Books, Books, Books, Books

I read The Time Machine for the first time this weekend. (Weird, really weird, and interesting to contemplate the views of a late 19th century author on progress. And obviously, based on the theory of Evolution. In a bizarre way, it also fell in with mine and Triss' current reading of Utopia by Sir Thomas More, which was written in the early 1500s and is an odd book in and of itself.)

I also read Jahanara: Princess of Princesses, India, 1627, on the recommendation of Triss, who was fascinated at the look at a different culture. (I think The Royal Diaries series is helpful for getting a little bit of girl's-view on history. We turned to these last year when Triss came to me-- it was in the midst of her study of the Middle Ages-- and said, "I want to read some history that is not about fighting, please!" One caution: they delve into mature themes at times, so be careful about letting your younger girls read them.)

And I started reading Oliver Twist again this week. Triss and I started it about three years ago, made it through Chapter 10, and then stopped. We are going to read it aloud with Mariel beginning in about a month, and I thought I would preread it with this in mind, since I have never made it all the way through. (I am putting off the reading of Rudyard Kipling's Kim, which I had thought we would do first.)

Cornflower and I started reading Wind in the Willows this week. I just adore that book. It looks like Triss is going to be reading some of it to Cornflower too, which is great, but I enjoy the book so much that I am a little jealous. ;o)

I have not picked up Poetic Knowledge since Christmas break, but I do want to start reading it week by week-- Maybe half a chapter per week?

I have made it three chapters through Seeking the Face of God, and am currently reading and rereading the third chapter, which is entitled "Training the Body and Soul". I am going to read it until I absorb it.

I'm keeping up with my Daily Bible readings, and, Lord willing, hope to make it past January 17th, which will be around three weeks into the new year. And then I hope to make it all the way to February, because, as we know, a habit that has been developed over the period of a month is one that can be kept as like as not. After that I intend to read all the way to next Christmas, but I am not looking that far ahead yet.

I'm really determined to make it through Leviticus this time. I am reading the OT aloud to myself to help with concentration, but so far I am only in Genesis, and there is a lot of narrative in that book, which is easier for me to stay focused on. I have been carrying the book around, reading a few verses when I have a moment, and forming questions in my mind. It is starting to come easier. But the last two days, I haven't finished my daily reading until after supper, and it is harder to persevere at that time than during the day.