Random Book Post: It’s Been a Long, Long Time

Used book sales, oh how I’ve missed you!

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  I hope this will be a decent, clean read.

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  My pastor has been at me to read this for about a year now.

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  A gift by my pastor.

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  I hope this is as good as it sounds.

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  This cover has me hook, line and sinker.

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  A little (somewhat) local history, true crime style.

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  How lucky! I’m in the process of rearranging my bedroom furniture right now!

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  Because I don’t.

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  A subject that never gets old with me.

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  I’ve heard of other books by Lovelace, but this was the first I was able to find and snag.

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  I read the Betsy Tacy books while in high school. Just buying this one to replace one I gave way.

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  This is a little older, but I couldn’t resist when I saw this at a yard sale.

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  Another fun book on art journaling.

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  Have yet to read this author. Can’t wait!

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  I am often having to look up mythological references from the classics I read. Glad to have this for reference!

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  Art journaling has been a major hobby since the beginning of the year.

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  Picked this up for free, and especially excited after hearing a recent live streaming talk and Q&A with Sally Clarkson!

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  So many heartbreaking stories in the world of religious leaders breaking faith and preying on the flock. I want to be aware so I’m not taken in.

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  I’m trying to gather quality history books before they are censored.

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  May need this.

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  What a great find! My only regret is that I couldn’t find a Vol. I.

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  This book has been on my TBR since I first began making one– more than half my life ago!

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  Picked this up after having seen an interview with Jordan Peterson in which he said Lawrence was a favorite author.

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  I have been getting back into my calligraphy a little this year.

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  I don’t know why I do this to myself; I guess I just want to understand how it happened so it never does again.

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  This series by Linda Chaikin is a little hard to find.

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  I’m interested in reading this after having read another book by Gire this year.

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  Is that a mullet?

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  I have a newer version, which I think I forgot I had when I picked this up. I’ll have to compare…

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  Not sure if I will eventually exchange this for The Silmarillion some time.

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  This will tide me over until I find The Silmarillion.

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  This classic is so rich with characters; I’m now proud to own it.

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  Just for reference, as I have acquaintances who have read this book and I want to be ready for conversation even though I disagree with this author.

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  A classic, and one my friend recommended to me.

 

Non-Fiction Books I’m Liking (Spring 2020)

Bibliostyle: How We Live at Home with Books, by Nina Freudenberger~   I’ve looked at books about decorating with books before and none of them really spoke to me, so what makes this one different?  Besides the beautiful photographs on matte pages, I actually took the time to read most of the text which is unusual for me with these types of books.  This features the home libraries of famous –and not so famous- bibliphiles around the world, so there is a wide variety of eclectic tastes when it comes to collecting, organizing, and displaying.  Most have storage spaces I’ll never be able to have for my own, and most have interests and styles that are not for me.  But their thoughts and their love for the ideas fostered between the covers of books (as well as the covers themselves) were interesting.  I can truly say I enjoyed it. 

Taking the Work Out of Networking: An Introvert’s Guide for Making Connections that Count, by Karen Wickre~ I was supposed to go to some work related conferences at the end of this month and last.  You know the rest of the story…  everything got canceled.  This is because I was prepared to go, in large part due to this book.  Can an introvert really market themselves, network with others, and work a room full of people?  Yes, but in different ways than the stereotypical route.  I can use my natural strengths that come easily and play off of those.  I took lots of handy notes I am sure to refer back to.  Encouraging advice that helped to take the pressure off and that felt doable for me.  When the work gets back on it’s feet, these tips will come in handy. 

 

Random Books Post: Wrapping Up from 2019

I’ll be posting soon with my New Year’s Looking Back & Looking Forward posts, but I wanted to get this random book stack catalogued and onto my shelves first.  Not all of these will live with me for a long time, but some of these just came into my hands and I thought I’d rather read them or look at them as not.

Such beautiful pictures!

I loved this book years ago!

For when I run out of intellectual stimulation.

Seeking to understand the British way of life and mentality.

Not sure if I’ll glean anything from this, but it was free.

A Christian novel about Godiva? Hmm… Author’s family history tied into it has me intrigued.

One of my favorite subjects. Life is in the details!

Because I’m not.

This is Part 1.

I’ve parted with my LOR series, but I do keep on a few of Tolkien’s minor works.

To healthify my second brain.

Disappointed to find a serious crack in this spine. 😦

Will be a short look-through.

My series collection is complete!

An unusual acquistion for me as I usually don’t read contemporary secular memoirs. But I’m curious.

Oooh! I can’t wait to read this!

Seeking to eat healthier…

Why not?

Reference for later.

Well, when the books were basically .05 a piece, I couldn’t very well leave it behind.

Sequel to “Kidnapped.”

Wish my copy was this pretty.

I’m amazed at the wonder of paper craft and hope I can make my own creations some day.

I have happy memories of reading this series when I was around 8 years old.

I’m not sure if I’ll like this one or not, but Terry Kay has been catching my attention.

In honor of my own dear Raggedy Ann.

So glad to find this classic!

This looks to be a later and better edition that the one I originally read.

Want to read more about my dear old homestate!

You just don’t find these books every day.

I don’t come from a liturgical church background and just would like to know more.

I am now the proud owner of a Cook’s Illustrated tome.

I’m not a huge fan of Yancey’s style, but the subject of this has me interested.

Contemplative Christianity… I’m (usually) in.

Interesting coffee table book.

I have never heard of this author but the book looks so interesting.

Interested in making my gut happy.

Interested in hearing his theological argumentation.

I am definitely making room for reading this book this year!

Right up my alley!

Vintage book which also came with The Heart of Midlothian.

Really?! Okay!

Not sure why a man finished writing this.

I was so happy to come across a few Raggedy Ann books at the book sale.

My precious!

I haven’t read anything by this author yet, but these books are intriguing. They are a sort of mixed media epistolary.

Quentin Schultz’ forward hooked me here.

 

Random Books Post: To Be or Not to Be

I’m ready to get this newest stack out of the way so I can actually see the floor, so time for another random books post:

I’m not sure how much I want to read this book, to be honest. Maybe it’s better if I just don’t know.

I think my series is not complete.

Might get some good narration tips from it.

This book is more for musicians and probably a bit dated, but I am hoping to get some good tips out of it for my audio projects anyhow.

A rare find and immediately went into my bag.

Philippians- I’m sure this is the one my Dad had.

Unfortunately, this cute little book is showing serious signs of mold which I didn’t see when I bought at the sale. I will probably deconstruct it just for the illustrations by Tasha Tudor.

Colossians -A lesson I’ve been trying to soak in lately.

Acts 1- 12- No spineless, brainless Christians allowed!

I’m looking forward to this. It’s hard to eat right when you’re on a budget. How do you pick and choose what’s most important?

This cool find has patterns for all different sorts of stuffies.

I’ve heard so much about this classic. Glad it’s got illustrations, too.

Isaiah- Not weary of Wiersbe!

Luke 1-13- The original WWW boom. 🙂

I’ve always thought it would be fun to create pop-up cards and designs. Detailed paper art has fascinated me since my art teacher introduced us in kindergarten.

Don’t worry, I haven’t gone off the deep end. This is just another one of those books I’m curious what other people believe.

Nice cover; still haven’t read this author yet.

Acts 13-28- Guess who?

2 Corinthians- More Wiersbe!

John 13-21- What good is the Christian life if nothing changes?

To file beside my “How to Read Novels Like a Professor”.

1 & 2 Thessalonians- Building up my Wiersbe library. He’s the best.

#2 in the Caleb series.

1 John- What the world needs.

Was happy to find this one!

 

Random Books Post: Harvest’s Book Produce

Hello, all!  I came home from another marvelous book sale today with a large stack to add to my new-books stack twice as large as that!  I think it’s time for a random books post, don’t you?:

This also goes by title, “Pompeii.”

I’ve read two books about social media this year and have benefited from them. I’ll add to my library!

I like the premise of this book. I can’t wait to delve in.

I’ve wanted to read this book since it first came out, and I normally don’t like memoirs. But I’ve passed it up so many times at book sales. Not this time!

I love cookbooks that feature creative ways with fresh produce.

I’ve always been a “take time and smell the roses” kind of girl, so I love books like these.

This is the first time I’ve tried Muggeridge. I’m obsessed with these types of books.

I loved “Lost Horizon” (the book) and enjoyed “Good-bye Mr. Chips” (the movie). I’m on my way to discover more of James Hilton!

This book looked so full of great information (study and history of accents, etc).

I don’t consider myself a high-brow reader, but I have been in a Chekhov play and it would be handy to have something like this on hand if I am again.

Books on creativity are my jam.

Two people referred me to this doctor’s book and site within a week. I took her quiz which suggested I have a cortisol imbalance.

Might be able to pick up some tips for booklearned!

Why not?

I need this in my life.

I’m not too much into the “Perettie genre” but this one tempts me!

I think this is a children’s book, but I got it because the Tapestry is fascinating to me. I may have ancestors that had a connection with it.

I haven’t read any Tracie Petersen, believe it or not. This is one of the few series from her that has caught my attention. I found a very nice hardback copy of it at the sale today.

As soon as I saw this title, I knew I needed it in my life in a really bad way. I would regret it for the rest of my days if I left it on the table at that sale.

I could see where this would come in handy with some of the work I do. Aren’t I mysterious?

As soon as I saw this I flipped to the index. Yep, an extended relative is mentioned and had an important role to play in this hero’s life. I need it for my bookshelf!

This is a great book I highly recommend and have reviewed here on booklearned. It’s helped me to understand myself a bit better.

Less time cleaning; more time reading!

I thought it would be fun to read about this actor’s journey. After I’m finished with it, I’ll give it to my friend who loves her as well.

I have a mini-Lawhead library, and this was one I don’t think I even knew existed.

I’ve always wanted to be a fly on the wall when our founding fathers were writing the constitution. This might be the closest thing to it.

A girl at the sale pointed out what a bad book this looked to be. Don’t tell her, but I grabbed it when her back was turned.

This was a fun find! I’ve been hearing so much about it.

I wish I could find Vol. 1 & 2…

This looks like such a good read!

This isn’t a unique book; I just fished it out of the library dumpster, book hoarder that I am.

 

Random Books Post: French, Food, Fiction, Fun!

I like Frenchophile books– can you tell?

#3 in Maisie Dobbs series.

One of my favorite recent finds.

A librarian friend had free copies to give away so I picked one up for a friend with a new baby, and one for myself. (I’m pretty sure I already had it in my stash around here somewhere but this one looks prettier.)

I’ve been enjoying Chesterton’s non-fiction essays lately.

This looks like a thorough, complete tome.

I’m a ruminative person by nature, so this one’s for me.

I haven’t heard of this author, but I can’t wait to read this intriguing title.

Half my lifetime ago, I found this in a bookshop but it was too much for purse. I made a note down in a notebooks to find this again someday, and to only read “the illustrated version”. Now I have it for my own, and I think the cover looks enchanting!

Won this beautiful copy off of goodreads!

This therapy, couple with other kinds of beneficial therapy has been amazing for me.

Almost everyone knows a narcissist in their life.

I can’t wait to put this one to good use!

The day I took my SAT test in high school, my mom took my friend and I to a bookshop in town and I remember this book (again, too much for my purse). I didn’t need to look at it twice when I came across it all the years later to know it was the same book, full of beautiful imaginative pictures.

This was a new-to-me book with an inspiring title.

Nourishing creativity and having fun any way I can.

HOW? WHY? I find the need to know so that I’ll recognize it and be careful in the modern world.

I have almost a small library of Stephen Lawhead books…

This book had a lovely impact on my life and I’m thrilled to finally own it.

Another lucky win from goodreads. 🙂

Nothing puts me in a more foul mood than clutter in life, so I’m looking forward to this one.

I’m in the middle of this right now and it’s FASCINATING!

Found along the yard sale trail.

Genesis Trilogy #1

I’ve been wanting to get into this hobby for years and this looked like a neat little beginner’s guide.

I’m having second thoughts about this one.

This looked like a fun, elegant read I picked up along the way somewhere.

I’ll be vulnerable here and admit that social anxiety has been debilitating for me. I’m thankful to come across this book.

I’ll have fun perusing this one.

 

Non-Fiction Books I’m Liking (Summer 2019)

Strong, simple, sassy female writers this summer!

Distinctly You, by Cheryl Martin~ I had never heard of this author among the Christian living books before but the subtitle, “Trading Comparison and Competition for Freedom and Fulfillment” spoke to me.  I am not half finished with it yet but I am finding the simple prose and reflection super helpful.  It has already begun turning over some rocks in my life for God to work more healing.  I appreciate that Cheryl Martin is so honest with her life and never paints a picture of a spiritual person who has it all together.  You can check more of her quiet, precise voice in the following videos: 

Part 1 / Part 2 

The Money Plan for the Young, Fabulous and Broke, by Suze Orman~ I’m one who finds Dave Ramsey a bit too intimidating for me.  This was a freebie book that I picked up as a breakfast read.  What had I to lose?  An older book (pub. 2004), it’s advice is still classic.  The book is written for an audience in their 20’s, but she includes readers who are a little older and late-but-better-than-never to the party (like me).  Suze has a fun, simple style that doesn’t turn condescending and that is refreshing!  I found her explanations of things like Roth IRA’s easier to understand than a Dummy’s Guide to Investing I had tried to read earlier.  One of my pet peeves about financial advisors is boiling their message down to: “Just don’t eat out so much!”– as though all people who are broke are so because they visit McDonald’s every week.  It’s annoying and assumptive.  But Orman doesn’t get that way.  This book is a keeper and I would like to check out more of her stuff.  So if you think you’ve tried financial guidebooks before and gave up, maybe you should give one of her books a try. 

 

Random Books Post: Yard Sale Season Begins

Hi, there~ Yard Sale Season has officially begun but I haven’t had the opportunity to get out there as much as I have the past couple of years.  Even when I have I’ve mostly found cool craft items.  Still, I have found a couple books here and there which I will post below:

This is an older textbook, but I’ve been collecting lots of books on acting to glean anything useful from them.

My friend is having a baby and I’m geared up and ready to go!

Another older textbook on acting…

I would like to learn how to incorporate more healthful cooking techniques into my diet.

Mine doesn’t have quite as nice a cover as this one and there’s a huge crack in it, but I’d rather have an annotated Alice than not.

 

Non-Fiction Books I’m Liking (Spring 2019)

There is so much to see, do and read in the springtime!  Let’s not waste a moment but take advantage of the time learning!

Relearning to See, by Thomas Quackenbush~ I suffer from myopia and astigmatism, along with strabismus on top of that.  So yeah, I have a lot of eye strain.  I’m also not a good candidate for contact lenses and I don’t particularly feel glamorous with two pairs of eyeglasses.  I just have never been able to think well with frames on my face.  Being interested in holistic measures, I’ve heard of improving one’s eyesight naturally using different exercises, diet, etc but never really knew how to implement it or had the confidence it would help with my particular issues.  I discovered this title on goodreads a while back, and then found it at a book sale when a local library was doing a purge.  What a stroke of good luck!  It’s been my breakfast reading material for the last couple of months.  Overlook the author’s unfortunate last name.  This is an in-depth textbook that borrows a lot of material from a learned eye doctor, William Bates, who studied and practiced during the turn of the century thru 1920’s.  A lot of his explanations and reasoning makes sense.  I appreciate that he does not view the Bates Method as eye “exercises”, rather a way of relearning how to see in a natural, relaxed manner.  Some of it gets a little too textbook on me and over my head but that’s okay, I just skip ahead to the more comprehensive parts.  Have I seen any improvement?  I want to finish the book first to understand everything before I begin implementing the techniques daily.  (To be completely honest, it is hard to form a new habit and it is hard to practice while a lot of your work is in front of a computer.)  But there was a moment (which the author refers to as “a flash”) when I experienced a bout of being able to see clearer than I had for a long time.  This was after I’d started trying some of the relaxed ways of looking around me.  It did not last very long, but it was enough to give me some hope and encouragement.  I think a lot of people will be interested in the scientific material presented, and be assured this is not some “quackish” gimmick. 

The Enchanted Hour, by Meghan Cox Gurdon~ This was such a wonderful book to listen to on audio!  I had no idea what it was about when I saw it in the library but the title had me hooked and I enjoy listening to non fiction audiobooks so I took it home with me.  Do you enjoy reading aloud and want a kindred spirit to share your enthusiasm?  You’ll find it in the author who narrates her own book.  Her passion for reading out loud to youngsters, teens, dogs, the ill, disabled, elderly—anybody and everybody!– is obvious.  She provides tons of interesting studies and statistics, as well as interviews with doctors, volunteers and a few guinea pigs on the benefits and NECESSITY of reading out loud.  Did you know that our society has lost approximately a third of its vocabulary and illiteracy is rifer now than it was decades ago?  How can we stop this epidemic and be more involved in our kids’ lives?  The answer is simple: READ A BOOK.  And yet most of us struggle to do keep up this discipline in a modern world of technology.  Gurdon shares tips and ideas from her own experience on how to make reading a fun family habit and how to make memories for years to come.  As a narrator, Gurdon does pretty well since she has had years of practice while bringing up four children.  I do wish she wouldn’t affect character voices for some of the people she quoted or interviewed, as this is sort of a no-no in non-fiction narration and becomes cartoonish rather than enhancing the story.  But she had such a warm, cuddly type voice and I fell in love with her descriptions of babies, tykes and tots.  Please do not misunderstand that reading is for young children only.  Although Gurdon puts a lot of emphasis on this, she also stresses that reading out loud really is good and beneficial for all ages.  

 

Random Books Post: Featuring Lots of Hobbies!

My latest short stack of acquired reads includes a lot of hobby and artsy/craftsy type books.  I feel myself leaning more toward working with my hands this year, as I use creativity to celebrate each season.

My kind of craft-stuff!

Something I’d like to learn doing someday.

A different inspirational author I hadn’t heard of before.

I am an obsessive thrifter and will love being inspired by this.

This will be so pleasurable learning from!

I can’t wait to read this series!

I’m really loving peeling paint and distemper lately.

This was such a good book, I wanted to own it.

I’ve already used this book when I have my prayer time, to avoid having to use a screen to look up for inspiration.

This looked like too much fun to leave there.

I’m not Ramsey’s biggest fan, but I have been learning from his Total Money Makeover and will probably from this one, too.