Reminiscing about Books #4

2010 was a good year for accumulating new favorites. It was the first year I read D.E. Stevenson. Winter and Rough Weather is the third in a trilogy, but stood up on its own. I've read almost 40 of her novels since then and very few have disappointed. I even own 20 of her audiobooks! She is light without being fluffy, which gives me a good break from heavier reading.

I'd read some C.S. Lewis by this time, but when a friend loaned me Experiment in Criticism. I was so enamored that I shamelessly underlined fifty percent of it. (Of course, I bought her a replacement copy.) I wrote a review here.

Also that year, I read Peter Pan, and was absolutely charmed. (Reviewed here)

Two Catholic novels stretched me in good ways: Canticle for Liebowitz by Walter M. Miller and Silence by Shusako Endo. In my review of Silence, I explain how I've learned to appreciate the gravitas that Catholic authors bring to their fiction. Canticle for Liebowitz (reviewed here) turned me into a die-hard dystopian novel fan.

Another delighful discovery was Wednesday Wars, YA fiction by Gary Schmidt (a living author, for a change), which I reviewed here. 

Any thoughts on these authors or titles?

Blessings, 

Reminiscing about Books #3

Continuing my walk down memory lane, these are the classics I tackled for the first time in 2009. Almost every one was a delightful surprise to me.

I certainly didn't expect to love Frankenstein, but the book dealt with issues that the movies never tackle - principally about the potential misuse of science. I am so glad I read it! (Reviewed here.) The Count of Monte Cristo was over a thousand pages and took me a month to complete, but it was definitely worth it. (Reviewed here).  

A modern classic that I read was Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, which stunned me with its quiet beauty. (Reviewed here.) 

These next two titles were not new, but became favorites the second time around. I read Persuasion again and completely changed my mind about it. (Reviewed here.) Watching the 1995 BBC version helped because Amanda Root managed to portray Anne's meekness as strength rather than wishy-washiness. Another Austen re-read was Northanger Abbey, which was redeemed by the audiobook version. I have to admit, when I read it the first time I did not know it poked fun at Gothic novels. In the audiobook, all the spoofiness came through loud and clear, and caused many a chuckle. 

I've read all of Austen now, but Persuasion is the one I re-read most often. Next to Jane Eyre it's my favorite literary "comfort food." 

Blessings,