Lonely Lily: a vintage children’s book by Mary L. Code

Lonely Lily or The Shepherd’s Call, a tiny thin book published in the U.K. in 1893, gently tells a sweet but powerful story of faith. It is written for children, but nevertheless fascinated me with its suspenseful telling of the inner journey of hearts, from despair to comfort. I am struck by how much more serious … Continue reading Lonely Lily: a vintage children’s book by Mary L. Code →

Stumbling upon Don Quixote in a German Palace

When I posted my thoughts about the classic novel, Don Quixote, I never dreamed that within one week I would see 17th and 18th century artistic renderings of the story on the walls of a palace! On our summer trip to Germany, my friend and I decided to go to the Charlottenberg Palace in Berlin. This … Continue reading Stumbling upon Don Quixote in a German Palace →

Summer Reads–Don’t Miss the Greatest Books

If you’re looking for some summer reads, may I recommend this list? The Greatest Books If you haven’t already discovered some of these, you don’t want to miss out on some excellent literature. Many years ago I found a similar list. With a goal of reading one or two from the list each year, I … Continue reading Summer Reads–Don’t Miss the Greatest Books →

What Did Lucy Read?

What literary works have had an effect on you? Who are your favorite writers, and how have they influenced your perspectives or improved your life? Have you ever wondered what literary works influenced your favorite writers? I recently read The Complete Journals of L.M. Montgomery: The PEI Years, 1889-1899, about the woman considered Canada’s most … Continue reading What Did Lucy Read? →

Review of Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson

When I was in elementary school in Denver, Colorado, there was a book high on the top shelf of the school library that kept catching my eye. The book's title was my name. How intriguing! I saw it year after year, but I couldn't reach it, and anyway it looked too thick and grown-up to … Continue reading Review of Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson →

My Favorite Books of 2017

Here are the books I enjoyed reading the most in the past year. They fall into various categories of fiction and non-fiction, old and new, and are listed in the order that I read them. The only thing they all have in common are that they are generally positive and upbeat! I Remember Nothing by … Continue reading My Favorite Books of 2017 →

Book review of The Sojourner by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

If you had offered me a book with a rather off-putting cover drawing about a family who endured the hardships of trying to make a living on a farm in the late 1800’s, I’d have probably declined. That’s been done in various scenarios, and sounds depressing. I’d have preferred something with more pizzazz and originality. … Continue reading Book review of The Sojourner by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings →

Review of God’s Good Man: A Simple Love Story, by Marie Corelli

“It was May-time in England. The last breath of a long winter had blown its final farewell across the hills,—the last frost had melted from the broad, low-lying fields, relaxing its iron grip from the clods of rich, red-brown earth which, now, soft and broken, were sprouting thick with the young corn's tender green.” I … Continue reading Review of God’s Good Man: A Simple Love Story, by Marie Corelli →

Favorite posts from some great blogs

For a long time, I have wanted to introduce you to some great blogs and bloggers, by way of listing some of my favorite posts. A few of these have a similar focus to my own blog--books, writing, reviews--but some are completely different! To start with, here are two posts from Susan Bailey's blog on Louisa … Continue reading Favorite posts from some great blogs →

Sam’s Mission: A Story of Jubilee Year, by Beatrice Marshall

This lovely little children’s book published in 1892 is set in Long Leatham, England, at the time of Jubilee Day, celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of Queen Victoria’s ascension to the throne. Sam is a young boy about eight or nine years old who one day goes to church and hears a traveling missionary say that … Continue reading Sam’s Mission: A Story of Jubilee Year, by Beatrice Marshall →