I'm the girl who, when I wasn't at the pool, spent all of my summer vacations in an arm chair, reading. I would make a list of all the books I wanted to read and unashamedly log hours for the summer reading program at the local library. I don't have that kind of time any more, but still manage to dabble in a few books a month. And I still love the moment when you're leaving the library with a fresh stack of books. There's no feeling quite like it. So much potential in your arms! Lately I'm loving ordering books through my library online. It feels like shopping for free. I place as many holds as I want, because really, why not? And it's so exciting when I get the email notice that they've arrived.
What are you reading these days? Any favorites? It's another blizzard day here in Minnesota (school was cancelled again!) so if I can carve out some time, it's perfect weather to curl up with a book and blanket this afternoon. I've been talking book recommendations with a few people lately and I'm in the mood to make a list of some favorites.
Summer's Favorite Books
Series
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis*
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Mitford Years by Jan Karon**
The Father Tim Novels by Jan Karon*
The Father Tim Novels by Jan Karon*
The Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder*
The Elsie Dinsmore books by Martha Finley
The Five Little Peppers by Margaret Sidney
The Five Little Peppers by Margaret Sidney
Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene
Mary Poppins books by P.L. Travers
Mary Poppins books by P.L. Travers
The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling*
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
Classics & Novels
Stepping Heavenward by Elisabeth Prentiss**
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen**
Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Little Men by Louisa May Alcott
My Life in France by Julia Child
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin
Pilgrim's Inn by Elizabeth Goudge
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
Non-Fiction
The Shaping of a Christian Family by Elisabeth Elliot
Let Me Be a Woman by E. Elliot
Keep a Quiet Heart by E. Elliot*
Loving the Little Years by Rachel Jankovic
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Garten
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Garten
Nourished Baby by Heather Dessinger
Discipline: the Glad Surrender By E. Elliot
Passion and Purity by E. Elliot
A Woman's Walk With God by Elizabeth George*
Loving God with all Your Mind by Elizabeth George
Morning & Evening by C.H. Spurgeon*
Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper
* Books that I re-read from time to time. I'm definitely a re-reader.
** All-time favorites. I could read these at least once a year.
Some of these are children's books, but still wonderful, and I'm trying to think of books I would love to see Hadley enjoy someday. And currently on request at the library.. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, Unbroken, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and The Hidden Art of Homemaking. Thanks to you guys who recommended some of these to me!** All-time favorites. I could read these at least once a year.
image sources: mary poppins, little women cover, the hobbit cover
8 comments:
Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book ever, besides the Bible, and I have that very edition that you posted! I love it. :)
I thought I was the only one who loved Pilgrim's Inn!
Oh, Summer! I love this post! It seems like you and I could almost be reading-twins, if such a thing existed :)
I, too, logged HOURS for the Summer Reading Program and continued to sign up long past the time when the rest of my friends thought it was "cool." I actually worked as the Summer Reading Club Coordinator at my local library all of my summers during university. Talk about a dream job!
And every sentence you wrote about ordering books is spot-on! I LOVED the Laura Ingalls books, Mary Poppins books, and Nancy Drew as a girl. Still do! And Harry Potter, Hunger Games, and Twilight.
The only book I've ever read in its entirety by Jane Austen was Northanger Abbey, but I liked it. And! I just started dating a guy and when I found out he had read Pride and Prejudice, I was shocked! And then surprised even more when he said he loved it and proceeded to talk for quite some time about the characters, especially Mr. Darcy. Needless to say, I swooned a little bit :)
I just read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society and loved it! And another book I thought was similar is The Postmistress. I just started Life of Pi and I'm liking it so far.
Phew.. sorry for writing you a short novel ;)
Me too, me too!
I loved the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. So much that I had to go do some research about the island when I was finished with the book, and it's made my "someday travel" list. :)
I just looked up Pilgrim's Inn and The Hidden Art of Homemaking. Can't wait to read them! Have you you ever read any books by Gene Stratton-Porter? I think they would be right up your alley. I have fond memories of reading Freckles, Laddie, and A Girl of the Limberlost.
Thanks Summer for filling up my library list - you and all your great commenters. Happy Weekend.
Based on this list of books alone...I am pretty sure we would be best friends in real life. I found myself checking off so many of these books as my favorites as well. Especially the series/non fiction sections!
I'm so that girl too. Spent so many days curled up in a chair with a book instead of outside playing.
(And yes, of course Beauty and the Beast is my favorite movie ;)
So our reading list is a bit different. I haven't read many classics at all (which I'm slightly embarrassed to admit.) I read a ton of historical fiction and memoirs/biographies. I will email you a list of my favorites and pick out the ones I think you'd love based on your reading preferences. (Also, I've NEVER re-read a single book!! Ever! How funny is that?)