Love orbs, flat and sweet
Peace-bringers, sighs, smiles, sorries
Flour and sugar white flags.
A.M. Pine ๐
{Happy February! February brings my third annual participation in the World Peace Poets Postcard Fest and I hope to share some poems here, too!}๐๐๐โฅ๏ธ๐๐โฅ๏ธ๐๐๐
Hello Friends! I trust the new year is easing in kindly for you. โบ๏ธ๐โ๏ธ๐๐ โ๏ธ๐It was hard to narrow down my favs, but here they are {not really in any particular order} with a small snippet to celebrate each one! I definitely picked the books and characters I keep thinking ๐ค about. How do you pick your favorites?
~2023~
1. Klara & the Sun โ๏ธ by Kazau Ishiguro ~ 5 ๐ a sympathetic story that considers what makes us human from the viewpoint of Klara, an Artificial Friend (AI) to an ill teenager, Josie. I keep thinking about all the themes and questions brought up in this one. I loved the audiobook! (Possibly my favorite of the year?! ๐ฑ)
2. The Sword of Kaigen โ๏ธ by M. L. Wang ~ 4 ๐ The set up to this Asian -inspired fantasy world was very (too) slow, but you find yourself gripped by a mother and son trapped in an insular community that is holding onto the old ways. They face danger and questions from within and without. Extremely violent, FYI, check trigger warnings. This is such a beautiful story about standing tall in the face of adversity and self-sacrifice.
3. Wormwood Abbey ๐ by Christina Baehr ~ 4 ๐ This was a cozy, Victorian-time period, family-centric fantasy story. I looooved the main protagonist, Edith Worms. She has a few secrets of her own, not unlike the new abbey her father has inherited. Looking forward to next in series!
4. Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society ๐ฅ by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows ~ 5๐ (reread) I adored visiting again with these characters through the letters they exchanged. WWII historical fiction set on the island of Guernsey ๐ฌ๐ฌ. The audiobook was fantastic.
5. Disenchanted: The Trials of Cinderella ๐ by Megan Morrison ~ 4 ๐ This MG/YA retelling was deeper and more thoughtful than I expected. It felt like the themes of Elizabeth Gaskellโs North & South except with fairies. ๐ There were a few things I didnโt love, but overall, I sooo enjoyed this story of standing up for the suffering people in the world.
6. Evelina by Francis Burney ๐ ~ 4 ๐ Honestly, not a lot really happens in this coming-of-age Regency story. I found the excessive formality hilarious and enjoyed following teenager Evelina as she grows. I listened to this long novel and really enjoyed being along for the ride.
7. Gods, Graves, & Scholars ๐ฟ by C. W. Ceram~ 4 ๐ I found this nonfiction fascinating about the beginnings of archaeology and I loved how it made my Old Testament reading come alive. A bit dated, but a fascinating read!
8. Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth ๐ง๐ป๐จ๐ผโ๐ฆณ by Sheila OโConner ~ 5 ๐ Heartwarming and heart wrenching story about a young girl who befriends an ostracized Quaker on her paper route. Her and her brothers navigate the world of conscientious objectors during the Vietnam ๐ป๐ณ War.
9. Marilla of Green Gables ๐ก by Sarah McCoy ~ 4 ๐ I keep thinking about this one that my daughterโs friend recommended to me. Fun retelling of sorts for Anne fans, but I wasnโt expecting the historical fiction side about the Canadian Underground Railroad. Fascinating!
10. Ourselves, School Education, both by Charlotte Mason, and Parents are Peacemakers by Essex Cholmondeley ๐ญ๐จ๐ โ๏ธ~ 5 ๐(rereads) This was my cheat, lumping all these nonfiction educational beauties together. Powerful encouragement for raising children- educational philosophy at itโs finest.
11. Unearthing the Secret Garden ๐ชด by Marta McDowell ~ 5 ๐ Beautiful and truly lovely look at the 3 gardens created by Frances Hodgson Burnett in her lifetime that definitely shaped her life and writing.
12. Katherine Wentworth ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ by D. E Stevenson ~ 5 ๐so gentle, full of peace, hope, nature, and a charming cottage. Second chance story with lovely mother & children. This reminds me slightly of The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery, although not quite as quirky!
13. Mrs. Lorimerโs Quiet Summer ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ by Molly Clavering ~ 5 ๐A sweet family tale set in beautiful Scottish scenery. I found out that Clavering and D.E. Stevenson were friends and that this is semi autobiographical.
14. Grapes of Wrath ๐ by John Steinbeck ~ 4 ๐ This is a Great Depression/Dust Bowl era historical fiction. This was gorgeously written, raw, heartfelt, and disturbing. Ma Joad was my favorite! Adult content and language.
15. Everything Sad is Untrue ๐ฎ๐ท by Daniel Nayeri ~ 4 ๐ A slow, but heart-wrenching stream-of-conscious nonlinear fictionalized memoir of a young Iranianโs experience as a religious refugee in Oklahoma. It took me a long time to get into this as it had a very unconventional writing style , but then I loved the thought-provoking themes it brought up.
16. Seasons of Your Heart ๐ by Macrina Wiederkehr ~ 5 ๐beautiful poetry and short Christian devotional entries. A bit unorthodox and slightly mystical, but really spoke to my weird, word lover side. My friend gave this to me as a gift and it was such a blessing!
17. The Belton Estate ๐น by Anthony Trollope ~ 5๐A super interesting story about a Victorian woman who bucks tradition in a situation involving male entailment of property. This had so many interesting themes around marriage of convenience and friendship with a woman of โdubiousโ character.
18. The Historian ๐ by Elizabeth Kostova ~ 4 ๐A deep, rich historical thriller with a slight fantastical twist. The atmospheric setting of this was a amazing! Told through multiple timelines and flashbacks, the story of a daughter tracing her fatherโs discovery of a strange book with connections to Dracula. This has a lot of travel, Balkan culture, history, and so much more.
19. The Last Cuentista ๐ช by Donna Barbara Higuera ~ 4 ๐This was a darker, dystopian, scifi middle grade book and coming of age story. I loved the main character Petra and how she kept hope alive through storytelling.
20. Pat of the Silverbush ๐ฒ by L.M. Montgomery ~ 4 ๐wow! So beautifully atmospheric! I loved this book for the writing, but overall, this was not a happy book. It felt sad and lonely. However, it was full of interesting, quirky characters that Montgomery does so well. I really enjoyed discussing this book with Chantel Reads All Day YouTube channel.
21. Grace of Wild Things ๐งโโ๏ธ by Heather Fawcett ~ 5 ๐This was a charming middle grade fantasy twist on Anne of Green Gables. A young girl has nowhere to go and attempts to apprentice herself to the local, grumpy witch. I loved the found family, adventures, and gorgeous writing style.
22. Dune ๐ชฑ by Frank Herbert ~ 4 ๐I listened to the audiobook of this one and was so pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this political, sci-fi family story. It moved EXTREMELY slowly, but it was just what I needed at the time. I loved thinking of the influence this had on Star Wars. I loved Lady Jessicaโs perspective.
23. Julie ๐๏ธ by Catherine Marshall ~ 4 ๐A buddy read with my penpal via Voxer. This was a wonderful Depression era historical fiction story set in Pennsylvania. I loved the male characters in this book, and Julie and her fatherโs relationship was such an interesting dynamic. Julie and her family take over a failing newspaper in this coming of age story that brought up so many thought-provoking themes.
A few honorable mentions: The Corinthian by Georgette Heyer (ridiculously hilarious), Hindsโ Feet On High Places by Hannah Hurnard (faith-building reread), All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor (heartwarming), Two Old Women by Velma Wallis (inspiring), Distilled Genius by Susan Branch (inspiring), and Cottage Fairy Companion by Paola Merrill (inspiring). All the poetry I read was also SO enriching!
2023 was a โYear of Changeโ for me and I found myself drawn to darker stories that show the protagonist overcoming! I had a wonderful reading year mostly due to narrating, interacting, and discussing what I was reading with so many wonderful friends (Voxer and Zoom for the win!), writing in my journals (here and in the regular paper & ink kind ๐คฃ), and sharing a little on Booktube. Engaging deeply instead of just inhaling mindlessly. Granted I still read my fair share of fluff, ๐ฅฐ but my reading life felt more life-giving this year. How about you? How was your reading in 2023? Iโd love to chat below!
Time’s waters will not ebb, nor stay;
John Keble, except from The Christian Year
Power cannot change them, but Love may;
What cannot be, Love counts it done.
Deep in the heart, her searching view
Can read where Faith is fixed and true,
Through shades of setting life can see Heaven’s work begun.
O Thou, who keep’st the Key of Love,
Open Thy fount, eternal Dove,
And overflow this heart of mine,
Enlarging as it fills with Thee,
Till in one blaze of charity
Care and remorse are lost, like motes in light divine;
Till as each moment wafts us higher,
By every gush of pure desire,
And high-breathed hope of joys above,
By every secret sigh we heave,
Whole years of folly we outlive,
In His unerring sight, who measures Life by Love.
But where Thou dwellest, Lord,
John Keble, The Christian Year
No other thought should be,
Once duly welcomed and adored,
How should I part with Thee?
Bethlehem must lose Thee soon, but Thou wilt grace
The single heart to be Thy sure abiding-place.
Winter is just about here, friends! โ๏ธโฅ๏ธOne of my delights this year has been dipping into a fair amount of poetry. Here are some highlights for you to consider adding to your stack for next yearโฆcozy up, grab a hot drink , and read on โ๏ธ. Enjoy!
Mary Oliverโs Devotions ~ I received this as a Christmas gift a few years ago and have been sipping from it here and there. Oliver has such an eye for life-giving details in nature and she asks us questions that go just a bit deeper. I love that about her. As a modern poet, she is definitely a bit more approachable and easier to ease into than some of your classic poets. Not every one of her poems hits for me, but sometimes one line or a word will meet me right where Iโm at in that moment. Iโm often surprised by her.
Emily Bronte ~ I was extremely surprised how much I loved this dark and brooding poetry. Just like the all the Bronte sisterโs fiction, this was sooo atmospheric and because she talks of death frequently, it actually made me contemplate how Iโm living life. I found the Everymanโs Library Pocket Poets collection to be a wonderful selection of her poetry and I love the small size of these editions.
William Wordsworth ( and donโt forget Dorothy) ~ I love the poems and writings of this brother and sister duo. Williamโs beautiful poetry centered in life around The Lake District, Cumbria, England really feeds my soul and my faith. He really grasps the touch of God in nature and it is such a testimony to me. I love his poetic storytelling, too. Dorothyโs journals are so simple, domestic, yet so compelling. They both have that artistic eye. โฅ๏ธ I loved sharing Wordsworth with our Charlotte Mason co op homeschool group last term.
Gerald Manly Hopkins ~ Wow. Mr. Hopkinโs use of language and metaphor is so gorgeously layered and rich. I will confess I struggle a bit with his writing richness, but if I have a little patience and read just to enjoy each word, I walk away blessed. His wrestling with faith and art is so relatable and real. Heโs one of the hardest poets for me to read, but also one of my favorites.
Robert MacFarlane The Lost Spells ~ I would be remiss to not mention this gorgeously illustrated (Jackie Morris) collection of modern nature poetry. MacFarlane is a lover of Hopkinโs wordsmithing and the homeschool co op and I loved looking at both poets together earlier this year. MacFarlaneโs wordsmithing, storytelling, and putting himself into the everyday life of animals and plants is just lovely. He is another poet whose work is perfect for those new to poetry!
Kim Piรฑa ~ this is an online friend that I was blessed to โmeetโ YEARS ago, through blogging. ๐๐โฅ๏ธ I love Kimโs word play, almost like a songwriter/compelling poem-rap style, and I love how she asks deeper questions tangled with the daily mundanity of life. Her Instagram account is lovely, too!
Robert Frost, Rainer Maria Rilke, and Sara Teasdale ~ Iโm extremely new to these three poets and canโt wait to really sink into their work more in the new year. I was familiar with a few famous poems, but I recently got Mirror of the Heart, a Teasdale collection, Rilkeโs Everymanโs Library Pocket Poet collection, and The Poetry of Robert Frost, edited by Edward Connery Latham, and am so excited for new words to drink up.
I also asked for two new poetry collections for Christmas and canโt wait to dive into these more!
Lastly, I have two poetry nonfiction books that Iโd love to get too, just to keep growing and learning about this life-giving art.
How about you? Do you read poetry? Who are your favorites? โฅ๏ธโ๏ธโฅ๏ธHappiest Winter Beginnings and Christmas ๐ to you all, friends!
Thinking on this quote: ๐ญ
..is my surrender to the crushing narrowness of earthly existence the beginning of my liberation from it, precisely because this surrender is my โAmenโ to your human life, my way of saying yes to your human coming, which happens in a manner so contrary to my expectations?
Karl Rahner, Watch for the Light, p. 74
Spiritual
Iโve begun a reread of The Life of Prayer by Edith Schaeffer and have really been enjoying a refreshing and convicting look at prayer. Iโm loving how she lays out that prayer is first worship, then for repentance, and FINALLY for requests. A reminder that I sorely needed, (looking at you, whiny prayer journal)! ๐๐๐ I decided to choose a reread for my Advent devotions from my shelf, Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas, and it has been so thought-provoking. Iโve streamlined my prayer journal a bit, also, to help refresh my reflection time. Iโm also slowly buddy reading The Christian Year by John Keble with two friends this year.
Physical
Honestly, Iโve made some huge health goals, but have really been struggling. I tend to hide and binge ๐ฅฒ eat through my exhaustion or big emotions. ๐ฉ๐ค Food addiction is a real thing, friends. This trying to process in unhealthy ways. Iโm laying out here what I mentioned to my support group, too, Iโd love to fit back into these lovely Carhartt overalls that I had got for myself in 2021. But more than size, I want to learn to be vulnerable with people when I need help, deepen my prayer practice, and use my love of creativity and journaling to process my thoughts and feelings. I acknowledge here, too, that sometimes I actually need to get OUT of my head/books/social media ๐ and feelings and change my thoughts upward to Jesus and outward to others. ๐ค
Mental
Iโm finding that taking short walks with music or an audiobook has been clearing the mental cobwebs. Iโve also really enjoyed instrumental music/soundtracks. Iโm seeing that Iโm handling the early sunset and waning light of this year much better than last year, by pressing into the unique beauty of THIS season. Iโve REALLY been blessed by poetry this year and hope to do a post about that soon.
Emotional
Iโve been noticing lately that overwhelming feelings threaten to drown me if I donโt purposefully choose to take life in small moments. Our whole, โwild and precious lifeโ is made up of these minute moments. Iโve forgotten the way of small bits of joy and gratitude a bit, ๐ฅฒ and it is always so wonderful to hear that still, Small Voice gently guiding us back into The Way. I found that free with my Audible account, the audiobook of Hinds Feet on High Places, is available and while I know that the allegory is very โon the noseโ in this book, it is one of my favorite books of all time. I identify with Much-Afraid SO much, but I mostly love this book for the picture of Jesus, my Lovely Shepherd.
Beautiful Jackie Morris postcard from a friend.
Servanthood
My son and I were talking the other day and we realized that this really isnโt an easy area. Some individuals may be a bit more servant-like naturally, but I know that I need to practice it and make it a habit. Iโve been working hard to reach out consciously to one person a day. This could be a text or popping a card in the post, focused listening to those right in front of me, or bigger things as the Holy Spirit leads. Of course, I also end up being SO blessed ๐ฅฒ in return by this.
But as for me, I will watch โฅ๏ธexpectantly for the LORD. I will wait โฅ๏ธ for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. โฅ๏ธ Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; โฅ๏ธ Though I dwell in darkness, the LORD is a light for me. โฅ๏ธ
from Micah 7, I recommend listening to this song after savoring these verses.
Thank you for being here. You are a blessing and are loved. How โbout you? How are YOU truly doing? Glad to be doing this life with you. ๐ฅฐ๐พ๐โจ๐โ๏ธ๐ฅโ๏ธ๐ฒ๐๐๐ค๐๐๐๐๐๐ฌ๐๏ธ๐งบ
{previous whole person work check-ins}
Lord, it is time. The summer was so great.
Impose upon the sundials now your shadows
and round the meadows let the winds rotate.
Rainer Maria Rilke
Spiritual
Iโve been plugging away at my devotionals, Bible, reading, and journaling. Iโve really tried to concentrate and put a little more focus into it as I had gotten so distracted this summer during my meditation time. Iโve also noticed Iโve really enjoyed taking notes at church, helping me to concentrate. Thereโs so many things the Lord has been showing me, He is SO faithful! Iโm excited about Advent readings soon.
Physical
Iโm back in my food program called Bright Line Eating. It has been a bit bumpy, but October was the best so far! Iโve been texting a friend for accountability and thatโs really helped. Writing my food down for each day helps with not making bad, emotional decisions. Iโve gone back to Instagram after a 10 month break for the purpose of using it as an encouragement to others, but also to keep myself accountable in many areas. I will watch carefully my usage. Iโve been re-listening to Rezoom by Susan Peirce Thompson and itโs been to good to refresh myself. I have to be purposeful about my health, so I can be of service to others.
Mental
Iโm challenging myself to read a little deeper and I have some great buddy reads lined up in November. Dombey & Son, The Makioka Sisters, Countess Kate by Charlotte Mary Yonge, and Julie by Catherine Marshall. Nourishing food for my brain instead of โcandyโ. Iโve been reading more poetry, especially Emily Bronte, Rilke, and Sara Teasdale. Iโm trying to write more poetry too, as a healthy, healing way to work through emotions and feelings (instead of eating and binging on media). Iโm thinking on the tagline, โrage and graceโ, that I saw on the artist RMโs Instagram a few days ago.
Emotional
This ties into the mental category too, while in reality, all of this is in relationship together, but Iโve been journaling, writing penpals, taking nature photos, and dipping into seasonal books. Taking drives in nature (the leaves!!!!) and keeping track of the moon phases has been a relaxing and enjoyable experience lately. Godโs creation is a gift given for the taking if I just open my eyes and heart and RECEIVE. โฅ๏ธโจ
Servanthood
Our homeschool activities are in full swing and itโs been good and stretching for me to give! ๐ฌ๐ฅฑ๐ Weโve been getting back into better daily rhythms and Iโm continually learning that servanthood can mean something as simple as shutting my mouth and listening. ๐ถ๐ค๐โฅ๏ธ
Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied.
from The Beatitudes, Jesus
How about you? How are you doing? Iโd love to chat in comments or drop me an email! ๐พ๐โฅ๏ธ๐โจ๐๐ค๐๐๐ Blessings over your new November month ahead!
Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful though you have considered all the factsโฆ
๐ Practice resurrection. ๐
Wendell Berry, excerpt from โManifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Frontโ
I love reading seasonally or at least I get in certain reading moods as the seasons ease into the next. ๐๐๐๐พ๐๐๐ฟ๏ธ๐ปโฅ๏ธ ๐Here are five reads that I recommend that feel September-ishโฆ
1. From the Heart of the Home: Autumn by Susan Branch {this is a delightful collection of joyful reflections, illustrations, quotes, and recipes to get you into the fall mood}โฅ๏ธ๐ป
2. Pat of the Silverbush by L.M. Montgomery {Iโm reading this currently for the first time and itโs lovely and cozy for this time of year}
3. Christy by Catherine Marshall {beautiful story full of hope, growth, faith, and wonderful female friendships}
4. The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry {honestly, I pull this short poetry collection out all times of year, but have been craving it lately}
5. The Grasmere Journals by Dorothy Wordsworth {beautifully simple journal entries from the sister of the poet William Wordsworth. The domesticity and pace of life is just so relaxing to me and the English Lake District setting is perfect}
P.S. William Shakespeare is another I feel drawn towards. Whatโs your favorite play of his?
Do you have any favorite reads that smell and feel of September? โฅ๏ธ Please share!
There is wonder all around usโฆ
Listeningโฆ I dip into these podcasts, here and there.
Readingโฆ this piece here about what the author learned this summerโฆthought-provoking .
Watchingโฆ really enjoyed Nicoleโs footage and her thoughts on her Shakespeare reading journey.
Noticingโฆthe dark lingering longer, the brilliance of the moon, barn swallows are still here, donโt go my friends!
How about you? What are you listening to, reading, watching, or noticing? ๐พ๐๐๐ป๐ฅ๐๐๐ชต๐ฟ๏ธ
Thus says the LORD,
Stand by the ways and see and ask for the
ancient paths,
Where the good way is, and walk in it;
And you will find rest for your soulsโฆ
Book of Jeremiah 6:16a
What are you reading ๐, exploring, or creating this weekend? Happy September, friends! ๐๐ฅฐ๐ปโฅ๏ธโ๏ธ๐๐๐๐๐๐ค๐๐๐๐ฌ๐โจ๐พ๐๐ฒ
Iโm mostly sipping coffee โ๏ธ {maybe Tazoโs Lemon ๐ Loaf tea, later} and loving The Grasmere Journals by Dorothy Wordsworth ๐ฅฐ.
A.M. Pine - Hearth Ridge Reflections 