Time to read

"You know the people," said Pamela, "who say, 'Of Course, I love reading, but I've not time, alas!' as if every one who loves reading doesn't make time."

Penny Plain by O. Douglas

Winter days

How am I spending my winter days? Well, I've visited Wales (the setting above,) Spain, spent quite a bit of time in England, traversed the states; and I've even spent some time in my current home town of long ago, thanks to a wonderful book by an author who grew up here.

I've also been traveling to "not so interesting" places. Doctor's offices. The three of us have ventured off into different treatment realms. One of our doctor's suggested this. We had all been keeping to the same treatments as the other, but now we are off on our own. We'll see if any one of us leaps ahead in terms of good health. This tri-plan method is more work for the nurse (me) and the pharmacist (you know who) and the parents (that's us, too.) It's a lot to get to and keep track of, but hopefully we'll have some noticeable results soon.

Book Reading Stand-outs: 2006

Middle Grade Fiction:

Penny From Heaven by Jennifer Holm (2006)
Set in the 50s, the author chose well in writing this story in first person present.








The Enchanted Castle by E. Nesbit
The narrator made this book so fun. Just how did E. Nesbit do it?









Young Adult Fiction:

Sorcery and Cecilia by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
As Miss Erin says, "This book could be described as Jane Austen meets Harry Potter." The authors played the "letter game" in which they each pretended they each were a character and wrote letters back in forth. Their game became a delightful book.



The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak (2006)
Death is the narrator and the author makes it work. Story of a girl growing up in a foster family in Germany during WWII. FYI, this book was first published in Australia (where the author lives) as an adult fiction book.





Young Adult Nonfiction:


The Wand in the Word by Leonard S. Marcus (2006)
Conversations with writers of fantasy such as Lloyd Alexander, Brian Jacques, Dianna Wynne Jones, and Terry Pratchett. I read a library copy, but Erin and I were always wanting to go back to something that was quoted or referenced in it; so guess what I received for Christmas?!


Adult Fiction:

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
This is a book in which you miss the characters after you have finished reading.









The Dean's Watch by Elizabeth Goudge
An enchanting novel set in a cathedral city on the fen. Since E. Goudge lived in Ely for part of her life, it was fun to read the descriptions depicting the fen country of old and the amazing cathedral that we were able to see on our England trip. Read it next Christmas.




Mrs. Mike by Benedict Freedman
A classic novel which takes place in the early 1900s of a young girl who moves from Boston to Alberta, Canada for her health. She marries a member of the Royal Mounted Police and they move to a remote settlement in northeast British Columbia. Based loosely on a true life story. Thanks ghillies for recommending this.



Leave it to Psmith by P. G. Wodehouse
I'm not sure I ever laughed aloud so much while reading a book to myself. If you've just seen the play, you must the read the book.







Adult Nonfiction:

Life is So Good by George Dawson
The life story of a man who lived some of the 19th century, all of the 20th century, and a little of the 21st century. Read this to start your new year. (see earlier post)







Sir Walter Raleigh by John Buchan
"Snapshots" of Sir Walter's life taken mostly from stories of people that knew him.









Great Books:

Bede's History of the English People
My second reading of this book proved quite enjoyable.










Other fun reads:
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
84 Charing Cross by Helene Hanff
Howl's Moving Castle by Dianna Wynn Jones
Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith