It's time for the next checkpoint in the Mount TBR challenge. Here's a bit of a reflection on the books I've read so far for the challenge in 2018.
I'm aiming for 100 books that qualify for the challenge, by the end of the year... and as of today, I'm at 74! Woohooo! Looks like I'm going to make it.
To mix it up with a bit of fun, I've chosen a couple of titles I've enjoyed which share a common link...
The two I've chosen feature female schoolteachers in an historic time setting. Both books also happen to be the very first book in a series (which means I have so much more to look forward to in these stories!).
Elizabeth Thatcher is living in the year of 1910, in Canada. She feels the calling to ride across the wild frontier and teach to the children there. (Okay, and she might find love along the way.) [SEE MY REVIEW]
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Village School was first published in 1955 by Miss Read.
Miss Read (the fictional character) lives in England, during the 1950's. She's already been teaching in her little village of Fairacre for a while, and she has plans to continue doing so for many years. [SEE MY REVIEW]
Also... I'll throw this book at you too. This time, I'm choosing the title I've now read that has been on my TBR pile for the longest amount of time...
I know I've owned my copy for at least 12 years. It always sounded like an exciting book (and had come recommended by friends), and I certainly desired to read it... but each year it would sit in my TBR pile, and my hand would pick something else up to read... until 2018!
Charlie Kennedy roams the Canadian wilderness (yes, similar to Elizabeth Thatcher, except he has more dangerous experiences than she). Many adventure comes his way -- which is exactly what he set out for. [SEE MY REVIEW]
What book(s) have you read this year that have been sitting on your shelf for way too long?
239 pages // published in 1955 // British cozy literature
BOOK DESCRIPTION
The first novel in the beloved Fairacre series, Village School introduces the remarkable schoolmistress Miss Read and her lovable group of children, who, with a mixture of skinned knees and smiles, are just as likely to lose themselves as their mittens. This is the English village of Fairacre: a handful of thatch-roofed cottages, a church, the school, the promise of fair weather, friendly faces, and good cheer -- at least most of the time. Here everyone knows everyone else's business, and the villagers like each other anyway (even Miss Pringle, the irascible, gloomy cleaner of Fairacre School). With a wise heart and a discerning eye, Miss Read guides us through one crisp, glistening autumn in her village and introduces us to a cast of unforgettable characters and a world of drama, romance, and humor, all within a stone's throw of the school. By the time winter comes, you'll be nestled snugly into the warmth and wit of Fairacre and won't want to leave.
It is simply a joy to sit down and get lost in the little village of Fairacre. I am completely transported to 1950's England by Miss Read. It's like a mini-vacation to just sit down and listen to her woes, her thrills, her triumphs in life as a schoolmistress (though little triumphs it feels like to her, I'm sure).
This particular novel, the very first of the Fairacre lot, takes us on a journey of a normal year in Miss Read's classroom, and her interactions with the other townspeople during the year.
She's such a talented writer, I must say. Her descriptions are just so delicious, it's amazing. Her vocabulary? I'm in awe of. I never knew before that one could “run scrunchily”… or that one can eat “craggy slices of bread”!
The narrator of the story, Miss Read, leads with a charming voice – ever so sweetly pointing out the ironies of village life and the fun bits of happiness in her days, usually with some highlights of comedic episodes. Yes, and sometimes the bits of sourness too, when necessary – especially with certain dour-faced children are in the picture.
Overall? Absolutely, positively wonderful.
Favorite quote:
"'Are you alright? Can I fetch you some water?' inquired a kindly headmaster near the door. I felt inclined to tell him that I was on the verge of an apoplectic fit, brought on through exasperation, and that nothing less than a full pot of tea could even begin to help me -- So I merely thanked him and escaped into the market square."
(Chapter 18, The Music Festival)
352 pages // published in 1812 // classic adventure
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Shipwrecked passengers on a deserted island: how will they survive? After their ship founders at sea, the Robinsons—father, mother, and four sons—find themselves stranded in an uninhabited, idyllic land. Young readers will enjoy watching them handle every crisis with cleverness and skill.
This shipwreck story covers it all! There's adventure and wild schemes, combined with an all-encompassing feeling of family love. Each person in the Robinson family always has a project to work on, usually something that is for the betterment of the whole family. They keep busy, are never slack, care for their animals well... the father often shares knowledge with the youngsters, and... they just keep surviving, together, with no outside help except through God's grace.
I think every Christian family should have this book in their home. (Oh, and homeschool families too will eat this up.) There are so many spiritual lessons to be gleaned from this pages. The Robinson family is always praying and thanking for so many things. In fact, their faith leads them to lead such happy lives on an isolated island... they can even discover joy in the fact that God sent a storm their way and knocked their boat off course.
As a reader, I learned much about animals, plants, and other scientific things of nature. The father (also a professor, or rather a walking encyclopedia) had so much wisdom to impart at just the right times. He is an ever-patient man and knows how to teach his children in the right way, and also knows when to step back and let nature teach his children.
Violence? Yes. There are many, many, many instances of descriptions of animals being killed for food or other needs. Usually it's not too gory, although there was a time or two it was feeling a bit too much for a children's story.
One of the best classics out there for readers of any age, young or old. It's especially perfect as a read-aloud for the whole family. The story does feature 4 boys, and so probably boy readers will get a kick out of all the constant adventure, but girls would certainly enjoy it too (I did!).
Definitely it's a book to spark one's imagination.
This imaginative 1912 fantasy recounts a jungle expedition's encounter with living dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures as it follows an eccentric paleontologist and his companions into the wilds of the Amazon.
256 pages // published in 2004 in this collection // vintage children's fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION
A poor farmer's daughter changes the life of a spoiled princess . . .
A fearless young girl saves her town from British soldiers . . .
Two elderly sisters come up with a plan to help a sickly child . . .
A country girl shows her city cousin that simple can be best . . .
From the author of the beloved classic little women come ten short stories to delight and charm. Throughout her life, Louisa May Alcott published many stories in children's magazines, and now ten of the best of these tales have been collected here. Filled with characters who have all the warmth, liveliness, and appeal of Jo March and her sisters, these stories will open up a whole new world for Alcott fans, and remain every bit as captivating as when they were first written, over a century ago.
The Brownie and the Princess
This whole story collection starts out with an absolutely charming fairy tale, one that most little girls will adore. Betty is a little girl who lives in the countryside, and she adores all things that have to do with nature and her beloved animal friends. I simply adore the sentence that states that she “had fine frolics with them, for they knew and loved her dearly”. Awww!! I love the sentiment, as I too wish to be friends with my backyard wildlife. When the princess of the kingdom comes to visit Betty, both girls are each pleasantly surprised by the other, and a new friendship is soon blossoming...
Tabby's Tablecloth
An excellent specimen of Louisa trying her hand at a historical story (not a tale that happens in the “modern” times she was living in, nor even in a fantasy kingdom like the 1st story). Instead, Louisa has chosen an actual year, decades before she herself was born. This story is about a plucky Massachusetts girl in 1775, when the British army was marching through town, and the Revolutionary War was just on the brink of breaking out. An excellent story for any student who may be learning about that time period.
A Hole in the Wall
Herein we find a lame boy and his own “secret garden” to discover on the other side of the wall. This epistle provides laughter, healing in the heart, and perhaps will bring a tear to your eye. My heart went out to little Johnny, but he is such an innocent boy, full of hope and imagination... what's not to love about his story?
Lunch
This is a delightful tale, in which two spinsters take it upon themselves to finally do something about the young students across the street who have to eat from the scroungy bakery next door. This whole story is like a fun romp, combining the antics of two little old ladies, and a houseful of boys with hungry appetites. Very cute, overall.
Baa! Baa!
Here's my favorite story in the whole collection! Two sisters start out intending to pick berries to sell at the train station as a business venture. But when they see a train full of poor, dehydrated sheep roll in – their kind little hearts take over. There's a sweet cast of characters in this story – as other people take notice of the girls, and one kindness is rewarded for another, and another. I just loved reading this one!
The Silver Party
On Thanksgiving Day, young Tony is at home with a cold, while the rest of his family goes to church and enjoys the holiday celebrations. One may wonder if his health issues bring on hallucinations... because before you know it, the silverware is strutting across the table, talking, dancing, and all sorts of other human-ized type of actions. He may even learn some manners from these aforethought “dumb” objects.
How They Camped Out
Adventurous and sweet. A whole slew of kids are caught in a snowstorm on their way back from a sleighing party. They are able to make it into an empty, dusty house for shelter, and there's nothing to do but make the best of the situation. While waiting for help to come, they busy themselves with making a fire and scavenging for any edible bits in the house... It's a rather cozy survival story.
The Hare and the Tortoise
A moral lesson, based on the summary of one of Aesop's legendary fables. A modernized story (well, for Louisa's time) about a couple of brothers – the older boy who gets to parade around town atop his high bicycle, and the younger boy who yearns for his very own, since his stubborn brother won't share. Someone learns a lesson or two.
Jerseys, or the Girls' Ghost
Yep. I liked this story a lot too. Miss Orne promotes healthy habits to her six students, such as rousing exercise, and better diets, which are things that Louisa (probably) truly believed in. I would like to imagine that when Louisa taught in her early years, that maybe she was something like Miss Orne herself – that she was a good-natured teacher who wanted the absolute best for her students. And you know what? This story also kept reminding of the literary heroine Anne Shirley.
The Cooking Class
The comedic episodes of 6 girls who meet weekly to perfect, criticize, and enjoy their culinary skills (which may or may not exist). Plus, throw in some occasional boyish pranks in the mix, and you've really got some hilarious scenes cooking. It certainly set me to laughing a few times.
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Overall? This is a beautiful story book, that every little girl should have on her shelf as she grows up. Also, these just make excellent little stories that a young child could read aloud to a parent. (Or of course, as a bedtime story that the parent can read aloud.)
This is my first time to participate in The Candid Cover's Summer TBR Wipeout. The premise is simple... read your books this summer!
Here's a look at some of the titles I would like to read during July and the the first couple of weeks in August. Not sure how much I'll actually get read, but I'm excited about each one.
Classic Lit
MG & YA
Miscellaneous Adult
But of course, I'm sure I won't stay on track with this exact list. We'll see which of these books actually get read -- and what other titles get pulled in. ;)
Mostly, I just can't wait to fall into some excellent stories...
