May 2020 books

The total for May was 9 books and 3 magazines finished, with 1 book abandoned.

That brings the total for the year to 59 books, 18 magazines, and 1 abandoned.

Anne of Windy Poplars

by Lucy Maud Montgomery

This fourth book about Anne Shirley covers the three years she spends teaching while waiting for Gilbert to finish medical school before they marry. 

Anne's House of Dreams

by Lucy Maud Montgomery

The fifth book in the Anne series covers approximately the first 2 years of Anne and Gilbert's marriage.  There is one character who frequently uses "Lord" as an exclamation or punctuation mark.  And there is some very questionable theology.  I would suggest this is more of an adult book, whereas the first couple are suitable for kids.  But if one is secure in one's own theology, this one serves as a humorous and illuminating commentary on life.

Born to Trot

by Marguerite Henry

This was a Marguerite Henry book I'd never heard of before but found while searching for something else.  It tells some of the history of harness racing, specifically one of the foundation sires, Hambletonian.  It was interesting, though the blurb on the back cover was a bit misleading to me, making it sound like the boy in the story was going to get to race the filly his father gave him, but he didn't.

Deaf Smith : Scout, Spy, and Texas Hero

by Jo Harper

A children's biography of Deaf Smith who was instrumental in the Texas revolution as a scout and spy.

Race to Velasco

by Paul Spellman

Two boys race to participate in the battle of Velasco in Texas in June 1832.

The Flying Flamingo Sisters

by Carrie Seim

A 1930s style radio drama. Three sisters seek to rescue their parents, evade their evil uncle, and fine the family fortune. Very well done.  The whole family enjoyed it.  Lots of alliteration, humor, and cliff hangers.

 

 

Emma

by Jane Austen

I was inspired by Sarah MacKenzie of Read-Aloud Revival to read this classic.  It's been on my shelf for many years, but I must not have ever read it because I had absolutely no recollection of any part of the story.  Emma is a leading lady in her small village of Highbury and has been spoiled by her father and governess.  No one except their neighbor, Mr. Knightley, has ever seen or told her of her faults (which he does quite regularly).  She has lofty ideas of her abilities as a matchmaker and employs them with disastrous results.  She is well-intentioned and not malicious, though ill-advised.  Though she had pledged never to marry herself and never has designs on any man, she eventually comes to realize that Mr. Knightley is the man she really wants.  I was reminded of Proverbs 27:6, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy."  Mr. Knightley is exactly this kind of friend to Emma, caring enough to give reproof that wounds, even at the risk of losing the love he hopes for.  I alternated reading it and listening to the audio version read by Alison Larkin (which is excellent!). I also watched the 4 hour BBC adaptation of the story which I thought was very well done and as faithful to the book as any movie is likely to be.

How to Build Meaningful Relationships Through Conversation

by Carol Ann Lloyd

A audio book. Good tips on how to listen, think, and speak in ways that develop relationships, both personal and business, though most of the examples stem from business relationships.  Very thought-provoking.  I was able to put some of the ideas into practice right away -- specifically, choosing to NOT have certain conversations that would not have been profitable either to me or the other person.  I found myself wishing I had a hard copy of this so that I could more easily refer back to portions of it.

Big Truths For Young Hearts

by Bruce Ware

A book about the basic doctrines of the Bible, based on the author's bedtime talks with his daughters as they were growing up.

The Book Whisperer : Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child

by Donalyn Miller

I think I heard about this on one of Sarah MacKenzie's podcasts.  I started listening to an audio version, but abandoned it after a couple of chapters because it is geared more toward classroom teachers, and thus not as applicable to me.