Book Notes (and a little bit of poetry)

I just came across this list of quotes about reading on George Grant's blog. Great quotes!

I just finished reading Josh Harris's Dug Down Deep. Can I say that I was pleasantly surprised? I don't know why I had low expectations of it but I enjoyed skimming through it. I think it would be a great book for a new Christian or someone who says that they don't like doctrine. He does a really good job of making it real and practical without leaving out any of the essentials.

I read The Great Gatsby for the first time. My son is reading it for a class so I picked it up. Quite depressing and the ending was predictable. I'm wondering why it's considered a classic? However, I do think if I read it again for the writing and not for the story (isn't that what the first time through a book is for - the story?), I would appreciate it more. It does show the futility of pinning all your hopes on one person, however.

And now for the poetry. Rebecca posted this poem today and it made me cry.


De Profundis

by Christina Rossetti

Oh why is heaven built so far,
Oh why is earth set so remote?
I cannot reach the nearest star
That hangs afloat.

I would not care to reach the moon,
One round monotonous of change;
Yet even she repeats her tune
Beyond my range.

I never watch the scatter'd fire
Of stars, or sun's far-trailing train,
But all my heart is one desire,
And all in vain:

For I am bound with fleshly bands,
Joy, beauty, lie beyond my scope;
I strain my heart, I stretch my hands,
And catch at hope.

"And catch at hope." That's the line that gets me every time. I am so thankful to God that He gives me hope.

Book update/reviews

Well, my summer reading challenge wasn't that successful but I did read a lot over the summer.

What I read from the list:

Dallimore's two volume biography of George Whitefield - nope - it's still sitting at the church. I need to remember to bring it home and start it.

Does Christianity Squash Women? - didn't get to it but I still would like to.

Moby Dick - what was I thinking?

Women Helping Women - I read most of this and found it interesting. I think it will be a good resource on the shelf.

Women Leading Women - nope

A Place of Quiet Rest - Nancy Leigh DeMoss - I did read this one and really enjoyed it. I have to confess that I mostly read it because I wanted to know what she said before I passed it on to someone else. Part of me was thinking that I didn't need it myself. However, even though I'm used to having my own quiet time, I found it challenging and interesting. I found some good suggestions for changing how I read and journal. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Showing the Spirit - Don Carson - (I'm about halfway through) - still about halfway through.

The Book of Negroes - Lawrence Hill - (book club summer selection - I've read it once but I'll read it again to refresh my memory) - skimmed it just before the book club meeting. Enjoyable read and lots of interesting history.

Tapestry of War: a private view of Canadians in the Great War - Sandra Gwyn - just got it from the library and my son has been working through it since we're studying modern history this year. I've started it and I'll finish it once he's done.

The Private Capital: ambition and love in the age of Macdonald and Laurier - Sandra Gwyn - on order from the library. I think it was finally shipped so it should be here soon.

Books I read over the summer and early fall that weren't on my list:

Wives & Daughters and
The Life of Charlotte Bronte by Elizabeth Gaskell.

Gaskell is my latest discovery in English writers. She was a contemporary of both Bronte & Austen and is a marvelous writer. I don't know how I missed her all these years. Her biography of Bronte is excellent and I find it so interesting that she knew her and both spent time in the Bronte home and had Charlotte visiting in her home.

Wings Like Eagles

The story of the Royal Air Force and the Battle of Britain. Very well done. As I mentioned, we are studying modern history this year. I think Al Mohler referenced this title in one of his summer reading lists so I wanted to preread it to see if it's suitable for my grade 12 student. Unlike some of the others I previewed this summer, it's quite appropriate for students and gives a really good picture of what happened not only in the summer of 1940 but the events leading up to it.

To Serve Them All My Days - Delderfield

I read this years ago but for some reason was reminded of it again. I really enjoyed it the second time around - great writing and a fascinating picture of the life of a schoolmaster.

Jane Austen ruined my life - Beth Patillo

Interesting concept but not a great ending. The feministic viewpoint was quite at odds to Jane Austen, actually. I enjoyed the book but the ending left me flat.

Goodnight, Mr. Tom

The story of an evacuee who comes to live with an older man in the countryside of Britain during WW2. Excellent book - I think I'll read this aloud when we get to WW2.

Miss Pettigrew lives for a day

Fun little British read (hmm... I think I might see a pattern). I'm waiting, not so patiently, for the dvd to come from the library

Hunting Eichmann

Interesting read about the search for a war criminal.

And some other mysteries, etc. that I picked up at library sales or wherever I could find little paperback books!

My Kind of Quiz

What Kind of Reader Are You? Your Result: Dedicated Reader You are always trying to find the time to get back to your book. You are convinced that the world would be a much better place if only everyone read more.
Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm
Literate Good Citizen
Book Snob
Non-Reader
Fad Reader
What Kind of Reader Are You? Create Your Own Quiz