Apr28
April’s nightstand
What’s been on your nightstand this month? The folks at 5 Minutes for Books would like to know.
Here’s what I’ve completed in April:
- The Mysterious Benedict Society (Trenton Lee Stewart): This is supposedly a children’s book. I’ve finally joined the ranks of its fans. Review here.
- The Golden Key (George MacDonald): I loved this mysterious fantasy by the author who “baptized” C.S. Lewis’s imagination. Review here.
- At the Back of the North Wind (George MacDonald): This one is about a little boy who makes friends with the North Wind. MacDonald succeeds in making this the setting for metaphysical contemplation. It had its slow spots, but I really liked it. Review here.
- The Calvary Road (Roy Hession): A modern day classic on the subject of sanctification. Review here.
- Dark Night of the Soul (St. John of the Cross): A not-so-modern-day classic. Review here.
- Isaiah. Reflections here.
Now reading:
- War and Peace (Leo Tolstoy). It took me awhile to get into it, but never fear: at 1215 pages, there’s time to fall in love slowly. I’m just over halfway through, and I’m hooked.
- The Gutenberg Elegies: The Fate of Reading in an Electronic Age (Sven Birkerts). I’m making slow progress on this one; I’m basically a one-book-at-a-time person, and right now War and Peace is the main course. But when I feel my energy flagging on The Tome, this book keeps me motivated by being the light at the end of the tunnel.
- The Princess and the Goblin (George MacDonald): This is one I’ve read before, but now I’m reading it aloud to my daughters. Obviously I expected them to like it, but I’m still a little surprised at what a big hit it is even for my youngest (5), considering it has words like “accoutrements,” “baleful,” “contrivance” and the like. Yesterday she couldn’t wait for our bedtime read-aloud session, and got the book out to leaf through and examine ahead of time, making predictions based on the illustrations.
- Renew My Heart: 365 Readings by John Wesley. I’m enjoying this.
- Jeremiah.
12 Comments »Bookish reflections
Ah, so The Princess and the Goblin is a good read-aloud, huh? Very interesting. : )
I read War and Peace during my college years. Wonder if I would have the patience now!
Great list – you have some heavy books on your list!
Happy reading!
Jolanthe
I LOVE that you read books to your little ones with big words. As a former teacher, that’s something that I think is great for kids. I’m going to have to read some MacDonald … never have. Thanks for sharing!
Welcome to the ranks of MBS fans!
I haven’t read The Golden Key. I did read At the Back of the North Wind and felt about the same as you — slow in spots but enjoyable on the whole.
I keep hearing about The Mysterious Benedict Society — I need to check it out. I think I read At the Back of the North Wind, but I am not too into the metaphysical…I don’t remember enjoying it much, and that kind of put a damper of reading more MacDonald, though I have read high praise of him. I should give him another try.
War and Peace? Now that’s ambitious!
Wow! War and Peace…that’s a long one. I remember reading about George MacDonald as one of the authors Lewis’ loved in Through the Shadowlands. I’ll have to check him out sometime–thanks for the reminder!
The Mysterious Benedict Society…I remember hearing about that one too. Sounds interesting. BTW, love your blog.
George MacDonald is one of my favorites. I’ve read both of those. I enjoyed Renew My Heart, too. Dark Night of the Soul is one I hope to read someday. I may need to try that Benedict Society book, too! Thanks for sharing your list today!
A great-looking list! I see The Mysterious Benedict Society on someone’s list almost ever month. I need to check into it.
I keep saying I’m going to get to MBS, but other books keeps popping up. Will have to put it to the top of the stack.
I stumbled across you from 5 Min. Another George McDonald fan!! Gibby is my favorite! I’ll have to get The Princess & The Goblet for my children. I’ll have to check out the Benedict Society as well. My TBR list is growing!