Tag: wholesome reading

Valentine’s Day Book Review of Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher

Often, in February, after several long cold months of winter, I long for a mini-holiday in a place guaranteed to be warm and sunny.  It’s been ages since I’ve been able to go, but this year the flight and hotel deal was amazing, so off my sister-in-law and I went to San Diego.  (More photos … Continue reading Valentine’s Day Book Review of Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher →

Quality Classic Christmas stories that Stand the Test of Time

With the holiday activities slowing down, now is a great time to chill with a classic Christmas story. Here are some recommendations from my recent discoveries. “Uncle Richard’s New Year Dinner” by Lucy Maud Montgomery, a fortuitous mix-up.You can read the story here Unable to find a publisher, the author printed 200 copies of this … Continue reading Quality Classic Christmas stories that Stand the Test of Time →

Review of Sweet Caroline, my Blind Date With a Book

In February I shared the fun I had participating in one of my library’s many creative activities. When I walked into my local library and discovered their Valentine’s themed activity, “Blind Date With a Book”, I jumped right in! My rating So, here’s how I rated my Book “Date”, using the my public library’s "Rate … Continue reading Review of Sweet Caroline, my Blind Date With a Book →

The Wonderful World of Cats

I recently re-read this precious book--after 58 years! In a testament to the quality of the stories, I was surprised at how many of the plots I still remembered. And almost as much as the stories, I also remembered the unique drawings. Unlike some contemporary children's books, these stories aren’t written “down” to children. They … Continue reading The Wonderful World of Cats →

Middlemarch: Humility is beautiful

Humility seems to be out of fashion these days. People have a tendency to want attention, and preferably fame, regardless of what they have to do to get it. So it was with pleasure that I encountered beautifully understated qualities of humility and simple goodness in a 19th century novel, Middlemarch, by George Eliot. If … Continue reading Middlemarch: Humility is beautiful →

Yesterday’s classics speaking into today’s world

The only palliative for the errors of our modern world is to keep the clean sea breeze of the centuries blowing through our minds, and this can be done only by reading old books C.S. Lewis I have saved a number of quotes to share about the value of reading classic books. Now, I’m asking … Continue reading Yesterday’s classics speaking into today’s world →

Review of Barriers Burned Away; remembering the1871 Chicago Fire

A visit to Chicago not long after the Chicago Fire of October 8, 1871--151 years ago today--touched the heart of the author, Edward Payson Roe, and inspired him to write this novel, published in 1872. Diorama of 1871 Chicago Fire - Chicago History Museum, Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois He seems to have asked himself: How … Continue reading Review of Barriers Burned Away; remembering the1871 Chicago Fire →

Writing advice from some of Alcott’s characters

As I was enjoying a short story by Louisa May Alcott, I found spirited conversations among the characters about reading and writing. I seriously doubt that it was the author’s intention to pass along writing tips in her story, but I got a kick out of the subtle wisdom and commentaries on the writing life … Continue reading Writing advice from some of Alcott’s characters →