This year I'm going to go easy with the reading challenges. Selecting particular titles I intend to read is almost a guarantee I won't read them, of late. So I am going to do more free-form and spontaneous reading, letting my interests lead me along the way. However, I came across a new challenge I … Continue reading A new challenge: Support Book Bloggers
For my first post of 2022, I'm looking back to my favorite reads of the past year. On my former blog, The Emerald City Book Review, I awarded the "Emerald City Gem" each year to the most memorable books in various categories. You can visit those lists here if you like, covering 2014 to 2020. … Continue reading Stars of 2021
Retable of the life of the Virgin, anonymous, c. 1480 At the turning point of timethe spirit light of the worldentered the stream of earth-existence.Darkness of nighthad ceased its reign;day-radiant lightshone forth in human souls.LightThat gives warmthTo simple shepherds' hearts;lightthat enlightensthe wise heads of kings. Light divine,Christ-Sun,warm our hearts,enlighten our heads,that good may becomewhat from … Continue reading Shepherds and Kings, warmth and light
For the next several months, I'm joining in a readalong of C.S. Lewis's Narnia series, hosted by Chris of Calmgrove - starting with this month's volume, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. As I mentioned earlier, while the Narnia books have many weaknesses, they were incredibly formative for me as a reader and thinker, … Continue reading Through the wardrobe door: #Narniathon21
While I'm rounding up my 2021 reading, I wanted to take a look at how I did with my goal of reading more books written or set in in different countries of the world (see my Around the World page for full details of what I've read so far). I was pleased to see that … Continue reading Around the World reading in 2021
After last month's My Year in Nonfiction post, I thought it would be fun to look back on my fiction reading this year and see what patterns or themes might emerge. The results were enlightening -- I see that I've done a lot of unchallenging comfort reading, including loads of light comedy and rereads of … Continue reading My Year in Fiction
Some months ago Chris of Calmgrove announced plans for a Narniathon -- reading through the seven Chronicles of Narnia, one per month, starting in December with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I've been looking forward to this chance to revisit some of my childhood favorites together with other readers, and I'm so excited … Continue reading Join us in a Narniathon?
It's been another amazing Nonfiction November, and as usual, I've learned so much and gathered so many new reading ideas. The OC BookGirl is our host for this week's topic, which invites us to share all the books we've added to our TBR. Here are some of mine, with thanks to the bloggers who brought … Continue reading Nonfiction November: New to My TBR
In my last Make me read it post, I asked blog readers to help me choose from one of the classic books languishing on my e-reader. I actually ended up reading two of these while on vacation in October, but I find I do not have much to say about them. So I'll refer you … Continue reading Make me read it: Science Nonfiction edition
Today at the Emerald City Book Review Archive, I'm reposting one of my past nonfiction reviews in honor of Nonfiction November. Dark Money is a disturbing but essential read for anyone who wants to know what is going on behind the scenes of our public political discourse. Powerful forces are working to bend things in … Continue reading Throwback Thursday: Dark Money
