What I WAS Reading, Round 3

Note:  I started this page MONTHS ago.  These were books I read last year and I never actually finished the post because life got crazy with one missionary coming home, another leaving, and returned missionary getting engaged and married, plus holidays... and life in general. Of course, this isn't a comprehensive list of the rest of the books I read last year; in fact, these are just the few I documented last summer. I intended to add to it later, but now I just want to put out what I've got and move on.

I wasn't even aware of Thornton Burgess until I read a friend's blog post about his bird book. As I researched that book (thinking of our ecology unit) I found he'd written ever so many more books about forest critters. I checked out the few that our library had to see if they were worth purchasing. My daughter quickly read them and enjoyed them. I read the one about Paddy the Beaver. 

Young children should enjoy this book, and the many, many others in the series. What I liked is that it gives good naturalist-type descriptions of what an animal really does, but also, through personification of these animals, imparts some great treasures of wisdom about character and how to treat and interact with others. 

I have some plans brewing for Burgess's books that I will post about in the future.

Riding the Pony Express is the second book I've read by Clyde Robert Bulla. He does a terrific job creating fast-paced, adventurous historical fiction for young readers, with characters who demonstrate admirable traits and qualities.

P.G. Wodehouse was one of the most widely read humorists of the 20th century, but I had never heard of him until I came across a screaming deal on Introducing Jeeves at a Dover clearance sale. There was a sneak peak preview online and after reading a little of it I just had to get this.  Here is why: giggles, guffaws, chuckles and chortles. I laughed out loud about every other sentence. The short stories of the dim-witted Edwardian gentleman Wooster and his ever so capable genius valet Jeeves are nothing short of brilliant. I love the British jargon and humor. I had to read this book cover to cover as soon as it arrived because it just tickled and was a great escape. As always, the waste of life that is English aristocracy is vividly portrayed, but that's not the meat of this book. Wodehouse's stories of Wooster and Jeeves are simply delicious, delightful dessert.

Bull Run expertly demonstrates a grand scope of perspective. It is superb in showing just how vast yet personal the Civil War was, through just a single battle. Each chapter is told through the eyes of a different character and readers are able to see all the different people in their different circumstances and walks of life, understand the different reasons for their choices, as well as see how one event has a different cause and effect for each individual. This is truly a must read for any Civil War study. It is also excellent from a literary standpoint of learning about characterization, voice, and point of view. (After reading this I handed my kids a map of the Unites States and had them mark each character's origin and journey, all converging at Bull Run.)

While I didn't love The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg, I'm not sorry I read it. Homer Figg is an interesting character and his adventures give rise to both humorous situations and serious points of discussion of different people's experiences, views, and choices during the Civil War.

A visit to Fredricksburg, Virginia had a profound impact on me a few years ago. Standing on the Sunken Road listening to an interpretive Ranger, looking across the area where men charged to certain death and contemplating the massive loss of life and the magnitude of misery that took place, my eyes rested on a bicycle next to a very modern apartment building and I had a conflict of emotions. Here was hallowed ground; here was soil and trees and air thick with some of the most horrific stories of humanity. Here, too, was life gone on in the sunlight of a new day and the hope of a better future. It was, and still is, bittersweet. These are the thoughts that led me to read Civil War Battlefields Then and Now.

Not a lot to say about this one. In the depraved days of our time, it's good to anchor (and re-anchor) oneself in pure waters. I'd recommend Between Husband & Wife--Gospel Perspectives on Marital Intimacy for soon-to-be-marrieds, newlyweds, and long-married people alike.