More Book Lists

2005 Commentary on Reading List

January
1. My Own Two Feet by Beverly Cleary (Book Club) 7

Somewhat interesting because it was during my parents' "era." Not anything WOW!

2. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (WEM) 8

I liked it. It was self_reflective for me even though it is difficult to swallow.

3. Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton (Book Club) 9.5

A beautifully written novel set in 1940's Apartheid South Africa. It has some beautiful themes and is written so poetically. I wrote down quotes because they were lovely.

4. Fight Fat After Forty by Pamela Peeke, MD, MPH 9

It is very no_nonsense advice about eating after forty. It addresses the "why" behind having munchies in the afternoon with practical suggestions for how to help that "CortiZone" period of the day. Excellent, sound nutrition.

5. House of Mirth by Edith Wharton (WEM) 9

Lovely. I am an official Edith Wharton fan after this book. Looks at early 19th century upperclass society in New York.

6. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (WEM) 8

I "got" it this time around after not really understanding it as a high schooler. It is not that big of a time commitment, and it is worth the read.

February:


7. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf (WEM) 6

I think Virginia Woolf was mentally ill, and her mental illness comes out on her pages of this novel. It is such a strange novel, but I liked it in a strange way.

8. The Bounty: The True Story Behind Mutiny on the Bounty by (Book Club) 7

Four hundred ten pages of LOTS of detail about the true story behind what happened on The Bounty. Mutiny on the Bounty didn’t get it right. So, it was fascinating to read how the story got all twisted. Got on the internet and look up Pitcarin Island, and I had a blast. I even emailed a descendant of one of the mutineers! I love it when books become history lessons.
March

9. The Trial by Franz Kafka (WEM) 6 - I know understand what people mean when they something is “Kafkaesque.” It is bizarre, strange, frustrating. It was an education to read.

10. Native Son by Richard Wright(WEM) 8.5 - With all the talk on race, this would be an excellent book to read. The writing was excellent. It is about a black man in 1930's Chicago. Surprised Oprah has pegged it for her classics book club. Important read about the black conditions that lead to social problems. Excellent

11. The Stranger by Albert Camus (WEM) 7.5 - This seemed like an ordinary book that has a twist and a bit of deep philosophy that I found fascinating. Heavy.

April:

12. The Captain’s Dog by (Book Club) 8 - I read this to the kids, but it is also my book club’s book. So, I am including it on my list too.

13. 1984 by George Orwell (WEM) 7.5 - So weird, but it the words and concepts like “Big Brother” and “thought police” have made it in to our modern day vernacular.

14. The Making of a Leader by J. Robert Clinton (WB) 8 - Rereading for the class I will be teaching all next year. I like this guy.

15. Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts (Book Club) 4 - Even though I am a history buff, she jumps around to so many character that it is confusing and doesn’t get you excited about any single woman in history. Boring to read.

16. Leadership Emergence Theory by J. Robert Clinton (WB) 5 - The LOOOONG version of number fourteen. It was too much detail for what I want to accomplish in the class. Felt like it was a waste of time to read.

May

17. The Path by Laurie Beth Jones (WB) 4 - It doesn’t accomplish our goals for the Women’s Development class, but my partner still wants to use it. She can write, but she is not my type of person. I am not in line with her values.

18. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (WEM) 8.75 - I really loved this authors writing, and the way he makes a social statement about the black man in America through this fictional story. Very valuable reading for anyone wanting to have a better understanding of race in America.

19. Seize the Day by Saul Bellow (WEM) 7.5

I liked it. It was a short novel with a good message. I can’t wait to see the Robin Williams film.
20. The Life of Pi (Book Club) 9

What a quirky, good book. TDS has talked about this since it came out, and I am so glad I finally read it. I really enjoyed his fun style of writing and profound insights. I loved his comparison of Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. It nailed the differences and similarities so poignantly. The story at sea and twist at the end was captivating. Couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait to discuss it in book club. I am sure some will hate it and others will love it.

21. If On a Winter’s Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino (WEM) 7

Quite a strange book that really is about the interaction of the reader and the novel. I starts the first chapter of ten different novels and never finishes any of the. The real story is the Reader in the story who is on a quest for closure in this crazy “one chapter novel” mystery. It is weird, but I liked it in a strange way.

22. God and Ronald Reagan: A Spiritual Life by Paul Kengor (Book Babes Club) 9

I was very uplifted by this book. It was Ronald Reagan’s spiritual history, and its affect on his political ideology and actions, especially as it pertains to his assault on the “evil empire” of communism in the 1980's. I found it very encouraging. I found out many things that I had never known about Reagan.

June - August

23. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (WEM) 8.5 Done 6/5

What a book. What a story about a family in Latin America. I can see why it is a classic. It is surrealistic in nature and writing that is very alive.

24. Three Weeks with My Brother by Nicholas Sparks (Book Babes Club) 8.5

A memoir of a round-the-world trek that author Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember) takes with his older brother Micah. It is interspersed with their childhood memories. I liked the world wind tour to exotic places! It is a tear-jerker. Some very poignant moments about family. I like Nicholas Sparks as a person immensely.

25. As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner (Oprah Creekside Book Club) 6

Oprah picked THREE Faulkner books for this summer. UGH! This one is slow and depressing, but I can see that he is a great writer and experimental in nature with Point of View. I don’t know if I will make it through all three, but it is an education in American Literature! Not a favorite for me. Can I survive two more this summer? I am not sure I can make it!

26. 19 Gifts of the Spirit by Leslie B. Flynn 8

Book I read concurrently with my bible study of the spiritual gifts. Very balanced if a little bit dated because it was written in 1972.

27. Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison (WEM) 8.5

My first Toni Morrison, and I have to say that I loved her writing style. I was transported on every page. I guess I thought she wrote weird books because of the movie Beloved and what bad reviews that it got. The language was crude at points, but it was part of the culture of the book and is not gratuitous.

28. White Noise by Delillo (WEM). 8 What a hoot! It isn’t at all what I expected. He has satirical humor like Dave Berry only with a bite. I guffawed out loud on several occasions. I noticed there is a comedy in production based on this book. Such an interesting departure from the other Well-Educated Mind books that Susan Wise-Bauer had us read. It is contemporary American fiction with much social commentary on our society.

29. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis 9

My kids and I listened to this as part of our summer read-aloud time. I am including it here and their read-aloud list because it has always been my goal to read these, and they wanted to join in the fun! Dad read these to them, but I was never able to sit in on all the “sessions,” or I fell asleep while he was reading. (He has this calming effect on me!) I loved it. Michael York reads this one. Lynn Redgrave reads the next book. Should be a fun ride. Aslan rocks, and there was a bit of mourning as I listened knowing how much Devon loved these.

30. The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner (Oprah Book Club) 7.5

I liked this much more than the above Faulkner book. It had different points of view, and a bunch of “stream of conciousness” writing, but it got much more coherent and together through the point of view of the last son and the omniscient point of view in the last chapter. I am appreciating his genius with every page and being won over (Can you believe it?).

31. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis and read by Lynn Redgrave 9

I have to say that I prefer the male readers in this series over this female. Michael York read the first and Derek Jacobi reads the next. It is still a wonderful story though. Enjoying these.

32. Possession by A.S. Byatt (WEM) 8.75

Can you say impressive writing for a modern novel? I can totally see why Susan Wise-Bauer has this book in her canon of “classics” even though it was written in 1990. This woman has an amazing ability to write beautiful prose AND poetry. It is 555 pages of great reading.

33. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis and read by Derek Jacobi 9

Loved this reader! Eustace so reminds me of my children’s own cousin. Sad but true!

34. Matilda by Roald Dahl 8

Listened to it on tape, and I just love Roald Dahl’s sense of humor. Dark children’s comedy is so interesting. The adults are so bad!

35. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (Book Dames Book Club) 8.75

August: This is the read for my new club for the classics. I love Dickens. He is so clever, funny, serious, and profound all rolled up into one great yarn! What can I say? This made me cry. His writing improved so much between Oliver Twist and this book.

36. The Book of Margery Kemp (WEM-Autobiography) 6.5

It was a little boring for me. I wasn’t drawn into her spirituality and was driven a little crazy by her whining.

37. Agamemnon by Aeschylus (WEM-Drama) 8 - Ted Hughes translation

I was surprisingly drawn in by this Greek Tragedy. It only took me an hour and fifty minutes to read, but it made me want to read the whole Oresteian Trilogy. The theme of vengeance and justice powerful. Nikki, Susanne, and I are reading one drama a month. Want to join in?

38. Agamemnon by Aeschylus (WEM-Drama) 8 - Vellacott translation

I wanted to compare the two, and I like them both for different reasons. I wonder what the original Greek actually says. They are like two different Bible translations with Hughes being more like The Message, and Vellacott being more traditional.

September

39-42. The Silver Chair, The Magician’s Nephew, The Horse and His Boy, The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis.

Jeremy Northam, Kenneth Branaugh, Alex Jennings, and Patrick Stewart round out the narrators for our journey through Narnia. They all did a fantastic job. I love Patrick Stewart’s little mouse voice imitations. What a treat this has been for my family and me. I still want to read them too. I haven’t really appreciated it fully. The am much better at seeing the words on the paper.

October

43. Leota’s Garden by Francine Rivers 7

This is my first Rivers book after hearing about her for years. She is a good writer. It was a sweet story. It didn’t “wow” me, but sometimes it is nice to read a nice story. It reminded me of Jan Karon’s writing. It was a relaxing read, and I have to admit that I really wanted to read to the end, but it was somewhat predictable.

44. The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork: Embrace Them and Empower Your Team by John Maxwell. 7

It was an easy read for the class I am co-leading. My partner picked the book and will be leading the leadership/teamwork section of the course. I liked it more than I thought I would. Yes, he uses a lot of sports analogies, but I am a jock. So, I enjoyed them. I kept thinking that many of the Laws were pretty obvious, but I thought maybe that is because I have played and worked on a lot of teams. So, there wasn’t anything earth-shattering in there. I was reminded of some things that I need to do though as a team leader rather than just a team member. It was good for that reason.

45. Cultivating the Inner Life by Terri White 5

I read this a couple of months ago, and I forgot to write it down, but I had to reread it for my class. It is written by a friend of mine. It is a very basic book on meditation, prayer, journaling. I wasn’t wild about it. Some girls in the class really liked it though. What is my problem?

46. Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence 9

This is another reread of this classic, and it always encourages me. Had many “presence of God moments” this week as I read it. One most profound while playing Spider Solitaire! Go figure. We will be discussing it in our class in a “book club” manner. Should be fun.

47. Life and Death in Shanghai by Nien Cheng 7

A bit too much detail for me during all her interrogations. Overall, it was a good book in that I got an insider’s look at the Cultural Revolution and life under Mao. Chilling.

48. White Bird Flying by Bess Streeter Aldrich 8

YES, all you Aldrich fans, this is the sequel to A Lantern in Her Hand. It is the story of Abbie Deal’s granddaughter, Laura. I read A Lantern in Her Hand too long ago to remember details, but I liked this one even better. It isn’t as long a span of time and not as many characters. I love her writing. It is soothing for me.

November

49. Breathing Lessons Anne Tyler 6.5 (between Okay; enjoyed parts of it and Good)

It just didn’t grab me. I know it won the Pulitzer for Literure in 1989. I just look at another Pulitzer winner, To Kill a Mockingbird, and I think that their standards have really gone down. It was OK, but it was nothing to win a prize over. It was even pretty boring in parts. I didn’t hate it, but it is no Pulitzer.

50. The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown 4.5

I asked my husband what he thinks I thought of the book (since he had to listen to me talk about it every night for a month), and he said, “Well-written blasphemy!” I had to chuckle, but I guess it isn’t a laughing matter. I was totally fooled in the mystery, and he kept me on the edge of my seat with his cliff-hanging chapter endings. He is a gifted storyteller, but his facts were so blatantly wrong even from a “generally-accepted” historical standpoint that I wanted to laugh out loud at some of his ludicrous, inaccurate statements. It is good fiction though, and I was motivated to turn the page with the rest of us. I just am sad that some take it as fact. This is the tragedy of this book.

December - Decided to use my Christmas Break reading those books that people have given me to read, or I have asked to borrow. I had QUITE a backlog! Nine books!

51. Changing on the Inside by Dr. John White 6

From my mentors: I liked the part about meditation. It just didn’t hit me very hard, and it wasn’t anything new. The trick is always following through on things. :)

52. The Classics We’ve Read, The Difference They’ve Made Edited by Phil Yancey 8 (from LauraLiz)

I am really impressed with this book and can’t believe I waited so long. I was more interested in some classics than others, but it was an enjoyable read overall. Musings on Tolkien, Dostoevsky, devotional masters, George McDonald, John Donne, Flannery O’Connor, Tolstoy, Thomas Merton. Solzhenitsyn, etc by famous Christian authors. Very “good for the mind” reading.

53. Raising Children to Adore God by Paterick Kavanaugh 7

From Kim, a girl I have discipled: I just skimmed this one. It was a loan one. It was excellent, but it wasn’t anything earth shatteringly new conceptually.

54. What Paul REALLY said about Women by John Temple Bristow 7

From my mentors: Went over the main passages about women and picked them apart by defining the Greek words. He also went into Greek/Roman attitudes toward women and how they were carried into the Christian culture.

54. The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orcy 8.5

From my ESFJ buddy, Lisa (who knew I would love this book): Totally enjoyable read. A great adventure story from a woman’s point of view. Loved it!

55. Whose Land? Whose Promise? What Christians Are Not Being Told about Israel and the Palestinians by Gary M. Burge 10

From a Palestinian Christian friend, kicked out of Israel in 1948 when he was fourteen years old: One of those books that I just didn’t have time to read, but SO glad that I did. Remember when I was reading book after book about the Palestinian/Israeli conflict about four years ago? I read a ton of books that were poorly written carrying the a more traditional Evangelical line about Israel being the land of promise in the Bible, and how we need to support Israel. I was never really satisfied, but I moved on until I met with the wife of this Palestinian Christian who wanted to talk with me about our church position on Israel. She gave me this book, and I was so busy I wasn’t able to read it until now. I thought, “I am out of this stage of inquiry. I will just skim it.” Well, have you ever had a book that was life-changing? This is one of those books. It is well-written, well-documented, well-informed and not written carelessly like many of those evangelical Christian books about the subject. It is written by a professor at Wheaton College, and it so though provoking. It was the perfect book to end on Christmas Day as we reflect on the Prince of Peace. I pray weekly for the peace of Jerusalem, but I am so much better informed in my prayer now. I am fueled with compassion for the Palestinian plight like never before. Yes, I believe in the Biblical prophecy concerning Israel, but I also believe in the Biblical principles of ruling ethically and morally. An eye-opening book that I encourage others to read.


56. The Promise by Michael Card 10 - Love these Christmas reflections every year!

57. Blood Brothers by Elias Chacour 10

From #55 friend: Perfect book to read as a follow up of Whose Land? Whose Promise. Moving autobiographical account of a Christian Palestinian from 1948 (at partitioning of Palestine) on into adulthood. I think everyone should read this book! Heartwarming and wrenching in one breath.

58. Affliction by Edith Shaeffer 8

From Carrie: This is a good “theology of suffering” course. She is so Trapdoorish. :) Thanks Carrie for sending it to me. I am sending it back to you after having it for a LOONG time!

59. How to be Filled with the Spirit by A.W. Tozer 7.5

Not my favorite Tozer writing, but it was nice to read him after a long hiatus

60. Scapegoat by Daphne DuMarnier (Author of Rebecca and The Birds)

From my friend, Lisa:

Old Book Lists (2001-2004 with a random old list)

I saw someone I used to know on line post many of her books she has recorded reading over the years, and I realized that I should do that too. So, here are my lists:
Key:

BB = Book Babes Book Club

TWEM = The Well-Educated Mind Book List

TDS = Trapdoor Society Book Club

ITC = Invitation to the Classics Book List= 

§ = I think they were kids' books I read aloud, but I don't know why I didn't count them in the numbers because many of the numbered ones are kid read-alouds. Too long ago to remember what that meant.

2004

1. In the Presence of My Enemies
2. Iron and Silk (BB)
3. Swimming Across (BB)
4. It’s Getting Better All the Time: 100 Greatest Trends of the Last 100 Years.
5. Praying God’s Word
6. The South Beach Diet
7. Conformed to His Image: Biblical and Practical Approaches to Spiritual Formation
8. Gulliver’s Travels (TWEM)
9. The Agony and Ecstasy (BB)
10. Pride & Prejudice (TWEM)
11. The Worn-Out Woman
12. Benjamin Franklin
13. The Feminine Mystique (TWEM)
14. Cold Sassy Tree (BB))
15. Oliver Twist (TWEM)
16. A Room with a View (TDS)
17. Five People You Meet in Heaven (BB)
18. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (TWEM)
19. Anna Karenina (TWEM)
20. Madame Bovary (TWEM)
21. Madame Bovary: C’est Moi
22. The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands
23. Epic of Gilgamesh (TWEM)
24. Moby Dick (TWEM)
25. Emma (BB)
26. Uncle Tom’s Cabin (TWEM)
27. The Good Earth
28. The Salt Garden
29. Winter Wheat
30. History of US: First Americans (Kids)
31. Crime and Punishment
32. Blackbird House
33. Return of the Native (TWEM, 9.5)
34. Portrait of a Lady (TWEM, 9.5)
35. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
36. The Message
37. The Red Badge of Courage



2003

1. The Message: The New Testament
2. The Chosen by Chaim Potok (Book Babes 7.9, 7)
3. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (Book Babes 5.2, 9)
4. A Town Like Alice by Neville Shute (Book Babes 7.65, 9)
5. Christy by Catherine Marshall (Book Babes 8.57, 9.5)
6. The Count of Monte Cristo (Book Babes 8, 9.5)
7. Faith of the Fatherless by Vitz (5)
8. The Secret Life of Bees (TDS, 6)
9. Holly Rollers by McCracken & Blodgett (Book Babes, 8)
10. Ex-Libris by Fadiman (TDS, 4)
11. Safe People by Cloud and Townsend (7)
12. Oedipus the King (ITC, 9)
13. Prisoners of Hope: The Story of Our Captivity and Freedom in Afghanistan (7.5)
14. The Confessions of St. Augustine (TWEM, 5.5)
15. Ava’s Man by Rick Bragg (Book Babes 7.1, 5.5)
16. Pemberly Continued by Emma Tenant (6)
17. Jane Austen in Boca by Paula Marantz Cohen (TDS, 6.5)
18. Pride, Prejudice, and Jasmin Field by Melissa Nathan (7.5)
19. An Unequal Marriage: Pride and Prejudice 24 Years Later (5.5)
20. The World of King Arthur and His Court
21. The Story of the USA Book 1
22. The Story of the USA Book 2
23. Landmark History of the American People
24. John Adams (Book Babes 8.9, 9.5)
25. The Story of the USA Book 3
26. The Story of the USA Book 4
27. A Lantern in Her Hand (TDS, 7.5)
28. The Bedside Book of Famous American Stories: Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Irving
29. TBBOFAS: Rip Van Winkle by Irving
30. TBBOFAS: Paul’s Case by Cather
31. TBBOFAS: The Great Stone Face by Hawthorne
32. The Paridiso by Dante (ITC)
33. Celebrating America (7)
34. My Antonia by Cather (8.5)
35. One of Ours by Cather (8)
36. Don Quixote (TWEM 7)
37. Queen Victoria by Strachey (TWEM)
38. One Day in the Life of Ivan ?
39. Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners by Bunyan (TWEM)
40. I Heard the Owl Call My name
41. Pilgrim’s Progress (TWEM)
42. The Purpose Driven-Life
43. Jane Eyre
44. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
45. The Color of Water (Book Babes)
46. The Well-Educated Mind
47. Dreaming Water

2002

1. Rebecca
2. Blue Light
3. Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
4. Kaffir Boy
5. Islam
6. For Children’s Sake
7. Pride and Prejudice
8. Beowolf
9. My Name is Asher Lev (Book Babes)
10. Gone with the Wind (Book Babes)
11. What Went Wrong?
12. Israel in Crisis
13. The Hobbit
14. Scarlett
15. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
16. Precious Bane
17. The Corn is Green (TDS)
18. Jane and the Man of the Cloth
19. In Quiet Light: Poems on Vermeer’s Women
20. A Beautiful Mind
21. Has God Finished with Israel
22. In This Mountain
23. Jane and The Genius of the Place
24. Europe 101
25. Inferno by Dante (TWEM)
26. Family Matters: Why Homeschooling Makes Sense
27. The Pursuit of of God by Tozer
28. The Purgatorio by Dante (ITC)
29. Seabiscuit (Book Babes)
30. Skipping Christmas by Grisham (Book Babes)
31. Christmas in Plains by Jimmy Carter (Book Babes)
32. The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoyevsky (ITC)
33. The Bacchae
34. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Book Babes)
35. Celia’s House

Kid’s Read Alouds

1. 100 Dresses

§ Box Car Children
§ Granny Hans Breakfast
2. Alice in Wonderland
3. Peter Pan
4. Twenty and Ten
5. Jame’s Herriott’s Treasury
§ Surprise Island
§ Yellow House Mystery
6. In Grandma’s Attic
7. Johnny Appleseed
§ The Story of Dr. Doolittle
§ Children’s Book of Virtue
8. Richard Scarry’s Please and Thank You Book
9. Capybobby
§ Mystery Ranch
§ Mike’s Mystery
10. Heidi
§ Prehistoric Pinkerton
§ Be A Wolf!
11. The Hidden Jewel
12. Centerburg Tales (On tape)
13. Kindnapped by River Rats
14. Homer Price
15. Oh, The Place’s He Went
§ Prince and the Pauper
16. The Story of the World Volume 1: Ancient Times by Susan Wise-Bauer
§ Fables
§ Leif Erikson
§ Robin Hood of Sherwood Forst
§ Minstrel in the Town
§ All the Tin-Tin Books
17. Follow My Leader

2001

1. Girl with the Pearl Earring
2. Jane Eyre
3. Gap Creek
4. Samarai Garden
5. Snow Falling on Cedar
6. To Kill a Mockingbird
7. Wait ‘Till Next Year
8. We’ll Meet Again
9. A Common Life
10. Detective in Togas (Kids)
11. Founding Brothers
12. Charlotte Mason Companion
13. The Apprentice (Kids)
14. Little Riders (Kids)
15. Scent of Water
16. Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang (Kids)
17. Sister Wendy’s Grand Tour
18. Sister Wendy’s Impressionist Masterpieces
19. American Masterpieces
20. Sister Wendy’s: My Favorite Things
21. A Child’s Book of Prayer in Art
22. A Child’s History of the World (Kids)
23. Usborne World History (Kids)
24. Maps and Globes (Kids)
25. You Can Change the World Volume 2 (Kids)
26. Peter the Great (Kids)
27. Hurlbut’s Story of the Bible (Kids)
28. Revelation
29. 2 Peter
30. 2 Corinthians
31. Don’t Let the Jerks Get you Down
32. The Pre-Wrath Rapture Explained
33. The Hidden Smile of God
34. Sister Wendy Muses
35. Love Life for Every Married Couple
36. War of Words
37. Women as Risk Takers for God
38. Dealing with Difficult People
39. Beyond Recovery (Theophostic)
40. Winter Passion
41. Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamont
42. Letter and Papers from Prison by Bonhoeffer (ITC)
43. A Walk to Remember (Book Babes)
44. Deadline by Randy Alcorn
45. Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan (TWEM)
46. Prayer of Jabez
47. Princess by Sasson
48. The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe
49. Sister Wendy’s Book of Meditations
50. Sister Wendy’s Book of Saints
51. Princess Sultana’s Daughters
52. A Grain of Rice (Kids)
53. Story of Ping (Kids)
54. Gilgamesh the King (Kids)
55. Return of Ishtar (Kids)
56. My Father’s Dragon (Kids)
57. Harry Potter (Book Babes)
58. A Walk in the Woods
59. Princess Sultana’s Circle
60. A Christmas Carol
61. Wizard of Oz (Kids)
62. Five True Dog Stories (Kids)
63. How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk
64. Siblings Without Rivalry

Miscellaneous in Past Years

Zion Chronicle Series
Zion Covenant Series
Codependent No More
Boundaries
Changes that Heal
The Pursuit of Holiness
The God You Can Know
The Cost of Discipleship
Through Gates of Splendor
Knowledge of the Holy
Les Miserables
7 Habits of Highly Effective Families
7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Church History in Plain Language
Anne of Green Gables
Anne of Avonlea
Anne of the Island
Anne of Windy Poplars
Anne’s House of Dreams
Anne of the Island
Jan Karon Series
Immanuel: Reflections on the Life of Christ
Pride and Prejudice
Sense and Sensibility
Mansfield Park
Northanger Abbey
Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secrets
Desiring God
Hind’s Feet on Hinds Places

1993
Through Gates of Splendor
The Making of a Leader
The Body
Savage My Kinsman
1700 Years is Long Enough
George Mueller: Man of Faith
Brunei: Enchantment of the World
Singapore: Enchantment of the World
Malaysia: Enchantment of the World
A Child of Singapore
A Child of Malaysia
A Family of Singapore
The Hiding Place
In My Father’s House
A Thousand Shall Fall
The Way Things Ought to Be
Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home
In Search of the Source
The House of the Lord: God’s Plan to Liberate Your City from Darkness by Frangipane
Susanna: Mother of the Wesley’s
John Wesley’s Message for Today
Fast Your Way to Health
Marriage to a Difficult Man (About Edwards)
History of the Conservative Baptists
Christian Theology in Plain Language
Not Ashamed of the Gospel
Operation World
Living on Less
The Holy Spirit
Sequoia Scout (Thoene)
Say to this Mountain
Man from Shadow Ridge
The Way of the Heart
The Stay at Home Mom

The Precious

111 - A Grandmother's Love, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

I was walking home today from a meeting with Claudia (above), and I heard It is Well with My Soul on my iPod, and I looked up and saw the cross against a blue sky, and I just started crying like a baby. It is well with my soul, and I am home.

I have utmost respect for Claudia and Vicki. I think we are in sinc as to what my role will be with the Women's Ministry: helping facilitate one-on-one mentoring and discipleship. I told her that God had given me these verses in my time of prayer:

And we proclaim Him

Admonishing every [wo]man and

Teaching every [wo]man

with all wisdom

that we may

Present every [wo]man

Complete (mature, whole) in Christ.

Col. 1:28,29.

WOOHOO!

The Trinity: A Journal by Kenneth Boa

I am done with all my inductive Bible studies for the summer (Genesis and Colossians), and I have enjoyed just soaking through Lectio (pronounced Lek-see-o) Divina in this little gem. I have all four in his series, and I did the one with the Nicene Creed in it, but I don't think I fully appreciated it like I am this one.

It is so simple and almost too simple that I think someone might not appreciate it.

Read

Meditate

Pray through

Contemplate

on one - five verses per day.

It has been very relaxing for me after too much intense inductive study. It all comes back to balance, really. Both are valuable and important disciplines that feed my soul.

Balance.

The Road

HPIM0787, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

I found this picture from 2005 when I was deleting old photos to make room on our hard drive. I think George took it at the place in Newberg, and I just love it. The light shining on the path out of darkness into the light beyond.

This is so analogous of how life is these days. There is a shining path in front of us, and we are reaching forward to a bright future ahead of us.

We were in the dark, dense wilderness for so long. Maybe not 40 years like the Israelites, but it was 28 years for me and 22 for George. I always knew that we were heading out of the wilderness though, and I think we were headed in the right direction. For the most part, we were on the path, and there were (and still are) wonderful people whom we partnered with along the way while we were there, but it is still nice to be seeing the light out there to a wide open brightness at the meadow on the top of the hill. "I can almost see the top of the hill, and I believe it's worth it all." (Amy Grant song from the 80's)

I just KNOW that we have chosen the right place for this new stage of our journey. I have continued to marvel at God's goodness to bring us to where we are today.

I like today. I really like today.

Summer Progress for Reading and Cleaning

Here is my original reading list with updates:

READING:

FROM ORIGINAL LIST

The books that I have finished:

1776 by McCullough (I like to read a patriotic book around the 4th of July!)
Crunchy Cons by Ron Dreher (Lamp-post discussion end of June)
Passage to India by Forster (Book Dames discussion July 14 and Lamp-post July 27)
Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnards (Just because I love this!)
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See (Book Babes for July)(LOVED)

The book I decided to send back:

How to Read Slowly: A Christian Guide to Reading with the Mind by James W. Sire (boring)

Still to readfrom list:

The Cloister Walk by Norris (Prep for possible workshop at Jubilee on Private Retreat)IN PROCESS
Hound of the Baskervilles by Doyle (Book Dames for September)
Escape from Slavery by Francis Bok (Book Babes that I didn't read in April)


Books not on list that I read this summer from other people's recommendations:

Big Box Swindle - Excellent expose of the Big Box retailers in America. Valuable
The Paradox of Choice - Don't see what some of my Lamp-post friends found so profound about it. Just common sense IMHO
The Secret - Another one where I don't see why this is so popular and has landed the author into the riches celebrities list. It will help me in dialogue with others about it and its popularity.
Eat this Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading - This is delicious!

Books Ginny and Lorraine gave me that I am not sure I will read:

Mozart's Sister by Nancy Moser
The Fisherman's Lady by George MacDonald (Ron R. tried to get me to read this about twenty years ago. Should I try again?)

CLEANING UPDATE

I got through all my closets. I had forgotten about the Linen closet, and I finished it. I have done all the bathroom cupboards and drawers.

Basically, I only have one drawer in my office: The Memory Drawer!

Next week, I will start all the kitchen drawers, cupboards and pantry. :)

Happy 89th Birthday Dad

Mom and Dad 1956, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Today was my dad's birthday. He would have been 89 today. Amazing. Here he is with my mom on their honeymoon. He is 38 years old.

They are such a dashing couple.

It is another sunny day!

DSC_0038, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

It is going to be 100 degrees today.

Freewrite

I am reading Peter Elbow's book, Writing without Teachers. So, I will write until 12:10 and punch the button because this is a freewrite.

I have been lazy this morning. We were going to go up to Iron Mountain and Cone Peak early this morning, but we have been very socially engaged for the last few days and needed a down morning. George has from Wednesday to Monday off of work because HP wanted them to take time off to save money.

We will go to Cone Peak/Iron Mountain later on today so we can get the flowers in the low light of late afternoon/early evening.

Since we didn't get up, I slept in until 7 a.m. and finished my book Big Box Swindle while George got out of the house and shopping this morning by 8 a.m. YIPPEE! No shopping for me this week is a very good thing. :)

I really enjoyed Big Box Swindle, and the way I am going to apply it is try to shop at the First Alternative Food Coop here in town and Richey's Market which is locally owned. I will also try to buy more fresh produce at the Wednesday and Saturday Farmer's Markets. I am really convinced that buying locally and supporting local businesses is the way to support our community in a much more fruitful way.

George is inviting the W's out for lunch, but it sounds like they are on their way out of town. Hmmm.... who can go with us out to lunch? I feel like just having a totally goofing off sort of day.

Actually, I didn't TOTALLY goof off in that I gave Michael a Personality Style Inventory test, and he is an INFP. He is almost identical to George, but he is an introvert. It was very helpful to him and us. We are trying to encourage him to be more outgoing in new social situations, but it is hard sometimes with the social groups that tend to form and close out others at our old church. The adults do it, and I have heard the kids in the youth group also do it and have done it for years. Sad but true. So, my dear oldest son is a matter of much prayer for us these days. He is such a nice and great boys, but he doesn't have a "jock" image to project him into society. I keep encouraging him to maybe do something in the acting realm, but his introversion really plays into that. I keep telling him that many introverts do act, but I will just keep praying and hoping he will step out of his comfort zone in more areas. :)

Well, the W's can't go. So, I will pray someone calls us today! LOL! Maybe I will go and do that right now.

It is now 12:10. Punching the button with no proofreading.

Finished 1776 and Sobbed Like a Baby

What a price these dear people paid for our freedom. I am so inspired by George Washington's life and my next 4th of July book will be a biography of George Washington!

I love this quotation from John Adams that he includes on p. 180:

"We have no government armed with the power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

AMEN!

From 1776 - A Book About America's Independence

P. 14-5

. . .John Wilkes, Lord Mayor of London, champion of the people and the homeliest man in Parliament, stood to be heard, and to let there be no doubt that he was John Wilkes.

"I speak, Sir, as a firm friend to England and America, but still more to universal liberty and the rights of all mankind. I trust no part of the subjects of this vast empire will ever submit to be slaves." Never had England been engaged in a contest of such import to her own best interests and possessions, Wilkes said.

We are fighting for the subjection, the unconditional submission of a
country infinitely more extened than our own, of which every day increases the
wealth, the natural strength, the population. Should we not succeed . . . we
shall be considered as their most implacable enemies, and eterrnal spearation will
follow, and the grandeur of the British empire pass away.

The war with "our brethren" in America was "unjust . . . fatal and ruinous to our country," he declared.

Delivered in the House of Commons, October 26, 1775

"Daily Care" Goals

I had a goal of getting through all the closets in the house and I only have half of the craft room closet to go, and I am done with that goal!

I did all the kids' toys and books and under the stairs (with kids), their room, drawers, and closet, office closet, and my side of the master bedroom closet.

After this I am going to extend my summer goals (since it just started, and I am almost done!) to include for the month of July:

Bathroom drawers and cupboards
Office drawers
Kids' desk drawer
Craft room desk drawers
Kitchen cupboards, drawers, and pantry

Then, I will work on my scrapbooks in last July or early August. :)

I also want to purchase:

Four drawer file for downstairs so kids can put their drawings and paper projects in there
Tall book shelf to match the other one on the other side of computer table

After all of this, I want to encourage the garage and storage shed to be cleaned up by Geo and the boys!

Summer Reading List Progress

How to Read Slowly: A Christian Guide to Reading with the Mind by James W. Sire - Sent it back from which is came. Incredibly DRY and BORING! Couldn't read it.

I replaced that book with:

Eat this Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading by Eugene Peterson - It was throughly delightful and covered Lectio Divina and the power of reading Scripture for transformation. I ate it up!

Crunchy Cons by Ron Dreher (Lamp-post discussion end of June) - Absolutely loved it. I am leading the discussion right now, and I don't think I am very good at leading online discussions. I am much better in person on that score. Not to self: Don't lead any more online discussion after you lead Passage to India. LOL!

Passage to India by Forster (Book Dames discussion July 14 and Lamp-post July 27)

I really love Forster! It was very fun to read and to see the cultural differences between the English and Indian and between Indians of different religions. Fascinating!

Still left to read this summer:

1776 by McCullough - I may start that this week or wait until next week
The Cloister Walk by Norris -It looks like I will lead this workshop. So it is a go.
Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnards - Want to just pick back up for QT. I am halfway through and have been for quite some time!
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan - My next fiction after Hinds Feet
Hound of the Baskervilles by Doyle - Sent it back to the library since we aren't discussing until September. I will read it in August
Escape from Slavery by Francis Bok - No rush since it is borrowed

An ADD kind of day

I had nothing on my calendar. So, I pretty much did just a little bit of this and a little bit of that, but I think I need days like that. I am so the "goal-oriented" lady that an ADD day is very good for me!

Did a little bit of Abraham study, a little bit of reading Eat this Book by Peterson, straightened up my half a the master bedroom closet, read a little bit of Hakim's first book to see if it is suitable for high school US History, looked into buying the first book, looked up some alternative history books on Amazon and at the library, looked at a few of the attractions in Washington, D.C. to scope it out for Aug of 2009, ate a bit of this and that, talked to the boys a bit, talked to Teala a bit, talked to Dee when she picked up the bird a bit emailed Cheri about getting together (I miss her!), emailed Tammy about Apologia Science, emailed Roger about the board meeting in July, emailed back and forth with Tori, emailed Rebekah, posted a bit on Lamp-post, took some pictures of flowers in my yard, printed off all but 4 timeline figure pages for next year's history lessons, watched Swing Time with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers (delightful). Not much finished or done, and I am sure I could have really been more efficient with my day, but I like ADD days now and then.

George is cooking sesame chicken and some Indian chipatis, and I am happy as a clam who is going to eat chicken. :)

Amen!

"Great men of God like Charles Spurgeon, G. Campbell Morgan, and H.A. Ironside never had the privilege of formal Bible training. But they were devoted students of the Word, learning its deeper truths through hours of study, meditation, and prayer. The first step toward fullness of life is spiritual intelligence -- growing in the will of God by knowing the Word of God."

Warren Wiersbe Commentary on Colossians 1:9

Jumping In

Jumping In, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

I just love life right now, and these girls are jumping, and I feel like jumping too, but my bladder wouldn't be able to take it. I am not a teenager anymore!

Friday Freewrite

A slower day. It was so busy most of this week. I love hearing the laughter downstairs as P is reading a book and telling M, "You have to hear this. This is hilarious!" Then, he reads a joke from the book that he is reading.

I sold my Math U See blocks today. It is sort of sad. :( We are out of that manipulative stage. We sold many things at the book sale. I brought an overflowing box and came back with half of one. So, it was a productive thing, even though it was so much work getting all the books together, but I cleaned out many shelves. I didn't spend more than I made, and this was the goal. I found a BJU Geometry set that retails for 135 for 35! It was a good book purchase.

This sale was so much more organized than the last one. They did such a great job, and I am so impressed with the coordinator. She LOVES doing this sort of thing because she loves the networking. George went with me and had to leave because he said he was on "estrogen overload." I laughed. :)

I have been filing and culling out papers in my file cabinet. Life is really a battle with paper. You can't let them overtake you. As it is, my "catch drawer" is all empty and my filing basket is too. I just have to find some more hanging files for my new SHAPE files. I am throwing out some of the old stuff too. I won't be needing it anymore.

Had a discipleship meeting at church with Jerome, Rick, Carey, and Vicki, and can I just say that they are such a nice group of leaders. I love being around all these people. They are so committed to seeing people come to know and love Jesus more and more. It was a peaceful meeting.

P came up to tell me the joke he was just telling M. I laughed. I love it when he sits really close to me like that. I think they are such fine men; but of course, I am prejudice. :)

Reading A Passage to India. I read over thirty pages this morning on the elliptical. The large-print books help when I am exercising. I LOVE this book. It helps for me to have a visual picture because I already have seen the movie. I hope the Book Dames aren't discouraged because of all the new vocabulary. I am learning it through context and not worrying about it. I think E.M. Forster is a BRILLIANT author. I loved A Room with a View, and this is just as good! I wish I were good at writing down all the brilliant passages. I love Mrs. Moore. I loved her musings on love. Forster is profound. I hope he was a good guy. I can't remember.

I woke up at 2:30 a.m. I figured I would get up and ended up staying up. So, I got lots of study time in Genesis, then exercise time, then reading time, then filing and organizing time, and doctor (I think George will be fine), book sale, and now just mellowing out and going back to the finishing touches on the office. My goal is to also get to the downstairs craft closet before we leave for Boise tomorrow, but I don't know if that is going to happen. Oh, I also listened to John Piper preach on a summary of Romans 1-7. OH MY! I love Piper. He really is my favorite modern theologian along with my man, Kenneth Boa. (Only I go ga-ga over men of the word instead of movie stars. I am so weird.)

More flowers are blooming. There are some pretty pink ones on the front bush. I love this neighborhood every season; beautiful flowers and people. Funny how lonely I felt at first impression. It took about a year, but the bread baking helped so much.

What will be my picture of the day? Should it be the book sale or the nurse drawing blood from George to continue my "appointment" theme of the week? Then, there are those flowers. :)

Kim S. and I talked for a bit yesterday. She was so sweet to say that I have no idea the influence I am having on her life. I like not knowing what I am doing, really It keeps me from getting a big head!

Realizing I am just loving the "unofficial" capacity that I am having now. I don't miss the pressure being in the WB class. I love the input that I am getting that exceeding the output in my life. It is a nice balance because we all know that . . .

If
your input exceeds
your output then
your upkeep will be
your downfall

I better get back to the grind. Still need to pack for Boise, but George knows that I will wait until the absolute last minute for that one! It is the Carol way. I just have to procrastinate and do everything ELSE other than pack that bag. It just is the way I operate when it comes to that dreaded deed!

BTW, I am only 1.4 pounds away from my goal weight! WOOHOO! My goal was to get to it by Debbie's wedding. I want to be careful tonight to not overeat and make that goal. I had a little bit of a munch on chocolate chips at mid day, but I am caught the hand to mouth and aborted the attempt at sabotage.

Also want to pray a bit more today, but even sitting here on the couch has been so good for my soul. I am at peace, and I want to carry it through the more hectic weekend that lay ahead.

TTFN.

2008 is going to be great! Austen Lives!

Sundays with Jane: PBS' MASTERPIECE THEATRE to Present 'The Complete Jane Austen'
Posted : Mon, 21 May 2007 12:04:00 GMT

PressRelease News
DALLAS, May 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- MASTERPIECE THEATRE has good news for Jane Austen's millions of fans: PBS' beloved British drama series will broadcast adaptations of all of Austen's six novels, plus a new drama based on her life. It's the first time in television history that her books have been broadcast as a complete collection.Beginning in January 2008 on PBS, MASTERPIECE THEATRE is inviting viewers to tune in on Sunday nights for "The Complete Jane Austen": new presentations of Northanger Abbey, Persuasion, Mansfield Park, and Sense and Sensibility. The lineup will also include the acclaimed Emma starring Kate Beckinsale, and Pride and Prejudice, the Emmy award-winning miniseries that made Colin Firth a heartthrob.Miss Austen Regrets, a true story based on Jane Austen's own letters and diaries, will be part of the four-month marathon."Once we sealed the deal on the four new Austen adaptations, we decided we had to complete the package with Emma and Pride and Prejudice," says MASTERPIECE THEATRE executive producer Rebecca Eaton. "The biopic Miss Austen Regrets is the frosting on the cake: an intimate portrait of the remarkable woman behind these wonderful stories."Almost 200 years after her death, Jane Austen's popularity continues to soar, with two feature films about her slated for 2007, and numerous books and articles analyzing her appeal."MASTERPIECE THEATRE is the perfect fit for this ground-breaking television event," said John Wilson, Sr. Vice President and Chief TV Programming Executive for PBS. "I know that I'm saving my Sundays in January for this incredible collection of Jane Austen stories, as I know millions of MASTERPIECE and Austen fans will do as well."Four of the titles -- Northanger Abbey, Sense and Sensibility, Emma and Pride and Prejudice -- were adapted by celebrated screenwriter Andrew Davies, whose Bleak House on MASTERPIECE THEATRE was one of the most acclaimed television dramas of 2006."Presenting Austen's novels consecutively is a brilliant idea because they reinforce each other -- and they are not too long," says Davies. "Airing all of Dickens would take five years!"Mansfield Park is a coproduction of Company Productions and WGBH Boston. Persuasion is a Clerkenwell Films production for ITV in association with WGBH Boston. Northanger Abbey is a coproduction of Granada and WGBH Boston. Sense and Sensibility and Miss Austen Regrets are coproductions of the BBC and WGBH Boston. Pride and Prejudice is a coproduction of the BBC and A&E. Emma is a coproduction of Granada and A&E.MASTERPIECE THEATRE has been presented on PBS by WGBH since 1971. Rebecca Eaton is executive producer.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting and public television viewers provide funding for MASTERPIECE THEATRE.

pbs.org/masterpiecePBS; WGBH

from: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,108788.shtml

Rejoicing I am out of the Vortex

Something is happening today. Instead of feeling "left out," I am reveling in life out of the vortex, sipping Chai tea, listening to the Vienna Master's Series, and reading Crunchy Cons. Life is indeed good.

Vortex:

1. A spiral motion of fluid within a limited area, especially a whirling mass of water or air that sucks everything near it toward its center.
2. A place or situation regarded as drawing into its center all that surrounds it.

Answers in Genesis

Finishing up my study of Genesis that I started several years ago (Maybe four?) has been really delightful. Genesis is one of the "recommended" books that all believers study before they go on to other books (the other recommended ones are John, Romans, Ephesians, and James) because it is truly the book of beginnings. As I studied Romans 1-5 this last year, I thought it would have been great for our little Bible study to start with Genesis first because of that fact.

I had already done Creation and the Fall a while back. So, I started in with the Flood and Genesis 6 around Memorial Day, and it has been good. Although the Precept upon Precept study goes into a little more detail about flood research than I would have cared for, it was an interesting pursuit. I am now in the life of Abram and Genesis 12 and am much more happily situation though. I love character studies, and the next three sections will be character studies on the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob/Esau, and Joseph. So, I should have a very fun summer. :)

Today I meditated and will continue to meditate on Chapters 12:1-3

Now the LORD said to Abram,
"Go forth from your country
And from you relatives
And from your father's house,
To the land which I will show you;
And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing;
And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

I am going to chew on thise more, but my first thought was about the tower of Babel and how they said, ". . .let us make for ourselves a name. . ." Here God says, "I will make your name great." Then I thought about what I was thinking in the car on the way back from my church and a good talk and time of prayer with Kim S. It struck me about how some churches try to make a name for themselves, but God has to be the one blessing and making the name!

So, it was interesting that I should meditate on that this morning. May we humble ourselves until God exalts us at the proper time.