Recently Brenda and Deborah shared their top ten favorite books.
"Hmmm, I should do that," I mused.
After all; I love books!
(a few that have taken up residence here...)
I love reading them and I love the warmth and beauty they bring to a room.
I recall many years ago taking a house tour of someone I knew. She had a beautiful,old farm house full of character and charm, but as I pondered later over what was missing...I realized there were no books!
Turns out choosing my top ten was a little more difficult than I first thought....but here are some I have really,really enjoyed....
1- The Holy Bible...no other book can give us what this one does...Divine truth and power and much more...and- I can enjoy an intimate relationship with the Author!
2-The Melendy Family...this is a nostalgic read from my childhood. The one I read then was an edition of the three of these stories in one. It was a hardcover, about four inches thick and plain dark navy. Not much on the outside...but the story whisked me away from my own wonderful childhood into another one that seemed oh so dreamy and idyllic. It was fun to read these to my girls not long ago. I still loved the story and even more now seeing it through experienced eyes.
3-A Holy Experience- Ann Voskamp is beyond gifted. Humbly she writes and literally has helped millions. Her writing is so profound, yet at the same time so fundamental. Amazing!
4-With New Eyes- An article in a focus on the family magazine introduced me to this writer about 17 years ago. Margaret Becker shares her life experiences in a deep, soulful and honest manner. Hard to read her words and remain stagnant.
5-Anne of Green Gables- I had to include this whimsical story...read countless times the antics and passions of Anne are mandatory for a wholesome and educated childhood ! A few years ago we visited PEI, where her stories were born. I read recently that good fiction feels like truth, definitely the case here!
6-Little Women- Is it because I have four daughters or that I have four sisters, or that I am a mother and a girl. Who knows but this endearing story is one of my all time favorites. Read it with my girls a few times. The chapter where Beth dies is written so beautifully!
On my list to read more of Louisa Alcott. (other than Little Men.)
7-Quiet Moments For Women-found this devotional by June Masters Bacher at a garage sale quite a few years ago. I added it to this pile because her earthy insight is one I always appreciate and admire. Timeless treasures.
8-Same Kind of Different As Me-the title alone is enough to make one want to read it. I talked more about it here. Definitely a must read true story!
9-A Garden To Keep- J.L.Turner is an English teacher and it shows in her writing. A MASTER at articulation and detail, which I happen to love! (Some may not!) I enjoy description and details yes, even what colour the geraniums in the window boxes were! I have read all of her novels, but I think this one may be my favorite.....
10-How Do I love Thee- This is another story that taught me much while at the same time resonating with me.Nancy Moser's history on this and other of her books comes to life in a real and exciting way.... rich and textured....I would love to see this story as a play and acted out...
( I think I may read this one again soon.)
11-Simple Abundance- I purchased this book on the advice of my sister who had it.
' You would love it,' she had told me. I do. It is a classic book filled with inspiration and wisdom and the knowledge that I am not the only woman who has at times needed reassurance that life is what we put into it and what we make with what we have!
12-The Secret Keeper- I added this one because it is my most recently read novel that I simply could not put down!! I had taken this book with me on our holiday to the Dominican back in January, and if I would have known then that I wouldn't of been able to put it down, I'd have left it here:) It was a library book, but serendipity had me find it on the discard table there this summer! Got to love that!! I think I may have been the one that caused the rippling pages when I innocently laid it across my damp bathing suit in the tropics while I contemplated the plot!!....shhh, don't tell!
I was expecting I would need to purchase it...I guess I did; in a way!
there are some of my favorites...what fun that was!
Isn't that what makes books so special? The connections are unique and universal all at once...
Love what Sara Ban Breathnach says here...
It would seem an easy thing really the reading of a book.You pick a book up, open it,fix your gaze and begin. Well, maybe so,and maybe not. As a reader I'm hard on books and other writers. A passionate woman, I like my books to knock my socks off. It's got to be love at first sight. I need to be bowled over at an author's insight, to wonder how I lived before the book explained it all to me, or how the author knew me so well.
In reality, while there is often a mystical bond between writer and reader, the author is just trying to figure out his or her own life,on the page, not mine.
But as the Irish poet W B Yeats once told an admirer of his work, "if what I say resonates with you, it's merely because we are both branches on the same tree."
this concludes my bookish post....
:))) Happy Reading ....Lucy~
"Hmmm, I should do that," I mused.
After all; I love books!
I love reading them and I love the warmth and beauty they bring to a room.
I recall many years ago taking a house tour of someone I knew. She had a beautiful,old farm house full of character and charm, but as I pondered later over what was missing...I realized there were no books!
Turns out choosing my top ten was a little more difficult than I first thought....but here are some I have really,really enjoyed....
1- The Holy Bible...no other book can give us what this one does...Divine truth and power and much more...and- I can enjoy an intimate relationship with the Author!
2-The Melendy Family...this is a nostalgic read from my childhood. The one I read then was an edition of the three of these stories in one. It was a hardcover, about four inches thick and plain dark navy. Not much on the outside...but the story whisked me away from my own wonderful childhood into another one that seemed oh so dreamy and idyllic. It was fun to read these to my girls not long ago. I still loved the story and even more now seeing it through experienced eyes.
3-A Holy Experience- Ann Voskamp is beyond gifted. Humbly she writes and literally has helped millions. Her writing is so profound, yet at the same time so fundamental. Amazing!
4-With New Eyes- An article in a focus on the family magazine introduced me to this writer about 17 years ago. Margaret Becker shares her life experiences in a deep, soulful and honest manner. Hard to read her words and remain stagnant.
5-Anne of Green Gables- I had to include this whimsical story...read countless times the antics and passions of Anne are mandatory for a wholesome and educated childhood ! A few years ago we visited PEI, where her stories were born. I read recently that good fiction feels like truth, definitely the case here!
6-Little Women- Is it because I have four daughters or that I have four sisters, or that I am a mother and a girl. Who knows but this endearing story is one of my all time favorites. Read it with my girls a few times. The chapter where Beth dies is written so beautifully!
On my list to read more of Louisa Alcott. (other than Little Men.)
7-Quiet Moments For Women-found this devotional by June Masters Bacher at a garage sale quite a few years ago. I added it to this pile because her earthy insight is one I always appreciate and admire. Timeless treasures.
8-Same Kind of Different As Me-the title alone is enough to make one want to read it. I talked more about it here. Definitely a must read true story!
9-A Garden To Keep- J.L.Turner is an English teacher and it shows in her writing. A MASTER at articulation and detail, which I happen to love! (Some may not!) I enjoy description and details yes, even what colour the geraniums in the window boxes were! I have read all of her novels, but I think this one may be my favorite.....
10-How Do I love Thee- This is another story that taught me much while at the same time resonating with me.Nancy Moser's history on this and other of her books comes to life in a real and exciting way.... rich and textured....I would love to see this story as a play and acted out...
( I think I may read this one again soon.)
11-Simple Abundance- I purchased this book on the advice of my sister who had it.
' You would love it,' she had told me. I do. It is a classic book filled with inspiration and wisdom and the knowledge that I am not the only woman who has at times needed reassurance that life is what we put into it and what we make with what we have!
12-The Secret Keeper- I added this one because it is my most recently read novel that I simply could not put down!! I had taken this book with me on our holiday to the Dominican back in January, and if I would have known then that I wouldn't of been able to put it down, I'd have left it here:) It was a library book, but serendipity had me find it on the discard table there this summer! Got to love that!! I think I may have been the one that caused the rippling pages when I innocently laid it across my damp bathing suit in the tropics while I contemplated the plot!!....shhh, don't tell!
I was expecting I would need to purchase it...I guess I did; in a way!
there are some of my favorites...what fun that was!
Isn't that what makes books so special? The connections are unique and universal all at once...
Love what Sara Ban Breathnach says here...
It would seem an easy thing really the reading of a book.You pick a book up, open it,fix your gaze and begin. Well, maybe so,and maybe not. As a reader I'm hard on books and other writers. A passionate woman, I like my books to knock my socks off. It's got to be love at first sight. I need to be bowled over at an author's insight, to wonder how I lived before the book explained it all to me, or how the author knew me so well.
In reality, while there is often a mystical bond between writer and reader, the author is just trying to figure out his or her own life,on the page, not mine.
But as the Irish poet W B Yeats once told an admirer of his work, "if what I say resonates with you, it's merely because we are both branches on the same tree."
this concludes my bookish post....
:))) Happy Reading ....Lucy~
Love Anne and the March sisters, and read The Saturdays as an adult and enjoyed it. You've mentioned some new ones (to me) here that I'll need to check out. Thanks for the recommendations. And I love your bookshelves, nicely overflowing ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat list and delightful shelves, Lucy. I love the classics and non-fiction, one of my favorites is A Gift from the Sea by Ann Morrow LIndbergh.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your lovely words at my new page.
xoxo
Thank you...I've had Gifts From The Sea in my Amazon cart numerous times....I must buy that one!
DeleteLucy, what a lovely collection. I am completely enchanted with Sara Ban Breathnach's wise words, even more so than Yeat's!!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week, my friend!
Poppy
Me ha encantado, un regalo visitar tu blog.
ReplyDeleteJusto cuando comienzan los primeros fríos y nos apetece más acurrucarse a la lumbre, nos llega una de las celebraciones más tradicionales del año: la castañada.
Seguro que muchos de vosotros no resistiríamos la tentación de comerse un buen puñado de castañas calentitas. Pero sabeu cuál es el origen de esta fiesta? ¿Por qué, año tras año, cuando llega el otoño, nos gusta reunirnos con la familia o con los amigos para tostar las castañas y comérnoslo las juntos y por eso adornamos la casa. Os explicare algunas razones y cómo decorar el hogar para esta ocasion, t'expero
Elracodeldetall.blogspot.com
What a lovely collection of books. My late husband and I both loved/love to read, we have a couple thousand books at least, here in our tiny cottage. :-)
ReplyDeleteI bought Ann Voskamps' book after he went to be with Jesus, 2 years ago on the 9th, some thought provoking writing there. He bought me Simple Abundance for $1 at either a yard sale or thrift store many years ago, because he thought I would like it and I do. It is a favorite.
There are some in your list I'd like to find at the library, if not to buy.
The Bible is the best, filled with so many gems from God.
Happy continued reading. I love the photo at the end. That wheelbarrow makes a perfect reading nook.
FlowerLady