On Reading Classics

Over the years I have noticed that there tend to be two camps of readers. Those who enjoy books deemed "classics" and those who don't. This post is addressed to the latter.

It's usually pretty obvious which camp a reader falls into, but if you're uncertain you might use these factors to help you determine. When you're holding a book in your hand that has been listed as a classic do you have feelings of fear and trepidation? Do you stifle a yawn and have flickering memories of falling asleep in English class? If you answer yes to either question then it's very likely you fall in to the camp of those who don't enjoy classics. But it doesn't have to be this way.

Over the years I have had an interesting relationship with classics. I've always had a fear of the "ancient classics" (i.e. Odyssey, Iliad, etc.) something I hope to one day overcome. As a teenager I learned to enjoy William Shakespeare, but was bored to tears by Charles Dickens. But as an adult I have found my reading tastes very broad and acclectic. I now enjoy everything from the occasional light and fluffy chic-lit to the tome like classic published over 200 years ago. So how did I reach this point? First, I began by selecting a more popular classic (i.e. one of Jane Austen's novels) and I started reading and persisted until the end. It often helped to watch a film adaptation of the book either before or after reading the book. Soon I discovered that the more I read the more I was starting to enjoy these types of books. Another thing that helped was my being involved in a book club dedicated to the classics. The ladies in this club have helped challenge and expand my reading tastes. They were the ones who helped me over the hurdle of disliking Dickens to adding some of his novels to my list of "all-time favorite reads".

So how does one overcome the feeling of fear or boredom? Here are some suggestions:

1. Start off with a classic that is well-known or been adapted to the screen (i.e. Jane Austen is a good place to begin). Or you might consider a classic that is more recent. (Contrary to some belief the term "classic" doesn't just mean books written pre-1800. The term has been expanded to include novels published as late as the early 20th century, i.e. Gone With the Wind, The Invisible Man, To Kill Mockingbird, etc.) Another good idea is to ask other readers what their favorite classics are.

2. Join a book club or find some readers who are likewise interested in reading classics. The more the merrier. When you have someone to discuss a book with you are more likely to enjoy it. If you don't have access to a book club or fellow reader who focus on classics then at the very least check out 5 Minutes for Books Classics Club. It's a carnival held each quarter on the 5th Tuesday of the month. Today is the third quarter posting and a great place to hear what other bloggers have to say about recent classics they've read.

3. Take notes. Jot down quotes you like or questions you have. If you come upon a word you don't know or a phrase you don't understand either stop and look it up or write it down to look up the next chance you get.

4. As I mentioned above film adaptations can be helpful. Although they aren't always faithful to the book they do give the reader a chance to see the entire story put together. When I was 15 I tried to read Pride and Prejudice but really struggled. After watching the A&E adaptation I was able to put together the settings with the people with the plot and the dialogue and it all started to make sense. When I went back and started reading the novel it made sense and turned out to be a life-long favorite of mine.

5. Don't give up. Just because you pick up a classic and don't enjoy it, don't give up on the idea of reading classics. Some authors are harder to read than others. Some stories deemed classics ARE boring. If you aren't engaged within the first 50-100 pages put the book down and try something else. There's nothing more likely to kill a readers interest in a classic than to push through 800 pages of a book they just don't like.

Once you've read your classic head back over to 5 Minutes for Books and link up your review. The next Classics carnival will be held Thursday, November 29, 2010.

In closing I want to quote Canadian author Robert Davies who once said:

"Do not suppose, however, that I intend to urge a diet of classics on anybody. I have seen such diets at work. I have known people who have actually read all, or almost all, the guaranteed Hundred Best Books. God save us from reading nothing but the best."

Like Davies, I don't urge you to read ONLY classics. Like anything in life too much of a good thing can be bad. Instead I encourage you to broaden your reading diet. Mix it up. Don't give up on the lighter works, but don't read only fluff. Add in some non-fiction and biographies, a book of poetry, and a handful of classics. But whatever you read -- read because you know it's enjoyable and because you'll be a better person for it.

Happy Reading!

Tuesday Teasers: The Body in the Library

"I say, are you the detectives? I'm Peter Carmody. It was my grandfather, Mr. Jefferson, who rang up the police about Ruby. Are you from Scotland yard? You don't mind my speaking to you, do you?'

Colonel Melchett looked as though he were about to return a short answer, but Superintendent Harper intervened. He spoke benignly and heartily. 'That's all right, my son. Naturally interest you, I expect?'

'You bet it does. Do you like detective stories? I do. I read them all and I've got autographs from Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie and Dickson Carra and H.C. Bailey. Will the murder be in the papers?' "

(The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie, Chpt. 8, pg 64)

Monday Children's Picks of the Week

As I have mentioned in past posts my 3 year-old not only loves books, but she loves books about ballerinas, princesses and fairies. She loves to play dress up and dance along to ballet music.

We've read an assortment of ballet themed books. Angelina Ballerina and Ballet Star are some regular favorites for my daughter.

So when I discovered The Yellow Tutu by Kirsten Bramsen I knew we had a winner.

Published in 2009 by Random House Children's Books, this story is about a little girl named Margo who receives a beautiful bright yellow tutu for her birthday. Margo is so excited about her tutu that she wears it to school....on her head like a hat. Margo thinks she looks like a ray of sunshine and that all the children will be amazed. But when she arrives at school Margo is horrified to discover her classmates are not impressed. They actually make fun of her! But then along comes Pearl, another classmate of Margo's who owns a pink tutu. Pearl has a wonderful imagination just like Margo and she quickly stands up for Margo saying that Margo looks like a sunflower... or maybe a lion. The two girls become friends and spend the afternoon playing tea party and wearing their tutus on their heads, of course. :)

I really liked this book. Mainly because Margo reminded me of my daughter (albeit a little older). Before I even knew about this book my daughter on her own discovered what great hats tutus can make. This picture was taken one day when she came up to me and said, "Mommy look, I am a lion. Rooooaaaaaar!!!!" I cracked up laughing. So you can imagine how much she liked this story about Margo and her yellow tutu.

The only objection I had was when the children make fun of Margo. One boy says she looks "stupid" -- a word I don't like to use with my daughter, so I substituted "silly" toning down the meanness of the kids. The point is still made that some children aren't nice, that some don't understand a game and there are other children, like Pearl, who show love and friendship. My daughter hasn't focused on the meanness of the kids, she just loves that the girls have tutus and that they play tea party at the end of the book, which is fine by me.

The illustrations are a delightful addition to the story. The artist, Carin Bramsen used bright colors and painted pictures that were both whimsical and real. They have an almost vintage feel to them. From what I can tell it looks like Carin and Kristen are sisters and this was their first book. I am hoping I'll see more of the work in the future.

What's On My Nightstand: August

Ack! I was horrified to discover last night that I had forgotten this past Tuesday was the monthly Nightstand post over at 5 Minutes For Books and I had missed it! Bummer.... But then I got to thinking, just because I missed it doesn't mean I can't still post something, right?

This summer has been very busy... Wait, I mean the last 8 months of my life have been extremely hectic. I am working more than part-time all the while I am taking care of a three year-old, have volunteering/ministry obligations, a house to keep in order and meals to cook, and still find time to a wife. Then with what's leftover I try to fit in some "me" time. I still get reading in, but not as much as last year. I still get blogging in, but it has to be scheduled. But I digress.

Since my What's On My Nightstand: July post I am happy to report I was able to read ALL three books I listed, plus a couple others I mentioned and one or two I didn't. Looking back I don't know how I fit it all in, but I did. Hurray for goals met!

Now, looking ahead to September! There will be plenty to read in the weeks ahead and here's what I'm planning:

1. For my book club, which will be meeting at the end of September I need to read Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton.
I know nothing about this book, but it has come highly recommended and am especially curious to read a book set on the African continent.

2. September 15 marks the 120th anniversary of Agatha Christie's birth. To celebrate I not only plan to read more of Agatha Christie's novels...

I have also signed up to participate in the second annual Agatha Christie Blog Tour (September 1-30, 2010) that Kerrie at Mysteries in Paradise has organized, so be sure to watch for some special posts on Monday, September 6. (Yikes! That's only a little over a week away!)

Interested in joining in the fun? There is still time. If you are a mystery reader, mystery lover, or mystery writer be sure to: 1. Sign up to participate (there are yet several dates available) and/or 2. Mark your calendar so you can take the tour and read what other mystery readers/lovers/writers have to share. There might even be some give-aways!)

3. Also current on my nightstand is Dr. Dobson's Bringing Up Girls. I've read some good reviews on this book. I am not far into it, but look forward to digging deeper in the coming weeks.

4. Towards the end of September I will be gearing up for my own special blog event:

October 1-31, 2010 I will be hosting the second annual Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge. This challenge will coincide with HarperCollins Publishers' re-printing and re-release of The Deep Valley Books. To learn more check out my official Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge announcement and watch for more information towards the end of September. Oh, and spread the word!

5. If I have time after all of this I hope to finish off some lighter novels. Perhaps another Angela Thirkell or D. E. Stevenson. Or maybe I'll choose something totally different, perhaps a book that has been sitting on my TBR list just waiting for space on my nightstand. One thing I like about reading per whim is that it's always an adventure. I'm never quite sure which book I'll read next until I begin.

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Curious to know what other bloggers are reading? Check out the August installment of What's On Your Nightstand at 5 Minutes for Books. And while you're there be sure to link up your own September reading list.

Happy reading!

N or M? by Agatha Christie

202 pages
Published in 1941by Dodd, Mead & Co.
Reprinted in 1988 by Bantom Books
Hicksville, NY

Ask just about any reader to name one of Agatha Christie's detectives and I'm sure you'll hear the names Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. But if they mention the names Tommy Beresford and Tuppence Cowley, then you know you are talking with an avid Christie fan. Agatha Christie's Tommy and Tuppence stories only total four novels and one short story over the span of 51 years whereas Hercule Poirot appeared in no less than 33 novels and 51 short stories during that same span of time.

Tommy and Tuppence are first introduced in Christie's second novel, The Secret Adversary** published in 1922. The pair then made one more, albeit brief, appearance in the 1929 short story Partners in Crime before fading so far to the background of Agatha Christie's writing that they disappear completely for nearly two decades. It is not until 1941 during the midst of World War II that Tommy and Tuppence return in the spy thriller N or M?

I can only imagine the excitement Christie fans must have felt when they learned she had written another Tommy & Tuppence story. Finally after nearly twenty years we get to enjoy another thrilling adventure with this duo and finally find out where they have been and what they have been doing for the last 20 years! Well, that's what I imagine fans must have thought -- it's what I thought and I only had 1.5 years of waiting.

(** Unfortunately I read The Secret Adversary before I began this blog so I do not have a review written that I can refer you to. It was an excellent story and a must if you plan to read any of the Tommy and Tuppence books.)

N or M? -- The Plot:
"This atmospheric story, set during World War Two, finds Tommy and Tuppence doing what they do best – having an adventure. These unlikely Intelligence Service spies decide to help Queen and country by tracking down two ruthless traitors. The only clue to the traitors’ identities is a government agent's dying words that lead them to the Sans Souci boarding house, where it’ll take some extremely subtle detection work to establish which of the guests are the treacherous N and M." (Summary courtesy of AgathaChristie.com)

My Thoughts:
I found N or M? to be just exactly what I had hoped -- a thrilling spy novel that contained all the elements that make a novel a delight to read. There was suspense and mystery, there was comedy and sweetness, there was adventure and villainy. As for Tommy and Tuppence, they may have aged some, but they were every bit as endearing to me in this story as they were in The Secret Adversary. I especially liked the fact that Christie let them grow up and mature. They weren't reckless youths anymore, nor where they stodgy middle-aged couple. They were themselves -- intelligent, adventurous, and witty, but also a tad wiser and maybe with a gray hair or two.

If I had to compare Tommy and Tuppence to another fictional pair I would pick Nick and Nora Charles from the Thin Man movies (NOT the book), although with a lot less alcohol. I loved Nick and Nora in the Thin Man movies. There was something about their characters -- their wit and sarcasm and how they related to each other that made them a delightful couple. I have the same feeling when I read about Tommy and Tuppence in N or M? They make for an entertaining read.

As for the mystery itself -- Christie scores again! I picked up on numerous clues, but didn't know how they fit together until they were revealed. And as I drew closer to the end of the book I couldn't put it down. In the end I was up very late reading and thinking to myself, "How is it possible for one woman to write so many excellently thrilling stories?" There is a reason that I am such an avid fan of Agatha Christie and that she is the all-time best selling mystery writer. She was such a creative and clever storyteller. N or M? may not be her best work, but it's definitely an excellent read and shows what a diverse novelist she was. Too bad there hasn't been a Masterpiece adaptation.

Here are a few interesting facts about N or M?:

* The title of this book: N or M? plays a central role in the story, but it originated from a catechism in The Book of Common Prayer, which asks, "What is your Christian name? Answer N. or M."

* N or M? is one of two books that Agatha Christie wrote during the midst of World War II when she lived alone in London. The other novel was The Body in the Library, the second Miss Marple mystery. Christie was quoted as saying that she alternated her writing between N or M? and The Body in the Library in order to keep herself "fresh at task."


What's next in my Agatha Christie reading challenge?: The Body In the Library. Stay tuned.

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Other Agatha Christie Reviews:
*Novels published from 1920-1923 see note below.

The Man in the Brown Suit (1924)
The Secret of Chimneys (1925)
The Big Four (1927)
The Mystery of the Blue Train (1928)
The Seven Dials Mystery (1929)
The Murder at the Vicarage (1930)
The Sittaford Mystery (1931)
Peril at End House (1932)
Lord Edgware Dies (1933)
Murder on the Orient Express (1934)
Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (1934)
Three Act Tragedy (1935)
Death in the Clouds (1935)
The A.B.C. Murders (1936)
Murder in Mesopotamia (1936)
Cards on the Table (1936)
Dumb Witness (1937)
Death on the Nile (1937)
Appointment With Death (1938)
Hercule Poirot's Christmas (1938)
Murder Is Easy (1939)
And Then There Were None (1939)
Sad Cypress (1939)
One, Two Buckle My Shoe (1940)
Evil Under the Sun (1941)

Absent In the Spring by Mary Westmacott (a.k.a. Agatha Christie) (1944)

* Christie's novels written from 1920 (The Mysterious Affair at Styles) through 1923 (Murder on the Links) I read before I began this blog hence no reviews are currently available.

Wordless Wednesday: Reading With Great-Grandpa

My daughter is blessed to have five (out of eight) great-grandparents.

Here she is with my grandfather (paternal side) reading The Pokey Little Puppy.

Tuesday Teasers: Mrs. Tim Gets A Job

"Yes, I'm reading Emma -- for about the fifth time.'
'You are?' enquires Miss Clutterbuck with interest. 'I've read it oftener than that. There's nobody like Jane Austen to my way of thinking. I like the saltiness, the restrained satire. When I'm more than usually irritated and deived with the guests I get out Northanger Abbey or Persuasion or one of the others and have a good read. I find them soothing. Jane Austen had as little patience as I have with the vagaries of her kind.'" (Mrs. Tim Gets a Job by D. E. Stevenson, pg 75)

Emmaline and the Bunny by Katherine Hannigan - A reivew & children's pick of the week

94 pages
Published 2009
by Greenwillow Books
An Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

As I have mentioned in the past, our library is currently under construction and as such has moved to a temporary location. This location is far too small, but it is better than no library at all. Story time is held in a corner of this new space tucked in between the non-fiction children's books and the juvenile literature. Occasionally while I am sitting with my daughter listening to the librarian read a story or introduce a song I will glance around and see a book I want to examine. Last week Emmaline and the Bunny by Katherine Hannigan caught my eye. I'm a sucker for bunny rabbit stories (but more on that later) so I added the book to our pile to borrow and read it over the weekend, immediately fell in love with the muted watercolor illustrations.

The illustrations are by no means Beatrix Potter-like. They are more dream-like in their depiction than they are real life-like. Still, the fit perfectly with the type of story that Emmaline and the Bunny is and I couldn't help, but have my heart melt at the sight of the little bunny with notch in his right ear and two very big and very dark eyes.

The Plot:
Emmaline and the Bunny is the story of Emmaline, a little girl who lives in a very tidy town called Neatasapin (neat-as-a-pin). Unfortunately Emmaline is NOT a tidy child. She likes to hop like a bunny, jump in water puddles until she's sopping wet, and cry out words like "Hoopalala!" and "Dinglederrydee!" But the trouble all begins when Emmaline decides she would like a bunny rabbit for a pet.

Orson Oliphant, the mayor of Neatasapin is a very tidy, very unhappy man who had banished all things untidy, dirty, or otherwise wild from the town limits including bunny rabbits.

Suddenly one day Emmaline sees a wild rabbit and follows him through a hole, much like Alice in Wonderland, and discovers a place called Untidy where all things dirty and wild live -- be they animals, weeds or dirt. Here she becomes friends with the rabbit whom she names "No More Only" and learns that in order to continue her friendship she must return home and create an "invitation" -- not a card, but a place that invites the bunny to live in comfort and peace. This means dirt, untidiness, and permitting things like weeds and bushes to grow. Is such a thing possible in a town like Neatasapin? What about Mayor Oliphant?

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this little book and there were several things I loved in addition to the aforementioned water color illustrations.

For starters, I loved the simplicity of this story. It's the type of story that could easily be read aloud to a young child or enjoyed by a new reader (it was published for readers 9-12). There are chapters, but they are all short. For an adult this story could take less than an hour to read, but its brevity and simpleness doesn't detract from creative and almost magical setting.

At the same time the setting of Emmaline and the Bunny is a little bizarre. A town where everything is tidy and dirt is not permitted? A man like Orson Oliphant who yells and stamps his feet and orders everyone around? A place where people want to live, but must remain quiet, unemotional and clean as a whistle? No such place could ever exist in the real-world, but that's what is so magical about this story. It's not supposed to be real to life. Even the writing style doesn't exactly follow proper grammar. The entire story reads as a story one might hear told aloud. It is a story that one might hear a child telling. And it is a fun read.

Perhaps a big reason that I enjoyed this little book has something to do with the fact I have always loved rabbits (as mentioned above). As a young girl, and over the course of ten years, I had my own pet rabbits, five to be exact (Whitey, Snowball, Flowers, Shiner, and Mocha). I loved my bunny rabbits. And even today, decades later I can still identify with Emmaline's love for these little creatures with their long ears, their cute little hop hop hopping, and their and fur so soft and warm it reminds one of "tickles and bedtime hugs" and "summer clouds."

One last thing I liked about this book has nothing to do with the story, but everything to do with the book. Emmaline and the Bunny was published in 2009 by Greenwillow Books whose purpose is to publish only books that are "green." Green meaning not that the book is the color green (although Emmaline and the Bunny does have a green book cover) but that their books are published on recycled paper and with recycled materials. Emmaline and the Bunny is a delightful size (measuring roughly 7"x6"), the paper feels like real paper and yet trees, water, and energy were conserved even in the making of this first edition. What a great idea! I am all for recycling. It is the perfect example of practicing conversation. From the start of time people have been commanded to take proper care of the earth and everything on it -- plants, minerals, animals, and fellow human-beings I love when this is carried out in practical ways.

Emmaline and the Bunny is the second book by author, Katherine Hannigan. Her first book, Ida B... and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster and (Possibly) Save the World is on my "look for" list during a future trip to the library. I enjoy Ms. Hannigan's imaginative story-telling and look forward to sharing her books with my daughter in a few years.

Monthly Agatha Christie Reading Challenge Carnival

It's that time again -- time to check out the monthly Agatha Christie Reading Challenge Carnival over at Mysteries in Paradise. This month there were 24 submissions from 12 bloggers. Head on over to see what they are saying or to learn more about the Queen of Crime or for links to interesting news articles and websites that mention crime fiction.

Also, if you haven't already check out the schedule for the upcoming Agatha Christie Blog Tour celebrating the 120th anniversary of Dame Agatha Christie's birth. I've already signed up to join the fun. If you love reading mysteries and have a blog I highly encourage you to join in the fun too!

Last but not least, I'd like to extend a thank you to Kerrie at Mysteries in Paradise for all the hard work and creative thinking it takes to organize and maintain the ACRCC each month. Thank you!

August's Crown, A Poem by Michelle L. Thieme

Artwork: Wheat Stacks, End of Summer by Claude Monet

Whilst August yet wears her golden crown,
Ripening fields lush- bright with promise;
Summer waxes long, then wanes, quietly passing
Her fading green glory on to riotous Autumn.

Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Pattillo

263 pages

Published Feb 2010

by Guideposts Books

Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Pattillo is another read that came recommended to me by several readers (and bloggers) including Lisa at 5MinutesForBooks, Carrie at Reading To Know, and my friend Alison. I read and enjoyed Jane Austen Ruined My Life, so I quickly added this sort-of-sequel (it's not really a sequel, but it is connected) to my summer TBR list. Unfortunately, at the risk of being unpopular I must admit it didn't end up rating as high on my rating scale as I had anticipated it might...

The Plot:
"Claire Prescott is a sensible woman who believes in facts and figures, not fairy tales. But when she agrees to present a paper to a summer symposium at Oxford on her ailing sister's behalf, Claire finds herself thrown into an adventure with a gaggle of Jane Austen-loving women all on the lookout for their Mr. Darcy. Claire isn't looking for Mr. Anyone. She's been dating Neil, a nice -- if a bit negligent -- sports fanatic. But when a tall, dark and dashing stranger crosses her path, will she discover her inner romantic heroine? Her chance meeting with a mysterious woman who claims to have an early version of Austen's Pride and Prejudice -- in which Lizzie ends up with someone other than Fitzwilliam Darcy -- leads to an astounding discovery about the venerated author's own struggle to find the right hero for Lizzie Bennett...." (Summary courtesy of the publisher)

My Thoughts:
Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart is the second novel by Beth Pattillo which is influenced by Jane Austen and her novels and involves the "Formidables", a fictional secret society whose goal is to protect the lost writings of Austen, including in this novel the first draft of Pride and Prejudice entitled First Impressions.

As I sated above, at the risk of being unpopular with the author or any of her fans, I have to admit I was just not that impressed with this book.

Don't get me wrong, Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart is entertaining. It is as light-hearted and fluffy as chic-lit should be. As an extra bonus it is also very clean (eg. no foul language, no bedroom scenes, etc.) yet without losing any of the reality of the story. (Why can't more chic-lit novels be like this?) But what I liked best about this book is the fresh approach Pattillo takes to a very well-known story. With so many Austen-themed novels flying off the presses it definitely impresses me that Pattillo was able to write a story about Jane Austen and her most famous novel, Pride and Prejudice without falling as so many other authors have to the level of just retelling the original story. Yes, I can honestly say Pattillo succeeded that far -- Claire's story certainly gives a different twist to Pride and Prejudice.

Which brings me to the things about this book that I didn't like. For starters, I could not stand the fictionalized First Impressions. I realize there was a specific point Pattillo was trying to make by giving the reader a version of First Impressions to read, but no matter how I hard I tried I just couldn't see past the writing style. The "text" of First Impressions screamed 21st century so much that I could never get past knowing it was Pattillo's words to immerse myself into the story within the story. I think because of this I had a harder time accepting it as a "gem" as Claire does within the novel. For me it detracted from the story rather than adding to it, which is a shame as it is such a big part of the story's plot.

Which brings me to the other annoyance. Claire. I tried to, but just couldn't connect with Claire as the "Lizzie Bennett" heroine of the story. I realize she is supposed to embody a very human and identifiable character who undertakes a journey to self-discovery and comes out the other side a better person, much like Elizabeth Bennett does in Pride and Prejudice, but for me the two heroines just cannot be compared. I've always loved Elizabeth Bennett, faults and all, but Claire I found downright annoying. I sped through the story hoping she'd get her act together before her life completely fell apart. I know it sounds harsh, but I wanted to slap her a time or two.

Thankfully (semi-spoiler here), Claire does get a more settled happy ending than Pattillo gave Emma Grant in Jane Austen Ruined My Life. But even with this I can't say that I favored Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart when lined up next to the former. I think if I had to chose I'd pick the former over the latter, but that's just my opinion.

Yes, if Pattillo writes more novels that involve the Formidables I may be interested in reading them. She's worked with Emma and Pride and Prejudice that leaves her at least four other novels she could use to inspire stories of her own. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Tuesday Teasers: Mrs. Tim Gets A Job

A special treat today -- it's double teaser Tuesday!

"There is something rather alarming in the discovery that one's memory is so unreliable... the days slip by and are lost for ever..."

(Mrs. Tim Gets A Job by D. E. Stevenson, Chpt 1, pg 3)

"'I wish you wouldn't do that!' Exclaims Erica. 'You're always appearing suddenly where one doesn't expect you to be -- it's unnerving -- like a jack-in-the-box or something!' 'No,' objects Tony. 'Not like a jack-in-the-box, Miss Clutterbuck. He appears when you don't expect him, in my case the time and place equally uncertain.'"

(Mrs. Tim Gets a Job by D. E. Stevenson, pg 177-178)

Kids' Picks - 5 Minutes for Books

It's the third Tuesday of the month, which means it is time for "Kids' Picks" over at 5 Minutes for Books. I am limited in time this week so instead of posting something new I just linked up the books I reviewed in yesterday's Monday Children's Picks post. Still, even if you read my post I highly recommend that you head over to 5 Minutes for Books and check out the other reviews that have been linked up. Or, if you have your own books you've reviewed take a few minutes to link from this monthly carnival to your own blog. It's a great way to spread the word about books you (or your children) have enjoyed as well as direct readers to your blog.

Happy reading!

Monday Children's Picks of the Week

Last weekend was very busy and I have begun my Monday feeling exhausted and in much need of sleep. Thus I am going to keep my post limited to just two books:

The Blueberry Pie Elf by Jane Thayer published in 1959 may not be a recent book, but it is a classic. It was one my mother read to my siblings and I as children and was one of my older sister's favorite books. So much so, that she sent a copy of this book to my daughter for her birthday. Reprinted in 2008 by Purple House Press, The Blueberry Pie Elf is the story of a little house elf who discovers a love for blueberry pie. But the poor elf quickly becomes unhappy because he craves this pie, but has no way of letting the humans know (since house elves cannot be seen nor heard) that he'd like another piece of pie. Until one day he leaves some footprints... The Blueberry Pie Elf is a fun read-aloud story. The black and white illustrations are fun too as they occasionally include a splash of red, blue, or purple. This book is a classic well worth reading aloud. And if you enjoy adding to the fun of reading by trying little projects I definitely recommend serving blueberry pie after reading this book. It makes for some entertaining dinner conversation when there are preschoolers in the house.

Rhino's Big Itch by Natalie Chivers (Published in 2010 by Good Books). This is a recent acquisition by our library. I was immediately struck by the beautiful and colorful illustrations. The story is a fun one to read and yet remains educational. Rhino has a big big itch and he cannot get it to go away. He seeks help from some of the other animals in the safari...except for the lion, but no one can help -- until he comes upon a little tiny bird. I loved this book the minute I saw it. I will definitely be watching for more stories written and/or illustrated by Ms. Chivers. As for my daughter, she's enjoyed "re-reading" it aloud to us and talking about "Rhino's big itch and the bird helps."

Friday Five Faves

It's been some weeks since I posted a Friday's Five Fave post. It's the middle of August and summer is winding to a heated and dry end. Here are five things that have blessed me in the previous weeks:

1. This summer my husband and I decided to purchase an annual pass to a local national park. We weren't really interested in the tourist aspects of the park, but instead liked the fact that with the pass we could visit anytime we wanted. Lately we've made Sunday evenings our family time when we go to the park and relax. Sometimes my husband spends the time capturing the rustic beauty of the natural surroundings with our camera while our daughter plays in the sand or tosses rocks into the river. Other times we explore the trails or just enjoy watching the sun set over the mountains. I love this time together as a family and look forward to each week.

2. Last week I posted a review of So Long Insecurity: You've Been A Bad Friend to Us by Beth Moore. This book was so much more than I initially expected it to be. It was one of the best books I read this summer and has really changed how I view myself and those around me. This book is on my top five list of books I regularly recommend to other readers and one I'd recommend to every woman I know. If you haven't read my review go do so right now!


3. I didn't take ballet as a child, but I appear to have a daughter who will. Right now everything is "princess" this or "ballerina" that. However I am especially thankful for the invention of little girl leotards, tutus, and ballet slippers as they seem to be the motivator behind my daughter's potty-training. Because of these items my daughter decided all of a sudden one day she was done with diapers. My baby girl is growing up, she's a little girl now and there's no going back! But I don't mind, so bring on the ballet!


4. It's summer, which means lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. For the last couple of summers I have gone berry picking and made my own jam. This year I took a pass as I still had several jars from last year. Instead I froze some fruit and made a few pies. The latest was an absolutely delicious golden peach pie. I've also been growing fresh herbs this summer. Our favorite has been the ever-abundant basil plant. A simple tomato, basil, mozzarella appetizer is excellent when served alongside grilled chicken or steak. I shall be sorry when this aspect of summer comes to an end.

5. This week I've had Come To Jesus, a song by Chris Rice running through my head. There were several variations of the song on YouTube, but I liked this one best:

Have a wonderful week's end.

Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie

182 pages
Published in 1941 by Dodd, Mead & Company
Reprinted by Bantam Books, April 1988
Hicksville, NY

"It is peaceful. The sun shines. The sea is blue. But you forget, Miss Brewster, there is evil everywhere under the sun." (Chpt 1, pg 8)

The Plot
"Hercule Poirot is enjoying a well-deserved holiday on Smugglers’ Island holiday resort off the coast of Devon until the strangled body of glamorous actress Arlena Stuart is found. As Poirot becomes caught up in the murder investigation he discovers that nearly all the guests have a connection to Arlena. But which of these suspects, including her family, felt strongly enough about Arlena to kill her?" (Summary courtesy of AgathaChristie.com)

My Thoughts:
What better setting for a thrilling "who-dun-it" crime novel than a sea-side vacation spot where the beautiful and popular, yet most hated person present is murdered? And who better to solve this mystery than the renowned Belgian detective Hercule Poirot? If you are looking for a riveting beach read this summer than Evil Under the Sun might be just the book.

I know it is a well known fact that Agatha Christie found Hercule Poirot quite annoying and boorish, but I have to admit I feel quite the opposite. Although I do enjoy the other detectives Mrs. Christie created, I have a special place in my mystery-loving heart for the Belgian detective and his little grey cells. And once again, in this his 20th appearance in 29 consecutive novels, he does not disappoint.

As is typical of Christie novels I was successful in picking up and piecing together several clues throughout the story, but I was unable to piece them all together before the end when all is revealed by Poirot. I've ceased to find this annoying and instead sit back and chuckle at how clever Agatha Christie was as a mystery writer. Although there may be characters, places, or aspects of her novels that link one to another, each mystery is its own story and a fresh and interesting puzzle awaits me no matter which novel I've chosen to read. I suppose this should not come as a surprise, Christie is after all the "Queen of Crime" and best-selling mystery writer of all time.

As a side note, I couldn't resist this pop-culture reference. Within the TV show LOST (ABC, 2004-2010) the character Sawyer is seen reading numerous books. In one particular episode, if you look closely you'll find him sitting on the beach reading none other than Agatha Christie's Evil Under the Sun. Cool, right? Yeah, I thought so too.

And while on the topic of television -- I watched the 2001 adaptation of Evil Under the Sun with David Suchet as Hercule Poirot. As I've found to be typical of all modern adaptations to Christie's novels there were some liberties taken with the original story. Some characters and scenes were added, including the appearance of Hastings and Chief Inspector Japp as well as the whole motive for Poirot even being on vacation. In addition some of the suspects were altered, some left out entirely and others merged together into a new form entirely. But thankfully the main plot and the who, what, how and why remained the same.

Although I always lean towards recommending the book over the movie I have to say this time it's almost a tie. Yes, the book is the better of the two, but for the average reader (and yes, even the obsessed LOST fan) looking for a different type of beach read or the average mystery lover desiring some movie to entertain on a hot summer evening -- either way you won't go wrong with Evil Under the Sun.

As for me, what's next? Tommy and Tuppence return after two decades in N or M? Stay tuned for my thoughts on this WWII spy thriller.

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Other Agatha Christie Reviews:
*Novels published from 1920-1923 see note below.

The Man in the Brown Suit (1924)
The Secret of Chimneys (1925)
The Big Four (1927)
The Mystery of the Blue Train (1928)
The Seven Dials Mystery (1929)
The Murder at the Vicarage (1930)
The Sittaford Mystery (1931)
Peril at End House (1932)
Lord Edgware Dies (1933)
Murder on the Orient Express (1934)
Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (1934)
Three Act Tragedy (1935)
Death in the Clouds (1935)
The A.B.C. Murders (1936)
Murder in Mesopotamia (1936)
Cards on the Table (1936)
Dumb Witness (1937)
Death on the Nile (1937)
Appointment With Death (1938)
Hercule Poirot's Christmas (1938)
Murder Is Easy (1939)
And Then There Were None (1939)
Sad Cypress (1939)
One, Two Buckle My Shoe (1940)

Absent In the Spring by Mary Westmacott (a.k.a. Agatha Christie) (1944)

* Christie's novels written from 1920 (The Mysterious Affair at Styles) through 1923 (Murder on the Links) I read before I began this blog hence no reviews are currently available.

W... W... W... Wendesdays

This is a combination mid-week reading report as well as a fun little weekly carnival where bloggers answer three questions: 1) What are you currently reading? 2) What did you recently finish reading? 3) What do you think you’ll read next? And where readers can leave comments with their own list.


This week I am:

* Currently reading The Little Minister by J. M. Barrie

* I recently finished Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Pattillo

* I think the next book I pick up will be Mrs. Tim Gets a Job by D. E. Stevenson, as it is an Inter-Library Loan and will be due within the next two weeks.

Now what about you? If you are intersted in learning more about W...W...W... Wednedays click on over to ShouldBeReading every week on Wednesday. But first, leave a comment and let me know what you are reading, have read and will be reading in the next week.

Happy reading!

Tuesday Teasers:

"The life of every man is a diary in which he means to write one story, and writes another; and his humblest hour is when he compares the volume as it is with what he vowed to make it..." (The Little Minister by J. M. Barrie, Chpt 1, pg 4)

Monday Children's Picks of the Week

A little over a month ago I participated in several book give-aways online. Low and behold I actually won one of these give-aways over at Reading to Know!

My prize was a set of seven books called "Modern Art for Babies" published by Tundra Books. Personally I don't consider this set of books for babies. While they could be read aloud to an infant they are much more suited for a toddler or preschooler.

Each of the seven books were written by Canadian author Marthe Jocelyn and illustrated by her husband, Tom Slaughter. What I like so much about these books is connected to the joint efforts of this husband and wife team. The text of the books explore everything from the alphabet and counting to shapes and simple concepts a child might encounter any given day. I also enjoyed the "modern art" illustrations. They are warm with colors drawn from the primary color pallet and are also simple and crisp and easy for a child to identify. Together with the text (be it letters, words or numbers) the illustrations provide interesting and fun visuals for a young child who is looking at the book on their own.

While some of the titles are self-explanatory here is a brief summary of each book from most newest to oldest in the set:

Which Way (Published in 2010) This book opens with the question: "How do we know which way to go?" and proceeds to explore the concept of directions, directional signs and what they mean, as well as how we travel (eg. by foot or by plane, etc.)

Same Same (Published in 2009) This book is a fun one to read aloud because it compares items and creatures that are similar or have similarities. For example on page one you begin with the shape "round" and how it is similar to objects like the Earth or a tambourine. Then the focus shifts to compare objects by what they do, like a tambourine makes music as does a guitar and a bird. From here the reader is directed to actions such as birds fly, as do planes and bees. Eventually the story comes full-circle by ending with the same apple that was seen on the first page of the book.

Eats (Published in 2007) As might be guessed by the title this book examines the concept of food and how each creature eats a particular type of food. A worm eats an apple, a bird eats a worm, a squirrel eats acorns, etc. ending with a question of who eats ice cream.... leading the child to cry out: "Me!"

ABC x 3 English * Espanol * Francais (Published in 2005) Again as is evident from the title this book the topic studies not only the alphabet, but how the alphabet fits into language and not just one language, but the three specific languages most commonly found in North America. First the reader begins by noting the letter of the alphabet in both upper case and then lower case (eg. Ff). Next a picture of something named with that letter is illustrated (eg. flower), and last the object is spelled out in English, Spanish, and French (eg. flower, flor, fleur). It is up to the reader whether only one language (the child's own) is taught or whether the other two are included.

Over Under (Published in 2005) This book compares opposites such as over and under, big and small, square and round, or light and dark. Each word is paired with a picture.

One Some Many (Published in 2004) This book dives deeper into the world of counting, growing beyond counting items from one to ten and actually exploring when you have "one" of something or "some" of that, or "many" of those. This might be an introduction to very simple math for a pre-schooler.

1 2 3 (Published 2003) This book, published a year prior to the aforementioned One Some Many, covers basic counting from one to ten as well as counting one to ten objects on a page. This is a great picture book to help a child who is learning to count.

Overall I am very pleased with this collection of books. My daughter has already spent countless hours over the last month flipping through the books and "reading" them aloud to herself. Although I've not taken any time this summer to read these particular books to her I plan to make much use of them in the coming months as her thirst for learning and her ability to sit still expands.

If you haven't checked out Marthe Jocelyn and Tom Slaughter's books before I highly recommend that you start with your local library. They are definitely worth checking out and sharing with your preschooler.

In closing I'd like to thank Tundra Books for giving away this set. I believe they are definitely an asset to my daughter's personal library. I would also like to thank Carrie at Reading to Know for the opportunity to win such a set. Thank you!

So Long, Insecurity: You've Been a Bad Friend to Us by Beth Moore

350 pages
Published in 2010
by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Carol Stream, Illinois

As you might notice most of the books I read I end up enjoying enough to recommend as books to read. There are of course the occasions where I don't really enjoy the book and give them a so-so review or a thumbs down. And then there are those occasions where I enjoy a book so much, find it is so amazing that I just want to cry out in call caps: GO! YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK! NEVER MIND WAITING IN LINE AT THE LIBRARY. RUN TO THE BOOKSTORE, YOU HAVE TO OWN THIS BOOK!

So Long, Insecurity: You've Been A Bad Friend to Us by Beth Moore is just such a book. This is a must read for every living breathing woman in the world.

Who exactly is Beth Moore? Before reading this book I had only a brief introduction to this woman of faith, but from random conversations with some of my Christian friends and acquaintances I realize I am in the minority. Beth Moore founded Living Proof Ministries in 1994 "with the purpose of teaching women how to love and live on God's Word." She is the author of countless Bible studies and books and in the last few years added radio and the Internet to her ministry outreach. My own church has held a few women's events in the past that utilized Beth's Bible studies. The one I attended I found insightful and applicable.

So when I noticed her face on the cover of a book on the "New Release" table at my local B&N store I added her to my list of authors to read in 2010. At the time I wasn't even thinking that a book about conquering insecurity would be applicable to my own life I just thought it might be a good title to review.

The Book:
As I mentioned before, I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up So Long Insecurity. I wasn't expecting to apply it to my own life, after all I consider myself a fairly secure person who may have struggled in my teen years with some forms of insecurity... but then what teen hasn't?

As I began the first chapter of the book I felt a tad doubtful of how good this book was. Beth's writing style is exuberant and seemed to emanate girl power with each paragraph. In my head I heard that Martina McBride song, This One's For the Girls and thought to myself... I'm not so sure this is my type of book. But as I read on I quickly discovered that this book is so much more. It is applicable to every living, breathing, hot blooded or cold blooded woman in this world; be they 18 or 88 or any age in between and regardless of whether they struggle with insecurity or only know of someone who struggles.

"Keep an open mind to what an insecure woman looks like, and don't be too hasty to let yourself off the hook just because a dimension of the portrait doesn't look like you. The fact that she can be a complicated mix of confidence and self-consciousness is the very reason it took me so long to identify it in myself and admit it." (Chpt 1, pg 19)

So Long Insecurity could be divided into three parts. The first part is where Beth discusses the history or more specifically "roots" from which insecurity grows. While it is not exactly all inclusive I believe she's thorough and it would be a rare instance where the reader didn't connect with at least a fragment of an example in this section.

Through the second part Beth discusses how to dig up these roots so healing can begin and how strength and dignity can be attained. The goal of this book is not to preach or to discourage, but to help women everywhere find security and live the life filled with the dignity, joy, and purpose that her Creator intended.

The last section of this book wraps up everything that has been discussed and looks to the future. Not only how can one go on from here with a "clean escape", but how can each woman who is secure help future generations of women (e.g. their own daughters or nieces or the little girl down the street or in their classroom, etc.)

This book is powerful and came at the perfect time. Insecurity is a major problem for women in the world today, including freedom loving Americans.

My Thoughts:
First of all I have to say I really appreciate Beth Moore. She's not just another woman out there who has it all together and is looking down her spiritual nose at the rest of womankind. This book is her journey as much as it is mine or any other reader's. Beth is genuine, she is honest, and she is full of encouragement. She shares from her heart the good with the bad in her own life: "I am a common woman sharing common problems seeking common solutions on a journey with an uncommon Savior. If something hurts me, I conclude it probably hurts somebody else." (Chpt 1, pg 13)

For my own part, I admit freely that I have struggled with insecurity in the past, even as far back as junior high and high school, but again, that is fairly typical. What was an eye opener for me was to realize that I still struggle, although the insecurity manifests itself in different forms now than it did 15 years ago. I also found it very interesting to discover how insecurity can play strongly in how I perceive other people and how they in turn perceive me. I realize now how failings in friendships or family members, or even bad encounters with other people where I've been snubbed or hurt are often connected to either one or both of us having issues with insecurity. It is indeed a fascinating issue to ponder.

For those wondering, So Long Insecurity is NOT a quick fix. I finished it only a week ago, but I am still faced with chronic insecurity. The difference for me now is that I know how to confront these feelings and come away the conqueror. I know how to say, "I am clothed with strength and dignity... God gave it to me. It is mine. You cannot have it." I no longer struggle.

In closing I can honestly and wholeheartedly say this book will improve your outlook on life and people. I recommend this book with two thumbs firmly up. Don't borrow this book, buy it. It is a keeper and it is one you will want to reference. It is not exactly a fast read -- while it reads quickly and is a book you don't really want to put down -- there is a lot to ponder and digest. For me some chapters took a few days for me to finish as I stopped to process exactly what she was saying, to pray about it, and to apply what I had read to my own life. This is a book you will want to share with all the women in your life.

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Related Links:
Book Excerpt
Get Thee Behind Me, Insecurity: Interview with Beth Moore
So Long Insecurity affiliated website
Living Proof Ministries

Poetry: The Writer by Richard Wilbur

In her room at the prow of the house
Where light breaks, and the windows are tossed with linden,
My daughter is writing a story.

I pause in the stairwell, hearing
From her shut door a commotion of typewriter-keys
Like a chain hauled over a gunwale.

Young as she is, the stuff
Of her life is a great cargo, and some of it heavy:
I wish her a lucky passage.

But now it is she who pauses,
As if to reject my thought and its easy figure.
A stillness greatens, in which

The whole house seems to be thinking,
And then she is at it again with a bunched clamor
Of strokes, and again is silent.

I remember the dazed starling
Which was trapped in that very room, two years ago;
How we stole in, lifted a sash

And retreated, not to affright it;
And how for a helpless hour, through the crack of the door,
We watched the sleek, wild, dark

And iridescent creature
Batter against the brilliance, drop like a glove
To the hard floor, or the desk-top,

And wait then, humped and bloody,
For the wits to try it again; and how our spirits
Rose when, suddenly sure,

It lifted off from a chair-back,
Beating a smooth course for the right window
And clearing the sill of the world.

It is always a matter, my darling,
Of life or death, as I had forgotten. I wish
What I wished you before, but harder.

Click here for more about Richard Wilbur.