30 Day Book Challenge, Day 13: Who is your favorite author?

I was really struggling to answer this question, so I asked my husband for help. "David, who is my favorite author?"


He didn't hesitate one second before replying, "Shakespeare."

"He's a playwright! Does that count?" I mused, aloud.

"He AUTHORED plays. I think it counts."

Hmmmmm. I wasn't so sure. So I decided to ask my son. "Graham, who is my favorite author?" Again, the response came in a blink of an eye: "Shakespeare!"

"He's a playwright! And a poet! But not a novelist! Do you think he counts?"

"He's an author. Of course it counts."

So, there you have it. According to those who know me best, Shakespeare is my favorite author. I do love the Elizabethan bard! He can turn a phrase better than anyone, he can be funny and silly or pithy and deep. The characters he creates are strangely real and relate-able. But as much as I do LOVE Shakespeare, I prefer to watch his plays than to read them. I have read them, every one. I studied the complete works of Shakespeare in college. And in studying them I gained a deep appreciation for his linguistic brilliance. But his plays were written to be preformed. If you want an taste of his genius, I highly recommend the 1993 Kenneth Branagh production of Much Ado About Nothing!

Apparently my favorite author is playwright.

30 Day Book Challenge, Day 15: What is a book you think should be on a high school reading list?

This is easy. I think that The Book Thief by Markus Zusak should be on the required reading list of every high school student. I recently blogged about The Book Thief here.

30 Day Book Challenge, Day 14: What is you favorite book by your favorite author?

Well, since I just established that my favorite author is a playwright who did not write any books this proves to be a rather challenging question! May I take the liberty of slightly modifying the question to read, "What is you favorite 'work' by your favorite author?"

My favorite Shakespeare play is "The Taming of the Shrew." it is the story of two sisters whose father wants to marry them off. The younger daughter, Bianca, is sweet and lovable and has countless suitors, but her father refuses to let her marry until someone agrees to wed the older daughter, Kate. Kate, however, is the complete opposite of Bianca--she is mean, quick-tempered, and prone to violence.

A classic Shakespeare comedy, The Taming of the Shrew is witty and full of twists and turns. Sadly, there is not a great film production available. I have seen this play live several times, and I have never been disappointed!

30 Day Book Challenge, Day 12: What is the first novel you remember reading?

I was a late bloomer when it comes to literature. My mom loves to read, and I remember her dismay when, as a girl, I found reading rather boring. Shocking, I know. It wasn't until my high school years that I started reading for pleasure. All that to say, I did not read treasures like Anne of Green Gables, Little House in the Big Woods, and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe until I was well into my adulthood. But apparently my mom did convince me to read a bit as a child, because a few books from my youth linger in my distant memory. One such book is called Beat the Turtle Drum, by Constance C. Greene.

A sweet but melancholy story, Beat the Turtle Drum is about a thirteen year old girl who loses her beloved little sister in a tragic accident. Joss, the care-free younger sister who everyone seems to love, is saving money to rent a horse for a week. Her older sister, Kate, is the steady, reliable child, who wants nothing more than to see her sister's dream come true. Joss and Kate have a sweet relationship, which is well-developed by the author.

I remember crying and crying as I read this book. Sadly, I don't remember much else about it!

30 Day Book Challenge, Day 11: What is a book you absolutely hated?

I have read many books that did not appeal to me. Some were for classes that I took, some were for book  clubs. But books that I do not like fade quickly from my memory, and so I am having a hard time remembering a book that I absolutely hated. And "hate" is such a strong word! Most books have some redeeming quality about them.

Nevertheless, I can choose a book for this category. It is a book that simply NEVER should have been written because it was impossible to succeed at  what the author set out to do: write a sequel to a classic long after the author of the classic has passed away. One of my all time favorite books is Gone With the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell. I am certain that this book will come up in a later category. The book that I despise is called Scarlett, and it was written by Alexandra Ripley. Ripley attempted to write a sequel to Mitchell's classic, and her attempt is a major disappointment!

First of all, who in their right mind would try to build on something as iconic as Gone With the Wind? Mitchell's one and only novel is a wonder, and it's tragic ending was completely perfect. There was nothing...NOTHING...that should have been added. After a thrilling 1057 pages, it was complete. THE END.

But Ripley couldn't just leave things as they were. The pages that she writes are somewhat of an abomination--beloved characters lose their defining characteristics, and the plot is so amazingly mundane I cannot even remember what Scarlett was about!

30 Day Book Challenge, Day 10: What is your favorite classic book?

For a Literature major, this is NOT a fair question. What type of classic? Among American classics, I LOVE Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Harriet Beecher Stowe. But then there are the Brits: Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and C.S. Lewis to name a few! One must not overlook the ancient Greeks, as the Odyssey and the Iliad are practically the backbone of literature. And who can forget the Russians (Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky) the French (Hugo, Dumas and Verne!) and the Germans (Kafka and Goethe)?

Choose ONE classic? I don't think it's possible! One? That's like asking a mother to choose her favorite child! It simply cannot be done.

Okay, okay, okay! I'll pick something that I think everyone should read at least once. But if you have not ventured into the world of classic literature, RUN, don't walk to amazon.com and download some of those freebies toute de suite ! You are missing out on some serious greatness. While I have highlighted some fun books in this 30 Day Book Challenge, few can compare to classics like Emma, Of Mice and Men, The Scarlet Letter, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Around the World in 80 Days, Anna Karenina, or Uncle Tom's Cabin.

One of my favorite classics is Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens. Dickens is one of those authors who can create scenes and characters that absolutely come to life. You become intensely interested in the story, and you are sad when it is over.

Great Expectations is the story of Pip, a lovable young orphan who has been apprenticed to a blacksmith, but who longs for so much more. As he tries to figure out life, Pip is befriended by Joe, who is mentally slow (but emotionally wise); he becomes enamored with Estella (who wouldn't!); and, he struggles to figure out the mysterious Magwitch (an enigma of a character, if there ever was one!).

Great Expectations is rich with themes of love, forgiveness, and redemption. Dickens doesn't waste a word, and his works are thick with meaning. If you are new to Dickens, have patience. His writing style is somewhat dense and takes a while to appreciate. But I encourage you to persevere, before you know it, you will fall in love with his mastery of the English language and you will be amazed by the brilliance of his tales.

30 Day Book Challenge, Day 9: What is a book you thought you wouldn't like, but you ended up loving?

Life of Pi, by Yann Martel! One of the reasons I loved being in a book club is that I read books that I otherwise never would have read. One such book is Life of Pi. And no, it isn't about math!

Pi is a sixteen year old son of a zookeeper who is immigrating to the United States from India with his family. His father plans to open a zoo in America, and to that end, he has brought several exotic animals with him on their voyage. Whilst crossing the Pacific on a Japanese ocean liner, the ship goes down. Pi finds himself on a life boat with an orangutan, a hyena, a wounded zebra, and Richard Parker--a 450 pound Bengal tiger.

Richard Parker quickly devours all of the other animals, and Pi must depend on his vast knowledge of animals and his cunning intellect to survive the better part of a year on a tiny life boat with a hungry, seasick tiger.

The book has a wonderful ending with a twist that will make you want to start reading the whole book all over again just to see if you can discover the "truth." I picked up Life of Pi reluctantly, but finished it completely enchanted.

30 Day Book Challenge, Day 8: What book is overrated?

Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins. Let me start by saying that I really did enjoy the Hunger Games Series. It was an interesting concept with compelling characters, though not exceptionally well-written. The story is set in Panem--a post apocalyptic United States. The center of political power, located in the Colorado area, is called the Capitol. Shortly after Panem was established, some of the thirteen regions revolted against the Capitol, but they were defeated. As punishment for their uprising--and to instill fear to prevent future uprisings, the Capitol instituted the Hunger Games.

Once a year, one girl and one boy from each region are chosen as "tributes"  and sent to the Capitol to compete in the nationally broadcast Hunger Games. After a week or so of training, the 26 kids are set loose in a giant arena where they must fight to the death. Only one person can win.

The main character, Katniss, becomes a "tribute" when her younger sister's name is chosen and Katniss volunteers to take her place. Having lost her father, Katniss is an accomplished hunter and a capable competitor. She is strong and smart, but conflicted. Her story is dramatic and engaging.

The first book in the series, The Hunger Games, is a great read. The second book, Catching Fire, is so-so. The third book, Mockingjay, is downright disappointing. Nevertheless, the whole series has been wildly popular. I hate it when I get INTO a series, only to find that it fizzles out in the end. For this reason, I choose Mockingjay as a book that was overrated.

30 Day Book Challenge--Day 7: What book is underrated?

Since I don't pay attention to best seller lists, Oprah's Book Club, or the book table at Costco (which I miss, but alas, there is no Costco in France!), I really have a hard time judging if a book is underrated. I have no idea what books are popular these days. But one book that I really enjoyed and that I find few people have read is Three Weeks with my Brother, by Nicolas Sparks. I mentioned in an earlier post that I am not a big fan of Nicolas Sparks in general. Frankly, I find his fiction painfully pedestrian. Three Weeks with my Brother is different, though, as it is a personal memoir rather than a work of fiction.

I read Three Weeks with my Brother several years ago in a book club. At that time, though Nicolas Sparks was a well-known author, I had never heard of his memoir. In Three Weeks with my Brother Sparks tells of a trip around the world that he takes with his only brother, weaving tales from their youth together with a day by day account of their adult adventure. The stories from their "trip of a lifetime" bring a nice rhythm and some excitement to the story; the selected "flashbacks" to childhood add depth and perspective to the narrative.

If you only ever read one book by Nicolas Sparks, skip The Notebook and A Walk to Remember, and opt for Three Weeks with my Brother.

30 Day Book Challenge--Day 6: What is a book that makes you sad?

There is a good kind of sad--a tragic but somehow redemptive sad.Those are the sad books that I like to read.

For example, the memoir, Falling into His Grace, by Rebecca Petrie is a desperately sad story except for one thing: Petrie isn't sad.

One ordinary day, after a women's Bible Study in her home, Rebecca trips down the stairs and finds her life forever changed. This beautiful, healthy, active missionary is suddenly paralyzed from the neck down and sentenced to a life of constant pain and discomfort. But through this seeming tragedy, Rebecca discovers hope and grace and love like never before.

 In  Falling into His Grace Rebecca Petrie shares her incredible story. She wrestles with hard questions, and comes out clinging fiercely to Jesus. I was deeply blessed by this sad, sad story.

30 Day Book Challenge--Day 5: What is a book that makes you happy?

Do you want to smile? Then you absolutely must read Cold Sassy Tree, by Olive Ann Burns. It is an all-American novel any literature fan would enjoy.

Set in the south, just after the turn of the century (1906, that is), Cold Sassy Tree is a coming-of-age story about the young Will Tweedy.

The story opens as Will Tweedy's grandpa--a recently widowed pillar of the community--shocks friends and family by eloping with Miss Love Simpson. Not only is Miss Simpson a beauty of half his age, she's a Yankee to boot!

With the subtle irreverence, Burns skillfully address issues of racism, class-ism, and Christian hypocrisy. Your heart will be warmed, your spirits will be lifted, and you might just laugh out loud.

Absolutely entertaining from cover to cover, Cold Sassy Tree is a rare treasure of a read.

30 Day Book Challenge--Day 4: What is your "Guilty Pleasure" book?

I don't normally go for romance novels, but when a friend recommended the author Charles Martin to me, I found that I had discovered a guilty pleasure. His first novel, The Dead don't Dance is both melancholy and sweet; romantic, without being downright mushy. Well, not too mushy, anyways.

The Dead don't Dance is the story of Dylan Styles, a young husband whose dear wife's life is hanging in the balance after the delivery (and death) of their first baby. He wrestles with issues of grief and joy, hope and disappointment, all while waiting to see if his wife will live or die. I appreciate the way the author weaves faith into the story without sterilizing the story line. The Dead don't Dance is rich with memorable characters, poignant love scenes, and pithy one-liners.

After reading The Dead don't Dance I began checking out other books by Charles Martin from the library, and while they were entertaining, I started to notice a striking similarity between all of his plot lines. So, you know, takes his books in small doses or things get painfully predictable. Other books by Martin that I have enjoyed include Where the River Ends, Wrapped in Rain, and The Mountain Between Us.

If I am in the mood for a little romance, Charles Martin is my preferred author--but I admit this reluctantly! While I think he is better than Nicolas Sparks, he doesn't hold a candle to Jane Austen.

30 Day Book Challenge--Day 3: What is your favorite series?

Harry Potter, by J. K. Rowling. Okay, I will probably take some flack for this choice! Since I am a Christian, I am supposed to choose C.S. Lewis' Narnia Series as my favorite!  And I deeply appreciate many books in the Narnia Series. But the truth is, I love  Harry Potter! (If your conscience does not permit you to read this series, then by all means, steer clear of it! I would not presume to say that it is for everyone.)

You must be living under a rock if you haven't at least heard of the Harry Potter series, which consists of seven books and has been made into eight movies. By the way--the books are better!

Harry Potter is boy who was orphaned as a baby after both of his parents were killed by the evil Voldemort. He is raised by a  muggle (non-magical) aunt and uncle until the age of 12, when he learns that he is a wizard, and that he has been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Each book of the series spans one school year at Hogwarts, where Harry takes classes in magic, learns to ride a broom, and discovers true friendship.

The Harry Potter series is full of rich themes, battles between good and evil, and heart-warming relationships. It is a fantasy story, where magic clearly figures prominently; nevertheless, I found the overall message of these books to be consistent with my values as a Christian.

But when all is said and done, it is the creativity and brilliant writing of J.K. Rowling that put Harry Potter at the top of my list. The story is masterfully told; the characters are funny, interesting, and well-developed; and her use of the English language is downright delicious!

Our entire family has devoured the series, it is some of most delightful literature of our time. Pure fun!

30 Day Book Challenge--Day 2: Which book have you read more than 3 times?

Shepherds Abiding, by Jan Karon. I LOVE reading Christmas books during the month of December, and Shepherds Abiding is one that I have read repeatedly! While it is part of the delightful Mitford Series, it can easily stand alone.

Shepherds Abiding, like the rest of the Mitford Series, is loaded with memorable characters, has a sweet story line, and is so well-written that you will feel as though you've been transported right into the charming town of Mitford.

Shepherds Abiding follows the small town rector, Father Tim, on his adventures during the advent season. The bookish pastor, who married late in life, sneaks around to spend every free moment working on a special Christmas gift for his beloved bride. For the first time in years, Father Tim attempts something new and creative, and in the process he learns about the power of redemption.

This is the kind of book I like to curl up with on a snowy afternoon. I will, however, leave you with a word of caution: Once you get a taste of Mitford, you will want to go back for more!

30 Day Book Challenge--Day 1:What is the best book you read last year?

In the Name of Jesus, by Henri J. M.  Nouwen. When I turned the last page of this book in October of 2011, I actually announced, "This is the best book I've read all year!"

I will admit that the pronouncement was partly due to the fact that I had recently endured a long strain of mediocre literature. Nevertheless, In the Name of Jesus, is well worth the hour and a half it will take you to read it.

Nouwen, a Catholic priest, weaves insights about leadership and community together with stories from his own life, creating a work that is both practical and inspirational. Taking leadership back to basics, Nouwen's points are simple but profound.

After serving as an international missionary and then a professor at Notre Dame, Yale and Harvard, Nouwen became a sought-after conference speaker. He was living the high-life (for a priest that is!) when he was asked to join the the community of L'Arche Daybreak as a pastor for people with intellectual disabilities. Living in community with those he served, Nouwen learned to lead and love with compassion, humility, and vulnerability.

I would highly recommend  In the Name of Jesus, by Henri J. M.  Nouwen--you will be blessed if you read it.

Three WWII Favorites

I have a great interest in books about the holocaust. When I was a teenager I read The Diary of Anne Frank, and I was haunted by it for years. Then as I grew older, I discovered a wealth of books that are set in Europe during World War II. My favorites include a classic, a recently discovered treasure, and a new gem!

A Classic: The Hiding Place is Corrie ten Boom's autobiography, and one of the most inspiring books I've ever read. Though set in one of the darkest periods of modern history, this book is bursting with hope, joy, and love. There are no spiritual platitudes; rather, hard wrought morsels of truth.

Corrie was the daughter of a Dutch watchmaker, and as both she and her sister Betsy never married, they lived and worked in their father's workshop for most of their lives. When the Nazi's invaded Holland, the ten Boom family became actively involved in the resistance movement. They designed and built a secret room in their attic which they used to hide Jews. Eventually, they were found out, and Corrie and her sister were sent to a concentration camp.

If you have not read The Hiding Place, I urge you to add it to your list. You will be profoundly moved by this story of faith in action.

A Recently Discovered Treasure: Suite Française, by Irene Nemirovsky is a fictional story written about France during the Nazi occupation. It was written in France during the war, but it was not discovered and published until 2007.

The author, Irene Nemirovsky, was the daughter of a wealthy Jewish- Russian businessman who moved his family from Russia to Paris, France to escape persecution. At sixteen, she learned to speak and write fluently in French. She was married and had two daughters when Germany invaded France. With her family, she fled to the south of France, where Nazis had not yet invaded. There she began working for the resistance movement by writing for an underground newspaper. At the same time, she worked on her novel, Suite Française. Eventually she was found out, and taken to concentration camp.

Because he loved his wife so much, Irene's husband wrote daily to ask if he could take his wife's place in prison. He worried for her life, because she was not in good health. The officials tired of his requests, and rather than releasing his wife, they simply decided to imprison him as well. Just before he was taken, he managed to get his two daughters into hiding with one of their teachers. All they took with them was a satchel  of their mother's writings.

When the war finally ended, the two daughters went every day to the train station where prisoners returned from the concentration camps, hoping to find their mother or father. But neither parent had survived. Years later, one of the daughters became a book editor in New York. She finally dared to open the satchel of her mother's writings, and what she found was this novel, Suite Française. The story, which was written as their mother observed events unfold before her eyes, reads like an eye-witness account, even though it is a work of fiction. It is, of course, unfinished; but, the publisher includes the author's notes, in which Nemirovsky has carefully outlined the entire plot.

A New Gem: The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak, is one of the best written books I've ever read.  Set in Germany during the second World War, it is the story of young foster girl named Liesl Memiger who is taken in by a passive resister and his wife. Her foster father teaches her to read using a book she had stolen off of a book burning pile--thus the title. The Book Thief offers a rare perspective for the WWII genre--one from inside the homes and families of everyday German people.The characters are flawed, real, and endearing.

I cannot possibly convey the brilliance with which this story is told. It is narrated by Death, a character that is so well personified that as a reader, I developed an affection for the phantom. He is gentle, witty, and, in his own words, "...nothing, if not fair." In order to whet your appetite, I'll leave you with excerpt from the prologue:

I could introduce myself properly, but it's really not necessary. You will know me well enough and soon enough, depending on a diverse range of variables. It suffices to say that as some point in time, I will be standing over you, as genially as possible. Your soul will be in my arms. A color will be perched on my shoulder. I will carry you gently away. 

At that moment you will be lying there (I rarely find people standing up). You will be caked in your own body. There might be a discovery; a scream will dribble down the air. The only sound I'll hear after that will be my own breathing, and the sound of the smell, of my footsteps.