Linking up with
Carolyn Astfalk to share what we've been reading!
I've been trying to figure out if there's any theme to our recent and current reads, but....nope. Not really. So I'll just announce them in their gloriously randomness.
I'm almost through
Raymie Nightingale, by Kate DiCamillo. I love Kate DiCamillo's spare style in this novel about three girls from the 1970's, each bearing very different sorrows. It's reminding me of
Because of Winn-Dixie, in a good way. Does any other writer out there feel like their craft improves just by cracking open one of Kate's books?
Research for a really fun non-fiction book I'm working on has pulled me into all kinds of fun sidetracks involving the saints. Fact: St. John Bosco was an incredibly good writer. I was able to find some of his autobiography in Italian, and it reads beautifully (even when you only understand half of it). (And this is the danger with research.
Why did I have to read it in Italian? I didn't. But it was
there.)
The same research led me to purchase a biography of Louis and Zelie Martin, the parents of St. Therese. It's incredibly inspiring, and encouraging to read that even saints had parenting struggles--even when their kids really were saints.
On a related note, I'm slowly making my way through Pope Francis's letter "Amoris Laetitia: on Love in the Family," and while I haven't gotten to the controversial bits yet, I'm loving the early chapters. In general, it's encouraging and challenging in the best of ways, and a good reminder of the daily renewal of love required for a good marriage. I appreciated the Holy Father's comments on the dangers of technology to family life (particularly his poignant description of children who are "orphans" in their own home because their parents are addicted to technology) and his exhortation to work and create instead of allowing ourselves to be passively entertained.
Speaking of which... my other non-fiction read is
The Glass Cage: How Our Computers are Changing Us, by Nicholas Carr.
It's an interesting look into the effects of automation on the human brain and the price we pay for the technology that takes our work away from us. I agree with 90% of what the author says, but I will forewarn you that the style of the book is not particularly engaging.
Mark has been reading
Keeper of the Lost Cities, by Shannon Messenger
aloud to the older girls every night. Guess what imaginary game has been filling nearly every spare minute of their lives? In between math and handwriting, they're elves trying to solve the mystery of the Everblaze fires using their powers of telepathy and telekinesis, etc.
What have you been reading?
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I love your research, Faith. I'm especially intrigued by the parents of Therese. Can I say that our dear Pope is too wordy for me? I miss Benedict and his clarity. Of course, we were rec'd into the Church during his pontificate but he's the first pope whom I ever read and he's brilliant.
ReplyDeleteThe Shallows by Nicholas Carr was very good. Have you read that?
And KdiC is so talented. I've read all her books so I'm looking forward to RN. Laughing over your girls using their powers of telepathy and telekinesis. I was playing well into my teen years.
Yes, Francis is a bit more wordy than either of his predecessors. I find Benedict's thought process clear and easy to follow, and John Paul II's use of language beautiful (of course, he WAS a poet and playwright, too). But Francis's strength is good content and down-to-earth advice. I confess thinking he sounds a bit like a good Italian grandmother sometimes. :)
DeleteNo, I haven't read The Shallows yet--only picked up my sister-in-law's well-worn copy and skimmed. I'll have to get to it!
A visit to your blog always means that my goodreads list grows by several books!! Do you think the memoirs is a good place to start with John Bosco? I've been meaning to get to know him better, what with having three boys and all ...
ReplyDeleteThe Memoirs, as I said, are surprisingly readable and even entertaining! They'd probably be a fine place for you to start.
DeleteIf you're looking for something to share with your boys sooner, I highly recommend Sister Emily Beata Marsh's biography: http://smile.amazon.com/Saint-John-Bosco-Champion-Encounter/dp/0819890456?ie=UTF8&qid=1462455759&ref_=tmm_mmp_swatch_0&sr=8-1
As an MG and YA author (as well as a middle grade English teacher), I rather shamefacedly admit that I've never read a Kate DiCamillo book. I know, I know, I should be flogged in the courtyard!
ReplyDeleteAs I am not without sin myself, I won't be casting any stones here. (My dad is about ready to disown me because I haven't read Old Yeller yet.)
DeleteMy favorite Kate DiCamillo is The Tale of Despereaux, but a lot of people are bothered by the strong omniscient narrative voice in that. Wherever you start, the writing and worldview will leave you breathless.
Keeper of the Lost Cities sounds like fun - I admit, I still read YA fiction fairly often, so I may have to pick this up sometime!
ReplyDeleteIt's fun--very middle grade and not as strong as, say, Kate DiCamillo, in certain writing areas, but over-the-top great in readability and entertainment factors!
Deletethese all look so interesting!
ReplyDelete