Here is part two of my 10 most memorable books. (Click HERE for part one)
I could go on and on with listings of books that are so memorable to me. These ten just happened to be the ones that first popped into my head, or that I spotted quickly on my bookshelf because I reach for them often.
6. Tales of Glass Town, Angria, and Gondol by the Brontës siblings
I love the mysterious world they created together, with various stories the siblings all dreamt up about this world. It was kind of like a big collaboration project, with each of them telling stories about the characters in their own talented way. They were each so talented in writing - Charlotte, Anne, Emily, and their brother Branwell. This is a collection of their writings from the worlds they created, and I love the drama of the families and the layers of mystery and connections amongst stories.
7. Darkness Over Germany by E. Amy Buller
This book was written and published in 1943 during WWII, and it tells of Amy's conversations with Germans within Germany and their views, thoughts, and actions they decided to take as the Nazi regime took control of Germany, and very soon several other countries. Amy traveled into Germany many times to talk with Nazis and families to get their point of view, and she shares those conversations here. It it like nothing I have ever read before, and I think every person should read this book. She emphasizes that the issues that lead to Nazism were real issues, and they expressed a great need in the young folk of that time. It's a warning from history, because every young generation is looking for purpose, and that is what Nazis gave to their young people.
8. Surprised By Oxford by Carolyn Weber
This is her story of traveling from Canada to Oxford for her Masters in Literature degree at Oriel College, and what she found in Oxford. It's beautiful, poetical, and spiritual. It is like following her journey getting to know Oxford and all the wonderful streets and scenes, getting to know herself and what she really believes, and getting to know people who offer her so much food for thought she is never lacking. It is the dreamy kind of book that stays with me, because I can walk beside her underneath the Bridge of Sighs late one evening as she walks back with some friends. I hear the poems she is reading and dive into them with her. I learn as she learns, about life and relationships. What a beautiful thing, this book is.
9. Poems of Gerard Manley Hopkins
I had to include one book of poems, and to me Hopkins was a genius. His poetry astounds me every time. His creative word selection and alliterative style is so marvelous. His style has inspired so many of the poems I have written. I don't think anyone can match him. I read some poems again and again, and each time I hear something different. The best poems do that, I think. They speak to you in many different ways, because they open up a world of imagination as they invoke you to create the substance in your own mind. His poetry glitters. It sparkles in every line.
10. Leave It To Psmith by P.G. Wodehouse
If I had to pick a favourite Wodehouse book this one would have to be it. It was the first one I ever read, and it continues to be the one I re-read. The humour in this book makes me laugh out loud every time. It is about Psmith (the "P" is silent) and his adventures, which are never without mishap on the pages and chuckles from the reader. If you don't know Wodehouse, you have to read him. It is old-fashioned British humour at its best.
I was asked by a friend on Instagram to post 10 most memorable books, so I thought I would share those on here, too, along with a few notes. I am sure I've shared many of these before, but they are really that good. So, you should go pick them up and tell me what you think! I will split it into a few posts (for your anticipation!)
1. Perelandra by C.S Lewis
This is book two of his Space Trilogy, but it could be read on its own. It is the story of Dr. Ransom traveling to Venus in a little one-person transportation pod. He lands to find a pre-fallen world where everything is fresh and innocent. He and the green lady explore the land and sea, and it's such a beautiful place where everything is good. Until...evil enters with a new arrival, and Dr. Ransom has to do something. The way Lewis depicts evil makes me squirm, but it is so effective. I've read and re-read this book several times. It leaves me with such deep feeling about the wonderful creation of God.
2. The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Cheesterton
This is Chesterton at his best, and my favourite kind of story he writes that is a paradox wrapped in a mystery, twisted into an adventure story. Gabriel Syme is a poet and police detective in London who overhears an anarchist demonstrating in a park, and ends up talking with him, and learning about the underground (literally) society of anarchists putting together a grand plan. He is brought in as a spy to learn more about this powerful man who is called Sunday, but he isn't ready to encounter the twists as he gets deeper.
3. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
I count the whole trilogy here, because it's all one story that reaches even beyond the scope of the books, because Tolkien created the word of Middle-earth and all its history and languages, stories and legends. These books, though, I always reach for every few years. They beckon me to re-enter the world of living simply with the Hobbits, Aragorn's journey, the elves and their melancholy but beautiful stories and lands, the magic of wizards, and the tale of small folk doing amazing things.
4. Lilith by George MacDonald
I love this book and all its quirky dimensional weavings. Mr. Vane is in his library when he discovers a way to enter another land of many dimensions through a painting. In the other world, he has many lessons to learn, but also people to help, and love to encounter. It is a fantasy book like a fairy tale, with princesses who turn into giant cats, little people who cannot grow up, giants who are stupid, and long journeys that go through dark woods filled with creepy things. But then there are the deeply thought-provoking revelations of New Creation, and MacDonald's visions are so wonderful I constantly go back to those passages.
5. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
This was a little tough to narrow down, as I would like to include Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion here as well. But I went with Pride and Prejudice because there are many aspects that are so memorable about this book and Austen's masterful characterization and story-telling is why I re-read this one many times. Elizabeth is such an independent woman who loves her family, and she is challenged by a proud, rich man who seemingly only cares about himself and sticks his nose up to others. However, we know that with time, as we get to know people better if we are willing to learn their stories, some amazing things can happen as we seek to change ourselves for the better.
A bright Saturday morning. I make some porridge with bananas, honey, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Even though it is about 75 - 78 degrees in the morning, it is still delightful every now and then. It reminds me of Autumn. I can dream, can't I?
I read in Nehemiah and am inspired by the leadership and getting through the trials faced to re-build the wall of Jerusalem. After Jerusalem fell, most of the young and bright of the city were taken into captivity in Babylon, while those who remained in Jerusalem were the old and poorly. Nehemiah took action when he heard of the broken walls. Not only did the walls need to be re-built, so did the lives of everyone there. He overcame trials, rumors, mockery, corruption, and many other things that should have stopped the project. The walls were made whole in 52 days. Then, when the work was done, they turned inward to the Scriptures, as they had forgotten how loved they were. They had forgotten who they were, and whose they were. As Ezra read the Scriptures and all the people listened, they began to remember, and they rejoiced.
The other night (or early morning) I woke up with a worry in my head. It was something out of my control, and yet. I proceeded to keep myself awake with these thoughts that kept on and on in rotation in my mind. When I woke up, I felt so silly as I remembered that, and prayed that such worry would not keep my mind from forever praising God, in waking or sleeping. May my every breath praise God, so that there may be no room for me to forget who I am, or what He has planned to use me for good.
Darkness closes in about her,
all areas cast into shadow of gloom.
Surrounded on all sides by the
dangers, she recalls the tiny bloom.
Delicate though may be, able to
weather the storm they can.
The winds may rage and try to bend
yet ever-holding to ground and land.
Such a small and fragile one there,
could never withstand the giant dark.
Yet somehow after all is done, love,
it brings the sun like a lark.
Layers of hope, inscribed in petals,
connected to the center.
The source of strength, not on our own.
We have One who bears the weather.
For God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"
has shone in our hearts to give the light of the
knowledge of God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 4.6
I am drinking coffee and gazing at my peonies that are slowly opening up. The beauty of nature does move me and make me feel poetic. As I study something of creation, I begin to wonder how one could not believe in God the Creator when one gazes at delicate blooms (in this instance). Would that come to be, so intricate and complex (thousands of different varieties of flowers) if it was not designed and created? I cannot imagine that oops! suddenly we have a peony folks, it just came into being. No, I don't think so. It is a tiny example of the designing Creator who set for His artistic brush onto the blank canvas of our world, and we get to experience it, in a micro and macro sense. All created because He loves us.
I feel it most when I travel (I could go on and on about Iceland, Scotland, England, North Carolina mountains, Mount Rainier, or the Grand Canyon and out west scenes) but even with the tiny things, like a peony I feel it on a small level that I can relate to (I feel so small sometimes). I sense it, I study it, and feel so thankful for the glimpses of glory. We are all custodians of this place in which we live. May we take a moment to think of how it all matters. We are also creations, and are uniquely beautiful. I'll continue to study the beauty of our lives that we get to enjoy here for a short time, ever increasing my knowledge of it and God's love.
Morning begins with coffee. Thinking begins with coffee.
Do you have a regular morning routine?
I love the morning hours. They are quieter, reflective, and offer the clearest thinking-time. Before my mind wakes and begins the races with all that I have to do that day, the morning hours offer some time that I can wake up and enjoy a cup of coffee, read Scripture to start my thoughts in the best direction, and write in my journal.
I patter into my kitchen and flick on the electric kettle to heat some fresh water. After it rolls to a boil, I pour it over the ground coffee (I just ground some whole beans in my grinder) in my french press and let the coffee brew as I munch on my cereal. Then, Scripture, journaling, and coffee drinking ensue.
I've come to realize over the years that it's the most important part of my day. Without it, I am not as centered. Without it, I feel like I am missing something. Variations of this theme are acceptable. I can be at a coffee shop for it. Or, when traveling, it may be cut into a few bits. But it all boils down to the three essentials - Scripture, Coffee, and Writing.
What are your morning essentials?
There is a pen mark on my dress. I just noticed it. I think it just happened a few minutes ago, and I am not at all surprised. I always find ink marks on my hands, so why not on my dress? As I think I sometimes twiddle with my pen and end up with ink marks in places they aren't supposed to be. Pens and ink are a life-source to my journal and the lovely pen is the essential device. A thin, sleek piece of plastic or metal filled with ink. Handheld and finger-directed, placing words onto pages. It is magical.
Here she had brought a lute and a few books;
Here would she lie for hours, with grateful looks,
Thanking at heart the sunshine and the leaves,
The summer raindrops counting from the eves.
- Leigh Hunt
I am learning the works and thoughts of a new poet/writer to me, Leigh Hunt. He lived 1784 - 1859 and was friends with Byron, Keats, and Shelley. I am reading his poems and his thoughts/encounters/letters with these authors, and it's a fascinating inside look into all their lives. The descriptions he writes on Byron, Keats, and Shelley contributes to my knowledge of them and adds keen insights from the sight of a friend who spent time with them.
You can learn a lot about people from letters back when letter writing was such a very thoughtful process and was the essential communication across distances. Leigh wrote poetical lines that inspired others, like Tennyson and Browning. It is so fun to get to know another poet/author who I am not familiar with at all, but who was skilled and admired amongst some of the most well-known authors of the time.
I love that there is always more to discover, more to learn, more to read. I am never finished with all that there is to discover. I am so thankful for that.
