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...

Finally - my October reading list! Only 6 books, but one of them is the longest book I've ever read. And I've been working my way through another of Diana Gabaldon's books on audio, though I didn't finish that yet. Read on.... No Need for Speed: A beginner's guide to the joy of running by John Bingham - 10/12/09 Excellent - Non-fiction [999 Category - Serendipity 1 (revised category)] This couch potato turned back-of-the-pack athlete has uncovered the path to joy, contentment, self-discovery, and life-changing success, all by putting one foot in front of the other. As you may know, I have started jogging this year and I'm certainly not fast. This book was very helpful in setting goals and realizing a healthy approach to one of my new activities. Edmund Bertram's Diary by Amanda Grange - 10/17/09 Good - Romance [999 Category - Becoming Jane] Jane Austen's Mansfield Park, told through the eyes of Edmund Bertram I adore Amanda Grange's di...

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith - 10/13/08 Good - Fiction Francie grows up very poor in turn-of-the-century Brooklyn. My sister Janet recommended this. I surprisingly had not read it before. It was quite good, although not a light read at all. Wow, those people were POOR. Sweet Love by Sarah Strohmeyer - 10/15/08 Good - Romance Betty Mueller put her foot down when she saw her teenage daughter had a crush on an older man; twenty years later, she wishes she hadn't done it, so she hatches a plan to bring them back together. I had wanted a light read after reading Tree Grows in Brooklyn and the cupcake on the cover of this made me think it would be. It wasn't. But it was good anyway. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen - 10/22/08 Good - Classic Catherine Moreland is naïve and prone to romantic fantasy; in Bath she meets and falls in love with Henry Tilney and is invited to visit his family estate – Northanger Abbey This was for my Book Club and I really liked it! Henry Til...