โWords are one way we leave tracks in our world, Sol. Maybe one day you will write a book, like Olaus, or Molly Thorn. And people will read it, like Iโve been reading to you. And they will know that you were here, and a little about what you were like.โ
Solโs face remained far away. Her cheeks were white and hollow, but her eyes shone a bit, I was fairly sure.
Happiest August everyone! ๐โฅ๏ธ๐ฟ I realized Iโm starting a lot of online buddy reads and continuing a few, too! I absolutely LOVE talking about reading ๐ (if you hadnโt noticed before ๐คช) and so I thought Iโd check in!
1. Dynevor Terrace by Charlotte Mary Yonge – my Victorian reading friends are huge CMY fans and I so enjoyed reading Pillars of the House with them last year. Iโm still not a CMY super fan, but the conversation is lovely.
2. I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger – Iโm so excited to read this fourth book of Engerโs as apart of my Leif Along this year. This a brand new book from my favorite modern author who happens to be a Midwesterner, too! โฅ๏ธ
3. The Peterkin Papers by Lucretia P. Hale – sweet , family-ish tale. Excited to read a lighter story for balancing out Kristin Lavransdatter. ๐
Of course, Iโm continuing with The Cross and Pilgrim at Tinker Creek.
Iโm also dipping into a lot of home education books for refreshment and encouragement. ๐ฟโฅ๏ธ๐๐๐๐๐ How about you? Any books you are really looking forward to this month?
โThere are lots of things to see, unwrapped gifts and free surprises. The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But-and this is the point-who gets excited by a mere penny?โ
โIt is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he wonโt stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted in pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is simple. What you see is what you get.โ
~Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, p. 17, emphasis mine
What pennies are lying around just waiting for us to pick up? โ๏ธ๐๐ฅฐโ๏ธ๐ฟ๐
I was so inspired Chantelโs DIY Literature Degree that Iโve been thinking about how to incorporate something similar. Iโve been feeling the pull (again) to be purposeful about certain areas of my life. I need some home education, spiritual, and life inspiration! I put together a stack of books to pull from, resources, and habits to especially focus on this summer. Iโm sure this will extend far beyond 3 months ๐, but I love sharing in case it encourages/inspires someone else and as a bit of accountability for me. Firstly, here are some of the books. I am going to be dipping into these, and/or finishing, or rereading. My Bible and Fire Bible notes are a biggie as well plus various devotionals I dip into!
~ Formation of Character by Mason (life/ home learning)
~ Learning All the Time by Holt (home learning)
~ Get Your Life Back by John Eldredge โ๏ธ
~ Women by Edith Stein ( spiritual/creativity/life)
~ The Cloud of Witness by various (ongoing)
~Slowing Time and Motherprayer by Mahany (spiritual/life)
~ poetry from different poets (spiritual/life)
~Know and Tell by Glass (home learning) โ๏ธ
~ Real Learning Revisited by Foss (life/home learning) โ๏ธ
~Pilgrim at Tinker Creekby Dillard (nature/life) โ๏ธ
~Jane & Dorothy by Marean Veevers
Some of these are on my Summer ABC list too, which works well!
Our last co op Picture Study artist! Fascinating!
The next area is my health. Iโve been floundering a bit in the program I was in and have gained a lot of weight back. I prayed about it and talked with a few close people and made some modifications. Iโve started back in and am feeling hopeful. I am prioritizing getting outside/walks, drinking water, trying to sleep, journaling, healthy food, and a biggie is limiting social media. I also have to have margin around our busy summer schedule. The key to these things is just a little bit everyday. I know it sounds like a lot, but Iโm keeping it VERY simple to set myself up for success. ๐๐ปโค๏ธโ๐ฅ
Multiplication with Beans
Lastly, I really want to focus on real life relationships. I have a lot of people here at home and around me that I want to pray for and keep in touch with. Soooo, Iโm focusing on s-l-o-w mediaโฆlike penpals, this blog (it takes me a lot of work to post as Iโm working from my phone), and an occasional reading wrap up on Booktube (super slow because itโs a lot of work to film and edit)! This means I wonโt be around Instagram this summer, and limiting how much Booktube I watch! I have plans to connect with church and local homeschool moms this summer and Iโm excited and a good nervous. ๐ Iโve been seeing that I need to break some covid-era dependency on online friends. Not that Iโll forget them entirely, my Victorian Reading friends through Kate Howeโs Patreon are dear to me! ๐ Iโm really focusing on reading aloud to my younger kids and dates with my hubby, too.
Recent library picture books that we loved! ๐ฅฐ
How โbout you? How is your summer shaping up? If you could create a DIY degree for yourself, what would it be? Iโd love to hear! Chat below! ๐โฅ๏ธ๐ก๐ฟ๐๐๐
Iโve been thinking, praying, and starting to research/plan for our next formal home-learning year. Itโs so fun to pull off treasures from the pastโฆahem, books my older kids loved and share them with my youngers. We had so much fun listening to this old Jim Weiss retelling of a few of the fables plus thereโs a few other stories for another day. โฅ๏ธ
Hi ๐ friends! One of my little projects this summer will be to read/reread from my shelves! I also have a learning project that I will post about later, but for now, these are ones Iโd love to pick up sooner than later! Iโll come back and cross off as I finish and hopefully I can chat a bit about the ones that really spoke to me. Even if it takes me the rest of the year thatโs ok, too. Do you have projects like this for yourself? ๐โฅ๏ธ๐
A – Apple Bough by Noel Streatfield โ๏ธ
B – Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope
C – ICheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger โ๏ธ
D – Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl (with my kids)
E – The Ember Blade by Chris Wooding
F – The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien (reread)
G – A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
H – Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry (reread)
I – Marthaโs Vineyard : Isle of Dreams by Susan Branch (reread)
J – Jane & Dorothy by Marian Veevers and/or Jane of Lantern Hill by L.M. Montgomery (reread, with my kids) โ๏ธor Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (reread)โ๏ธ
K – Kristin Lavransdatter1:The Wreath, โ๏ธ2:The Wife, โ๏ธ3: The Cross by Sigurd Undset (online buddy read group) โ๏ธ
L – Sylviaโs Lovers by Elizabeth Gaskell โ๏ธ
M – Barbara Mahany titles and/or Memories of Childhood Marcel Pagnols
N – Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens and North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell โ๏ธ (reread)
O – Orion & the Starborn by K. B. Hoyle (with my kids)
P – Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard ( reread, buddy read with my friend Kim! ๐โฅ๏ธ๐ฟ)โ๏ธ
Q –
R- Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey (buddy read with Deea, Penny, and Sandy โ๏ธ
S – Sense of Wonder by Rachel Carson โ๏ธ
T – A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
U – Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington โ๏ธ
V – Linnets and Valerians by Elizabeth Goudge (reread, with my kids)
W – Essays on Woman by Edith Stein
X –Ox Cart Man by Barbara Cooney โ๏ธ
Y –
Z – Oz books by L. Frank Baum (some rereads, with my kids) and/or Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury.
What are excited to be learning, reading, doing this summer? ๐โฅ๏ธ๐
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๏ธby 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. TheSword 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 ๐by 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 ๐ฅby 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 ฟby 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 ๐by 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 ๐ฎ๐ทby 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 ๐นby 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!
Hi ๐ friends! Trying to close out my yearly reads here. Itโs so fun to go back and see all the years of great reading lists. โฅ๏ธ
~October~
Pillars of the House Volume 2 by Charlotte Mary Yonge – 4 โญ๏ธ I had read the first Volume in the 3rd quarter and honestly, the Voxer/Zoom discussion group through Booktuber Kate Howeโs Patreon made this book come alive. The two volumes were over 1,000 pages combined! ๐ณ๐ This followed generations of a large, orphaned family in England and it was heartwarming and inspiring. I learned a lot about the Oxford Movement from the group discussions which I found fascinating. The community aspect kept me going and Iโm so glad I did!
Grace of Wild Things by Heather Fawcett- 4 โญ๏ธ This 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. Fawcett has been very hit or miss for me, but I did enjoy this one a lot!
Wives & Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell – 5 โญ๏ธ This has become something of a yearly reread for me and this past Victober was no exception. I absolutely loved listening to this favorite Victorian classic again. So many great characters in this story of a widowed country doctor and his daughter and everything surrounding his remarriage. All of the lovely villagers, class tensions, and life drama makes for a wonderful story. The BBC film adaptation is wonderful, too!!!
~November~
Keturah & Lord Death by Martine Leavitt – 4 โญ๏ธ An YA clean fantasy w/ light romance, this was so unique. Keturah has made a deal and she has a short time to complete her end of the bargain! I found the setting so compelling and I loved Keturah as a character. Iโm still thinking about this one.
Parents are Peacemakers by Essex Cholmondeley- 5โญ๏ธ I love this short nonfiction pamphlet on parenting from a friend of Charlotte Mason. I have reread this multiple times. I love the focus on the needs of each person in a family. So good! Great way to refresh your parenting and/or homeschooling.
Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah – 4 โญ๏ธ Honestly, this was such a fun adventureโฆthink Arabian nights and a gorgeously, immersive setting. Treasure, djinn, and treachery lurks around every corner! Older YA as itโs violent, but pretty clean. Iโm worried about the others in the trilogy ruining my reading experience with this one. ๐ I may just stop here. ๐
Dune by Frank Herbert – 4โญ๏ธ I 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.
~December~
Julie by Catherine Marshall- 4 โญ๏ธ A 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.
Wormwood Abbey by Christina Baehr – 4โญ๏ธ I thought this clean Victorian era fantasy with a side of dragons was extremely fun and I loved the main character, Edith Worms. This had Jane Eyre- vibes. Iโm looking forward to the second coming out this month?! The author is a mother of a large family. ๐
Absolutely Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick – 4โญ๏ธ This lovely, small town story follows 12 yo Truly Lovejoy as she adjusts to her familyโs move after her dad had a terrible accident in the military. PTSD, family, new friends, Shakespeare, and birding are just a few things in this charming middle grade.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows – 5 โญ๏ธ This was a reread, but I listened and I adored being back with these characters even more than the first time. An unique look at WWII from a different perspective, told through letters, and so very real and humorous.
Dombey & Son by Charles Dickens – 4 โญ๏ธ I just finished this, but read/listened to most of it in December. It dragged just a wee bit at about 3/4th the way through, but just what youโd expect from Mr. Dickens. Amazing, quirky cast of characters and a deeper conversation on so many issues/levels. This focused a lot on parental and child relationships. It was very good! I loved so many characters!
How was your last quarter of reading for 2023? Any plans for this year? Iโm thinking about how to share my reading in the new year. May change it up? Not sure. Watch soon for my 23 favorite reads of โ23 list! Happy Reading! โฅ๏ธ๐
I love the lights snaking up this tree ๐ณ โฅ๏ธโจ
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 OliverโsDevotions ~ 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!
Iโm nervous about this one, because I saw it on Instagram, but what Iโve read of his poetry, I found compelling and came away with ideas to consider. Iโm mostly excited about this collection as I love Kortneyโs work and have always been so inspired by her! โฅ๏ธ
Lastly, I have two poetry nonfiction books that Iโd love to get too, just to keep growing and learning about this life-giving art.
Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke and What is Poetry? by Michael Rosen โฅ๏ธ
How about you? Do you read poetry? Who are your favorites? โฅ๏ธโ๏ธโฅ๏ธHappiest Winter Beginnings and Christmas ๐ to you all, friends!
A.M. Pine - Hearth Ridge Reflections 