I might just make it
It’s almost 11 and I really should be asleep, but I can’t fall asleep to save my life or sanity. So instead, I shall post about how I’m actually somehow within sight of completing my 100 books goal. That’s right, I’m at 94. Only 6 more to go, and 9 days to do it in. And no one said they had to be long books, well, at least I didn’t, and I’m the one making the rules. So, without further ado, what I’ve been reading.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery- This book is magnificent in it’s simplicity. I sobbed like a baby at the end, it’s so good. (The movie is good too, and has an amazing dance performance by Bob Fosse.)
Murder on the Ballarat Train by Kerry Greenwood- Another in the Phryne Fisher series. As they’re being reprinted out of order, I now finally know where her two young wards came from.
Blood Atonement and the Origin of Plural Marriage by Joseph F. Smith- This was actually purchased as a joke for B by my brother years ago, but I decided to read it and it was really interesting. It’s a collection of letters between Joseph F. Smith and the then president of the Reorganized LDS church, discussing these two topics. The letters are somewhat antagonistic, but Smith’s contain some good information about the reality of what the LDS church believes on these two topics, and the other president’s (I don’t remember his name and am too lazy to go find the book) comments give an interesting perspective on how people misinterpret what we believe.
The Lighthouse by P.D. James- While not quite as strong as some of her previous books, (it felt like important context information was left out at the beginning), it was really good.
Wimbledon Green by Seth- This is a gorgeous graphic novel by a very very talented man. Wimbledon is the “world’s greatest comic collector”, and we find out all about him through a series of vignettes and confessionals. Seth does a great job of creating a breathing world out of air, reading it you’d think all the comics he talks about actually existed, even though you know they don’t. And the revelation of real reason that Wimbledon does what he does is beautiful. This book wasn’t actually intended to be a book originally, it was just an exercise in Seth’s sketchbook. which is a huge testament to his talent.
The Nativity by Alonzo Gaskill- This book is awesome. Taking the story of the birth of Christ from the gospels of Matthew and Luke verse by verse, Alonzo (I knew him once upon a time so I can call him that) illuminates meaning and insight that I’ve certainly missed in my readings. He especially has great insights into Mary.
Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott- I don’t remember how old I was when I first read this, but I remember rereading it a number of times. I was infatuated with the idea of one girl having a place of honor amongst a group of guys, influencing them for good and all that. It was just as enjoyable this go-round, and while some of the ideas seem kind of commonplace, if you take into account that it was written over 100 years ago, the ideas were pretty revolutionary. (Girls not wearing corsets, playing outside with boys, other things I can’t think of at the moment.)
Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl- Ok, so I’m moving into really short book territory, but I love this book and for some reason associate it with Christmas time. No idea why.
Castle Waiting by Linda Medley- Oh how I love this book. It originally came out as a comic series, but has been collected into a gorgeous edition, and it’s so worth it to read it in one book, in one shot. Set in a fairy tale world it follows the lives of the people who are left in the Snow White castle after Snow White leaves with her prince, as they wait for a new king to come. While they wait they welcome anyone needing respite, and a young pregnant woman becomes the newest resident as the book begins. It’s so super good, I so highly recommend it.