Christmas just isn't Christmas till I've seen, read, or listened to "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. This year I am a lucky owner of a paperback copy! No more waiting for the library's copy to become available.
I think my first memory of Scrooge, Bob Cratchett, and Tiny Tim was the Walt Disney version with Mickey Mouse and Co. Thankfully, I've moved on. :) Scrooge's transformation always brings tears to my eyes and I rejoice with Tiny Tim's "God bless us, everyone!"
Maybe it's been awhile since you've taken a stroll with the Spirits of Christmas - I encourage you to carve out some time to read this little book. You will be glad you did!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The Remains of The Day
Some months ago I was blog-hopping and stumbled across the mention of this book. Having a vague recollection of the title (I thought it was a horror film) I was surprised to find it at the library in the teen aisle.
After reading it I wonder what kind of an impression it leaves on a high-school English class. For me it left a feeling of sadness and a sense of waste but on reflection there are many lessons to be learned from it.
Some topics that could be discussed:
If you are short on time Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins portray the main characters in a movie by the same title. I found I lost some of the butler's thought processes in the movie that you gain in the book but overall its pretty well done.
After reading it I wonder what kind of an impression it leaves on a high-school English class. For me it left a feeling of sadness and a sense of waste but on reflection there are many lessons to be learned from it.
Some topics that could be discussed:
- How does being vulnerable affect communication?
- Should duty and service be put above love?
- How do ethics play into duty?
- Can lost opportunities be reclaimed?
- What are some areas of idealism that I hold onto?
If you are short on time Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins portray the main characters in a movie by the same title. I found I lost some of the butler's thought processes in the movie that you gain in the book but overall its pretty well done.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
CSI, Charles Dickens and "Remains"
Hi,
I am still around but with summer there just hasn't been much time for reading, nor bookstore browsing.
I am working on a post about the book "The Remains of the Day" which also has been made into a movie with Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson.
Dante's Inferno is just sitting there...oh well.
I did get some fun, light reading in...George MacDonald's "The Shepherd's Castle" storyline keeps you guessing until the end. The uncle is a twisted character and his story could almost be a plot from CSI...it surprised me coming from a contemporary of Charles Dickens!
I am still around but with summer there just hasn't been much time for reading, nor bookstore browsing.
I am working on a post about the book "The Remains of the Day" which also has been made into a movie with Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson.
Dante's Inferno is just sitting there...oh well.
I did get some fun, light reading in...George MacDonald's "The Shepherd's Castle" storyline keeps you guessing until the end. The uncle is a twisted character and his story could almost be a plot from CSI...it surprised me coming from a contemporary of Charles Dickens!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Reading Update
For those of you who were wondering... I am on chapter four of The Inferno and chapter five in A Godward Life. I finally made it past the first chapters!
The latest find at a book sale last Saturday and one that I haven't read yet is Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery. So that is on the list to read next.
Have any of you read Dare to Dream by John C. Maxwell? I picked that one up at a conference but haven't started it.
The sun shown for four days in a row this week but it started raining this morning. The forecast says it will last through the weekend. Hopefully I can snuggle down with a cup of tea and my books and watch the world go by. Sometimes I need to retreat from the harshness and busyness of life.
Happy Reading!
The latest find at a book sale last Saturday and one that I haven't read yet is Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery. So that is on the list to read next.
Have any of you read Dare to Dream by John C. Maxwell? I picked that one up at a conference but haven't started it.
The sun shown for four days in a row this week but it started raining this morning. The forecast says it will last through the weekend. Hopefully I can snuggle down with a cup of tea and my books and watch the world go by. Sometimes I need to retreat from the harshness and busyness of life.
Happy Reading!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Passion & Purity
Just finished reading Elisabeth Elliott's Passion & Purity for the third or fourth time. At each reading I discover some new insight or challenge. Self-sacrifice...yuck, a hard one.
Self-sacrifice is such a foreign concept in today's culture. Yet that is what God calls us to do...love as He loved us. "Greater love has no man than this, to lay down his life for his friend." What does that look like in my daily living? At my job? Among my friends? At church?
I am struggling with this.
Self-sacrifice is such a foreign concept in today's culture. Yet that is what God calls us to do...love as He loved us. "Greater love has no man than this, to lay down his life for his friend." What does that look like in my daily living? At my job? Among my friends? At church?
I am struggling with this.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Struggles
Attended a women's church retreat last week and have been playing catch-up since. However, that has not stopped me from starting on several books.
Current reading list:
Dante's Inferno
Dare to Dream by John Maxwell
A Godward Life by John Piper
John 3:16 by Max Lucado
These are all in various stages of completion.
Do you ever struggle to get through a book?
I'm finding A Godward Life to be extremely difficult to get into. I feel bad about it because some dear friends gave it to me on my college graduation. I've read the first three chapters many times and can't seem to get beyond that.
Maybe if I put it down and come back to it for the tenth time it will be easier! :)
Current reading list:
Dante's Inferno
Dare to Dream by John Maxwell
A Godward Life by John Piper
John 3:16 by Max Lucado
These are all in various stages of completion.
Do you ever struggle to get through a book?
I'm finding A Godward Life to be extremely difficult to get into. I feel bad about it because some dear friends gave it to me on my college graduation. I've read the first three chapters many times and can't seem to get beyond that.
Maybe if I put it down and come back to it for the tenth time it will be easier! :)
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Bright April
The calendar says it is suppose to be spring but the snowstorm over the weekend tells me otherwise.
One book that isn't on my bookshelf yet is Bright April by Marguerite De Angeli. I don't remember when I first read it but I do remember wanting to join the Girl Scouts afterwards. :)
I suppose we read the book out loud because my sister's name is April.
Anyway, it is a excellent read while waiting for spring. The story starts with the snow just melting and progresses through the seasons while we watch April grow and overcome the challenges of being African-American in the 1940's.
One book that isn't on my bookshelf yet is Bright April by Marguerite De Angeli. I don't remember when I first read it but I do remember wanting to join the Girl Scouts afterwards. :)
I suppose we read the book out loud because my sister's name is April.
Anyway, it is a excellent read while waiting for spring. The story starts with the snow just melting and progresses through the seasons while we watch April grow and overcome the challenges of being African-American in the 1940's.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)