ephesians 1

Charity and I had not talked about which chapter we were memorizing and were surprised to find that we chose the same one. I too had procrastinated and lacked discipline to work faithfully on this chapter so didn't complete it. I would like to get in a better habit of memorizing because I know that time spent thinking deeply on the Scripture is time well spent.

Did you read anything memorable this fall?

Sisters' Cozy December Reading

Yesterday, I turned the calendar page and pulled out a stack of books to enjoy for the new month. If there is anything as much fun as reading, it is planning what to read.  

Charity and I decided not to set a reading challenge this month. Charity is busy preparing for the arrival her baby in the new year, and we don't want any extra stress. But, of course, we will both still be reading. We are selecting some favorite cozy reads to finish out our reading year. There is something delightful in opening the book of a favorite author such as Dickens or Elliot and finding a friend.

Here are a few recommendations if you want too enjoy cozy December reading. 

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Children's story books

Charity - My little boy is only eighteen months old so most of my Christmas/winter book collection is too advanced for him, but we've already starting reading these.

The Hat by Jan Brett

Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton

The Mousery by Charlotte Pomerants

Cozy Reads

Charity: I love a good reread during December. Something makes me want to sip tea and curl up under a blanket. Here are a few I'm considering dipping back into this December.

At Home in Mitford and Shepherd's Abiding by Jan Karon

Pilgrim's Inn by Elizabeth Goudge

Bleak House by Charles Dickens

Gina: A few of my favorites that I'd love to reread this winter.

Suncatchers by Jamie Langsdon Turner (Every since reading Turner's newest book, I've wanted to reread Suncatchers and be reaquainted with Eldeen.)

Emma by Jane Austin

Virgil Wander by Leif Enger

Poetry

Gina: Winter gives me a longing to linger over beautiful words. I actually have four poetry books by my bed that I'm dabbling in and thoroughly enjoying. 

Waiting on the Word by Malcolm Guite (An advent book with a poem and short explanation for every day in December.) 

Every Moment Holy: Volume 3, The Work of the People (Prayers for all sorts of times and places.

Accompanied by Angels: Poems of the Incarnation by Luci Shaw (Poems on the life of Christ)

Hope in the Dark by Geneva Eby (Advent poems and thoughts on the Biblical characters who awaited Christ's coming.)

Planning for Next Year

Charity: I love to dream about flower gardening and these two books are perfect choices for some cozy dreaming. Even if the garden never gets planted in the spring!

The Garden Maker by Christie Purifoy

A Home in Bloom by Christie Purifoy

What are you reading?