Sometimes the best quotes come from the children's books I read! (Usually aloud to a child, sometimes not. I love Kid Lit and I'm not ashamed of that.)
Anyway, see below for more about this title.
Fiction:I am bailing on The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin. Which is sad, because bookshops, London, and WW2 are three of my favorite things to read about and this ought to be my cuppa but it SO IS NOT. First, it's written at about a fifth grade reading level (generously speaking). I mean, this is I.E.W. writing. (Sorry, homeschool biases sneaking in there. I.E.W. is my shorthand for "formulaic and banal.") Second, the characters are poorly drawn. And third, there's a lot of telling instead of showing. Frankly, life is too short for books that aren't even Interestingly Bad. (There is such a thing as "so bad, it's fun" in books as in movies, but this doesn't rise to that.)
Nonfiction:The Storm is Upon Us by Mike Rothschild. I am having trouble wrapping my head around how conspiracy theories hijacked people who I used to agree with. Reading this is my way of trying to figure it out, I guess.
Bible: I'm in Leviticus in The Amplified Study Bible. (Coincidentally, one of my least favorite times in my Bible reading. Not because I don't find Leviticus interesting or important, but because I read my Bible in the morning while drinking my first cup of coffee of the day and some of those Levitical passages are...off-putting to say the least.
Devotional:The Radiant Midnight by Melissa Maimone. This is such a good and helpful book! Highly recommend. (Tiny disclaimer: haven't finished yet.)
Theology:Picked up a copy of Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund at the thrift store a few weeks ago. I've heard good things about this one but haven't started it yet.
Practical:Need a good homeschool or homekeeping title here, but haven't picked one up recently.
Classic: Moby Dick by Herman Melville. Slow read (obviously). They're at sea now and Captain Ahab has made an appearance. (sound effect voice) dun, dun, dun!
Read Aloud:Tales from Silver Lands by Charles Finger. This title won the Newberry Medal in 1925. I didn't know that, I just bought it at a thrift store several years ago because it had "the look." (As in: a vintage, former library book that seemed like it belonged on our shelves.) We chose it basically at random from our shelves, but it seems like we have an unofficial Newberry theme going on. (The last few books we've read have been winners.) My daughter (11 years old) loves myths and folk tales and this is a great addition to our library. (Bonus: the chapters are not too long and not too short. Perfect for bedtime reading!)
I'm keeping up with my Goodreads account more faithfully these days. I'd be happy to add a few more friends there as well so send me a request if we're not already linked up.
What are you reading now?
Pretty sure my copy of Ortlund’s book is heavily marked. I have the sequel, “Deeper” to read when I have the time.
I also just finished his book on the psalms called “In the Lord I Take Refuge.” It’s also available as a podcast, which was convenient while driving to work.
Um, did you want to talk Ortlund?