Book Review: Oliver Twist

Oliver Twist

written by Charles Dickens

608 pages // published in 1838 // British classic literature

BOOK DESCRIPTION

One of Dickens’s most popular novels, Oliver Twist is the story of a young orphan who dares to say, "Please, sir, I want some more." After escaping from the dark and dismal workhouse where he was born, Oliver finds himself on the mean streets of Victorian-era London and is unwittingly recruited into a scabrous gang of scheming urchins. In this band of petty thieves Oliver encounters the extraordinary and vibrant characters who have captured readers’ imaginations for more than 150 years: the loathsome Fagin, the beautiful and tragic Nancy, the crafty Artful Dodger, and perhaps one of the greatest villains of all time—the terrifying Bill Sikes.

Rife with Dickens’s disturbing descriptions of street life, the novel is buoyed by the purity of the orphan Oliver. Though he is treated with cruelty and surrounded by coarseness for most of his life, his pious innocence leads him at last to salvation—and the shocking discovery of his true identity.

The rawness of humanity. The lowest scum on the streets. A boy thrown ito the mix, tossed and turned, this way and that. Oliver Twist.

Before taking on this novel, I had certainly forgotten how humorous that Dickens is in his writing. Even though the story may be so sorrowful, filled with the lowest of emotions, the basest of human actions, and the darkest of hopeless thoughts... he still infuses comedy into the commonplace and he knows just how to poke fun at the characters to make them appear ridiculous in their own peculiarities. Renewed again, I love reading Dickens for this reason.

This is an ideal Victorian novel, that shows both sides of the coin in terms of social status. Little Oliver gets the chance to experience it all. He gets thrown back and forth a bit between lives, but as the reader, we can really take in the contrast. It makes for an excellent historical study about England too.

Note to the discerning reader: May contain some mild swear words, and many are crossed out (only showing the first letter).

What memorable characters and heart-rending scenes this classic boasts. I enjoyed every page.

paperback // e-book

This is book #11 for me in the Back to the Classics 2018 challenge.
[CATEGORY: 18th Century Classic]




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Book Review: 12 Days at Bleakly Manor

12 Days at Bleakly Manor
Once Upon a Dickens Christmas

written by Michelle Griep

192 pages // published in 2017 // Historical Christian Fiction

BOOK DESCRIPTION

When CLARA CHAPMAN receives an intriguing invitation to spend Christmas at an English manor home, she is hesitant yet compelled to attend—for if she remains the duration of the twelve-day celebration, she is promised a sum of one thousand pounds. That’s enough money to bring her brother back from America and reinstate their stolen family fortune. But is she walking into danger? It appears so, especially when she comes face to face with one of the other guests—her former fiancé, BENJAMIN LANE.

Imprisoned unjustly, Ben wants revenge on whoever stole his honor. When he’s given the chance to gain his freedom, he jumps at it—and is faced with the anger of the woman he stood up at the altar.

Brought together under mysterious circumstances for the Twelve Days of Christmas, Clara and Ben discover that what they've been striving for isn't what ultimately matters. What matters most is what Christmas is all about . . . love.

An intriguing story, filled with the personality of Charles Dickens, and with the mysterious plot twists of Agatha Christie. The perfect combination!

When a cryptic invitation arrives, twenty-five year-old Clara Chapman, has a decision to make. To spend the twelve days of Christmas at a home she's never heard of, by an unknown solicitor. Why would she choose to do this? For a hefty sum of money, which she desperately needs.

What she doesn't know is that others are expected at Bleakly House too, including none other than her fiancé who left her at the altar. Yet what he's been through in the past nine months is more grueling than Clara could have imagined. Ben Lane is looking for redemption and freedom, and he can only hope that the miraculous Christmas riddle of Bleakly Manor will save him.

It reads like a perfectly delightful Victorian novel, with some Gothic type elements (things going awry in that great big manor). Which of the manor's visitors would purposely be sabotaging the holiday event?

“The mysteries are starting to pile up in a great heap, are they not?”
- 12 Days at Bleakly Manor (Chapter 13)

Faith: There are some excellent elements of faith brought in, and I can love the book all the more for it.

Romance: It is kept mostly very sweet – just one particularly passionate kiss. But I really loved how even though it's a romance story, there's still so much adventure and puzzles to keep you busy with the rest of the plot too.

Cons? Almost none. There are a couple of phrases that used several times, which seemed a bit too repetitive for me.

Bottom line? The chapters just flew by with all the Victorian jargon and very British traditions. It was all too wonderful while the story lasted. And now I just can't wait to get my hands on book #2 in the Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series, next year!

Available on Amazon in paperback, ebook, and audio format.

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Book Review: The Man Who Invented Christmas

The Man Who Invented Christmas
How Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol Rescued His Career and Revived Our Holiday Spirits

written by Les Standiford

241 pages // published in 2008 // Christmas-themed Biography

BOOK DESCRIPTION

As uplifting as the tale of Scrooge itself, this is the story of how one writer and one book revived the signal holiday of the Western world.

Just before Christmas in 1843, a debt-ridden and dispirited Charles Dickens wrote a small book he hoped would keep his creditors at bay. His publisher turned it down, so Dickens used what little money he had to put out A Christmas Carol himself. He worried it might be the end of his career as a novelist.

The book immediately caused a sensation. And it breathed new life into a holiday that had fallen into disfavor, undermined by lingering Puritanism and the cold modernity of the Industrial Revolution. It was a harsh and dreary age, in desperate need of spiritual renewal, ready to embrace a book that ended with blessings for one and all.

With warmth, wit, and an infusion of Christmas cheer, Les Standiford whisks us back to Victorian England, its most beloved storyteller, and the birth of the Christmas we know best. The Man Who Invented Christmas is a rich and satisfying read for Scrooges and sentimentalists alike.

“Celebrating Christmas without some reference to A Christmas Carol seems impossible, a remarkable fact given that the book was published more than 150 years ago. Indeed, the resonance of the story has remained so strong through the generations that commentators have referred to Dickens as the man who invented Christmas.”

So, this book needs a change in its cover art. If you, like me, judged this book by its Christmasy cover, all red, green, and candy canes... and randomly thought it was a story with a plot featuring Dickens (and true-to-life facts about him), well, that's not accurate. To be clear, it's a biography, albeit, an interesting one that kept me turning the pages.

“No individual can claim credit for the creation of Christmas, of course – except, perhaps, the figure that the day is named for.... If Dickens did not invent Christmas, he certainly reinvented it.”

Dickens' childhood was cut short, as he had to work for his family. His parents spent more than they could earn. His father was held in court for his debts, and eventually the rest of the family too, even Charles and his siblings. As Dickens grew into adulthood, those days of debt and poverty always stayed with him, and is illustrated in many, if not most, of his writings. As the writer of this biography states, “It was as if, in writing this book [A Christmas Carol], he could will into existence a world of universal charity, empathy, and family harmony that he had not experienced in his life.”

Concerning A Christmas Carol, his publishers actually didn't believe in the success of the story, and they wouldn't take on the project to publish it themselves. So Dickens had it published, paying for all the costs, etc. He had to go to more extraordinary lengths than his other writings to get it published. In other words, it was the novel that almost wasn't. And this was all for a story that was about the Christmas holiday, which at the time, “ranked far below Easter, causing little more stir than Memorial Day.”

There are 4 main parts to the book. But it is part 3 that piques my interest the most, and has the information I was waiting to read. Things like how traditions may not be the same without his little book entering the world. Or how we might not so easily recognize a Victorian Christmas as a quintessential time if we didn't have A Christmas Carol. In fact, Christmas was quite different in the 1840s than it is now. The biography writer brings this about to tell what the holiday was all about back then – and it usually was not gift-giving. Other notes of interest: People ate a Christmas goose – not a turkey or a ham. Christmas cards hadn't even appeared on the scene before. Christmas trees weren't commercially sold. There's quite a bit of interesting history to learn in part 3, and I loved reading all about it.

I found out much about Charles Dickens that I just didn't expect. Some of it is about his family life, some about his celebrity, some about his books. For example, Oliver Twist may just be the first novel to have a child as protagonist; it may also be the first Victorian novel. It was neat to hear about how Dickens kept writing more “Christmas” novels each year, and the annual history behind each. Something else I was quite surprised to hear about was that copyright almost didn't exist in Dickens' day. Publishers could pirate off their own versions of popular novels and make good money doing it. Authors usually didn't get paid (or paid well) when plays (dozens of them) were put together, based on an author's novel. It was one of Dickens' fights in life to see about copyright issues for every author. He was certainly a man who had many tricks (and creative ideas) up his sleeve.

Reading The Man Who Invented Christmas definitely will get you in the mood not only for A Christmas Carol, but many of Dickens' other works. Charles Dickens will remain in our hearts because of his use of goodwill, the pleasures of good friends, family, and charity in his stories. Because the topics he used in A Christmas Carol and his other works really get us our the heartstrings, that's why people still want to read his books. I know I can't wait to read more from him.

I'd recommend this as an adult read – teens could enjoy it too, but there is some minor alluding to some mature topics.

Available on Amazon in paperback, ebook, and audio format.

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Book Review: The Further Adventures of Ebenezer Scrooge

The Further Adventures of Ebenezer Scrooge

written by Charlie Lovett

107 pages // published in 2015 // literary fiction

BOOK DESCRIPTION

A delightful sequel to Dickens’s beloved A Christmas Carol by the bestselling author of First Impressions and The Bookman's Tale.

On a hot summer day some twenty years after he was famously converted to kindness, Ebenezer Scrooge still roams the streets of London, spreading Christmas cheer, much to the annoyance of his creditors, nephew, and his employee Bob Cratchit. However, when Scrooge decides to help his old friend and former partner Jacob Marley, as well as other inhabitants of the city, he will need the assistance of the very people he’s annoyed. He’ll also have to call on the three ghosts that visited him two decades earlier. By the time they’re done, they’ve convinced everyone to celebrate Christmas all year long by opening their wallets, arms, and hearts to those around them.

Written in uncannily Dickensian prose, Charlie Lovett’s The Further Adventures of Ebenezer Scrooge is both a loving and winking tribute to the Victorian classic, perfect for readers of A Christmas Carol and other timeless holiday tales.

My Review...



I really love this book. If you, or someone you know, is a fan of Charles Dickens and his classic holiday story, A Christmas Carol, then this is the book you need to get.

I don't think I've ever read a modern-day published book wherein the author has a complete grasp on how to write like a Victorian-day author. Enter, Charlie Lovett. Masterfully, he has interwoven the things we love best from Dickens' story into a sequel, one that lets us explore Scrooge 2.0 (AKA, "after his epiphany"). The way Lovett has done this book, I believe would make Charles Dickens one proud papa.

I'd best recommend this book if you want a charming holiday book to get caught up in, and if you are fond of vintage writers. This is an excellent title to have on your shelf.

I look forward to reading more by this author, as he seems to share the same passion for vintage classics that I do. And I would gladly re-read this book again some year in the future, especially right after A Christmas Carol.

The Further Adventures of Ebenezer Scrooge is available on Amazon in paperback, e-book, and audiobook format (and others).

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Book Review: God Bless Us Every One!

God Bless Us Every One!
Devotional Inspiration from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

written by Annie Tipton

192 pages // published in 2016 // Christian devotional

BOOK DESCRIPTION

One of the best-loved and most quoted stories of "the man who invented Christmas"--English writer Charles Dickens--A Christmas Carol debuted in 1843 and has touched millions of hearts since. The familiar story of cruel miser Ebenezer Scrooge who never met a shilling he doesn't like. . .and hardly a man he does. . .and who hates Christmas most of all, has inspired this keepsake devotional God Bless Us Every One! Alongside scenes from the beloved Dickens classic, you'll learn eternal lessons of charity, kindness, goodwill, heart-transformation, and more. Experience a true Victorian Christmas with these 60 in-depth devotional readings that are sure to warm your heart this holiday season and beyond.

My Review...



I really love this Christmastime devotional. At the start of each chapter, I got to read a short snippet of A Christmas Carol (which was perfect, because it's been a while since I've read Dickens' book), which is then followed by the author's spiritual-based commentary on the passage. Truly, this is a unique way to bring to light lots of hidden messages in Dickens' holiday classic. We get to dig deep into these characters, like Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim, and discover more than what's on the surface of the story.

Annie Tipton backs up all of her devotionals with biblical scripture. This book really led me to think about A Christmas Carol in a whole new way by spotlighting some interesting topics and finding hidden meanings behind many of the words and actions said and done in A Christmas Carol.

There are many lessons about life to be found in this holiday devotional. I definitely recommend it! (Hey, it even makes a great Christmas gift.)

Re-learning a piece of classic literature in this way makes my literary-inclined heart pitter-patter.

God Bless Us Every One! is available on Amazon in hardcover, e-book format.

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Book Review: A Miser, A Manger, A Miracle

A Miser, A Manger, A Miracle

written by Marianne Jordan

164 pages // published in 2016 // Christian fiction

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Winner of the Director's Choice Award - - Give a print copy to a friend or family member.

Darkness cloaks the hills of Bethlehem, but pales in comparison to the black heart of a greedy, unscrupulous innkeeper, who unknowingly sets into motion a night of miracles the world will never forget.

David Morrell, New York Times best selling author of 'The Spy Who Came for Christmas' says "A Miser. A Manger. A Miracle. is a vivid new approach to a familiar story. Fresh and fascinating."

My Review...



An intriguing story! What if the innkeeper of Bethlehem, was in fact, Ebenezer Scrooge? What if the innkeeper was a stingy businessman, who only cared about raking in the cash during the census? What if... he needed a change of heart, one that could only be brought on by Divine intervention?

Here is A Miser, A Manger, A Miracle.

Immediately as I began to read the story, I was drawn in. The author went all-out to piece together 2 Christmas stories into one, seamlessly; that of the birth of Jesus Christ (the first Christmas), and one that took places many hundreds of year later about a penny-pinching miser.

Fantastic. I love this story. There's even a "Tiny Tim"! -- or as he is known in this volume as Timothy, a much more biblical name. I really feel like this is an authentic story. The author has done well in being descriptive of the setting, and drawing out dimensional characters. I think I could re-read this book in some future December.

The Messiah has been born, and He will touch the hearts of many. May He come into our hearts this season as we re-think the real Christmas story with new eyes.

A Miser, A Manger, A Miracle is available on Amazon in e-book format.

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Book Review: Tiny Tim and The Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge

I have a quick announcement before we get to the book review in this post...

It's time to announce the WINNER
of the Christmas Book Ornament!
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CONGRATULATIONS, Marilyn C!

For everyone else, if you'd like one of these beautiful ornaments (for yourself or a friend), just pop over to Papuan Lass on Etsy. There's a wonderful assortment of ornament styles!

And here's today's book review....

Tiny Tim and The Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge

written by Norman Whaler

98 pages // published in 2016 // Christian fiction

BOOK DESCRIPTION

In the sequel to Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Tiny Tim, now a grown well-to-do young man, builds to a crisis of faith after he loses his love and soul-mate years earlier. It all comes to a head when old Scrooge, his benefactor, friend, and second father suddenly dies just days before Christmas. Blaming God and rejecting Christmas, Tim slips more and more into an uncaring mood with only a tenuous need to live on. Scrooge's ghost now returns to show Tim what he does not understand about true faith when bad things happen to good people. Tim is shamed by an example of real faith and finally begins to understand what Christmas really means in Tiny Tim and The Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge, The sequel to A Christmas Carol.

My Review...



Have you ever wondered what happened to Tiny Tim after Scrooge's heart changed? This the story you need to read this Christmas.

I wondered, before I started reading the book, if this story being called a "sequel" to A Christmas Carol, will it feel like it was written by Dickens' own hand? That was a big question I had, and although I didn't care either way, I can tell you this: No, it doesn't feel like Dickens' writing (it's a hard act to follow, after all!), but what this story does have is Dickens' spirit. And actually, I think that's what counts the most.

It's a full story to enjoy about the man who we previously knew as Tiny Tim (no, he's not tiny any more!). But his heart his hardening after sorrow and depression set in year after year. In some ways, he's becoming somewhat of a "Scrooge" himself. In fact, a keen reader will notice many detailed similarities between Tim and the original Ebenezer Scrooge. What he needs is a ghost visitation to set things aright. Perhaps a visit from his friend of old who once needed a drastic change in life too.

This story shares excellent lessons in faith, mercy, and good cheer. That's what I especially like about this book, because it shares the love of God in a rather interesting story.

If you love Christmas music, you may find it fascinating to know that there are some Christmas carols included in the book, all written by one of the authors himself. Now, that's talent!

This could even be a fun story to read aloud as a family this year! -- especially if your kids already know the story of A Christmas Carol.

Makes a great gift for anyone who relishes in the Christmas spirit, or who would like to read a "sequel" to a classic piece of literature.

Thanks to Word Slinger Publicity for a free copy of this book; I was not required to post a review.

Tiny Tim and The Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge is available on Amazon in e-book format.

P.S. Like and vote for this review on Goodreads and Amazon.

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Top 10 favorite books of 2013!

At the end of each year, the bookworm inside of me loves to look over all the beautiful books I finished that year, and write out my top 10 favorites. And then I share it with you.

In no particular order, my favorite reads of 2013:


Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot {my review}

The Story Girl by L.M. Montgomery {my review}

The Discovery of the Titanic by Robert D. Ballard {my review}

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis {my review}

Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome {my review}

Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters {my review}

Start Here by Alex & Brett Harris {my review}

Bleak House by Charles Dickens {my review}

The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown {my review}

Promise Me This by Cathy Gohlke {my review}


Truly, I had read toooo many good books past this year! It made very hard decisions for me, on which went into my official top 10 list. So, there are just a few more titles that deserve, at the least... honorable mentions:

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley {my review}

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame {my review}

Unsinkable: The Full Story of the RMS Titanic by Daniel Allen Butler {my review}

The Birds' Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin {my review}


Now, to guide you on to some other lovely bloggers who also shared their own 2013 favorite book lists: Hannah, Grace, Katie, Carrie

My favorite books in 2012

It has been a wonderful year of reading for me. What about you?

The first few months of the year were taken up with Titanic research for the 100th anniversary, afterwhich I drifted into some classic literature lasting throughout the summertime. Then I really started tackling some of the extra books that I had been stocking up on (including the e-books!)... and I had a very satisfying year filled with great stories, wisdom, and learning.




Here are my top 10 favorite reads from 2012 (in no particular order):


The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
The biography of Corrie ten Boom's life during World War II is amazing. So much is packed into this profound book! A very inspirational story that everyone should read.
{See my full review.}

A Night to Remember by Walter Lord
Tells about the sinking of the Titanic, as seen and quoted by the surviving passengers. It is interesting to read the different points of view the passengers had, sometimes with their stories contradicting each other.

The Night Lives On by Walter Lord
This book has so many details about the Titanic packed into it, that it's hard to believe one author wrote it all! The entire story of the ship, her passengers, survivors... everything you wish to know on the subject is found in this book.

In His Steps by Charles Sheldon
One of those rare inspirational stories with so many moral lessons in it which you'll remember for a lifetime. Through this fictional story, these words of wisdom shine forth: "What would Jesus do?" This question becomes both a thinking pattern and a lifestyle for all to learn.

Running for My Life by Lopez Lomong
The wonderful, inspirational, true story of an African boy who faced many challenges. If it hadn't been for the deaths occurring around him, the hot, dry land that Sudan is made of, and the deep poverty of his people, he wouldn't have made it to the Olympic Games as a triumphant athlete.

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
This is David Copperfield's story---from childhood to adulthood. Barely a chapter passed by that I didn't laugh at a scene, or a particular sentence, or even a certain word, the way Dickens wedged it in there. If you're looking for a work of classic literature that has some humor in it... read David Copperfield!

A Shepherd Looks at the Good Shepherd by Phillip Keller
After reading this book, I understand now, more than ever, exactly what it takes to be a shepherd of sheep. And, in turn, exactly what our Shepherd does for His sheep, and how much He loves us. An excellent read!

The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen
A beautiful story that takes place in England during the 1800's. My favorite parts pertain to the medical side of the story, like the natural medicines with Latin names that Lilly prepares in her father's apothecary. Overall, quite charming!

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Miss Alcott's writings always evoke such a timeless charm. I also wanted to include Little Men and Jo's Boys in my top 10 list this year, but felt it would take up to many spots. Nonetheless, each of these books are a favorite of mine!

A Christmas Home by Greg Kincaid
The third installment of Kincaid's series about the McCray family. Another beautifully-written Christmas story! I so enjoy taking in the elements that these books offer... dogs, country life, farms, a small town... growing and enduring as a family.


What books did you enjoy this past year?

Sharing Our Bookshelves {October 2011}

Welcome!
Come on over to the bookcase with me. There are many bookshelves waiting for us to browse through. Here's a hefty volume from Dickens, or would you prefer Little Women instead? Oh, and never mind my little, white dog curled up there--even with those teeth, she's quite harmless I assure you. I see you have a book in hand now, so please do take a seat and enjoy one of these scrumptious cookies. Now tell me, what books lately have you swept through the pages of? I'm awfully curious to know, even if you have but a moment.

My bookish friends, if you've written anything on your blog concerning the topic of books, you are all welcome to link up to your post(s) and share with the rest of us here in the bookcase. And if you must go now, then do come back and join me throughout the month, if you have anything new to add to the linky.

Book Review: A Tale of Two Cities

A Tale of Two Cities
written by Charles Dickens
about 300 pages
originally published in 1858

"Recalled to life," is the strange message that Mr. Jerry Lorry of Tellson's Bank gives to the messenger on horseback waiting in the dark. "Recalled to life" is the running theme of the book, that each of its characters encounter. Originally, the message was stated for the case of Dr. Manette, a man hidden in the deep folds of the Bastille for 18 long years---his relatives never cognizant of his imprisonment, and thus presumed him dead many years ago. When Lucie, his daughter & only living shred of a family, discovers that he is alive at an innkeeper's lodgings in Paris, she immediately attempts to rescue him from his current horrible state she then finds him in.

Fast forward a little bit through the story, and the phrase "Recalled to life" fits yet again into a young man's life, a friend of the Manette's, whose name is Charles Darnay and has to endure his own hardship. The phrase is not applied to his situation, but works just the same. His fate includes being sent to the Guillotine, the main execution process used during the French Revolution. As trial after trial unfurls, what will be left of these men when it is all said and done?

This story begins in "the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five"--a few years prior to the beginning of the French Revolution. As the story progresses, the precautions and conflicts of the French citizens lead up to the full revolution, including the final storming of the Bastille and afterwards.

My personal thoughts:
I'd been wanting to read "A Tale of Two Cities" for a while, and I'm so glad that I did. The story had its peaks, which interested me greatly as I read each chapter. In reading this book, I realized what a sense of humor Charles Dickens truly has, as illustrated in a few favorite passages I immensely enjoyed. Occasionally, slow-going parts of the story paused my reading for a little while, but I pushed through, and in the end, it was truly worth it. A character worth mentioning is Sydney Carton--although his original position in the story had him as a rather minor person, it was only in the final chapters that he made his path clear. I didn't notice him much through the course of the story, but after reading the ending, he now ranks as my very favorite of the book. It was his actions, as selfless or as selfish as they were, in those last 4 chapters, which made the entire book a worthwhile task now satisfactorily accomplished.

My recommendation:
When the entire book has been finished, it is great, but to get there, it includes very hard reading. Everyone could enjoy it . . . but no matter what age, you'll probably want to grab a dictionary while you're at it.

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." -----the very first sentence of the book

Sharing Our Bookshelves {April 2011}

Welcome to the monthly round of "Sharing Our Bookshelves." The purpose of this blogging event is to discover what currently resides on other people's "bookshelves"... for example, feel free to tell about what great books you've been reading lately (book reviews, if you want), or the progress you've been making in your writing, or whatever else is book-related for you. Feel free to link up any of your recent blog posts all through the month, and you can also "browse" around and see what everyone else has linked up too.

So, what have you been reading?
Lately I've been enjoying "A Tale of Two Cities". It is absolutely wonderful. Dickens makes me laugh sometimes. Although his writing is quite serious, abrupt & silly scenarios appear once in a while, which just make me laugh inside. Take, for example, the following snippet from Chapter 7:

"His morning's chocolate could not so much as get into the throat of Monseigneur, without the aid of four strong men besides the Cook.
Yes. It took four men, all four ablaze with gorgeous decoration, and the Chief of them unable to exist with fewer than two gold watches in his pocket, emulative of the noble and chaste fashion set by Monseigneur, to conduct the happy chocolate to Monseigneur's lips. One lacquey carried the chocolate-pot into the sacred presence; a second, milled and frothed the chocolate with the little instrument he bore for that function; a third, presented the favoured napkin; a fourth (he of the two gold watches), poured the chocolate out. It was impossible for Monseigneur to dispense with one of these attendants on the chocolate and hold his high place under the admiring Heavens. Deep would have been the blot upon his escutcheon if his chocolate had been ignobly waited on by only three men;
he must have died of two."

.:. A Tale of Two Cities .:.

I'm still trying to figure out why that paragraph is in the book... but, no matter. It makes me laugh each time I re-read it. {Obviously, the previous sentence confesses that I have indeed read it multiple times.}

So then! I'm looking forward to seeing what you all link up in your posts on the list below. A link back to my blog (from your post) is always appreciated. Buttons are also available for the taking.



Click here to get the code for one of the buttons.


...{Final instructions are below}...
I cannot wait to see what is on your bookshelf!

Favorite Finds #18

I have a few links to share with you again this Friday. I hope you'll find something of interest below... I enjoyed reading all of these!

Elisabeth's "Favorite Finds #1" {Blogging Beth}
For my first link, Elisabeth did her own favorite finds post, which I was excited to hear about!! Make sure to take a look at her links too.

The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges - Free Audiobook Download
This was one of my favorite books to read in 2010... here's a chance for anyone interested to get a free audio download of it! (until the end of January)

Precious Stains {Raising Homemakers}
A wonderful post to read!

Charles Dickens {Whisperings of the Pen}
Just by seeing the title, you can tell that this one is obviously a delightful post...

“It’s tea time!” Giveaway #2 {Practical Simplicity}
My friend, Antoinette, is giving away some lovely items each week of January. Go see what she's giving away for week 2.

"huge giveaway!" {Life is Too Short Not to Wear Red Shoes}
Another friend, Polka Dot, is having a big giveaway with lots of necklaces, earrings, and many other cute items to win.

Book Review: A Dog Named Christmas

A Dog Named Christmas

written by Greg Kincaid

160 pages

 

This year, one of the Christmas books I've been reading is called "A Dog Named Christmas". It was a very good book, and I'd like to share a bit about the storyline with you.

The book shows you this story from the eyes of the war veteran father, George. He and his wife have 5 children, with only 1 child still "left in the nest"--and that would be Todd, their 20-year-old son, who has a mental disability. Todd always had his own unique way of doing things, and as his father, George, puts it, "For every deficit one might see in Todd, there is an ability you don't see."

Within the first chapter, I was quite interested. The story takes shape as Todd finds out about the local animal shelter's Adopt-a-Dog-for-Christmas program. Todd is quite excited about having a dog on the farm for the holiday, even if the dog must go back after Christmas. However, the father firmly says no--they can't take in a dog. He has his own reasons and memories for giving this answer. George is not sure if he would be ready for something like this, even if it would be a good experience for Todd.

As the chapters fly by, Todd, with his special personality, takes on a huge project and pretty soon the whole town of Crossing Trails begins to notice. What will happen this Christmas season that brings out the best in everyone?

My personal opinion: "A Dog Named Christmas" is the perfect December read, especially for dog lovers. It is a heartwarming tale, with several happy wagging tails filling up its pages. Recommended for adults, but teenagers/youth would certainly enjoy it as well.


What have you been reading this December?

Arthur Conan Doyle .:. Charles Dickens .:. e-book downloads

Ever since I introduced the website of World eBook Fair on my blog last week, I've been busy collecting more of these wonderful free e-books, and saving them on my computer. So, after I finished Louisa May Alcott's books that I posted about last week, I then dived into a couple more authors. First, there is Arthur Conan Doyle (author of Sherlock Holmes stories... I found a ton of his other writings that I didn't even know existed!) and also I collected e-books from Charles Dickens.

What I have listed below is by far not the complete files that they have available at World eBook Fair for these authors. If you're interested in seeing more from these partiuclar authors, or any other favorite authors, then you should check it out on their website.

* * I would also like to mention about these e-books that I am linking to, I have never read these partiuclar stories and so I do not know if I truly recommend them. However, I am acquainted with other works by these authors.

Also, please note that if you're viewing this entry through a blog reader, you will have to visit my blog page to see the lists of books I have. If you click on the plus signs [+] in the boxes below, you can view the links to e-books I've downloaded from both of these authors. Feel free to download the files yourself, because they will only be available for free until August 4th.

Arthur Conan Doyle E-books [−] The Leather Funnel The New Catacomb The Captain of the Pole-Star The Great Shadow Beyond the City The Guards Came Through The Case of Oscar Slater The Croxley Master Crime of the Congo The Green Flag The Gully of Bluemansdyke A Princess of Mars The Last Galley Impressions Rodney Stone Danger! The Vital Message The Lost World The Mystery of Sasassa Valley The Disintegration Machine The Firm of Girdlestone The Mystery of Cloomber The Poison Belt The Refugees Through the Magic Door The White Company The Brazilian Cat The Ring of Thoth The Land Of Mist Micah Clarke The Tragedy of the Korosko The Lost Special

Charles Dickens E-books [−] Bleak House Great Expectations A Child's Dream of a Star Our Mutual Friend Master Humphrey’s Clock The Pickwick Papers The Old Curiosity Shop A Child’s History of England Sketches by Boz Nicholas Nickleby Little Dorrit