August 30, 2006

  • Summer Reading Challenge Wrap

    I really don’t like to admit that summer is almost over, but facts are facts.  I wanted to recap the Challenge using an easy evaluative question: “Would I read this book again?”

    COMPLETED

    Temperament, The Idea That Solved Music’s Greatest Riddle
    by Stuart Isacoff. – No, too weighty.  I copied quotes into my journal and will read those occasionally.
    The Summer of My Great-Grandmother by Madeleine L’Engle.  – Definitely, after I’ve loaned it to several friends.
    The Man Who Was Thursday
    by G.K. Chesterton. – Yes, for the writing, not the plot.
    The Tolkien Reader
    by J.R.R. Tolkien. – parts of it, yes. 
    1776 by David McCullough – as a reference, yes.
    Every Living Thing by James Herriot. – I’m not sure.  Maybe read aloud to the grands?

    ABANDONED AFTER TWO CHAPTERS

    I Know This Much Is True
    by Wally Lamb – no.

    STILL READING SLOWLY

    The Imitation of Christ by
    Thomas a Kempis, translated by William Griffin.  – highlighted parts, yes.

    DIDN’T GET TO THESE BOOKS

    The Irrational Season by Madeleine l’Engle – I’d like to start this at Advent and read slowly through the church calendar with this book.
    Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
    by Annie Dillard – it wasn’t the right season for this book.  I tried a few times but it didn’t grab me, and it wasn’t the book’s fault.  I’ll keep it for later reading.

    AUDIO BOOKS THIS SUMMER

    My kids are mostly grown; thus I have more time alone.  I love to listen to audio books, lectures and sermons while I’m cooking dinner, ironing, cleaning the bathrooms, and canning, and driving around.

    Devices and Desires, PD James – no, but I’d like to read more PD James
    1776, David McCullough (yes, I read and listened to this one)
    84, Charing Cross Road, Helene Hanff – yes! and see the movie
    An Old Man’s Love, Anthony Trollope – no, but I’d like to read more Trollope
    Death of An Expert Witness, PD James – no, but I’d like to read more James
    Low Country, Anne Rivers Sidon – no, I confused this book for another
    The Moonstone, Wilkie Collins – no, but I enjoyed listening to this one

    BOOKS RECOMMENDED FROM BLOGS/FRIENDS/SON

    The Fat Flush Plan, Anne Louise Gittleman – hopefully for many years to come??!
    Imagined London, Anna Quindlen – yes, before my dream trip to the UK
    The Secret of Father Brown, G.K. Chesterton – once in a while, maybe
    The Red House Mystery,  A.A. Milne – oh yes! 

Comments (3)

  • Congratulations on the summer reading challenge!  I wrote down 4 books to look for at the library–maybe for the fall reading challenge?!

    Dana

  • Based on your recap, I plan to pick up L’Engle’s Irrational Season.  And I’ve heard that a Kempis’s volume makes a good devotional, so I’m adding that to my Christmas list.   Still formulating my Fall Challenge.  Around here September is a hot month, so I’m still thinking it’s summer :)

  • Great job on your summer challenge. I didn’t do nearly as well. I’ll post mine soon. I’m still contemplating the fall challenge. I’ve been knitting more and reading less lately, but I’m sure I can find something challenging to read.

    Sandy

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