Lorna Doone

Lorna Doone by R.D. Blackmore

For many years my only familiarity with Lorna Doone was that lovely buttery cookie that goes so well with hot tea. Oh, I knew there was a book by that name - I even had an old copy on my bookshelf - but I knew absolutely nothing about it. Finally one winter's day I picked it up and began reading. Fortunately for me, my copy had an extensive introduction which helped to me place the book in proper context as well as very-much-welcomed foot notes. [Oxford University Press, Edited by Sally Shuttleworth.] With the attitude of - well, I guess I can make it through this - I plowed in.

Originally published in 1869, Lorna Doone has remained in print ever since. In 1906 the [male] student body at Yale voted it to be their favorite novel. For despite the name, Lorna Doone is about a young man's coming-of-age. John Ridd, the rustic hero, narrates the story. The love of his life is Lorna Doone yet she remains a mostly enigmatic creature. John, however, we get to know quite well. His gentle humor and careful descriptions draw us into the story. Lorna Doone is set in the wilds of rural Exmoor, England in the 17th century at the time of the Monmouth Rebellion.

This book is worth reading for its language, its insight into the lives and minds of the time period, and its influence on later writers of importance (Hardy, Stevenson, and others). If you are not used to digging into long sentences often filled with archaic or unfamiliar terms this book will take a little effort to enjoy. But I found that once I put my mind to it and slowed down my reading - actually re-reading certain passages until I understood them - that I greatly enjoyed this novel. 

Mysterious, romantic, historical, intriguing: Lorna Doone, a worthwhile read.

Roxaboxen

Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran is a dreamy, peaceful glimpse into the very real-feeling make-believe world of the author's aunt as a young girl growing up in Yuma, AZ. If you have ever created your own world out of "found objects" or a fort or country that you returned to again and again, you will recognize yourself in this beautiful, simply told tale of the imaginary town of Roxaboxen. (Created from - rocks and boxes - of course!) 

Boys will enjoy the "wars" complete with generals, the whirling swords of ocotillo, and the stamping and running of horses! Girls will get a kick out of Mayor Marion, Frances' house of jewels, and the bakery. Everyone will recognize the children from their own childhood or from their children's friends. Turn the pages and follow Roxaboxen through the seasons but be assured that although the years roll on and the children grew up: Roxaboxen remains.

After reading this gem with its evocative desert illustrations (by Barbara Cooney) you'll want to gather the neighborhood kids and send them forth to build!

This is a keeper.

Maggie 

Eudora Welty

I love Eudora Welty. I love her name-the sweet southern "almost gentility" of it; the house where she lived in Jackson, MS-left as she kept it, overflowing with stacks of books, books, and more books; and most of all - her stories. My favorite is The Ponder Heart and although I have not read everything she has written, I imagine it will always be my favorite. I just cannot think of how she could improve on The Ponder Heart. 

I intended to devote today's blog to The Ponder Heart but discovered, sadly, that it is no longer in its rightful place on my bookshelf. Its place is suspiciously  empty-as if someone had surreptitiously snatched it and hoped no one would notice the tiny little space it left. Yes, it is a small volume, in size but not in heart. In heart - it is a giant. But since I cannot quote from it or give you a true account from beginning to end of it - I am only left with my heart-impression. This slim work is filled with truth. Warm, humorous, southern truth. Don't miss it.

However, right next to that empty space sits One Writer's Beginnings by Eudora Welty. This autobiography is a lovely read and gives great insight into her mind and her life. If you are already a Welty fan, you'll enjoy this book. If you haven't met her yet, read it and get to know both her and life in MS in the early 1900s. (And if you are ever near Jackson, stop in at the Eudora Welty House - it's a booklover's treat. )

Enjoy-

Maggie* who needs a system for loaning out books!

Powerful, Funny, Meaningful Book for Middle Schoolers

One of my all-time favorite books is not that old. Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli was published in 1990. It is an amazing tale of a young boy, family, race relations, and love. Your kids will be immediately drawn into Jeffrey Magee's world: he has no family to speak of, is a legendary runner and athlete, and friend to the unforgettable Amanda Beale. What is home? What is a family? What is the difference between blacks and whites? And what on earth is Cobble's Knot?!

This funny, sad, fast-paced book will make you cry and make you think. Share it with someone you love.
tinyurl.com/3era2d

Rating: Not to be missed

Classic Book for Little Ones

Don't miss this classic:
A Hole is to Dig: A First Book of First Definitions
by Ruth Krauss and Pictures by Maurice Sendak
copyright 1952.
What is it about this little book that charms me every time I read it? I don't know what I enjoy more, the quirky definitions ("Mashed potatoes are to give everybody enough") or the lively little b & w illustrations that dance all over the page in a gleeful celebration of childhood. I adore this book! More quotes: "Dogs are to kiss people."
"Hands are to make things. Hands are to eat with. A tablespoon is to eat a table with."

Fortunately, it is still in print and readily available. Get it for a little someone you love.

On My Nightstand

Although I write, sell, and publish homeschool curriculum and spend much time reviewing books for children and teens, I rarely have an opportunity to spout opinions on books I am reading that don't necessarily pertain to my curriculum. Here, every week, I will share books I recommend for all ages. My hope and prayer is that you will be encouraged to read more books for yourself and more books with your family. I know I am a better person when my thoughts and preconceived notions are challenged by great (or at least interesting) books of long ago (and of today).

Here are a few books on my nightstand that I've recently been enjoying:

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith is a charming light read to be enjoyed with a cup of tea and toast with butter. The narrator, 17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain, lives with her eccentric writer/father, her step-mother Topaz (played amusingly against type), her older sister Rose, and her younger brother in a crumbling old English castle. Not aristocratic or wealthy - far from it - the Mortmains are living in poverty (although none of them will actually admit to it). Cassandra's voice is a breath of fresh air-- both lively and introspective-- and we get a peek into a 1930's England I haven't read about anywhere else. (Spoiler: includes an old-fashioned romance.)

Interesting side note: Dodie Smith also authored the original One Hundred and One Dalmations!

The Best Poems of the English Language by Harold Bloom offers not just another anthology of respected poetry but help in reading and understanding said poems as well as giving info about the poets themselves. The introductory chapter on how to read a poem is a mini-course in and of itself. My favorite poem (right now!) is an excerpt from a much longer work called Jubilate Agnato by Christopher Smart from Fragment B2 "For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry."

All the Women of the Bible by Herbert Lockyer is not a book I just read from start to finish, rather it is an awesome reference book that is not only informative but delightful reading. The author gives great insight into the lives and characters of virtually every woman in the Bible - including many unamed woman. Right now I am using it to research the little maid in 2 Kings 5:1-19 who urged her master, General Naaman, to look to Elisha the prophet for healing of his leprosy. Although her story is only 20 verses long, Mr. Lockyer brings this little maid to life and helps me to get much more out of this passage than I did at first reading.
FYI: There are several books by this (and similar) titles. I have others but much prefer this one.

Blessings,
Maggie Hogan
www.BrightIdeasPress.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Illuminations1/