When I read a book and I come across a line, a phrase, or a paragraph I like, I copy out the quotation in my journal. (And, I confess, if the book belongs to me I fold down the page and/or underline the part I like.) Sometimes I share these quotations when I write my… Continue reading 3 Day Quote Challenge: Day #1
The convergence of literature and religion is something that has long interested me as a reader, a writer, and a Christian. It's rare that I'm quite satisfied with the way Christianity and the Christian life and walk is portrayed in art (this was one of my primary complaints with such books as Good to a… Continue reading Book Review: The Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene
I was really excited about this book when I first heard about it. A modern day animal story, an adventure and a journey to reunite between a boy and his fox. I expected something like The Incredible Journey or The Trumpet of the Swan. I hadn't read Sara Pennypacker before but I love Jon Klassen's… Continue reading Book Review: Pax by Sara Pennypacker (Reading with Pearl)
A Separate Peace is one of the more unusual books about World War II that I've ever read. Set in 1942, it begins in the summer term at Devon, an upscale boys' prep school in New England. Our narrator is Gene Forrester. Quiet, smart, a little awkward. Summer term at Devon is a lull in… Continue reading Book Review: A Separate Peace by John Knowles
Flanagan's novel of Australian soldiers in World War Two is well-written. I wouldn't say too well-written but the detail of certain horrors it describes is hard to take. I don't know that I've ever felt so physically ill while reading a novel before. Reading this was often like someone - Flanagan, I suppose - holding… Continue reading Book Review: The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan
David would have the throne, the crown, the line of descendants that the Name had promised him. But for the rest of his life, he would be scalded by the consequences of his choices. My task would be twofold: To stand up to him, and to stand by him. To awaken his conscience, and to… Continue reading Book Review: The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks
Mischievous. Inquisitive. Observant. Pearl at 13 months is full of energy, laughs frequently, and always wants to explores. When strangers stop to say hello or wave at her, she stares back, unsmilingly (she reserves her waves for her favourite people or when the person's not looking). But she'll squeal gleefully at a dog or cat… Continue reading Pearl at 13 Months
Although In the Skin of a Lion generally wins top spot when it comes to my favourite book, The Sun Also Rises is a close second. A glance at my shelves will tell you that I'm a Hemingway fan. I even have a t-shirt with the original, Art Nouveau book cover on it. Hemingway was… Continue reading A Friday Favourite: The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
There was a time when Spring Break and holiday and travel meant I had time to read more than usual. Not this year, my friends, not this year. Here's what I did read: The Heart Goes Last - Margaret Atwood (Nan A. Talese/Doubleday Canada, 2015) Don Quixote - Miguel de Cervantes (Penguin Books, 2003) (translated… Continue reading What I Read – March 2016
Things that happened without leaving home: We did some local hikes and exploration. Which also included some time at the neighbourhood park. (That swing is not really Pearl-sized.) We hung out in our backyard for basically the first time this year. It was sunny enough to hang laundry to dry outside for the first time… Continue reading Spring Break 2016 – Sechelt
Karissa Reads Books 