My wonderful
sister-in-law challenged me to record the books I read last year. So I dutifully found a shelf… of sorts… All my shelves were stuffed full, actually. I finally used a wooden ladder that I have hanging over my bed, to access a niche in which I read sometimes. Whenever the front door slammed, a book or two from my ‘shelf’ fell on the bed. Rather awkward when sleeping and someone left in a hurry. But it worked alright. I just pulled
them off and looked over my list, and thought I would share the books I read in
2014, and a few thoughts on them. It excludes the short stories, comics, fairy tales, articles, ect. and the random ones I forgot to stick on my ‘shelf.’ But for the most part, here is what I read last year;
sister-in-law challenged me to record the books I read last year. So I dutifully found a shelf… of sorts… All my shelves were stuffed full, actually. I finally used a wooden ladder that I have hanging over my bed, to access a niche in which I read sometimes. Whenever the front door slammed, a book or two from my ‘shelf’ fell on the bed. Rather awkward when sleeping and someone left in a hurry. But it worked alright. I just pulled
them off and looked over my list, and thought I would share the books I read in
2014, and a few thoughts on them. It excludes the short stories, comics, fairy tales, articles, ect. and the random ones I forgot to stick on my ‘shelf.’ But for the most part, here is what I read last year;
A Fantasy of Dr. Ox, Julse Verne – Loved it. So
unique!
unique!
The Mortification of Sin, John Owen – Wonderful. It was
one of the better books in its genre I have ever read, actually. And (dare I
confess it) while John Owen always quite confuses me, this one didn’t. It was
easier to read and understand then the others I have tried of his.
one of the better books in its genre I have ever read, actually. And (dare I
confess it) while John Owen always quite confuses me, this one didn’t. It was
easier to read and understand then the others I have tried of his.
The Book of the Dun Cow, Walter Wangerin Jr. –Enjoyable.
It was a fantasy book, Christian based I believe. It had a few issues, as do most fantasy books, but for
the most part it was quite enjoyable, and thought provoking in good ways.
It was a fantasy book, Christian based I believe. It had a few issues, as do most fantasy books, but for
the most part it was quite enjoyable, and thought provoking in good ways.
Charles Dickens; the Last of
the Great Men,
G. K. Chesterton – A good book. With good thoughts, as always from Mr.
Chesterton. A quote from it; “The
optimist is a better reformer than the pessimist; and the man who believes life
to be excellent is the man who alters it most.”
the Great Men,
G. K. Chesterton – A good book. With good thoughts, as always from Mr.
Chesterton. A quote from it; “The
optimist is a better reformer than the pessimist; and the man who believes life
to be excellent is the man who alters it most.”
The Secret Ways, Alistair MacLean – Mr. MacLean is a writer of spy stories, I enjoy his works. This one was a bit more
violent than some of his, but the story was good, and I learned some history I
knew nothing about.
violent than some of his, but the story was good, and I learned some history I
knew nothing about.
“Gareth
and Lynette,” Alfred Tennyson – Definitely my favorite of the Idylls of the King. I found most of the
others a bit depressing and not necessarily uplifting. But this one? Marvelous.
My little black dog is named after this Lynette as she reminded me of the personality, and the description of the character;
“Hawk-eyes; and lightly was her slender nose
Tip-tilted like the petal of a flower;”
and Lynette,” Alfred Tennyson – Definitely my favorite of the Idylls of the King. I found most of the
others a bit depressing and not necessarily uplifting. But this one? Marvelous.
My little black dog is named after this Lynette as she reminded me of the personality, and the description of the character;
“Hawk-eyes; and lightly was her slender nose
Tip-tilted like the petal of a flower;”
The Annotated Mona Lisa – Read it for a test I took on
“Art in the Western World.” Very informative, and surprisingly interesting. Though,
being an art book, I kept a blank index card handy to cover immodest photos as I
read it.
“Art in the Western World.” Very informative, and surprisingly interesting. Though,
being an art book, I kept a blank index card handy to cover immodest photos as I
read it.
Henry IV, Part 1, Shakespeare – Much more interesting
than I expected it to be. I liked it.
than I expected it to be. I liked it.
Henry the IV, Part 2, Shakespeare – A bridge
between Part 1 and Henry the V (which I have read before and read half of last
year before getting distracted). It seemed like a bridge, but had some good parts in it too.
between Part 1 and Henry the V (which I have read before and read half of last
year before getting distracted). It seemed like a bridge, but had some good parts in it too.
Christianity and Liberalism, J Gresham Machen – Very good.
Of Course.
Of Course.
Enchiridion on Faith, Hope, and Love, St. Agustine – I liked it… but I honestly don’t remember much about it at this point except the
fact I liked it.
fact I liked it.
Three Gringos in Venezuela and
Central America,
Richard Harding Davis – A travel diary of sorts from one of my favorite old
time authors. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Central America,
Richard Harding Davis – A travel diary of sorts from one of my favorite old
time authors. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Secret Garden, Frances Hodges Burnett – I hadn’t
read it since I was quite young. I hadn’t realized just how much odd mysticism
it had either until I reread it. But I liked her prose, there were some passages that were very beautifully written.
read it since I was quite young. I hadn’t realized just how much odd mysticism
it had either until I reread it. But I liked her prose, there were some passages that were very beautifully written.
The God Who is There, Francis Schaeffer – One of
the many quotes I pulled from this book; “If it is true that evil is evil, that God hates it to the point of the
cross and that there is a moral law fixed in what God is in himself, then
Christians should be the first in the field against what is wrong – including
man’s inhumanity to man.”
the many quotes I pulled from this book; “If it is true that evil is evil, that God hates it to the point of the
cross and that there is a moral law fixed in what God is in himself, then
Christians should be the first in the field against what is wrong – including
man’s inhumanity to man.”
Manalive, G. K. Chesterton – Probably
my favorite Chesterton that I have read up to this date. It is a very different sort of a book, you
have to finish it if you start it, or you will never understand his point. A
quote from one of the heroines; “Oh
what’s the good of talking about men,” cried Mary impatiently; “why, one might
as well be a lady novelist or some horrid thing. There aren’t any men. There
are no such people. There is a man; whoever he is he’s quite different.”
my favorite Chesterton that I have read up to this date. It is a very different sort of a book, you
have to finish it if you start it, or you will never understand his point. A
quote from one of the heroines; “Oh
what’s the good of talking about men,” cried Mary impatiently; “why, one might
as well be a lady novelist or some horrid thing. There aren’t any men. There
are no such people. There is a man; whoever he is he’s quite different.”
CLEP Study Guide American
History 1 –
Obviously for a test I took. The writer was surprisingly good at making it interesting,
and in an odd way it gave me hope for the future of our country; shady things
and political deals and overbearing presidents have been happening since America started, and yet we are
still here.
History 1 –
Obviously for a test I took. The writer was surprisingly good at making it interesting,
and in an odd way it gave me hope for the future of our country; shady things
and political deals and overbearing presidents have been happening since America started, and yet we are
still here.
Lilith, George MacDonald -…I don’t
think I can cover my thoughts on this book with a few sentences. Check out my
blog post in the archives on it if you really want to know.
think I can cover my thoughts on this book with a few sentences. Check out my
blog post in the archives on it if you really want to know.
All Things for Good, Thomas Watson – An excellent,
excellent book. Highly recommended from me to you.
excellent book. Highly recommended from me to you.
And
then there were the series I read this year;
then there were the series I read this year;
The
Guild of Specialist, by Joshua Mowll; – Interesting little books, young adult
adventure novel type of things about two children in the 1920s. Relatively
clean, and I enjoyed them enough to read all three.
Guild of Specialist, by Joshua Mowll; – Interesting little books, young adult
adventure novel type of things about two children in the 1920s. Relatively
clean, and I enjoyed them enough to read all three.
Operation Red Jericho
Operation Typhoon Shore
Operation Storm City
The
Wingfeather Saga, by Andrew Peterson… twice. I read them twice last year. – I had
read the first three already, but the last book, Warden and the Wolf King, came
out. So I had to read the others to bring myself up to date. And then, I was
taking the series to a friend to borrow, and it was a long drive, and I was
sitting there… I read them all again. And do not consider it a true waste of
time, I do recommend trying them if you enjoy fantasy works. There are issues
in the books that most fantasy novels have (visions/telepathy and some other
oddities) and I wish very much it wasn’t in there. I would put them perhaps at
a suggested age range of fourteen to adult or so. But they are definitely
Christian works, and if you have any interest, you should try them. Really.
Wingfeather Saga, by Andrew Peterson… twice. I read them twice last year. – I had
read the first three already, but the last book, Warden and the Wolf King, came
out. So I had to read the others to bring myself up to date. And then, I was
taking the series to a friend to borrow, and it was a long drive, and I was
sitting there… I read them all again. And do not consider it a true waste of
time, I do recommend trying them if you enjoy fantasy works. There are issues
in the books that most fantasy novels have (visions/telepathy and some other
oddities) and I wish very much it wasn’t in there. I would put them perhaps at
a suggested age range of fourteen to adult or so. But they are definitely
Christian works, and if you have any interest, you should try them. Really.
On the Edge of the Dark Sea of
Darkness
Darkness
North! Or Be Eaten – A quote; “I don’t know what old Gnag has planned for
you, but you just trust the Maker and… And do like your father would have you
do. Do like me and yer ma would have you do. Don’t just follow your heart. Your
heart will betray you.”
you, but you just trust the Maker and… And do like your father would have you
do. Do like me and yer ma would have you do. Don’t just follow your heart. Your
heart will betray you.”
Monster of the Hollows
The Warden and the Wolf King – A favorite quote (one of
many I pulled from this particular volume); “Sometimes in the middle of the night, the sun can seem like it was only ever a dream. We need something to remind us that it still exists, even if we can’t see it. We need something beautiful hanging in the dark sky to remind us there is such a thing as daylight. Sometimes, Queen Sara” -Armulyn strummed his whistle harp- “music is the moon.”
many I pulled from this particular volume); “Sometimes in the middle of the night, the sun can seem like it was only ever a dream. We need something to remind us that it still exists, even if we can’t see it. We need something beautiful hanging in the dark sky to remind us there is such a thing as daylight. Sometimes, Queen Sara” -Armulyn strummed his whistle harp- “music is the moon.”
Rangers
Apprentice Series, John Flanagan; – I read all but three of them in the series sandwiched in between the other random
stuff I was reading. I enjoyed them. Really very clean for modern young adult
books, and all the characters make pretty solidly noble decisions throughout
the ones I read. Good reads for when you are feeling brainless and want
something you know will be entertaining and clean.
Apprentice Series, John Flanagan; – I read all but three of them in the series sandwiched in between the other random
stuff I was reading. I enjoyed them. Really very clean for modern young adult
books, and all the characters make pretty solidly noble decisions throughout
the ones I read. Good reads for when you are feeling brainless and want
something you know will be entertaining and clean.
The Sorcerer of the North
Erak’s Ransom
The Battle for Skandia
Seige of Macindaw
Ruins of Gorlan
The Kings of Clomel
The Burning Bridge
The Icebound Land
Halt’s Peril
The Emperor of Nihon-ja
Narnia Series, by C.S. Lewis; – Apparently this has been a year of enjoying
fantasy novels. Although strictly speaking I didn’t read them, for the most part I listened to the unabridged versions while I did chores about
the house. Always some of my favorite works.
fantasy novels. Although strictly speaking I didn’t read them, for the most part I listened to the unabridged versions while I did chores about
the house. Always some of my favorite works.
The Lion the Witch and the
Wardrobe
Wardrobe
Prince Caspian
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Silver Chair
The Horse and His Boy
The Magicians Nephew
The Last Battle – A quote; “And for us this is
the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived
happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story.
All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been
the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of
the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which
every chapter is better than the one before.”
the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived
happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story.
All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been
the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of
the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which
every chapter is better than the one before.”
Lord
of the Rings Series, and The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien; – So… we pulled the Hobbit
out during our mushroom eating and feasting on Bilbo’s Birthday in September,
and I made the mistake of cracking the cover open. So yes, I read them all
again.
The Hobbit – A quote; “Now it is a strange thing, but things that are good to have and days that are good to spend are soon told about, but not much to listen to; while things that are uncomfortable palpitating and even gruesome, may make a good tale, and take a deal of telling anyway.”
The Fellowship of the Ring
of the Rings Series, and The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien; – So… we pulled the Hobbit
out during our mushroom eating and feasting on Bilbo’s Birthday in September,
and I made the mistake of cracking the cover open. So yes, I read them all
again.
The Hobbit – A quote; “Now it is a strange thing, but things that are good to have and days that are good to spend are soon told about, but not much to listen to; while things that are uncomfortable palpitating and even gruesome, may make a good tale, and take a deal of telling anyway.”
The Fellowship of the Ring
The Two Towers
The Return of the King
Those
are the books I read that were not written by me. In between them all, I was
reading over mine, editing various ones, and writing others. The two overhauled
majorly (the Parabaloni and The Slingshot Effect) I revisited again, and again,
and again… Editing is a long and grueling process that involves reading your
book from beginning to end many times, and rereading some chapters about fifty
times before you are satisfied they are decent. I enjoy it for the most part,
as I like rereading books. But after the fifth time even I really want to move
on to something else. Here are the ones I edited last year;
are the books I read that were not written by me. In between them all, I was
reading over mine, editing various ones, and writing others. The two overhauled
majorly (the Parabaloni and The Slingshot Effect) I revisited again, and again,
and again… Editing is a long and grueling process that involves reading your
book from beginning to end many times, and rereading some chapters about fifty
times before you are satisfied they are decent. I enjoy it for the most part,
as I like rereading books. But after the fifth time even I really want to move
on to something else. Here are the ones I edited last year;
Consider
the Raven Series;
the Raven Series;
The Way of the Ravens
Ravenswing
The Raven and the Wolf
Parabaloni
Series;
Series;
The Parabaloni (at least 7 times)
The Slingshot Effect (probably about 5 times)
As the Eagle Flies
Solitaire
Adelie Angst
Evil Roots
And
then my writing; Dreaded King has
taken up all of November, and December, and it looks as though it will take up
January too. The first book, of about 80,000 words, has been written and
overhauled a couple of times. The second book is nearing the end (at 68,000
words now) of being written. And then the editing begins… But I have thoroughly
enjoyed these two books. I hope you will enjoy them too once I get them in a
shape to share!
then my writing; Dreaded King has
taken up all of November, and December, and it looks as though it will take up
January too. The first book, of about 80,000 words, has been written and
overhauled a couple of times. The second book is nearing the end (at 68,000
words now) of being written. And then the editing begins… But I have thoroughly
enjoyed these two books. I hope you will enjoy them too once I get them in a
shape to share!