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. 

 

Movie Review: “The Way Back”

Based on the book, “The Long Walk,” by Slavomir Rawicz

Version: 2010; starring Ed Harris, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrel, Mark Strong

Genre: adventure; based on true story; survival

Plot Summary: [from IMDb:] “Siberian gulag escapees travel 4,000 miles by foot to freedom in India.”

My Review: I read this riveting account of a handful of men who escaped a labor camp in Siberia during WWII and lived to tell about it.  It was a great book, which I recommend.  I was glad to find it on film, although they changed the name and gave it a seeming misnomer (as they don’t ‘go back’).

I was surprised to see some familiar faces and the acting talent helped to elevate the movie experience.  That’s good, because I was smirking a little over some of the details—men with open coat collars in the middle of a Siberian winter storm, moss so conveniently growing on the northside of trees in Siberia…  The accents were incomprehensible a lot of the time and I felt like I was straining to hear what they were saying.  They really needed better articulation which has been a growing complaint over the last several years over modern movie trends.

Apart from these issues, I thought Ed Harris and Jim Sturgess were great in their roles as the leaders (tough and softhearted, respectively).  Even Colin Farrel made a great selfish ‘bad guy’, and a very young Saoirse Ronan doing a Russian accent with a sneaky Irish lilt.  From fighting off wolves and catching and roasting snakes, to sweltering under the desert sun, this band of survivors endured over a year of hard travel by foot to reach freedom.  The most touching parts were played between the American (Harris) and the sweet Irena (Ronan) the men encounter on their travels.

At first I thought this would be a movie I’d need to read, but after a few early scenes they switch to English (?) but it might have been better if they’d left the subtitles on. If there were swear words, I couldn’t make them out most of the time but there were some snatches of graphic, hand drawn pornography passed around at the camp.

Some parts were changed from the original story, for example how the group escaped their camp to begin with (a Russian commander’s wife helped them in reality).  I also believe the ending was changed, as I don’t think the author ever made it back to Poland.  If I remember correctly, he eventually settled in England after the war.  But the main core of the story was kept in tact.

If you can suspend some disbelief over storytelling hiccups, I could recommend this movie (though definitely not for children).

 

My Reading Life Ahead of Me, 2020

Hi, guys!  Have you made your reading goals for 2020?  I have a couple of things I’d like to accomplish.  I seem to do well at the “2 books a month rate” and I have particular reason to change it, so I’ll just leave it at that.  Of course that doesn’t prevent my TBR to increase at an alarming exponential rate!  Sometimes I think I like collecting TBRs than I do actually reading.  Am I the only one like this, and what is the reason do you think?

I’ve made out my annual fiction list weeks ago, and some of the highlights I’m hoping to get to are as follows:

It looks like I have a lot of vintage mysteries in store for me!

Then, I have some non-fiction books I really want to get to this year:

My Word of the Year 2020 is ‘DWELL’, so a lot of the books I want to read has to do with being in the moment.  Another aspect of that is journaling, which I have made a renewed resolution to do.  My journaling life the last few years has felt rather blah.  I feel the desire to do things differently, and so I have checked a stack of books out of the library, as well as peruse my own home library, on books pertaining to the subject.  Something in line with art journaling is the direction I want to go in.  Right now, I’m reading “A Trail Through Leaves: The Journal as a Path to Place,”  by Hannah Hinchman and am really enjoying it!  I’m also having fun with a cute little coffee table read, “Cosy: The British Art of Comfort,” by Laura Weir.

What will be new on the blog?  At this point, I don’t foresee any changes on the horizon.  The good news is that I read a lot of books last year (for me, anyway), so there will be more book reviews coming.  Since I want to spend more time reading and journaling, I might spend less time blogging so there might be less of other types of posts, such as movie reviews.  I do love me a good movie, but I can’t do everything I’d like and some things need paring down.

One thing that has been helping me celebrate the completion of a good book is sharing via goodreads book groups.  There are a few games I partake in, and am currently playing my first team challenge reading game.  That means, I’d best get off the www and crack open the book on my nightstand!  Excuse me!

 

 

2019 Year in Review + Favorites Awards!

I guess I have myself pretty well pegged by now, as I completed exactly the amount of books I set out for myself in 2019, which was 24 books.  That was more than I had read in the previous 4 years, so hooray for me! 😀  Do you reach any reading milestones?

I read some great Christian living non-fiction books this year, tried a lot of new-to-me authors, did some rereading and even stepped out into the cozy mystery genre a few times.  I also decided to quit my third-party book selling on Amazon, and haven’t been attending as many used book sales.  That freed up more space around here for my ever-growing home library.  I now have two half shelves of space (but not for long)!

This is the part of the show where I say “This is the part of the show where I answer silly questions with silly titles from silly (or not so silly) books…”  I play this every year and it’s a real blast!  This year, there’s a few more questions thrown in.  I will try not to repeat:

Describe yourself:  “This Is My Body,” by Ragan Sutterfield

Describe where you currently live:  “Uncle Sam’s Plantation,” by Star Parker

If you could go anywhere, where would you go:  “Ashenden,” by Elizabeth Wilhide

Your favourite form of transportation: “Slow,” by Brooke McAlary

What’s the weather like:  “Rhythms of Rest,” by Shelly Miller

You and your friends are: “Between Us Girls,” by Sally John

You fear:  “The End of Law,” by Therese Down

What is the best advice you have to give: “The Power Formula for LinkedIn Success,” by Wayne Breitbarth

Thought for the day: “Distinctly You,” by Cheryl Martin

My soul’s present condition: “Seated with Christ,” by Heather Holleman

How I would like to die:  “Love’s Awakening,” by Laura Frantz

2019 can be summed up as: “Respect for Acting,” by Uta Hagen

If you looked under my couch you would see: “The Shape of Sand,” by Marjorie Eccles

At a party you’d find me (with/in etc.): “The Country Beyond,” by James Oliver Curwood

At the end of a long day I need: “The Enchanted Hour,” by Meghan Cox Gurdon

My fantasy job is (to be): “Million Dollar Baby,” by Amy Patricia Meade

To fight zombies, I’d arm myself with: “The Woman in White,” by Wilkie Collins

A happy day includes: —-

On my bucket list is/are: “The Fortunes of Captain Blood,” by Rafael Sabatini

If I was competing in the 2020 Japan Olympics/Paralympics, my chosen sport would be: “Rooted,” by Banning Liebscher

Almost filled in all the blanks!  It’s more fun when you have a longer list of titles to work with.  What would your answers be?

Arranged by category, my 2019 Favorites Awards are as follows:

2019 Most Resonated With- All my life I have spent comparing myself to others and wanting perfection. I needed such an encouraging read.

2019 Best Humor- Sigmund Brouwer got my funny bone when I read his books as a kid and continues to strike me funny. Although a little weak in plot, the characters and witty banter was very entertaining!

2019 Best Romance- A girl, a lawbreaker, and a dog… Will love or justice win?

2019 Best Non-Fiction- It’s been a long time since I’ve listened to an audiobook, and the author was well directed in her reading. I listened like it was a podcast and took scads of notes because her research and facts were so interesting.

2019 Most Beautifully Written; 2019 Best Atmosphere- Mervyn Peake is simply the best. Settings and characters, sometimes seemingly without a reason for their existence but simply for the beauty of the idea of the thing and the words used to describe them.

2019 Most Admirable Heroine- The best thing is that this book was based on the true life story of Elizabeth Keckly, who served as fashion seamstress to many of Washington D.C.’s elite, and the official dressmaker of First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. Her story doesn’t stop at the White House, though. As she faces many trials throughout her life, she exudes loyalty, resourcefulness, independence and strength.

2019 Best Drama; 2019 Most Admirable Hero; 2019 Best Villain; 2019 Best Story Plot; 2019 Most Fun Read- There’s so much contained in this masterpiece. The characters were memorable; the suspense fantastic! Walter Hartright wins as hero of the year, sacrificing his immediate happiness for the love of his heart. On the flip side, Count Fosco gets my vote for best villain. The psychological thrills are plenty!

2019 Most Thought-Provoking- I read this early on in the year, but the ramifications were far-reaching because I’m still making a weekly effort to rest, adjusting and readjusting the details to do it well. I also have followed up the book by subscribing to the author’s newsletters.

What fiction book won my heart this year?…

#2 in the Gormenghast Series was just so much fun to read and though some books may come and go, not many leave such an impression as the world Mervyn Peake created, on the edge of insanity and pure bliss.

Here’s to another wonderful year of reading; may it be informative and full of wonder and imagination!

 

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.

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

My precious!

Such beautiful pictures!

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

In honor of my own dear Raggedy Ann.

Interested in hearing his theological argumentation.

Oooh! I can’t wait to read this!

So glad to find this classic!

Sequel to “Kidnapped.”

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

Seeking to eat healthier…

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

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

You just don’t find these books every day.

Really?! Okay!

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

This is Part 1.

To healthify my second brain.

Interesting coffee table book.

Right up my alley!

Vintage book which also came with The Heart of Midlothian.

Seeking to understand the British way of life and mentality.

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

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

I loved this book years ago!

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

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

For when I run out of intellectual stimulation.

Will be a short look-through.

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

Contemplative Christianity… I’m (usually) in.

Disappointed to find a serious crack in this spine. 😦

Why not?

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

Not sure why a man finished writing this.

Interested in making my gut happy.

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

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

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

Wish my copy was this pretty.

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

Because I’m not.

Want to read more about my dear old homestate!

My series collection is complete!

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

Reference for later.

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:

Luke 1-13- The original WWW boom. 🙂

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

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.

Might get some good narration tips from it.

2 Corinthians- More Wiersbe!

Isaiah- Not weary of Wiersbe!

#2 in the Caleb series.

Acts 13-28- Guess who?

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.

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

I think my series is not complete.

1 John- What the world needs.

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

Was happy to find this one!

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

A rare find and immediately went into my bag.

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

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

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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

 

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

Seated With Christ, by Heather Holleman~ Have you seen the new Kendrick movie, Overcomer?  The theme revolves around the question, ‘What or who is your identity?’  Most quickly answer with words like ‘mother’ or ‘health caregiver’.  Christians desire that the answer is in Jesus Christ, but we know that isn’t always how we live.  What prompted me to read this book at this time was the subtitle: Living Freely in a Culture of Comparison.  That spoke to me because I have always been at comparing myself with others (and falling short), and I was again struggling with it just recently.  I wasn’t prepared for closely this author would speak to my heart.  I’m not finished with it yet, but some of the chapters have so resonated that I came away praising God for the gift of helping and teaching me through it.  If you struggle with your obsessing over your appearance, your achievements, or fitting in, you will find something for your soul here. 

Uncle Sam’s Plantation, by Star Parker~ This is a little older publication, and some of the illustrations may be dated, but the concepts and essential wisdom in this conservative gem of a book is still classic.  Star Parker was born the year Rosa Parks kept her bus seat.  By the time she was seventeen she had been arrested for shoplifting, with acts of vandalism and armed robbery soon to follow.  Her young adult life was filled with drugs, live-in boyfriends, abortions, and welfare checks.  She knew how to play the system.  Praise be to God some Christians were able to have an influential conversation with her that led her to the Lord and freedom from sin.  She is now the president of the Coalition for Urban Renewal and Education.  It was a long journey, but she is a living testimony today of the power of God.  However, this book is primarily about economics and the black community in particular.  The author knows what she is talking about because she has ‘been there’.  She knows the answer isn’t affirmative action programs or government welfare that kicks a poor man down while he struggles to get up.  What are better solutions?  I recommend the book to learn more.   

 

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?:

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.

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!

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

This looks like such a good read!

Might be able to pick up some tips for booklearned!

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.

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

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.

Less time cleaning; more time reading!

This also goes by title, “Pompeii.”

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

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

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 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.

I wish I could find Vol. 1 & 2…

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.

Books on creativity are my jam.

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!

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

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

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.

I need this in my life.

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

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.

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

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

I love cookbooks that feature creative ways with fresh produce.

Why not?

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

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

 

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

One of my favorite recent finds.

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

Genesis Trilogy #1

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.

I’ll have fun perusing this one.

Almost everyone knows a narcissist in their life.

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

Won this beautiful copy off of goodreads!

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

#3 in Maisie Dobbs series.

I’m having second thoughts about this one.

Found along the yard sale trail.

I have almost a small library of Stephen Lawhead books…

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

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.)

Nourishing creativity and having fun any way I can.

I like Frenchophile books– can you tell?

Another lucky win from goodreads. 🙂

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

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

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!

This looks like a thorough, complete tome.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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