As in years past I really enjoyed participating in the Back to the Classics Challenge with Books and Chocolate. I started this year with a bang devouring my classics, but half way through the year, much happened and majorly slowed down so I only made it through six classics this year. With six books I earned one entry to the Classic Challenge drawing. EmmieBeth13@gmail.com
The six categories with books are:
20th Century Classic- Perelandra
Classic by a Woman Author- Strawberry Girl
Classic in Translation- The Stranger
Classic Tragic Novel- A Canticle for Lebowitz
Very Long Classic- Wife No. 19
Classic Novella- Catcher in the Rye
I greatly enjoyed the vast array of classics I read this year. Many were sad in some way, but all were worth the read.
Showing posts with label Back to the Classics Challenge 2019. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Back to the Classics Challenge 2019. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Strawberry Girl
This classic was part of our Sonlight Curriculum Core C that we read as a family. I ended up not reading as much as I was hoping to on my own this year and so I'm using this as my Classic by a Woman Author in the Back to the Classics Challenge I participated in this year.
We were all entranced in this book from the start. This book allows you to enter the world of rural Florida in the early 1900s when Anglo-Saxons started to move south into Florida to settle and farm the land. The focus is on two families that end up in a feud because of different views of how to live.
The Boyer family buys a vacant farm and begins to work the land. The Slater family has been living in the area for awhile and is lax in how they care for their property and animals. The women seek to find a way to live in peace, but the men are so different in their way of doing things that the families go back and forth with getting along and being at war. In the midst of this feud, we get a view of what life was like during this time. They show us a view of farming, raising cattle and other animals, making treats and other food in the kitchen and what school and church was like. You also get to hear how they talk, which is kind of fun to read.
There are so many lessons in this book. Learning to work hard, loving your neighbor as yourself, loving those who hate you, obedience, respect for others and their property as well as working together as a community. I'm sure there are more, but those are the ones that stood out to us as we read.
This is a good fun read and is great to learn about living and working together. I absolutely recommend this read.
4 Stars for this classic
We were all entranced in this book from the start. This book allows you to enter the world of rural Florida in the early 1900s when Anglo-Saxons started to move south into Florida to settle and farm the land. The focus is on two families that end up in a feud because of different views of how to live.
The Boyer family buys a vacant farm and begins to work the land. The Slater family has been living in the area for awhile and is lax in how they care for their property and animals. The women seek to find a way to live in peace, but the men are so different in their way of doing things that the families go back and forth with getting along and being at war. In the midst of this feud, we get a view of what life was like during this time. They show us a view of farming, raising cattle and other animals, making treats and other food in the kitchen and what school and church was like. You also get to hear how they talk, which is kind of fun to read.
There are so many lessons in this book. Learning to work hard, loving your neighbor as yourself, loving those who hate you, obedience, respect for others and their property as well as working together as a community. I'm sure there are more, but those are the ones that stood out to us as we read.
This is a good fun read and is great to learn about living and working together. I absolutely recommend this read.
4 Stars for this classic
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Catcher in the Rye
This classic is one I've wanted to read for a while and I'm glad that I finally got to read it for this year's Back to the Classics Challenge in the category of Classic Novella! It's extremely humorous to read a book that sounds like your husband could have written as a teenager and it was fun to ask him about things he experienced especially since he lived at a military school for a year and the main character lived in a boarding school.
As for the book I enjoyed it on the whole. When I started the book I was curious about what the point of the book was, and at the end I enjoyed it that much more. There is something refreshing about a story told in the first person for the sake of telling their story. This story is about 36-48 hours in the life of the narrator and gives you a deep look into this boy's mind and life. As Holden tells us about this full and interesting couple of days in his life, he adds all kinds of details that have left deep impressions in his young mind that are effecting his choices even in what he does in the story.
What I particularly liked about this story is the dispelling of the illusion of childhood innocence. Holden is about 16 and you can see how much life he has already lived in those short years. He's seen death more than once, is familiar with drinking, smoking, cursing and women, has seen neglect and care and has already developed what he views as right and wrong. You even see it in his ten-year-old sister Phoebe. At her young age she knows so much and complex things do not get past her. She can read Holden like a book and keeps him from being completely foolish. In all the interactions, you see how, even though young, these children are anything but.
It also shows the importance of parents in guiding their children as they grow, learn and experience the world around them. Holden bounces from school to school with no clear intervention from the parents. The primary interaction between Holden and Phoebe takes place in the family home in the middle of the night and the parents are not there. As you listen to Holden tell his story it is evident major guidance is missing from his life. As a parent this is convicting and challenging.
This book also shows how lonely and desperate life is when we have no purpose. Holden is seeking who he is but cannot find it because of the lack of guidance. As a Christian, the atheistic or agnostic undertones in his view of God and religion make it clear why he is struggling so much aside from lack of guidance. It's a reminder how precious it is to know the one true and living God, even when we're struggling with loneliness or feel like we have no purpose. It's such an eye-opening book to understand how the world think. And in all of this there is the continual reminder, money cannot buy us what really matters.
Even though this book follows the life of a teenage boy, it is easy to relate to him. I think anyone could enjoy this book. If language bothers you, then I would steer clear. This is very much written from a worldly teenage boys point of view and some may not be able to handle it.
The story line is compelling and easy to follow. From all that this book reminded me of and challenged me in, I definitely recommend it.
I would give this classic four stars.
As for the book I enjoyed it on the whole. When I started the book I was curious about what the point of the book was, and at the end I enjoyed it that much more. There is something refreshing about a story told in the first person for the sake of telling their story. This story is about 36-48 hours in the life of the narrator and gives you a deep look into this boy's mind and life. As Holden tells us about this full and interesting couple of days in his life, he adds all kinds of details that have left deep impressions in his young mind that are effecting his choices even in what he does in the story.
What I particularly liked about this story is the dispelling of the illusion of childhood innocence. Holden is about 16 and you can see how much life he has already lived in those short years. He's seen death more than once, is familiar with drinking, smoking, cursing and women, has seen neglect and care and has already developed what he views as right and wrong. You even see it in his ten-year-old sister Phoebe. At her young age she knows so much and complex things do not get past her. She can read Holden like a book and keeps him from being completely foolish. In all the interactions, you see how, even though young, these children are anything but.
It also shows the importance of parents in guiding their children as they grow, learn and experience the world around them. Holden bounces from school to school with no clear intervention from the parents. The primary interaction between Holden and Phoebe takes place in the family home in the middle of the night and the parents are not there. As you listen to Holden tell his story it is evident major guidance is missing from his life. As a parent this is convicting and challenging.
This book also shows how lonely and desperate life is when we have no purpose. Holden is seeking who he is but cannot find it because of the lack of guidance. As a Christian, the atheistic or agnostic undertones in his view of God and religion make it clear why he is struggling so much aside from lack of guidance. It's a reminder how precious it is to know the one true and living God, even when we're struggling with loneliness or feel like we have no purpose. It's such an eye-opening book to understand how the world think. And in all of this there is the continual reminder, money cannot buy us what really matters.
Even though this book follows the life of a teenage boy, it is easy to relate to him. I think anyone could enjoy this book. If language bothers you, then I would steer clear. This is very much written from a worldly teenage boys point of view and some may not be able to handle it.
The story line is compelling and easy to follow. From all that this book reminded me of and challenged me in, I definitely recommend it.
I would give this classic four stars.
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Perelandra
"I was young yesterday."
This quote has stuck with me since I read it at the beginning of chapter five and in many ways sums up the book.
In typical Lewis form, this book is deep and makes you think so hard that you realize how young you were yesterday before knowing what you know today.
Though clearly Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Perelandra takes you to the depths of spirituality, seeking to understand who God is and the What Ifs that we often consider had the fall never happened, with the conclusion that even in the evil of the fall it was still what was supposed to be. While a very challenging read, I appreciate that it made me think and took me to the Word of God to see more of who He is.
Now, in all honesty, when Ransom first arrived on Perelandra and they are describing this world my first thought was, "What was Lewis on???" The description of the planet is almost beyond comprehension and made my head hurt trying to understand it. But it is interesting to imagine a planet so incredible different from our own that even in the "what in the world" thoughts it made it fun.
Throughout the middle I really appreciated the theological debates as the Lady and the Devil talk while the devil tempts her and then Ransom seeks to show the better way. There were many deep thoughts that caught my attention and sent me into prayer to understand what was being said according to Scripture. I love a good parallel that helps me delve into the truths of God's Word.
So as the Lady declares when she first talks with Ransom, "I was young yesterday" but today I'm a little older from reading this book and investigating the arguments and thoughts found in it.
I would give this book 4 stars. It's intriguing but difficult to read
Reading Challenges:
Back to the Classics Challenge- this is my 20th century classic
Challies's 2019 Reading Challenge- Book by C.S. Lewis in the Committed section
This quote has stuck with me since I read it at the beginning of chapter five and in many ways sums up the book.
In typical Lewis form, this book is deep and makes you think so hard that you realize how young you were yesterday before knowing what you know today.
Though clearly Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Perelandra takes you to the depths of spirituality, seeking to understand who God is and the What Ifs that we often consider had the fall never happened, with the conclusion that even in the evil of the fall it was still what was supposed to be. While a very challenging read, I appreciate that it made me think and took me to the Word of God to see more of who He is.
Now, in all honesty, when Ransom first arrived on Perelandra and they are describing this world my first thought was, "What was Lewis on???" The description of the planet is almost beyond comprehension and made my head hurt trying to understand it. But it is interesting to imagine a planet so incredible different from our own that even in the "what in the world" thoughts it made it fun.
Throughout the middle I really appreciated the theological debates as the Lady and the Devil talk while the devil tempts her and then Ransom seeks to show the better way. There were many deep thoughts that caught my attention and sent me into prayer to understand what was being said according to Scripture. I love a good parallel that helps me delve into the truths of God's Word.
So as the Lady declares when she first talks with Ransom, "I was young yesterday" but today I'm a little older from reading this book and investigating the arguments and thoughts found in it.
I would give this book 4 stars. It's intriguing but difficult to read
Reading Challenges:
Back to the Classics Challenge- this is my 20th century classic
Challies's 2019 Reading Challenge- Book by C.S. Lewis in the Committed section
Friday, July 5, 2019
A Canticle for Lebowitz
I'm struggling to find the words for this book. I've been wanting to read it for a classics challenge and Jim suggested it this year for a comedic classic, however after the ending I've decided to put it as a classic tragedy.
The first part of this book falls into this as Brother Francis deals with a comedy of errors related to a Lenten fast in the desert that leads to the canonisation of the blessed Leibowitz for whom his order is named. You can't help but laugh at his lack of maturity and his ability to faint whenever he is stressed. His ability to frustrate even the most steady a person is also comedic. Brother Francis is quite a funny character and his journey is quite humorous.
But the rest of the book, it is something else. The second part also had it's comedic moments with an overly stressed Abbot, Dom Paulo, who has many personal issues that are displayed in his moments of great taxation. But in this part of the book, it begins to take a more serious turn as war is brewing and the Abbot seeks how to manage coming threats. I really enjoy his discussions with Thon Taddeo and the challenge to think beyond what you can see but to ask stand for what's important and looking at the whole, not merely your own interests.
The third part was full of questions, challenging what is called good by the world with the truth of God's Word. It is tragic and sad as the current Abbot seeks to do what is right in the middle of everything being wrong.
This book is thought provoking, challenging as well as very weird. The part that was the hardest to think through was seeing the possibility of some of these things happening. It is pure sci-fi, especially for when it was written, but there is an eerie feeling of some prophecy in the fiction of these pages. By God's grace these things will not come to pass, but there is always a possibility that they could.
This book is also well written and has caused me to ask James several times if he knows what the Latin words mean. There is a distinct Catholic feel also, which was interesting as the story unfolded.
I cannot say I like this book, nor can I say I dislike it. It is its own breed in so many ways. I do like the way it challenged me and that it's thought provoking. I appreciate the way it pushed me to look up new words and increase my vocabulary. But it was weird on a whole different level.
I would give it 4 stars because I think it's worth the read.
Reading challenges:
Back to the Classics Challenge: Classic tragic novel
Tim Challies 2019 reading challenge: a novel in the light section of the challenge
2019 Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge: a book by an author who is new to you
The first part of this book falls into this as Brother Francis deals with a comedy of errors related to a Lenten fast in the desert that leads to the canonisation of the blessed Leibowitz for whom his order is named. You can't help but laugh at his lack of maturity and his ability to faint whenever he is stressed. His ability to frustrate even the most steady a person is also comedic. Brother Francis is quite a funny character and his journey is quite humorous.
But the rest of the book, it is something else. The second part also had it's comedic moments with an overly stressed Abbot, Dom Paulo, who has many personal issues that are displayed in his moments of great taxation. But in this part of the book, it begins to take a more serious turn as war is brewing and the Abbot seeks how to manage coming threats. I really enjoy his discussions with Thon Taddeo and the challenge to think beyond what you can see but to ask stand for what's important and looking at the whole, not merely your own interests.
The third part was full of questions, challenging what is called good by the world with the truth of God's Word. It is tragic and sad as the current Abbot seeks to do what is right in the middle of everything being wrong.
This book is thought provoking, challenging as well as very weird. The part that was the hardest to think through was seeing the possibility of some of these things happening. It is pure sci-fi, especially for when it was written, but there is an eerie feeling of some prophecy in the fiction of these pages. By God's grace these things will not come to pass, but there is always a possibility that they could.
This book is also well written and has caused me to ask James several times if he knows what the Latin words mean. There is a distinct Catholic feel also, which was interesting as the story unfolded.
I cannot say I like this book, nor can I say I dislike it. It is its own breed in so many ways. I do like the way it challenged me and that it's thought provoking. I appreciate the way it pushed me to look up new words and increase my vocabulary. But it was weird on a whole different level.
I would give it 4 stars because I think it's worth the read.
Reading challenges:
Back to the Classics Challenge: Classic tragic novel
Tim Challies 2019 reading challenge: a novel in the light section of the challenge
2019 Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge: a book by an author who is new to you
Monday, July 1, 2019
The Stranger
Wow! I don't even know where to begin with this classic! I know I've read it before but I did not remember it at all.
This book is an excellent fictional memoir of a man who shows me truly the depths of humanity apart from God. It's sad but really how people are wired because of the fall. Self absorbed and thinking about how life is for them, not caring at all that there is a God and denying His very existence. In essence doing what we want to do no matter what because we believe we know best or we just want what we want.
I love how simply this is written in first person perspective. This is probably my favorite writing style and Camus did it very well. We don't have all the details but it doesn't leave you wanting for more. The story is clear, concise and leaves no guessing.
There are some details that could be disturbing to some, but he did a good job of being realistic without being vulgar.
It's hard to do a review of this book without telling the whole story. So I'll say this: the conclusion is breathtaking and brilliant and hits way too close to home in how many feel in everyday life I think. I know I often feel the way he describes even knowing Jesus and His forgiveness. It's part of the plight of humanity and being slaves to ourselves and our sin.
How to rate this book? I don't know. I think 4.5 stars. Can't quite give it 5 though I can't quite place why.
Reading challenges:
This is my second classic for Back to the Classics challenge for a book in translation.
I'm also including this in the Tim Challies 2019 Reading Challenge as a sad boo in the committed section
And the 2019 Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge for a book in translation
This book is an excellent fictional memoir of a man who shows me truly the depths of humanity apart from God. It's sad but really how people are wired because of the fall. Self absorbed and thinking about how life is for them, not caring at all that there is a God and denying His very existence. In essence doing what we want to do no matter what because we believe we know best or we just want what we want.
I love how simply this is written in first person perspective. This is probably my favorite writing style and Camus did it very well. We don't have all the details but it doesn't leave you wanting for more. The story is clear, concise and leaves no guessing.
There are some details that could be disturbing to some, but he did a good job of being realistic without being vulgar.
It's hard to do a review of this book without telling the whole story. So I'll say this: the conclusion is breathtaking and brilliant and hits way too close to home in how many feel in everyday life I think. I know I often feel the way he describes even knowing Jesus and His forgiveness. It's part of the plight of humanity and being slaves to ourselves and our sin.
How to rate this book? I don't know. I think 4.5 stars. Can't quite give it 5 though I can't quite place why.
Reading challenges:
This is my second classic for Back to the Classics challenge for a book in translation.
I'm also including this in the Tim Challies 2019 Reading Challenge as a sad boo in the committed section
And the 2019 Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge for a book in translation
Friday, June 14, 2019
Wife No. 19
I have finally finished my first classic for the year!!! I am using this one for a Very Long Classic.
This book was an incredible eye-opener to the beginning of Mormonism and the wretched lies that kept thousands of people in bondage to the whims of their prophet, Brigham Young.
Ann Eliza wast 19th wife of the prophet and was raised completely in the bonds of Mormonism. The book begins with a little history of her family and how they came to become Mormon and then follows the history of this people and her family until she becomes free from the system.
This book is full of intrigue, horror and great sadness. You learn how Joseph Smith began to collect followers and established the system. You will learn of his death and the rise of Brigham Young. You will learn how polygamy came to be a part of this religion and the incredible detriment it had in everyone. You will learn of the cruelty of many of the men in power. You will learn of the courage of the women who were subjected to this system and crumbled under the weight. You will learn what the religion if Mormonism is at the very core and likely wonder at how it ever came to be.
As I read I consistently had to remind myself I'm reading a true story, not a bad soap opera. Truth being stranger than fiction most certainly applies here. You will feel for these people pulled around at the whims of an egotistical mad man, for I have no better description of him, and cry with them as they tried to live under an extremely oppressive religion that was their life.
Being written in the 1800s it can be a bit difficult to read, but it is still a good read.
I highly recommend this book if you want a true inside look to the world of Mormonism.
5 stars for this important historical work.
I am also using this in my other challenges:
A book with 400 pages in the Light section of Tim Challies's challenge
A Book Published Befoer You Were Born on Modern Mrs. Darcy's Reading Challenge
This book was an incredible eye-opener to the beginning of Mormonism and the wretched lies that kept thousands of people in bondage to the whims of their prophet, Brigham Young.
Ann Eliza wast 19th wife of the prophet and was raised completely in the bonds of Mormonism. The book begins with a little history of her family and how they came to become Mormon and then follows the history of this people and her family until she becomes free from the system.
This book is full of intrigue, horror and great sadness. You learn how Joseph Smith began to collect followers and established the system. You will learn of his death and the rise of Brigham Young. You will learn how polygamy came to be a part of this religion and the incredible detriment it had in everyone. You will learn of the cruelty of many of the men in power. You will learn of the courage of the women who were subjected to this system and crumbled under the weight. You will learn what the religion if Mormonism is at the very core and likely wonder at how it ever came to be.
As I read I consistently had to remind myself I'm reading a true story, not a bad soap opera. Truth being stranger than fiction most certainly applies here. You will feel for these people pulled around at the whims of an egotistical mad man, for I have no better description of him, and cry with them as they tried to live under an extremely oppressive religion that was their life.
Being written in the 1800s it can be a bit difficult to read, but it is still a good read.
I highly recommend this book if you want a true inside look to the world of Mormonism.
5 stars for this important historical work.
I am also using this in my other challenges:
A book with 400 pages in the Light section of Tim Challies's challenge
A Book Published Befoer You Were Born on Modern Mrs. Darcy's Reading Challenge
Friday, January 4, 2019
Back to the Classics Challenge 2019
After missing the Back to the Classics Challenge last year and not completing the challenge in 2017, I'm super excited to jump into the Back to the Classics Challenge for 2019! Recently I've really missed reading on all levels, but I've not read a classic for over a year and I'm looking forward to stimulating my creative juices and enjoying some great reads.
I will admit, I may need some help with some of the categories as she has added some categories that I'm not sure what to read. Let me know if you have any suggestions!
Here are this year's categories:
1. 19th Century Classic
2. 20th Century Classic
3. Classic by a Woman Author
4. Classic in Translation
5. Classic Comic Novel
6. Classic Tragic Novel
7. Very Long Classic (500 pages or more)
8. Classic Novella (shorter than 250 pages)
9. Classic from the Americas (includes Caribbean) set in or written by someone in one of these areas
10. Classic from Africa, Asia or Oceania (includes Australia) set in or written by someone in one of these countries
11. Classic from a Place You've Lived set there or author from there
12. Classic Play
I have many classics that will fall into a few of these categories and some that I don't know where they would fit, so I may have to adjust and read something different.
Classics I have that I'd like to read:
Pilgrim's Progress
Wife No. 19
A Shakespeare play I haven't read yet like Taming of the Shrew
What I haven't read of G.K. Chesterton (I have his complete works)
A Canticle for Leibowitz
Perelandra
This Hideous Strength
Sherlock Holmes
I also know I have several others I've picked up for free on Kindle, so I have options there I need to look at. If you have any recommendations for the categories above, I'd love to hear them!
Here's to another year of classics along with all that God has for me in this year.
I will admit, I may need some help with some of the categories as she has added some categories that I'm not sure what to read. Let me know if you have any suggestions!
Here are this year's categories:
1. 19th Century Classic
2. 20th Century Classic
3. Classic by a Woman Author
4. Classic in Translation
5. Classic Comic Novel
6. Classic Tragic Novel
7. Very Long Classic (500 pages or more)
8. Classic Novella (shorter than 250 pages)
9. Classic from the Americas (includes Caribbean) set in or written by someone in one of these areas
10. Classic from Africa, Asia or Oceania (includes Australia) set in or written by someone in one of these countries
11. Classic from a Place You've Lived set there or author from there
12. Classic Play
I have many classics that will fall into a few of these categories and some that I don't know where they would fit, so I may have to adjust and read something different.
Classics I have that I'd like to read:
Pilgrim's Progress
Wife No. 19
A Shakespeare play I haven't read yet like Taming of the Shrew
What I haven't read of G.K. Chesterton (I have his complete works)
A Canticle for Leibowitz
Perelandra
This Hideous Strength
Sherlock Holmes
I also know I have several others I've picked up for free on Kindle, so I have options there I need to look at. If you have any recommendations for the categories above, I'd love to hear them!
Here's to another year of classics along with all that God has for me in this year.
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