Continuing on with our haphazard attempt at following
Modern Mrs. Darcy's reading challenge, my personal mother-daughters book club is moving on to the theme "A Book You Can Read in a Day." (When I say "moving on," I really mean "continuing with our ambitious January books and
lazily strategically choosing the least challenging category next.")
I'm going to read
Death of a Salesman. Because I never have, and it's kinda a classic, and it's short. And last month I missed a literary reference someone made to it, which must be remedied.
Here are some more options if you're looking for some excellently-written literature that you can enjoy with only a few minutes of spare time in your life.
1.
The Kitchen Madonna, by Rumer Godden. If you've never read any of Rumer Godden's books for children, you need to make a library trip posthaste. She wrings emotion out of her pages without a whit of sentimentality or sappiness. This story, that of a young English boy's quest to procure a "kitchen Madonna" icon to make his Ukranian maid feel at home, is my very favorite Godden.
2.
The Trees Kneel at Christmas, by Maud Hart Lovelace. Don't worry about the fact that it's a Christmas story. It's wonderful anytime. Similar to the one above, it handles themes of Old World/Eastern traditions finding a place in the Western World (this time, New York City). (Thanks, Liz, for recommending it! You have great taste.)
3.
Flora & Ulysses, by Kate DiCamillo. Part novel, part graphic novel, all wonderful. Maybe only Kate DiCamillo could get away with working Paschal's Wager into a touching and quirky kid's book.
4.
Mr. Wilmer, by Robert Lawson. A sort of mid-20th-century
Doctor Doolittle, with a
Mr. Deeds-esque hero. All the humor and heart you'd expect in a Robert Lawson story. Such a shame it's out of print, but there are a few used copies available. (Or you can borrow mine if you live near me!)
5.
Good-bye, Mr. Chips, by James Hilton. Short, literary, and beautiful. But you probably know that already, because hasn't everyone read this one?
6.
Animal Farm, by George Orwell. Surprisingly funny, despite the fact that it's glaringly and painfully relevant to today's world.
7.
The Book of Merlin, by T. H. White. The originally unpublished conclusion to
The Once and Future King, and my favorite part of the whole story (also, very readable even if you haven't read the rest). Like the last, quite the commentary on today's world.
8.
The Quotidian Mysteries, by Kathleen Norris. Thanks to Vijaya for sharing this one with me. A poetic and brief treatise on, in the author's words, "Laundry, Liturgy, and Women's Work."
9.
A Prayer Journal, by Flannery O'Connor. A little glimpse into a young Flannery, with beautiful reflections on life as a Christian artist.
10.
Jane Austen's History of England, by, well, Jane Austen. One of the funniest things ever written, particularly to be enjoyed by Austenites and history buffs.
Let me know: What are your favorite quick reads?
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Jane Austen's History sounds like the perfect cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteI just read a couple of shorties and posted some thoughts on my blog -- Letters to a Young Poet; Dancing on the Head of a Pen.
Yes--the perfect cup of tea, and even more perfect WITH a cup of tea. :) I especially enjoyed her description of Queen Elizabeth I.
DeleteOh my, the Jane Austen book sounds delightful! Oh, and Faith, I was meaning to get in touch when I saw a description of a new MG book called Sweet Home Alaska~ the character was described as Laura Ingalls Wilder as a girl meets Anne Shirley meets somebody else that I can't remember. But the book sounded like something you and your kiddos might enjoy!
DeleteMy, you really know our tastes, don't you? :) I just heard of that book myself, and it's already on hold at the library--it sounds wonderful! Thanks for thinking of us.
DeleteThe first favorite that jumps to mind is Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea" and the second is "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis.
DeleteI LOVE The Once and Future King! I had to read it for school a couple of years ago and was super surprised by how much I enjoyed it. For the Lit class I'm taking this year, I have been reading a lot of really amazing short stories, mostly compiled in "Great American Short Stories: From Hawthorne to Hemingway" (published by Barnes and Noble Books). It is really worth not only reading, but owning! Perhaps the stories are a tad old for some of your girls, but incredibly enjoyable to grow into.
ReplyDeleteHello! Haven't visited your blog in a long, long time, but I'm so glad I checked in. Just what I was looking for: book recommendations from someone whose choices I trust. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for a blog post! I love short books. Gift From the Sea is one of my favorite short reads, even if it's a bit old-fashioned by now. Another suggestion: Tending to Grace by Kimberly Newton Fusco. Poetic and lovely.
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