Mirkwood Reflections

A practical view of the prevailing religious system of professed Christians in the higher and middle classes in this country : contrasted with real Christianity (1829) by William Wilberforce - 10/20/2014 Excellent - Classic - Non-fiction - 354 pages - Kindle Wilberforce’s influential book challenged readers to center their life, both public and private, on Christ’s redeeming work and teachings. Wilberforce was the subject of the film Amazing Grace. He penned this book in the early 1800's to draw attention to the lack of true (or real) Christianity among the upper class in Britain. Challenging both in style (1800's, kwim?) and in content, this is a valuable, though difficult read. I also have the modern paraphrase of this book which I hope to read at some point. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien - 10/23/2014 Good - Fantasy - 480 pages - Audio - approx. 19 hours Frodo obtains the Ring of Power and sets out with the Fellowship of 9 to destroy it. I've read ...

I've missed posting here monthly, but quarterly will have to do for now. Maybe soon I can post more regularly. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen - 9/8/2010 Excellent - Classic Re-read (AUDIO version) Catherine Morland visits Bath and falls in love. I am so glad I read this again. The girls I am teaching are reading all 6 of the Austen novels this school year and I'm reading along with them, of course. Northanger Abbey was first. The reading experience was so much richer this time around. Listened to the librivox version . I'd Know You Anywhere by Laura Lippman - 9/10/2010 Good - Suspense Eliza Benedict is contacted by her kidnapper/rapist 25 years later because he wants her testimony to save him from the death penalty. Interesting since it deals with the aftermath of a serious crime - not just the immediate results, but the long term effects on a victim's life. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - 9/20/2010 Good - Young Adult Katniss becomes a reluctant leader in the Rebellion...

I managed 6 books in November, while also writing my latest NaNoWriMo novel. I tend to avoid fiction while writing fiction, except for inspiring fiction that I'd like to imitate, such as Gabaldon's work. So, other than the two children's books, the only fiction I read was a Kathy Reichs novel, during a writing slump. Well, and Gabaldon, but that's a given, right? Edward, Hoppy and Joe by Robert Lawson - 11/10/09 Excellent - Childrens One of my favorites from childhood – Edward the rabbit, Hoppy the toad, and Joe the possum have many adventures. My kids ADORED this read-aloud. I had hesitated reading it to them because of its age. It was rather old when *I* read it years ago. But it was very amusing and well-written. I think I shall have to read them more Robert Lawson. Perhaps Ben and Me and Rabbit Hill ? Until It Hurts by Mark Hyman - 11/16/09 Excellent - Non-fiction America's obsession with youth sports and how it harms our kids A review of this new book somewh...

Just four books in November, but that's ok, since I wrote a book in November too! LOL More Than It Hurts You by Darin Strauss 11/01/08 - Good - Fiction A doctor suspects a young mother is hurting her baby. This was a thoughtful sort of novel and it didn't end the way I expected. Jane Austen for Dummies by Joan Elizabeth Klingel Ray 11/13/08 - Excellent - Non-fiction If you've ever tried to read Austen and gotten confused about historical details or customs of the time, this is the book for you! Conversational in tone and very readable, this guide answered ALL the questions I had – and some I didn't realize I had! The only issue I had is that it revealed some of the plot points in Sense & Sensibility, the only Austen novel I hadn't yet read. So, if spoilers bother you, read the novels first and then get the book. Then you'll want to re-read them all over again! How I Write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author by Janet Evanovich 11/18/08 - Excellent - Non-fict...