The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 4 by Beth Brower*

 Another entertaining, clever volume about Emma Lion as she interacts with the interesting residents in St. Crispians. In this volume we learn a bit more about Maxwell, her true love. Normally I laugh throughout these volumes, however; I cried during a couple of entries in this one.

The word choice, the word placement, and the allusions are clever and apt.

*Highly recommend.

Considerations: a couple of swear words, in the beginning Emma finds herself in a dance club (nothing inappropriate occurs but it was a shameful place to be back in the 1883s) Emma's cousin view of marriage-she makes a comment that she would marry for convenience and then enjoy gazing at Emma's handsome border, Niall, Niall does not believe in God and refers to it, Emma attends church weekly-she seems to enjoy the poetry that Young Hawkes, the vicar, shares more than the biblical text

-Borrowed from the library.

Once a Queen by Sarah Arthur*

 At age fourteen Eva finally meets her British  grandmother, who lives in a manor house. She and  Frankie, grandson & son of the staff members, share a belief in fairy tales and other worlds. When she views her grandmother roaming the manor grounds at night, she follows her and discovers portals into a world where her grandmother was "once a queen".

Beautifully written and captivating! I cannot wait to read the sequel Once a Castle which is being published on Feb. 11, 2025. Although I highly recommend it and loved it, I felt like something missing with the  character development. I wanted to know the characters better.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Beethoven text set

 This coming school year my high school freshman will study in depth Ludwig Van Beethoven (part of history) by using Charlotte Mason's Music Study with the Masters. I plan to utilize the following picture books to enrich the study-

Famous Children Beethoven by Ann Rachlin illustrated by Susan Hellard (includes interesting, personal snippets about his life but seems to be disjointed and not well organized) from the library-

Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers-Ludwig Van Beethoven by Mike Venezia*-interesting facts presented in an entertaining manner  Borrowed from the library *Highly recommend-

Beethoven Lives Upstairs by Barbara Nichol illustrated by Scott Cameron-Lavish illustrations A fictional account told via letters between a boy and his uncle In the letters Christoph expresses his disdain for Beethoven, who is renting their family's upstair rooms. Over time his opinion changes. Readers learn a lot about Beethoven in a different format. It looks like this book was made into a movie. Borrowed from the library.*Highly recommend.-

Finding Wild by Megan Wagner Lloyd illustrated by Abigail Halpin*

 A beautifully illustrated book

Children who live in the city discover nature and the wild even in the asphalt world. A call for children (& adults) to spend time outside!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Like Me by Laura Wifler illustrated by Skylar White*

A boy narrates what a day is like with his younger brother who has disabilities. The parents are optimistic because they are anchored to Christ  (implied). Ms. Wifler does not sugar-coat life, however. She includes the challenges too.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Beyond the Pond by Joseph Kuefler

 Ernest D. imagines what is at the bottom of his pond and the land BEYOND the pond. This book will encourage the imagination. The word choice is excellent and will develop readers vocabulary.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Remarkable Christmas of the Cobbler's Sons by Ruth Sawyer illustrated by Barbara Cooney*

 An Austrian folktale

After reading Because Barbara by Sarah Mackenzie, I requested a book Barbara Cooney illustrated. 

The cobbler and his three sons are resourceful in gathering/finding food and keeping warm in their shack. After mending the butcher's shoes, the cobbler typically cooks a hearty stew, which they call "Schnitzle, Schnotzle, and Schnootzle". One year the cobbler struggles to find work. As Christmas approaches, the boys wonder if they will enjoy any stew. On Christmas Eve a mean, ugly man knocks on their door while their father is searching for work. He is rude and demanding. However, he may be harbinger of fortune.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

These High, Green Hills by Jan Karon*

 audio CD-read by John McDonough

My fourteen-year-old and I are listening to this series on the way to appointments/other drives. We continue to laugh out loud, smile, and look forward to our time with "Father Tim" in Mitford.

In this book Father Tim must release Dooley not only to a boarding school but also to Meadowgate for the summer. While lost in a cave with Cynthia, God does transforming work on his soul and outlook. A favorite person of Mitford passes away.  Ms. Karon is superb at developing characters and incorporating ordinary observations to which all people can relate.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Boys in the Boat-movie*

 Last fall I read aloud this book to my teenage sons. I was so excited that Amazon Prime had it available!

The movie is a little over two hours long. Even in that amount of time, they could not include details about Joe's past, the couple of years he rowed, and all of the races before the Olympic medal. The producers incorporated enough facts to create a superb and inspiring movie. 

Rated P-13 for swearing & smoking 

My warnings- some swearing, some suggestive scenes-Joe sneaks into his girlfriend Joyce's dorm room, where she changes behind a screen-viewers see her bare shoulder & bra strap,  between husband and wife-"Come see a different/better view", and then the wife leaves her bathrobe lying in the doorway-viewers cannot see anything inappropriate, some drinking

Dinnertime! by Sue Williams illustrated Kerry Argent**

 I loved reading I Went Walking to my sons when they were babies/toddlers. How I wish I knew about this book back then too!

Fat rabbits frolic about, not aware that a hungry fox is about to pounce. Will they escape and return safely to their burrow? The amount of rabbits decrease with each page, making the reader think they are being eaten. Quite a few surprises and clever word play occur, which will make it fun for the adult reading aloud. I like how the other animals watching the rabbits be pursued equal the amount of rabbits on the page. Plenty of opportunities to count with the child. 

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Because Barbara by Sarah Mackenzie illustrated by Eileen Ryan Ewen*

 Barbara Cooney Paints Her World

Sarah reveals Barbara's development as an illustrator from her childhood through her adulthood. I love how Sarah incorporates Barbara's devotion to her four children and love for adventure and beauty. Her desire to bring lasting delight and beauty to her world continued into her elderly years. The illustrations are stunning and at the same time whimsical-just like Barbara. 

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library. 

The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer*

 Mrs. Schaeffer posits the importance of Christians being creative and making time to practice one's creative God-given gifts. She discusses how "hidden art" is found in the everyday minutes of one's life and fills the book with ideas how to incorporate creativity into one's regular routine. This book greatly encouraged me to continue to pursue beauty and creativity. Mrs. Schaeffer offers practial ways to incorporate creativity into the seemingly mundane moments. Some chapter themes- music, painting/sketching/sculpturing, interior decoration, gardens/gardening, flower arrangements, food, writing-prose & poetry, drama, creative recreation, clothing. 

*Highly recommend.

I borrowed this book from a friend but may purchase it.

The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Timothy Keller**

 I need to reread this booklet once a month! Mr. Keller expounds on 1 Corinthians 3:21-4:7 and how to live a life of humility. Easy to read and to understand

**Highly, highly recommend.

-I own two copies of this booklet. I purchased it for my boys to read for Soul Reading this past school year. They did not read it yet. It is on the list for next year!

Habits for a Sacred Home by Jennifer Pepito*

 In our post-Christian world, Mrs. Pepito directs readers ways they can create a home that pursues practices that honor God and bring His light into the confused world. She utilizes disciplines Saint Benedict incorporated into his life during the fall of Rome and also examples from godly women in history. Her style is conversational. I loved reading this book and filled it with markers on ideas and phrases I wanted to remember. I may purchase this book. At the end of each chapter are discussion questions, a list books about the chapter's topic/woman, and a simple recipe. The habits and women included are: work & Edith Schaeffer, stewardship & Mary McLeod Bethune, prayer & Amy Carmichael, order & Elisabeth Elliot, simplicity & Sabina Wurmbrand, stability & Ruth Bell Graham, hospitality & Ella "Mama" Tweten, community & Esther Jungreis, & balance & Madeleine L'Engle.

I wish she would have spent more time writing about the above women's lives. She, however, includes recommended biographies about each of them. My TBR list has lengthened drastically after reading this book!!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

A Shilling for Candles by Josephine Tey*

 I recently read that Josephine Tey is considered "one of the greatest mystery writers of all time". I had never heard of her, so decided to check her out. Initially the story did not capture my interest, probably because at this time of year I only have time to read right before bed and typically fall asleep within fifteen minutes. As a result, I could not keep all of the characters straight in my mind. Over vacation, however, I had large chunks of time to read and could focus on enjoying the story. I do highly recommend this book, but I still like Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers better!

Scotland Yard inspector, Alan Grant, is assigned the case to figure out how a famous actress died. As he uncovers clues and investigates into her relationships, he becomes more confused and frustrated. An interesting, fun read!

Warning if sharing with a teen: some swearing, a man is accused of being a lover to a married woman, a man who is into religion is evil and uses it for his selfish purposes

*Highly recommend for adult

-Borrowed from the library.

Making Marion by Beth Moran

 When Marion flees Ireland to escape an unwanted engagement,  an abusive, mental ill mother and also to uncover her deceased father's past, she never expected to live and work in a campground. Through a misunderstanding, Marion begins working at the reception desk at Peace and Pigs campsite in Nottingham, England. Over the months she gains confidence, makes friends, and learns to forgive. A certain gentleman also captures her attention.

A fun, whimsical read I liked the diverse characters. 

Some of the problems were resolved rather quickly and unrealistically. These problems were weighty-mental illness, alcoholism, abuse. God is mentioned but never as the One who is the answer.

Although nothing inappropriate occurs between characters, I would not hand this book to a teen-an elderly couple enjoys intimacy immensely and whenever, the urge strikes, they find the nearest room. Marion walks in on them several times (nothing graphic is included about these encounters), mentions how big chested on character is ("pillowy breasts grown men sob into"), a few times Marion has to strip down because of disasters beyond her control and her love interest walks in on her (anything, nothing inappropriate occurs nor anything graphic described). Also, it is hinted that Marion was molested by a male cousin when she was young.

-Borrowed via Interlibrary Loan.