Mar24
What’s on your nightstand? — March edition
Time for one of my favorite monthly memes, hosted at 5 Minutes for Books, when we reflect on our reading over the month and think about books to come. Several of the books I’ve read this month were library copies already returned, so I don’t have a photo of my nightstand. But here are some titles:
Books completed in March:
- The Children of Men (PD James): I’d seen the movie, and the novel was my first introduction to P.D. James. I liked it. Review here.
- The Maytrees (Annie Dillard): I had reservations because I haven’t especially liked the Dillard nonfiction I’ve read in the past, but I enjoyed this novel; it grew on me almost against my will. Review here.
- Cry the Beloved Country (Alan Paton): A classic, beautiful book I feel richer for having read. Review here.
- Sacred Pathways (Gary Thomas): A book about devotional “personalities,” recommended by my pastor in a series on knowing God. It will probably be a cornerstone of my thinking in some ways now — very good. Review here, final thoughts here.
- All of a Kind Family (Sydney Taylor): This has been a read-aloud with my daughters. I love it now as I loved it when I was a girl. This tale about an observant Jewish family in NYC in the early 20th century fills me with longing for the simplicity and strong tradition of their lives. For over 30 years now I’ve held in mind the chapter where the mother motivates her children to dust the parlor carefully by hiding buttons around the room, and it still charms me… as does the idea of chick peas or cracker fragments for snacks. And the chapter on the Passover celebration seemed very appropriate for this Easter season.
- So Brave, Young, and Handsome (Leif Enger): I finished this one just a day after the last Nightstand. Review here.
In process:
- Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter (in my sidebar): a collection of short readings, many of them by classic authors and contemplatives, on the meaning of this season. I’ve owned it for several years and read a little in it every year. The selections are mostly short, just a few pages long, and great food for thought.
- The Mysterious Benedict Society (Trenton Lee Stewart): I saw a review awhile back at Reading to Know and put this one on my list. Loving it so far!
Plans for the upcoming month: my post for the Spring Reading Thing at Callapidder Days sets some modest goals.
What are you reading these days?
14 Comments »Bookish reflections
Great list, Janet! Can you believe I’ve never read All of a Kind Family!?! I need to rectify that. . . !
All of A King Family sounds wonderful. I read Cry The Beloved Country last year and couldn’t believe I waited so long to do so.
I didn’t participate this time, or at least haven’t yet — mainly because I forgot about it til I started reading blogs this morning, but also because I am still in all the same books as last time.
I haven’t yet read anything by Leif Enger, but I keep seeing his name pop up, so I hope to one day.
All of a Kind Family and the book on Lenten and Easter readings sound good.
I LOVE the All-of-a-Kind Family series. I’ve been thinking how I need to get back to them and enjoy them again. Ooo! Ooo! (All hyped up over the thought.) Very motivating remarks, here. =)
Your nightstand looks like tons of fun and since you picked up Mysterious Benedict Society on my rec, I hope you love it.
Thanks for sharing!
I *loved* “Cry the Beloved Country” when I read it years ago. Your list looks fantastic!
I completely agree with your comments on Cry, the Beloved Country. I read it for the first time last year and loved it. I hadn’t thought of looking for an audio version, but it would certainly be one that I would enjoy listening to!
Cry, The Beloved Country is a lifetime favourite. I’m so glad you discovered it. I adored Dillard’s Teaching a Stone to Talk but haven’t read any of her fiction. Thank you for visiting my blog. I’m off to see what you’re reading for the Spring Reading Thing. I’m signed up for that one too.
I read Cry, the Beloved Country in high school. It was a good book.
I love the Mysterious Benedict Society – one of the best children’s books series I’ve read in awhile.
Great list!
I meant to say earlier — I hope you do jump in on the photo hunt challenge! It doesn’t matter whether the photo is “clever” or not — just that it looks like a letter.
Since we started this I am seeing letters everywhere.
I have Mysterious Benedict Society on my list too. I finally posted my thoughts on The Seven Storey Mountain. Happy Reading!
I’ve been wanting to read The Children of Men for a while now. I’ll have to read your review. Great list!
The Mysterious Benedict Society is on TBR list…probably will move up to my Nightstand in the next couple of months.
I read The Children of Men several years ago and remember liking it but have to admit I don’t recall the details of the story. Maybe I’ll have to reread that one!
I’m just now catching up with the WOYN posts and am actually doing a giveaway as part of mine.