The following are books that I hope to read during this year. I plan to switch alternately between fiction and non-fiction titles.
Fiction/Literature
-Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers (completed)
I very much enjoyed the three novels in this series and would highly recommend them to anyone that enjoys historical Christian fiction.
-Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
I have read a portion of this book previously and watched numerous film adaptations. I find myself intrigued by the characters of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett and am looking forward to learning more about them.
-Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand (again)
I find that some books so profoundly affect me that I simply must read them again and again. Atlas Shrugged is one of those titles. It was recommended to me by a good friend and he loaned me his copy; the sheer size was daunting to me and I procrastinated reading it until an eight hour return flight from Europe. It might seem to have a slow start to some; since all I could do was sit on the plane, I found it easy to keep reading, though. By the time I arrived home, I was fully immersed in the story. While I do not agree with all of Ms. Rand’s viewpoints expressed in life and through the novel, the plot and themes have direct relevance to our lives today. I firmly believe that everyone should read this book.
-The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks
This novel is based on a true story and has received many favorable reviews. I look forward to connecting to my Southern heritage with this one.
-Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Over the last seven or eight years, I have been collecting leather bound literature classics. I have had Anna Karenina for several years and have yet to read it.
Non-Fiction
-A History of Their Own: Women in Europe from Prehistory to the Present, Vol. I by Bonnie S. Anderson and Judith P. Zinsser
I am currently reading this title. I enjoy history and particularly enjoy the history of daily life, women and family in society. So far, I have found this book difficult to read, but I am determined to persevere through it. I have not made it very far into it, though. In the end, how I feel about Vol. I will determine whether I decide to read Vol. II.
-Tough Plants for Southern Gardens by Felder Rushing
I need some fresh gardening inspiration and Felder Rushing’s witty, down-to-earth writing style will fit the bill, I am sure.
-What the Bible Says About Love, Marriage, and Sex: The Song of Solomon by David Jeremiah
A few years ago, I read through The Song of Solomon as part of a daily Bible reading plan. I did not really seem to connect with the deeper meaning of it at the time; thus, I desire to study it in more depth with the aid of this book.
-The American Frugal Housewife by Lydia Maria Francis Child
This title was written in 1838 and is now out of copyright. An original text has been scanned and is available for free download from the Internet Archive (http://archive.org). I enjoy reading homemaking texts and manuals from the past as it gives perspective to our lives today.
-What Paul Meant by Garry Wills
Here is another title to assist in furthering my biblical study and understanding.
With Beloved
-The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas
So far, Beloved and I have each chosen books that we have read and the other has not. We have had great joy in sharing our favorite stories with one another. In continuing that theme, our next book will be The Count of Monte Cristo. He has read it but I have not.
-The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
In departure from our practice described above, neither one of us has read The Scarlet Pimpernel, but we both love the Leslie Howard film version. We are looking forward to reading the story together and gaining the extra depth of knowledge from the full text.
I envision reading other titles through the year, as well, but this list will hold me accountable to a certain level of progress.
Fiction/Literature
-Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers (completed)
I very much enjoyed the three novels in this series and would highly recommend them to anyone that enjoys historical Christian fiction.
-Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
I have read a portion of this book previously and watched numerous film adaptations. I find myself intrigued by the characters of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett and am looking forward to learning more about them.
-Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand (again)
I find that some books so profoundly affect me that I simply must read them again and again. Atlas Shrugged is one of those titles. It was recommended to me by a good friend and he loaned me his copy; the sheer size was daunting to me and I procrastinated reading it until an eight hour return flight from Europe. It might seem to have a slow start to some; since all I could do was sit on the plane, I found it easy to keep reading, though. By the time I arrived home, I was fully immersed in the story. While I do not agree with all of Ms. Rand’s viewpoints expressed in life and through the novel, the plot and themes have direct relevance to our lives today. I firmly believe that everyone should read this book.
-The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks
This novel is based on a true story and has received many favorable reviews. I look forward to connecting to my Southern heritage with this one.
-Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Over the last seven or eight years, I have been collecting leather bound literature classics. I have had Anna Karenina for several years and have yet to read it.
Non-Fiction
-A History of Their Own: Women in Europe from Prehistory to the Present, Vol. I by Bonnie S. Anderson and Judith P. Zinsser
I am currently reading this title. I enjoy history and particularly enjoy the history of daily life, women and family in society. So far, I have found this book difficult to read, but I am determined to persevere through it. I have not made it very far into it, though. In the end, how I feel about Vol. I will determine whether I decide to read Vol. II.
-Tough Plants for Southern Gardens by Felder Rushing
I need some fresh gardening inspiration and Felder Rushing’s witty, down-to-earth writing style will fit the bill, I am sure.
-What the Bible Says About Love, Marriage, and Sex: The Song of Solomon by David Jeremiah
A few years ago, I read through The Song of Solomon as part of a daily Bible reading plan. I did not really seem to connect with the deeper meaning of it at the time; thus, I desire to study it in more depth with the aid of this book.
-The American Frugal Housewife by Lydia Maria Francis Child
This title was written in 1838 and is now out of copyright. An original text has been scanned and is available for free download from the Internet Archive (http://archive.org). I enjoy reading homemaking texts and manuals from the past as it gives perspective to our lives today.
-What Paul Meant by Garry Wills
Here is another title to assist in furthering my biblical study and understanding.
With Beloved
-The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas
So far, Beloved and I have each chosen books that we have read and the other has not. We have had great joy in sharing our favorite stories with one another. In continuing that theme, our next book will be The Count of Monte Cristo. He has read it but I have not.
-The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
In departure from our practice described above, neither one of us has read The Scarlet Pimpernel, but we both love the Leslie Howard film version. We are looking forward to reading the story together and gaining the extra depth of knowledge from the full text.
