27
May

Words on Wednesday - The Best Books

Today's thought about the best books:
the best books offer a window into life and truth
is from Rod Dreher's excellentHow Dante Can Save Your Life: The Life-Changing Wisdom of History's Greatest Poem
This book will be showing up in future "Words on Wednesday" posts because I filled several pages of my commonplace book while reading it.

It's an excellent book. It isn't hard to read, although it is hard to describe what genre of book it is, exactly. Maybe self-help for people who don't read self-help books? (Although really, it isn't about helping yourself, per se.) Memoir. A book about books. Apologetics.

Very hard to define, but highly recommended!

Recently finished:

Other than the above mentioned book I also finished:
How to Be a Heroine: Or, What I've Learned from Reading too Muchby Samantha Ellis. I liked parts of this, but it wasn't my favorite. (And anyway, I grow impatient with anyone who thinks - or thought - Wuthering Heights is the height of romance. Gag.)

The Silent Sisterby Diane Chamberlain. Picked this one up at the library on a whim.

It started out strong: good sense of character and well written prose. It promised plot twists and family mysteries. However, it didn't deliver on these promises. There are plot holes big enough to drive an RV through. The "twists" are easily deduced. The ending is wish-fulfillment rather than realistic.

I don't think I've read anything else by Chamberlain. I think she definitely has a nice writing style, but this one ultimately left me cold.

I'm finding it hard to settle to any sort of serious reading. I've ordered some frothy type books from the library but even those haven't come in.

Mostly, I'm restlessly waiting for the newest member of the family. I think he heard the midwife say we wouldn't make it to his due date and decided to prove her wrong, because he shows no signs of being in any hurry to present himself. You'd think by Baby #6, I would have learned to be patient with this point in pregnancy, but, well, I haven't.

What are your favorite books to read when you're finding it hard to settle down with a book?

Dover Books

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Comments

  1. Tressa says:

    I read Girl on A Train. Blah. The whole time I was reading it, I kept asking myself "Why am I reading this?" Don't recommend.
    I downloaded a digital copy of "The Death you Deserve". It is a fantasy book. I am not far into it. I also read "Living Ladylike". I am not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't what I hoped for.

    I usually pick up a light read when I am restless or an easy non-fiction. I read Zillowed. It was ok. Light and easy and somewhat informative.

    I am excited for you! Come on, little guy! The world needs you! :)

  2. bekahcubed says:

    Wuthering Heights the height of romance? I echo your blech...

    And... to completely destroy my credibility as a discriminating reader, when I'm having a hard time settling into a book, I read something by Lori Wick :-)

  3. Julia says:

    I am waiting not-so-patiently for 'How Dante...' from the library. I have heard all good things about this book and can hardly wait to get my hands on it. I am currently reading a modern remake of the Lord Peter mysteries originally written by Dorothy Sayers. The remake's title is A Presumption of Death by Jill Paton Walsh. I am quite enjoying it.

    1. Karen says:

      I've read the Lord Peter mysteries by Paton Walsh and I've enjoyed them, although I wasn't too fond of the most recent. Have you read her own series about Imogen Quy? They're well written and diverting too.

  4. Carol says:

    I'd like to get a hold of the Dante book. I probably shouldn't say this but after baby no 4 my pregnancies became much less predictable. I was so shocked when my 7th went past her due date, only by 2 days, mind you, I cried for a whole day. It had never happened before.

    1. Karen says:

      That is exactly what I feel like. All the others have been early or on the dot. I've never been overdue before and I feel like this one is trying to make his mark by being different from all his siblings!

  5. dawn says:

    I've read Rod's blog off and on for years and both of his previous books; I'm looking forward to reading this one ... just debating whether it will be from the library or owned. Rod has a wonderful way of saying things. Thanks.

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