August has always brought to me a sense of excitement that autumn (my favourite season) is on its way, but also a sense of sadness that the long days of sunshine will soon end. Below are recommendations (which may include spoilers) of some of the books I’ve been reading this month, as well as a book of which to be wary:
Many Waters, by Madeline L’Engle – The fourth book in the Wrinkle in Time Quintet is the book I suggest being wary of reading. A plethora of themes are explored: the awakening of sexuality, terrorism, and questions of Biblical accuracy are just a few. Its edginess made me uncomfortable at times because I felt it to be almost too heavy-handed. I also think it tries to deal with too much at once. In a sense, it is almost a prequel to the series: Sandy and Dennys go back to Noahic times before Echthroi and the constant fight against darkness, and Charles Wallace and Meg are only tertiary characters. This story is much more an exploration of mythology and theology than an exploration of science. I recommend it because it is part of a series and expounds the Murray twins’ characters, but I would not recommend it as a read aloud.
A Swiftly Tilting Planet, by Madeline L’Engle – The third book in the Wrinkle in Time Quintet builds upon its predecessors and is, in a sense, a larger story. Now a teenager, Charles Wallace is whisked off into an adventure through time and space with the unicorn Gaudior in order to try and save Earth. Meg and their new dog, Ananda, must kythe with Charles Wallace in order to help keep him safe. The Echthroi are still the enemy, and the reader is introduced to quite a number of characters. This is a great read aloud, but if you are planning on reading it aloud I suggest reading it alone first as there are some themes that could be confusing or too ‘adult’ for children.
The saga of this expounder of expressions begins in the land of sea and sunny skies, when the music-maker and the word-typer became the caretakers and faith-growers of the flower-called child. Heritage of music by blood and by mastery. Singer and player of a plethora of instruments.
Dragon of numberless tomes Singer of ceaseless songs; Conqueror of countless certifications; Adoration of animals. loyalty. helpfulness. dedication. Loves God, loves job, loves books.
Enamored with education, earning accolades in all. Singing, serving, signing. Hands talking, words and thoughts formed and flourished.
The future is forming. Back to lairs of learning. Speaking of Spanish and translating of a triunity of tongues are the goals. Endorsements in officialdom and ease of educational quandary.
–This is a poem I wrote in the style of a saga like Beowulf while I was interpreting for an English class.–
We hear this all the time, often placed against a beautiful background and posted on social media. This statement is constantly expressed by and to those who are suffering great difficulties or loss. I’d even used it and thought it myself without really thinking about what it means or where it came from. I had always assumed it was from the Bible, as do many other people. But it only takes a few minutes of reflection to realize that God DOES give us more than we can handle on our own. He gives us more than we can handle, and then He gives us comfort and support if we rely on Him.
The sentiment expressed above is taken, out of context, from 1 Corinthians 10.13, which actually says:
‘No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.’
ESV
This verse specifically talks about temptation. It doesn’t say anything about difficult circumstances, trials, or trouble. As nice as this sentiment is, it’s taking Scripture out of context and it’s wrong.
I urge followers of Jesus to take care and think before you use, or misuse, Scripture as trite platitudes.
(This conversation will contain spoilers for the current chapters and possibly for future chapters.)
R: The Miss Dashwoods make their way to London with Mrs. Jennings, a three-day journey during which Marianne continues her rude behavior, leaving poor Elinor to pick up the slack, as usual. The second they arrive, Marianne writes a letter, which is revealed to be meant for Mr. Willoughby. This cements the idea in Elinor’s mind that the two must be engaged, for well-brought-up young ladies did not write letters to men to whom they were not attached.
Marianne is all the time expecting Willoughby to show up and is sorely disappointed to have Colonel Brandon arrive instead. She’s so upset that she runs off when she realizes it’s not Willoughby. Marianne’s behavior begins to really concern Elinor as she’s constantly looking for Willoughby when they’re out and expecting a letter or the man himself upon every return to Mrs. Jennings’ house.
S: I am so happy that Colonel Brandon has reappeared in the story! Of course, we do not yet really know what his business was that took him from Barton (despite Mrs. Jennings’s questioning). I was a little surprised at Elinor’s envy of Marianne’s assumed engagement, although I suppose it shouldn’t surprise me.
R: I’m thrilled that Colonel Brandon is back, but saddened by his wistfulness. He has little hope of Marianne returning his regard. And poor Elinor is stuck in the middle of it all again. She has to be the rock that everyone is anchored to, while no one even realizes that there’s something going on with her.
S: As we move through the chapters I’m quite irritated with both Willoughby and Marianne – Willoughby because he is acting very peculiarly and secretively and Marianne because she is pouty and melancholic. It hurts me as the reader to see her so focused on one person that she cannot simply enjoy the gift of staying in London for a lengthy visit.
R: They are both completely self-absorbed – Marianne not seeing her own sister’s pain, and Willoughby seems to be intentionally avoiding Marianne, almost like he hopes she’ll give up if he ignores her.
S: And poor Colonel Brandon! His hopes are dashed, it seems, by the assumption that Willoughby and Marianne are engaged. Granted, this rumor began by idle gossip on the part of the Jennings, Palmers, and Middletons, so I’m not sure if it can be trusted. When we discover the formal and rather rude way Willoughby speaks to Elinor and regards Marianne we feel the same sadness and confusion as Elinor and wonder what happened: Were they engaged or not?
R: Willoughby’s cold behavior toward Marianne in public seems to be as much to show others that there was nothing between them as it was to show her. Because of this encounter, Elinor begs Mrs. Jennings to stop telling people that Marianne and Willoughby are engaged, but the older woman persists in thinking that Elinor is just trying to keep it secret.
S: I do like the way Elinor rebukes Mrs. Jennings about her gossip – I’m not sure I’d have the guts to do that. But, it seems rather fruitless to have done so since Mrs. Jennings has convinced herself of the engagement.
R: She convinces the rest of the populace of London, as well!
S: Indeed! And then comes the letter from Willoughby. I can feel Marianne’s and Elinor’s distress over Willoughby’s letter; what a cad! Austen speaks of Elinor’s indignance toward the letter and I have every bit as much as she does. The contents seem to place all the blame on Marianne, that she was setting up for herself fantasies Willoughby had never helped her conjure. Still, good on Marianne for adjuring him to give back all the letters she had written him and the lock of hair she had given him. If he refused to acknowledge what they had she wouldn’t give him any reason to again.
I will admit to being frustrated with Marianne’s self-centeredness. She assumes she is the only one who has ever experienced such grief or who has been treated badly. Elinor tries to tell Marianne (without telling her) that what she thinks about how Edward feels about her isn’t necessarily true, but Marianne will not listen. When Marianne tries to justify Willoughby’s actions – that hurt my heart even more.
“I have no patience with him….and I wish with all my soul his wife may plague his heart out.” – Mrs. Jennings
R: Mrs. Jennings certainly makes a fast turnaround in her feelings about Willoughby. She goes from praising him to the heavens to wishing him quite ill, which really shows a lack of character and sense, much as she’s shown throughout the book, but now she adds inconsistency to her negative traits. She has encouraged Marianne in bad behavior and spread damaging gossip about several different characters including Marianne, Elinor, Edward Ferrars and Colonel Brandon.
Marianne is also ignorant of, or ignoring, how poorly she behaved by writing to a man to whom she isn’t related or engaged. She could have ruined her reputation and thus her prospects for marriage, which was, unfortunately, the only goal and expectation of young women of the times.
S: I don’t think it was right for this to be the only expectation of women. There are many women throughout history who are unable, or do not want, to marry, and so to create a culture that alienates people who do not fit into the box is just silly. We have no idea if Lydia in Acts 16 was married. She was a seller of purple cloth who helped Paul and his companions, and who made her own way in the world (if indeed she wasn’t married). Luke 8 also tells of women who had money and helped Christ and His disciples; some of them were married and some may not have been.
You know, this section reminded me of the passage in Titus 2:3-5, which says (quoted in the King James Version because, of course, this is what Austen would have read):
The aged women likewise, that [they be] in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, [To be] discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
R: Mrs. Jennings is definitely in contrast to what an older woman should be. She is not at all discreet and seems more interested in gossip than in taking care of the young ladies under her charge. Likewise, Marianne shows herself to be neither sober nor discreet, and treads the line of unchastity in her behavior with Willoughby.
Elinor seems to fit a little into both the older and younger categories. To Mrs. Jennings, she is the younger, but exhibits all of the characteristics that a young woman should have, in spite of Mrs. Jennings’ poor example; and so to Marianne, Elinor embodieswhat her sister should be striving for.
S: And yet, despite all of this, Mrs. Jennings does seem to care. The ways in which she tries to cheer up Marianne are extremely amusing and offer insight into the ‘high life’ and the disconnect there seems to be between the upper echelon of London society and ‘real life’.
In the end, the elder woman voices what the reader may have forgotten – now Colonel Brandon is free to try for Marianne’s hand! But, what of this love child of whom she speaks? Is the child Colonel Brandon’s, and, if so, what is the story? The end of this section leaves me wondering how long Marianne will remain depressed, if Colonel Brandon will try for her hand, if Marianne will accept him if he does, and what will happen with Elinor’s love life?
I have written below some of my favourite literary heroes and heroines from whom I have learned. If you are able, I encourage you to read these books and book series. Also, I must warn you to be aware that there may be some spoilers about the characters or stories.
Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables, by L. M. Montgomery – Anne’s tenacity, spirit, and commitment to bettering herself is inspiring. Her hopeful attitude that a new day is full of wonderful possibilities and promise is enviable.
Aragorn II, The Lord of the Rings, by J. R. R. Tolkien – Aragorn is inspiring because of his consistency and reliability. He is strong of mind, body, and spirit.
Carlisle Cullen, The Twilight Saga, by Stephenie Meyer – Despite ending up with something he never wanted, Carlisle chooses to remain true to his belief that life is precious, and he does everything in his power to live out this belief.
Christian, The Pilgrim’s Progress, by John Bunyan – Christian’s tale reminds the reader that the spiritual journey is just that – a journey. Because sin exists mistakes will be made, but one must always be in continual pursuit of God and His goodness.
Edmund Pevensie, The Chronicles of Narnia, by C. S. Lewis – Edmund’s journey from betraying his family to being a just and wise king helps remind the reader that there is forgiveness to those who accept it, and forgiveness changes one’s life.
Lucy Pevensie, The Chronicles of Narnia, by C. S. Lewis – Lucy’s childlike faith and desire for truth sparks in the reader the same. It’s easy to want to ‘go further up and further in’ when one reads how Lucy does it.
Milo, The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster – Milo’s story is inspiring because it helps remind the reader how important learning is in one’s life. So many doors are open to someone who recognises the value of imagination and logic.
Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J. K. Rowling – Neville reminds the reader that a person’s past failures should not be the defining factor of one’s life, and each person has something to contribute, sometimes more than meets the eye.
Samwise Gamgee, The Lord of the Rings, by J. R. R. Tolkien – Without Sam’s tenacity, hopefulness, and humility much would have been lost. He shows that one does not have to have power to make a difference – one must simply be willing to do the right thing (even when one wants one’s own home).
Taran, The Chronicles of Prydain, by Lloyd Alexander – Taran, the Pig Keeper-turned quester, helps the reader see the importance of growing and maturing, that it is not good to remain the same.
Winnie-the-Pooh, Winnie-the-Pooh, by A. A. Milne – Pooh Bear calls himself ‘a bear of very little brain’ but is in fact rather intelligent. The reader is reminded that it behoves one to be humble.
We are readers. Books grace our shelves and fill our homes with beauty; they dwell in our minds and occupy our thoughts.
-Anne Bogel, I’d Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life
One of my favourite books (and I have many) is entitled I’d Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life, by Anne Bogel. One of the chapters in this short and exquisite work is appropriately called ‘How to Organize Your Bookshelves’.
As I read this chapter I couldn’t help but laugh out loud, for I have implemented many of the suggestions on my own bookshelves. Currently, my books are organised via categories, alphabetically by author, and then alphabetically by title. Not only this, some are standing up (as seen in libraries) while others are lying down in stacks to break up the monotony of the shelves (and sometimes the series lying down take up less space than they do standing up, so yay! more room for more books!).
In a previous post I talked about being a lover of the ‘little things’ in life, and one of the things I failed to mention was that I love seeing bookshelves full of books. I have found that, for the most part, I don’t care where the bookshelf is located or how the books are arranged. The very fact that they are there, waiting to be read, waiting to be held and their stories discovered, waiting to spark the imagination of someone young, old, or middle aged makes me happy.
(Still, as lovers of books we may as well have fun with the organising of the shelves, mayn’t we?)
“I? I see myself holding a pair of thick woolen socks.”
– Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by J. K. Rowling
‘It’s the little things in life that really make you happy, isn’t it?’
I cannot tell you how many times someone has said this to me, but it’s very true.
I like rainy days when the weather is cool, when sitting down with a good book and a mug of warm tea or coffee is all that’s on the agenda.
I like hugs that are giving hugs, and I know the person on the giving end really does love me.
I like looking into a closet or cupboard and seeing it organised.
I like getting a new pen that writes so well you wonder how you got along without it, or procuring a new diary whose pages are so full of possibilities you can’t wait to make that first mark.
I like writing.
I like socks that actually keep my feet warm in winter.
So, when people make the observation that I like the ‘little things’ in life, I just smile and answer, ‘Yes; yes I do.’
Growing up I heard all the time about how important it is to have a daily quiet time with Him. I was given those five minute devotional books, told to read just a verse a day, even given what amounted to commentaries or anecdotal books marketed as devotionals, yet all of these were never satisfying and, I think, may have had the opposite affect than intended. The short five minute works left me feeling empty and hungering for more but afraid to actually read Scripture for fear of not understanding it. The verse a day approach was too little for me because it was too easy to take things out of context. The devotional works were then frustrating because I wanted Scripture to speak for itself, not be told what it says. I had a hunger for the Word of God that nothing but it could satisfy, yet I was so afraid I would go about studying it the wrong way and somehow mess up if I read it myself.
I’m all for hearing what other saints have to say. I own Streams in the Desert by L. B. Cowman, My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, and Come Away My Beloved by Frances J. Roberts and have recommended these works to others. I read books about prayer, strategies on how to know God better, and more that others have found helpful in their lives, but I take it all with a grain of salt – and I mean all of it. No matter the accolades the author has, the works they have produced, I sift through every book I read as best I can and compare it to Scripture, because all Scripture is truth and people are fallible. I am convicted that as a Christ follower I must be aware if something that someone says is theologically sound or not. (For more reading on the truth of Scripture and on being admonished to test everything against truth, see Ephesians 6:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22, 2 Timothy 2:15, and 2 Timothy 3:16-17.) Further, if I am uncertain about what someone is saying or about what a specific passage is teaching, James 1:5 tells me to ask God for wisdom because He freely gives it.
The book of Psalms is full of verses that talk about meditating on God’s word and purposefully making time to be alone with Him. King David didn’t have commentaries available to him – he just had the Law, the written word of God. (In fact, in Deuteronomy 17:14-20 God made a law in anticipation of when Israel would rebel against Him and demand a king that, after taking the throne, the king was supposed to write down the Law for himself and read it every day of his life.) King David had the habit of rising in the mornings, even in the exhausting times of running from others and engaging in battle, and crying out to the Lord and then falling asleep to his mind meditating on His words. Christ Himself had the habit of going to the synagogue and of going away by Himself and spending time alone in prayer.
I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words. My eyes anticipate the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word.”
Psalm 119:147-148 (New American Standard Bible)
I don’t always fall asleep repeating Scripture or rise before dawn to read God’s precious word and cry out to Him before the day is in full swing; however, I have experimented with these disciplines before and lo and behold decisions throughout the day are easier to make, my anxieties are less, and even if there are times when my flesh decides to make a marked appearance it’s much easier to combat it. My sleep is also much more restful, peaceful, and calming because I know that even while I sleep the Spirit has guarded my mind so it is ever watchful.
I have slowly built up to spending more and more time in daily fellowship with Christ. I think one of the reasons I chose not to for so long was pride. I wanted more sleep. I wanted more time. I didn’t think I had the time to give to Him. I didn’t want to give time to Him. I wanted all the benefits of knowing my Saviour and my God without all the effort, without all the push, without all the time and energy of listening to Him.
I am by no means a master at spending time with Christ – sometimes I fly through my time with Him, have to force myself to spend time with Him, or simply refuse to spend time with Him. My prayer life, at least the way Jesus did it, is close to non-existent. I pray throughout the day, but rising and going off alone in order to speak with Him and listen to Him speak to me? That’s not a habit I’ve yet to develop but it is one on which I’m working.
Despite these setbacks, despite the busyness of life and the distractions, despite the self-centredness that all too often creeps in, I have noticed something: when I spend time with Him in His word and in prayer I am better able to discern truth and my day goes so much better. I wonder how much better it will go when I begin my day with cries to Him for help, when I start to listen for His words throughout the day, when I end my day by meditating on His word – in short, when every hour of every day is consumed in spending time with, listening to, and meditating on the Saviour God.
(This conversation will contain spoilers for the current chapters and possibly for future chapters.)
R: This set of chapters starts with the introduction of two new characters – the Miss Steeles. The elder Miss Steele and the younger sister Lucy Steele are relatives of Mrs. Jennings and come to visit at Barton. We also learn the names of the Middleton children – John, William and Annamaria – whom the Miss Steeles dote upon and spoil from the very beginning, ingratiating themselves to Lady Middleton, who hadn’t been particularly pleased at their being invited.
They try to do the same with the Miss Dashwoods, but Elinor at least sees them as rather vulgar. The elder Miss Steele is obsessed with beaux, and both are more than happy to listen to and comment on the juicy gossip about Marianne and Elinor’s supposed beaux. We are given the intelligence that Miss Steele is very well-acquainted with Edward Ferrars, but I think the reader is likely to be doubtful of how well she actually knows him. After the exaggeration by Mrs. Palmer in the previous chapters, I’m suspicious of anyone who says they know anything!
S: I’m certainly surprised at how spoiled the Middleton children are! I was under the impression from the previous chapters that Lady Middleton deeply cared for her children and thus was training them to be well-behaved members of society, unlike her mother, sister, and husband. It appears by coddling and spoiling them she’s training them to be just like the very people she appears to despise.
The Steele sisters do appear just as silly and gossipy as Mrs. Jennings and Sir John, but at first glance I don’t mind them. Rather, I feel a tad sorry for them since neither are married and Anne is already thirty! I do find it rather amusing that, as much as Sir John is trying to ingratiate the Steele sisters to the Dashwood sisters, he seems to do just the opposite, though neither party will say so. Imagine being told how wonderful someone is over and over before you’ve even met them – it becomes rather a little annoying.
R: Marianne doesn’t have any patience with the Miss Steeles either, but doesn’t handle those feelings nearly as well as Elinor. But poor Elinor! The hits just keep coming. Lucy has major revelations about Edward, which she conveys to Miss Dashwood as if she’s taking her into confidence. But the reader can see that she really does it to be cruel. Lucy’s been informed by others of Edward’s regard for Elinor, and she feels the need to mark her territory.
**I do have to make a correction from our last post. I thought Edward was the younger son, but he is actually the eldest.**
Elinor keeps her composure through Lucy’s revelation, ever hoping that Lucy’s Edward is not the same as hers, but Lucy offers several pieces of proof, which taken together are incontrovertible. One of those pieces of evidence is the ring with a lock of hair that Edward wore when he visited the Dashwoods. We learn that the hair belongs to Lucy, and was given to him, instead of being taken from Elinor by stealth as was supposed in the last chapter.
It really makes me think less of Edward’s character. While he never lied to Elinor, by his silence, he allowed feelings to grow in both of them that he wasn’t at liberty to pursue.
S: Something struck me in this chapter. Although Lucy is attempting to warn off Elinor, I honestly can’t blame her. She’s been secretly engaged to someone who will be a great catch for her family (if she is able to appeal one day to Mrs. Ferrars), so really she is the only hope for her family as far as monetary security since her sister is, by this time, considered an old maid. She has believed all this time that Edward has remained, and will remain, faithful, and then all of a sudden he begins talking of a new woman so much that she becomes scared. Then when she arrives praises pour from her hosts’ mouths of said woman. Granted, it may have all been a scheme from the start to meet Elinor and let her know (they happened to be in Exter and I’m sure they knew of Sir John’s and Mrs. Jennings’ reputation since they were family). I don’t particularly like the way in which Lucy did it, and I know Elinor, it appears, is our true heroine, but at the close of Chapter 22, I understand Lucy’s reasons. I have to say, however, that I appreciate Elinor’s statement: ‘I certainly did not seek your confidence….’ It’s the closest I’ve seen Elinor losing control of her tongue because of her feelings!
I agree with you that it makes me think less of Edward. I had, up until this point, considered him to be a man of virtue and trustworthiness.
R: There’s not a lot to the next chapter. It seems more transitional than anything else. We get some of Elinor’s thoughts about Edward: concern for him more than herself, and her determination to keep Lucy’s revelation to herself, not only because it was given in confidence, but Elinor’s knowledge that her mother and sister would only make things worse by their sympathy.
S: I laughed aloud at that part! Just the fact that Elinor spends time thinking it through and examining it from all the angles, as well as considering whether or not to engage in her own form of gossip makes Elinor seem more human. ‘….she wept for him more than for herself.’ This speaks volumes of her character that, even though she could reasonably be angry with the man who had deceived her, she nonetheless still cares for him. Elinor works through her emotions and looks at the situation not only from her point of view but also from Edward’s.
R: It’s interesting to me that Elinor would want to know more about the situation from Lucy Steele, though we don’t get that conversation in this chapter. There is another glimpse of Lucy’s doting on the children and Lady Middleton taking advantage.
S: This surprised me as well. I wonder if it has something to do with her wanting to make absolutely certain of everything, since she probably will never be free to marry or really love Edward now; at least she can talk about him. Perhaps it’s her way of grieving and feeling pitiful much as Marianne’s is to go weeping and wailing and speaking rudely.
I have to say, Lady Middleton is not someone I would want to be around or be dependent upon! I feel quite annoyed with her with her manipulation of Lucy. Although we learn earlier that Lucy is illiterate and had no formal education, she’s quick as a whip, so I’m sure she knows exactly what’s going on, but goodness – I probably would have just ignored Lady Middleton. (Then again, I suppose she realises she doesn’t have much choice but to do as she’s ‘bidden’.)
Then, oh the conversation that takes place! After this chapter it’s easier to dislike Lucy and my esteem for Elinor rises. She knows how to play Lucy’s game and she’s going to let her know it. In fact, she essentially says, ‘Thou dost protest too much’ when Lucy continues to exclaim how much Edward loves her and how true he is to her. Her assertion toward Lucy that it’s not just about love but also about the money in Mrs. Ferrars’ possession that will hopefully go to Edward drives the point home that Elinor knows what Lucy’s doing, and Lucy knows it, too. For the rest of the chapter Lucy seems to try and one up Elinor, but Elinor’s calm reserve cannot be shaken. I think probably Elinor considers it a great triumph that Edward truly does love her, even if he goes on to marry Lucy, and that is what makes her more bold in her assertions.
I very much am looking forward to the next five chapters! Chapter 25 left us with so many questions: Will Marianne meet up with Willoughby in London? Will Mrs. Jennings completely embarrass the Dashwoods? Will Elinor and/or Lucy somehow meet up with Edward? Will there be more confrontations? And the all-important question: Where is Colonel Brandon? (As an aside, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction that the Dashwoods are invited to go to London with Mrs. Jennings whilst the Steeles must wait until the Middletons choose to go!)
R: Chapter 25 is a pretty significant shift. Earlier in the book, Elinor was insisting that they (the Dashwoods) would never go into London for the season, but now she’s all but forced to go just to look out for Marianne, who would undoubtedly manage to get herself into some kind of major trouble if left to her own devices.
July is a month that conjures up memories of grilling, baking pies, and gathering together with friends and family outside. (It’s also the month when I realise that it’s time yet again to start thinking about the holidays!) Below are recommendations of some of the books I’ve been reading this month:
Anne of Green Gables, by L. M. Montgomery – The first book in this series introduces the reader to Anne Shirley, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, Diana Barry, and Mrs. Rachel Lynde, as well as many other characters that have made their way into the imaginations and hearts of readers the world over. Anne’s prose reminds the reader of how wonderful life can be, of the importance of working hard, and of the importance of imagination. This is a wonderful read aloud.
Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan to Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer, by Priscilla Shirer – This book is focused on the significance of developing a prayer life. There are twelve strategies Shirer discusses to help the reader begin to think about and start working on making prayer a daily habit. Another resource that works in tandem with this book is the video-based study by Shirer The Armor of God.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by J. K. Rowling – The third book in this series introduces the reader to the infamous Sirius Black, Professor Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew. Harry, Ron, and Hermione learn more about Harry’s parents and their friends, and Harry learns how to protect himself from Dementors, the beings that guard the wizard prison of Azkaban. Full of twists and turns, this novel peels away another layer of safety from Harry’s world and leaves the reader with plenty of surprises.
A Wind in the Door, by Madeline L’Engle – The second book in the Wrinkle in Time Quintet takes the reader into cosmic and microcosmic worlds. The reader is reunited with Charles Wallace, Meg, and Calvin. The school principal, Mr. Jenkins, has a large part to play in this story. This is a bit darker than A Wrinkle in Time, but I still think this is a great read aloud.
All the Writings 