Of College, East of Eden, and K-Dramas

photograph by me

Once upon a time, there was a girl who loved books and tried to blog about them but oh-so-failed at doing so most of the time. That girl is me and I am, at long last, popping back into this neglected corner of the blogosphere to give some semblance of an update. Life has been work and prepping for starting college in August (be quiet. yes, I know it is September— make that October— but it wasn't when I started writing this post), but in my free time I have been keeping a steady diet of books, film, and new TV show discoveries. So here is a mid-year roundup of the year's highlights.

Reading

What three books have been highlights so far? Well, first of all, I finally got around to reading The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. Earnest is a delightfully funny play involving mistaken identities, muffins, and black handbags. My first exposure to Wilde's play was back during the YouTube literary web series craze when I stumbled upon my personal favorite of those series, an adaption of the play called In Earnest. I recommend both the play and the web series. Next, would be All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, a beautifully written WWII novel with engaging characters. I was just kind of let down by the ending. But do not let that deter you from checking the book out if WWII fiction is your cup of tea. Lastly, and probably going to end up my favorite read of the year, is East of Eden by John Steinbeck. It is one of those books that sort of wallop you over the head and reminds you why stories are such powerful things and why storytelling is so important to you. I am slowly but surely piecing together my thoughts about that book in a semi-coherent manner for another blog post. East of Eden deserves its own post.

Listening

Sedona — Houndsmith. I could launch into an anecdote about all this song's references to John Ford films, the end of the Golden Era of Hollywood, and the Blacklist but I will refrain.
Keeping Your Head Up — Birdy
Saturn — Sleeping At Last
Murder on the Orient Express Soundtrack composed by Patrick Doyle
The Greatest Showman Soundtrack. This music has been playing nearly nonstop since I saw the movie. I love it so much.

Watching

I have been watching more TV shows than films lately it feels like. My siblings and I have all been binge watching Full House for the first time. This show is entertaining. Cute kids, family drama, and 90s nostalgia for the older siblings. But probably one of my new favorite types of television has been K-Dramas. Thanks to Annie Hawthorne on Twitter, I have been working through a list of recommendations. My first show was I Am Not A Robot a rom-com about a millionaire with an allergy to humans and a creative inventor who pretends to be a robot after an accident while the creator repairs the actual robot. I am now five (*cough* make that fourteen) episodes into my second K-Drama, School 2013. Oh my goodness. I am so invested in these characters. AND SOMEBODY PLEASE, PLEASE SEND ME TEACHER JUNG'S WARDROBE! Please.

But what about the films I have been watching? Excellent question. I saw Black Panther (2018) in theaters and it was outstanding, even if it did stand on its excellent characters alone and had some of the wackiest story structure I have ever seen in film. I saw the 2016 remake of The Magnificent Seven and actually enjoyed it. It worked because it wasn't trying to be a remake. It took the premise and became its own take, which works well because the original Magnificent Seven was a remake of a Japanese film Seven Samurai— which I still need to see.

Latest classic cinema watches have been The Snake Pit (1948) starring Olivia de Havilland, groundbreaking sci-fi classic Forbidden Planet (1956), and John Ford's final western film Cheyenne Autumn (1964).

What have you guys been reading? Seen any really good movies or TV shows recently? Anything I should put on my December school break to watch and read list? It's a thing.

An Interview with Terry O'Sean of War Of Loyalties

Purchase the paperback or Kindle on Amazon

Today I am pleased to host Schuyler McConkey as part of the blog tour/party for her WWI novel War of Loyalties! She is interviewing Terry O'Sean, one of the cast of characters in her novel, and we get to listen in! Unfamiliar with the synopsis or the author? Well here you go.

Synopsis: April, 1917. A ring of German spies threatens the coastal town of Folkestone, England. Newly-recruited agent Ben Dorroll must uncover which British citizens are traitors to their country. When his first attempt at espionage falls prey to a trap laid by German sympathizers, the security of the British Secret Service is threatened. Feeling lost in a strange country and aching for a steady place to call home, he wants to resign and go back to his American medical work. But when he learns that his family identity holds the key to capturing the spy ring, Ben has no choice but to unite with the mysterious Jaeryn Graham so that the truth can be discovered.

In the aftermath of the Irish Rebellion, Jaeryn Graham's British colleagues look warily on his Irish background. Always up for a challenge, he thinks his new mission in the Secret Service should be an opportunity to prove his prowess. But after encountering death and alienating two agents, he finds the road to victory isn't as easy as he thought. Unless he can win the loyalties of his newest assistant, Ben Dorroll, his secret ambitions and his perfect success record will be destroyed.

About the Author: Schuyler McConkey is a writing teacher, book reviewer, and ministry leader living half of her life in happy fellowship with her family and spending the other half in angst-filled fictional worlds. She is passionate about classic, Dickensian stories and characters who encounter deep struggles touched by grace. Irish music, British movies, and chai lattes provide the fuel for her dreams.


So without further ado:

The Interview of Terry O'Sean

1. What’s their favourite book/movie/play/etc.?
Terry: Well, um, I actually haven’t read a book since I decided I was going to be done with school. And I don’t go to the movies, and I don’t really have time for plays. Books are kind of dull.


2. Is there anything they regret doing?
Terry: I guess I regret leaving home as soon as I did. It’s not that I want to go back, but it would have been nice to appreciate it more while I was there, you know? It was a good home growing up.


3. If they were sick or wounded, who would take care of them and how?
Terry: Oh, don’t send me to the hospital, I hate the idea of going to a hospital.
Schuyler: But when you’re sick sometimes you need them to take care of you.
Terry: I’ll just find a buddy to patch me up and keep on going. I heal fast.


4. Is there an object they can’t bear to part with and why?
Terry: I have a knife. It’s a nice blade with Celtic engraving on the handle, and I bring it everywhere with me in case I need it. I tend to need it, with my job.


5. What are 5 ways to win their heart (or friendship)?
Terry: Sweet
Schuyler: Blonde hair
Terry: Blue eyes
Schuyler: Shy
Terry: Name of Pearlie Dorroll
Schuyler: We’ve got to come up with something better than that, Terry.
Terry: Something better than the truth?
Schuyler: OK. You win, Terry. You win.


6. Describe a typical outfit for them from top to bottom.
Schuyler: Worn, scuffed brown work boots. Brown pants, and a shirt rolled up to his elbows, no jacket. I don’t think he tends to wear socks unless he has to.


7. What’s their favorite type of weather?
Terry: Kind of cold weather, just on the edge of winter or just after the first snow. I like it when it’s cold out. Makes me feel alive.


8. What’s the worst fight they’ve ever been in?
Terry: Got mixed up with some street thugs when I was knocking around in Asia once and woke up with a sore head. I could take ‘em now, though. Maybe I’ll go back sometime and try to find ‘em.


9. What names or nicknames have they been called throughout their life?
Terry: Well, Terry is a nickname for Turlough. Terry just feels friendlier, you know? So I tell people to call me that. Beyond Terry it’s scamp, mostly.


10. What makes their heart feel alive?
Schuyler: I think most people who have met Terry know the answer to this question. Aside from the obvious—
Terry: Excuse me, I’m answering this question. And the obvious needs saying.
Schuyler: He feels alive with fresh air, hard work, and laughing with people he loves.
Terry: I don’t know what in the world you mean about all this fresh air. I never think about fresh air. I think about Acushla

11. Where were you born and where did you grow up?
Terry: I was born in Richmond, Virginia, and I grew up with my Mum and Dad and my sister, Erin, in a little white city house. We went to church on Sunday and worked hard during the week, and in the evenings we would play games or sing. I skipped school whenever I could, but I always got in trouble. I couldn’t wait to leave home and explore the world, so at seventeen I left, but I still love them.

(Questions 1-10 of this interview goes to Beautiful People March 2017 Edition: http://paperfury.com/beautiful-people/)

Did that make you even more excited to get to know these characters? I am more excited! *hugs book*

And for all my lovely giveaway loving friends you can find the Rafflecoptor giveaway below. She is hosting three prizes, so make sure you check out the details on those. The third prize is international!

Giveaway

First Prize Winner:
-Paperback copy of War of Loyalties
-“Jaeryn’s Vow” 8x10 poster
-Custom War of Loyalties mug

Second Prize Winner:
-Ebook of War of Loyalties
-Real vintage Folkestone postcard (this is a postcard that has actually been posted in 1917.)

Third Prize Winner: (open to international winners)
-Ebook of War of Loyalties

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9759b4114/?

US residents only for 1st and 2nd prizes. Accounts created solely for giveaways not eligible.

Bookstores I Visited In London (& Paris)

In September I went to England, y'all! It was probably the most surreal vacation I have ever taken. I kept turning to my sister and we'd both ask each other: "Are we really here?" I guess that happens when lifelong dreams come true.

We stayed in London and took two day trips, one to Oxford and a second one to Paris. But let's talk about the bookstores I visited.

photographs & collage by me

Daunt Books — https://www.dauntbooks.co.uk/
The first bookstore I visited was Daunt Books near Baker Street and the land where everything is named after Sherlock Holmes. The store specializes in travel books but also has a solid collection of other genres— especially Vintage Classics and a whole shelf of beautifully vintage looking Agatha Christie reprints. If money and suitcase space was no object, I would have had a field day. I resigned myself to just purchasing the Vintage Classics edition of Persuasion by Jane Austen. Though I was sorely tempted by that cover for The Great Gatsby. Be still my cover loving heart.

photographs & collage by me

Shakespeare and Company — https://shakespeareandcompany.com/
During my day trip to Paris, I visited this iconic bookstore that has been on my bucket list ever since I first learned about it in a picture book about Paris when I was little. It is just how you imagine a bookshop in Paris should be. Narrow passages and a winding staircase leading to an upstairs filled with more books. Sadly, photography isn't allowed inside. I did not actually buy a book here (shocking, I know, but I wanted to ensure I had enough money for food), so I bought a tote bag instead. Must say I do not regret buying that tote bag. Best purchase ever. (Side note: London is like California. Grocery stores expect you to bring your own grocery bag.)

photograph & collage by me

Blackwell's Bookshop, Oxford —  http://bookshop.blackwell.co.uk/bookshop/home
I ended my day trip to Oxford by visiting this massive bookstore and purchasing a Penguin Little Black Classics edition of Lady Susan by Jane Austen. Browsing through all those gloriously gorgeous British covers could very easily have become a new hobby for me. It was such a treat to be able to see them in person instead of browsing through them on Book Depository or Instagram.

photographs & collage by me

Charing Cross Road —
Like every sensible human being who has read 84, Charing Cross Road I made a pilgrimage to that beautiful street— and stumbled my way through London Fashion Week while doing so. While, horror of horrors, I was too pressed for time to find that famed address, I did get to visit two still open secondhand bookstores on the street: Any Amount of Books and Quinto & Francis Edwards Booksellers. I acquired a vintage edition of Georgette Hyer's The Grand Sophy at Any Amount of Books for only a pound! They were having a basement sale where everything was one pound.

Have any of you been to these bookstores or cities? What are some of the bookstores you have visited on your travels?

Bye Bye August, Hello September

photograph by me

Is it really September already? This year has been flying by, my friends, and Real Life has been keeping me on my toes. But hey, I am going to England later this month! *runs about the house freaking out because she still doesn’t quite believe it's true* Yes, I have an impending trip to England coming up this month, autumn is just around the proverbial corner, and I am slowly working on getting my reading life back into shape. So, let’s do a quick round-up of what I have been up to of late.

Reading

I just finished reading Around the World In 80 Days by Jules Verne. I adored the 1956 film starring David Niven. While the novel is very different from the fantastically whimiscal 1950s epic adventure of the film, I still loved it. It helped knowing they were different going into the book. I have picked up reading through my two volume collection of O. Henry’s short stories after a year’s hiatus and hope to tackle A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute, Saving Amelie by Cathy Gohlke, and All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr this month. We will see how that goes. I just started Saving Amelie and, so far, it is doing a fantastic job of pulling me into the story.

Writing

I finished reading through the first draft of my novel The Letters of Lee Ames with a friend the other week. I have a whole slew of notes of adjustments to make in draft two and just began rewriting the opening scene a couple of nights ago. So excited for this!

Listening

Amelie from Montmartre Soundtrack composed by Yann Tiersen
Born Again - Josh Garrels
The Crown: Season One Soundtrack composed by Rupert Gregson-Williams

Watching

August is TCM’s Summer Under the Stars, where each day is dedicated to showcasing a specific actor or actress’s films, and my DVR has been busy keeping up with all of my recordings. Highlights include:
The Cameraman (1928) a silent comedy starring Buster Keaton
Double Wedding (1938) a romantic comedy starring the team of William Powell and Myrna Loy
Terror on a Train (1953) British made suspense starring Glenn Ford. The British title for this movie, Time Bomb, is a little less melodramatic.

My latest television discovery would have to be the 1970s TV show Laverne & Shirley. It is hysterical.

So, what have you all been up to? Read any great books? Found a new favorite song? Watched any really good films or discovered a new favorite TV show?

The Great Book Sale Haul

photograph by me

"Book buying ban? What book buying ban?" Those were my infamous last words as I walked away from not just one but two book sales this month. So what tempted me away from my oh so determined book ban? Well, since you asked (and I conducted a poll on Twitter) here are my latest findings.

Chimneysmoke by Christopher Morley
This small book of poetry captured my interest because of its author. I read and adored Morley's Parnassus On Wheels and followed it up with its sequel The Haunted Bookshop.

Every Frenchman Has One by Olivia de Havilland
I almost bought the reprint edition of this book earlier this year and was delighted to find a vintage edition for only two dollars. The classic film lover in me is excited to read Ms. de Havilland's account of moving to France in the 1950s.

Bleak House by Charles Dickens
Yes, I already own a copy of this Dickens classic but this one is a beautiful vintage edition by Oxford University Press with original illustrations.

The Caine Mutiny by Herman Wouk
I have never seen the film they made out of this novel that Humphrey Bogart won his Best Actor Oscar for or read anything by Wouk, but I have an interest in seeing both the film and exploring Wouk's writings. His name keeps cropping up in WORLD magazine articles. Which would you recommend first, the book or film?

Tales From Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb
I first heard of Charles Lamb when I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and then this particular title kept popping up here and there. And the cover on this one is particularly pleasing. So I bought it.

The Tiger of Mysore by G. A. Henty
Is there any homeschooler from the conservative Christian community of the 2000s who did not voraciously read Henty when they were young? If not, I am sincerely sorry. You missed out on a slew of wonderfully fun adventure stories, but there is still time to remedy it. And if any of you also greatly enjoyed reading Henty as a youth, let me direct you to this post which contains a particularly brilliant summary of every Henty story ever written.

Downton Abbey Rules For Household Staff
This little book I picked up goes over the different roles that the staff had in a Downton Abbey era household. As a history buff, historical fiction writer, and someone who enjoyed the show this was half for fun and half for research.

The Brandons by Angela Thirkell
Book seven(?) of the Angela Thirkell Barsetshire series. I first heard about this series from Elisabeth Grace Foley and have been keeping an eye out for the series ever since. I previously located a copy of Wild Strawberries (book 2). Now, I just need to find the first book High Rising.

A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute
I am excited to read my first of Shute's novels set in Australia. I loved Pied Piper and Pastoral, so I have my fingers crossed for this one as well.

Gather Ye Rosebuds and This Same Flower by Jeannette Covert Nolan
I know nothing about these two books except that, according to their dusk jackets, they take place in the American mid-west during the early 1900s. I found them in an out of the way corner of the book sale which turned out to be a gathering place for a bunch of Nolan's books.

Hobnailed Boots by Jeannette Covert Nolan
A Revolutionary war story. The title on this one sounds familiar and I half believe that maybe years ago we read it in a family read aloud, but I honestly do not know for sure. I may be mistaking it for another book with boots in the title.

O. Henry: The Story of William Sydney Porter by Jeannette Covert Nolan
A fictional biography of O. Henry. This type of book is how I am most familiar with Nolan's work. Also, I found old newspaper clippings inside and the inside of the cover is brilliant. (See top left corner of photograph.)

Miss Pinkerton by Mary Roberts Rinehart
I have never actually read anything by Rinehart but I have been intending to remedy that. The subtitle on this sold me— "Adventures of a Nurse Detective". A mystery + a nurse = a book I will most likely love. My childhood dream was to be like Florence Nightingale. Let's just say I had a romanticized notion of what the nursing profession was like. I probably would have horrified Miss Nightingale. Not to mention, blood and I do not have a good history. But I digress ...

Introducing Charles Dickens by May Lamberton Becker
A biography of Dickens that I read and enjoyed in school years ago, I was delighted to stumble across a copy to add to my own library.

The Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War In 1914 by Christopher Clark
I feel like the title is fairly self explanatory on this one. It is yet another nice thick non-fiction book on a time of history that fascinates me.

Have you been to any good book sales recently? Have you read any of these books? 

Q&A Answers

photograph by me

It took a bit longer than two weeks to get together (surprise, surprise), but here are my answers to your questions!

How many of Jane Austen's novels have you read, and do you have a favorite? I have only read two— Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey. Of the two, Northanger Abbey is my favorite. I hope to read Persuasion this year and want to reread Pride and Prejudice.

Who are your fictional crushes/ships? Is it unusual to have never really had a fictional crush? I don't know. I have admired characters, but I am not sure I would consider them crushes. Though, I could probably develop a crush on Liam Marshall from Kirsty Cambron's A Sparrow In Terezin.  He is such a good kind hearted and courageous fellow. Now, when it comes to fictional ships it is an entirely different story. Sir Percy and Marguerite Blakeney from The Scarlet Pimpernel. Captain Scott and Mrs. Wyatt from Flame Over India (1959). Peter and Elle from White Collar. Tommy and Tuppence. Daniel and Thacia from The Bronze Bow. Bella Wilfer and John Rokesmith from Our Mutual Friend. Sybil and Branson. Is that enough?

What is a genre you haven't read, but you want to try? Or, a genre you didn't think you'd like but were surprised by? I really want to try out science fiction. It is a genre I have only experienced in film or television and really want to explore further. I even have a list of science fiction books to acquire when my book buying ban is lifted. This next one is not necessarily a genre, but I really want to get into more poetry and learn more about poetry.

Best contemporary recommendations? If I am honest I have never read a contemporary novel that I have enjoyed enough to recommend. Of course, I have only read a handful of contemporary set novels. I have read vintage novels that would have been contemporary when they first released. *ahem* But those don't really count anymore.

Nonfiction favorites? Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand is probably by far the best biography I have ever read. Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon is one of the best books on creativity I have ever read. Otherwise, City Notebook by McCandlish Phillips is a fascinating peak into New York City during the 60s and 70s.

What are your favorite historical periods/settings? Which are your favorites to write about? At this point in my life, I greatly enjoy reading and learning more about the early 1900s through the 1960s. The same goes for writing. Except, I do love writing westerns that take place during the nineteenth century. As for settings, I have noticed I have a penchant for setting stories in either New York City or London. *ahem* I have a feeling that is not going to end anytime soon. I love writing stories during the World Wars and the times in between and afterwards. There are so many good stories to tell.

How do you write—pen and paper, computer, etc? I mainly do my writing on my laptop. I have always found it easier to keep things on my computer and it saved timed instead of having to type up everything. I will do smaller projects (i.e. blog posts, short stories, character interviews, brainstorming) with pen and paper. I have great admiration for people who do their writing entirely with paper and pen.

What's your favorite period drama miniseries? Favorite TV show? This is hard. I might do a few divided up into categories. If you have learned anything about me, it is that I have difficulty choosing just one favorite or one runner up. For miniseries, two of my favorites are Cranford, an adaption of several of Elizabeth Gaskell’s stories set in an English village during the 1840s, and a more recent watch The Bletchley Circle is a mystery show set in the early 1950s involving women who had been codebreakers during WWII coming together to solve a crime. (Will warn you though, Bletchley Circle is not light fare. The crimes are dark, so I would recommend with discretion for an older audience.) Now TV shows is going to be even lengthier. Two of my favorite classic TV shows would be The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Rifleman. My favorite crime/mystery shows would be White Collar and Foyle’s War. Favorite period set television shows would be Call the Midwife and Lark Rise to Candleford. And yes, maybe even Downton Abbey. Downton and I have a complicated relationship. I really love specific seasons and really, really hate others. I have only ever seen seasons one, two, and six in completion and the rest in bits and pieces. Other shows I am getting into of late are The Rockford Files and Wagon Train.

Do you have any hobbies? I am trying to decide if reading is a hobby or a lifestyle. If my computer would cooperate, I would love to get into film editing. I guess you could say my hobby is classic films. I love watching old classic films from what is considered the Golden Age of Hollywood and analyzing their stories, cinematography, design, and other aspects. As I describe myself on some of my social media bios, I am a film junkie.

You mentioned travel, so...how many places have you visited, and what was your favorite? Any special place you have still to visit? I have done a lot of traveling, but only in the States. Some of my favorite traveling memories have been driving out to California. I love visiting the National Parks and watching the scenery as you drive through the western states. One of my favorite cities to visit is Boston. I love the history in that city and Brattle Book Store. My most recent trip was to New York City. I love that city. There are so many good restaurants that cater to those who are gluten-free or have other allergens. Bookstores. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The coffee shops. The architecture. Europe is the headliner on my bucket list of traveling dreams. I want to travel all over England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, and basically the entire continent. If I am honest though, I really would not object to traveling the entire world.

What are your favorite coffee shops? I feel like this ties in beautifully with the previous question. There is nothing I like more than discovering favorite coffee shops in the cities I visit. Sadly, the list is not so very long. I only started drinking coffee in the summer of 2015 *gasp* and I have not traveled as much since. Here are three of my favorites:
   Intelligentsia Coffee Roasters — Chicago, Illinois
   Bluestone Lane — New York City, New York (Their flat white is so good!)
   La Colombe — New York City, New York. (The draft latte is like nothing else. I have cravings for it and cannot wait until I visit a city that has a La Colombe. Their latte is amazing too.)

2016 In Review: The Books

photograph by me

2017. A new year, a new me. And insert all those cliched sayings that capture how most of us feel at the start of a new year. I have many goals I would like to fulfill in 2017, but first I want to recap 2016.

Reading

Reading wise, 2016 was a little of a disappointment for me. I did not reach my Goodreads reading goal in 2016 or surpass my previous reading record. I only made it to 25 books. However, I did discover new authors and was blown away yet again by old favorites.

If I had to make a list of top five reads it would probably be:

84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. This is a book every bibliophile needs to read. It is like The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society but actually a true story. Enough said. Go forth and read it. Goodreads review.

The Warden by Anthony Trollope. My introduction to Anthony Trollope and the first book in his Chronicles of Barsetshire series, the plot of the book failed to completely engross me but I have fallen in love with his authorial voice and satire. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series Barchester Towers. Goodreads review.

Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney. Unflinching and vivid are two words that describe this translation of the famous Anglo-Saxon epic poem. You can read further gushing here.

Resist by Emily Ann Putzke. High expectations were fulfilled when I read this piece of historical fiction based on a true story. Hans and Sophie Scholl and the rest of the White Rose came to vivid life. I have a more complete review here.

Sundown Slim by Henry Herbert Knibbs. There was something different about this story in comparison to other westerns I have read (admittedly, I have not read many). The relatively soft-spoken hero thrust into a cattle rancher vs. sheep herder conflict made for a memorable read.

Okay, scratch five, we are going to make it a tied for sixth with an honorable mention.

Pendragon’s Heir by Suzannah Rowntree. An epic, time traveling retelling of the legend of King Arthur and Camelot, this full length novel by Rowntree built upon all the things I love about her fairytale novellas. I cannot wait for her Crusader epic Outremer. Yes, I realize I probably have a long wait.

Storming by K.M. Weiland. This book was pure fun. I fell in love with the characters, and while I will admit it has its faults, it has become one of the few books I actually fangirl over with family members who have read it.

And honorable mention actually goes to Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee. The notorious prequel/sequel to To Kill A Mockingbird, this was a different read for me because of its controversy. I read TKaM during a summer vacation to California in 2014 and it was my favorite read of that year. To Kill a Mockingbird is a well deserved classic and I loved it to proverbial bits. While, Go Set A Watchman does not quite match up to its predecessor in quality and suffers from a little bit of choppiness, it still has its author’s distinct voice (and also remember, it is the untouched first draft). Nonetheless, I thought Go Set a Watchman provided food for thought and let Scout grow up. I am glad I read it and as I write this, I become more and more convinced I need to reread both books.

And three more honorable mentions because I cannot write a post about the books I read in 2016 without them: The Bells of Paradise by Suzannah Rowntree, The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron, and The Legend of Sam Miracle (Book 1 in the Outlaws of Time series) by N.D. Wilson.

Okay, I am going to end this now.

P.S. Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon.

Alright, I am actually finished this time. This post was originally going to include a list of my top favorite films watched in 2016, but because of how lengthy both sections became I divided it into two posts. So be on the lookout for that film post sometime next week.

Now, what were your favorite reads last year?

10 Childhood Favorites: Historical Fiction

photograph by me

 It is no secret that historical fiction is my favorite genre. I devour it in pretty much any form I can get it— historically set films and television included. This deep love of historical fiction and history was sparked by my mother. Some of my favorite childhood memories are of her reading aloud to my siblings and I as we sat outside the library building waiting for book sales to open. Historical fiction was our main reading diet and the books she read to me and I read at that early age are responsible for what I write today. Many of these books are considered classics of their genre, but sadly are becoming increasingly lesser known as times passes. So, today I want to scratch the surface and tell you about ten of my childhood favorite works of historical fiction. (And just you wait, this time I plan on sticking to the afore set number.)

The Chosen Ten (In No Particular Order, Except Maybe Timeline)

The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
No list of my favorite historical fiction would be complete without mentioning this book. This novel, the characters, and their stories are extremely near and dear to my heart. Set in Israel during the times of Jesus, this is a poignant story of revenge, grace, and forgiveness.

The Church History Series by Emma Leslie
This one entered my life as I entered my early teen years, so maybe it does not quite fit into the childhood category, but this series has firmly found a place in my list of favorites. The books follow the early days of the Christian church in Rome through the days of the Reformation. Yes, the more you read of the series the more you notice its cliches and tropes, but it shines light on sometimes forgotten but nonetheless important times in Christian church history.

The Black Fox of Lorne by Marguerite De Angeli
I do not actually remember the plot of this one in detail, just specific scenes with such great distinctness that they have never left my memory. It takes place in Scotland/England (I cannot remember which specifically) and follows Viking born twin brothers who somehow become separated. I would recommend pretty much anything by De Angeli. Another favorite is The Door In the Wall.

In Freedom's Cause by G. A. Henty
I do not believe any other book has quite influenced my childhood like this Scottish saga of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. This book instigated a fascination with Scotland and their fight for freedom against England that carried well into my early teens. I highly recommend it!

How Sleep the Brave by J.H. Hunter
Think the Scarlet Pimpernel meets the Scottish Covenanters and you will have a fairly accurate idea of what this book is like. It is pure Scottish adventure and fun!

Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
This story of Boston during the early days of the American Revolution was another favorite. I remember listening to an audiobook of this almost on loop. It was another one that truly captured my imagination.

The Little Maid Series by Alice Turner Curtis
What the American Girl books were to other girls my age is what this series was to me. Young girls being a part of history during the American Revolution and generally accidentally being in the thick of things. I do not care if some of the scenarios are highly implausible. It did not matter to my imagination. All in all, this series is just pure fun.

In the Reign of Terror by G. A. Henty
Another of my all time favorite Henty stories, Harry Sandwith finds himself the champion and protector of the aristocrat family that had taken him in during the French Revolution.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
I remember my mother reading this aloud to us and I reread it a few years back. Set in the South during the 1930s, it vividly portrays the racial divide that has haunted America through the eyes of young Cassie Logan and her family.

Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan
A group of Norwegian children find courage and bravery as they resist the Nazis by helping transport their nation's treasury out of the country. I highly recommend!

_____

 I feel as if I have left so many other favorites off this list. *deep sigh* Oh well, I hope to make something of a series out of posts similar to this: 10 Favorite something-or-other. What do you think?

Have you read any of these? What are some of your favorite historical fiction books that you read as a child?

My 2016 Autumn To Be Read Stack

photograph by me

 I will be the first to admit my reading habits have been anything but consistent this year. So, I am hoping to work on remedying that this autumn.

The Stack

The Book That Changed Your World by Vishal Mangalwadi
I first spotted this book on Goodreads when Suzannah was reading it. I remember thinking that it sounded fascinating, so imagine my excitement when a couple weeks ago my former writing class teacher gave me a chance to read it. So thrilled to dig into it!

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
This book first crossed my radar when Lila, the third book in this trilogy, was a runner up in WORLD magazine's fiction books of the year a while back. I am very much looking forward to it, especially after hearing how much Joy and Schuyler enjoyed it.

Beowulf by Seamus Heaney
And so my journey into broadening my exposure to the great classics of literature begins...

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
A friend told me to read this and I hope to follow it up with George Orwell's Animal Farm.

Plenilune by Jennifer Freitag
This book. I CANNOT WAIT! Enough said.

Behold the Dawn by K.M. Weiland
I am on mission read all of K.M. Weiland's books after devouring Storming earlier this year. I have read the first chapter already and I am excited!

Persuasion by Jane Austen
I have never read this or seen any of the adaptations, so I am going into this one practically spoiler free. Austen has a dear place in my heart. Do not underestimate the depth of her writing. Also, I have heard this novel is particularly suited to the autumn season.

What books are on your autumn reading stack?

The Return

photograph by me

It's been six months, my friends. Six whole months. How did this happen? Basically, my spring was busy with transitions at work and really hard writing struggles (that I'm still overcoming) and then it became easier just not to blog. I wanted to but with all my writing trouble, I felt guilty blogging if I wasn't really getting anything accomplished with my writing. I was afraid of feeling like a fraud.

But enough of fear. If anything, this year has been about challenging myself to forge beyond fear and know that with God's grace I can just give it my best shot and trust Him for the results.

So let's talk shop. I'm currently about to set forth on an adventure: reading all (well, most) of the books I own before buying more. How will I do this? By not setting foot inside a bookstore and avoiding Amazon like the plague (or a cliche). My personal book collection has exploded in the past year and is now overflowing into stacks throughout my room. This is what regular income does to bibliophiles. (To be honest, though, I do have a list of exceptions in case I do run across books I can't pass up or an indie author releases a new title. #SupportIndieAuthors)

I am hoping this adventure will help give me fuel for future posts and reviews. I want to get myself back into the habit of posting here weekly again. I have plans for this small corner of the blogosphere. Some of these exciting plans include a fresh look and a new name.

Now talk to me, my fellow bibliophiles! What have you been reading? Have you discovered any new favorite bookish treasures? What projects are you working on? Talk my ear off, people, because it has been far too long.

Top Thirteen Reads of 2015

 2015 has been an interesting year. This blog sprung into a full fledged life and for long time I actually consistently kept putting out posts every week. And I loved it and I'm determined to get back into the swing of things. I shall not desert this small piece of the blogosphere. In short, I got a job in late September and I've been crazy busy ever since. My reading has suffered, my blogging has suffered, and my writing has suffered. Actually, I've being slogging through a wretched case of writer's depression (think writer's block multiplied by ten but worse).

Anyhow, I'm straying from the intention of this post. 2015 has been quite the year for books. I read numerous books that I felt were mediocre and an equal amount that took my breath away with how well written and stunning they were. Here are my top thirteen reads of 2015 in no particular order.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
  What can I say about this beautiful book? I loved it as dearly as I loved the film adaption. Sadly, I can only recommend it with the warning that it does contain a large amount of bad language that keeps me from letting my younger sister read it for now.

Pied Piper by Nevil Shute
  This is another one where I just sit here and scratch my head wondering how on earth I can possibly describe it? I first learned about it while going through a list of the author’s works on Wikipedia and after reading the synopsis, I knew I had to read it. Fortunately for you, I actually managed to pull myself together and write a coherent review here.

The Prince of Fishes by Suzannah Rowntree
  I had the opportunity to review this book on its release and fell in love with Miss Rowntree’s writing. Solid historical fiction with a fantasy/clockpunk twist, this one has me excited for the future of Christian fiction. And gave me a desire to acquaint myself more with the Byzantium empire. My review.

Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens
 Dickens, you brilliant, brilliant writer. I love your quirky characters, your complicated and intricate plots, and this your last completed novel.

A Duty to the Dead by Charles Todd
  WWI, sinking ships, and promises to dying men catapult nurse Bess Crawford into a world of mystery involving the family of one of her deceased patients. A splendid piece of historical mystery, though not for those who might be disturbed at verbal references and descriptions of a violent death.

Greenmantle by John Buchan
  The second book in Buchan’s Richard Hannay series, I loved it even more than I enjoyed the first book The 39 Steps. There’s a flavor and sense of honor to these that is unusual in others of the genre. It makes them stand out.

The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff
  I read this lovely piece of historical fiction in a read along with this dear lass. Sutcliff knew how to transport her readers back in time. You could feel the crisp wind blowing across your face as you journeyed through Roman occupied Britain with her characters.

Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie
  The most tightly written mystery I’ve ever read. The list of suspects is only four and all of them were playing cards together when the murder occurred. Which one of them committed the crime? And how did the innocent three not see it happen? Highly recommended. My favorite of Christie’s Poirot novels.

Leave It to Psmith by P.G. Wodehouse
  Wodehousian comedy as only he could write. Psmith is mistaken for a Canadian poet and taken to Blandings Castle where chaos ensues with imposters, burglars, and ever efficient secretaries.

Wanderlust Creek and Other Stories by Elisabeth Grace Foley
  It is no secret that I devour everything that Elisabeth writes. I’ve followed her blog for ages and have read everything she’s published. Released in March, I bought it and read as soon as it was released. I wrote a review here.

Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon
  I had heard much praise for this book and bought it when I placed my great Amazon order when Wanderlust Creek released. This brilliant piece of creative advice is a must read. I highly recommend it to you all.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
  On a fateful March day I borrowed The Fellowship of the Ring from a friend on impulse. And am I glad I did. Tolkien's epic style of storytelling in this battle of good vs. evil, his meticulous world building, and the craftsmanship with which he wrote this trilogy won me over.

Flight From the Reich: Refugee Jews, 1933 - 1946 by Deborah Dwork and Robert Jan Van Pelt

  The Jewish refugees of WWII and formation of the modern state of Israel has become an interest of mine ever since I read Bodie and Brock Thoene's Zion Covenant series in 2014. This book is a fantastic starting point for anyone even slightly interested in the topic.

 What are some of your favorite reads from 2015?

"Resist" Cover Reveal

 My dear, dear friends I'm sooo excited to be participating in Emily Ann Putzke's grand cover reveal for her upcoming release Resist! I've been eagerly tuning in to her blog and reading about her progress on this story ever since I found her blog. And from the snippets she has shared I'm convinced it is going to be a good one.

 But, without further ado, the cover!

Synopsis:

Munich, Germany 1942—Hans Scholl never intended to get his younger sister involved in an underground resistance. When Sophie Scholl finds out, she insists on joining Hans and his close friends in writing and distributing anti-Nazi leaflets entitled, The White Rose. The young university students call out to the German people, begging them to not allow their consciences to become dormant, but to resist their tyrannical leader and corrupt government. Hans knows the consequences for their actions—execution for committing high treason—but firm in his convictions, he’s prepared to lose his life for a righteous cause. Based on a true story, Hans, Sophie and all the members of The White Rose resistance group will forever inspire and challenge us to do what is right in the midst of overwhelming evil.

Available in paperback and ebook on February 22nd, 2016

Pre-order the ebook on Amazon

Add to Goodreads

About The Author:

Emily Ann Putzke is a young novelist, historical reenactor, and history lover. You can learn more about Emily and her books at www.authoremilyannputzke.com and www.facebook.com/authoremilyannputzke

 Go add the book to your Goodreads shelves! Mark your calendars for February 22nd, 2016! And don't forget to spread the word!

Black Friday Christian Authors Book Sale!

 Allow me to interrupt your Black Friday shopping for a moment to tell you about the Indie Christian Books Black Friday sale that is going on from November 27th (today!) through November 30th. Over sixty books are on sale! There are free shipping deals on some, $0.99 eBooks, and even freebies for those who have already spent all of their money on Christmas gifts.  I've even spotted a number of my favorite indie Christian author's books and novellas on sale: including Suzannah Rowntree, Emily Ann Putzke, and J. Grace Pennington.

 Sifting through so many books too overwhelming? The creative team at Indie Christian Books has put together a quiz designed to generate a customized book list to help narrow it down for you. You can find the Book Finder here.

A note on the Ebooks Only page. All books are listed as “Sold Out.” This only refers to paperback copies of these titles. Please click onto the product pages to find descriptions and links to discounted or free ebooks.

Acknowledgements: Thanks to Leah E. Good for her work organizing this sale, Gloria Repp for completing the time consuming job of uploading book info to the sale website, and Hannah Mills for her fantastic design work on the website graphics. Hannah can be contacted at hmills(at)omorecollege(dot)edu for more information about her design services.

The End of Summer

photograph by me

 The leaves are tinged crimson and gold. The evenings are becoming crisp and autumnal. Everywhere the wind is whispering of apple cider, scarves, cinnamon & nutmeg, and football. This is the first week of autumn. I’m a bit reluctant to say goodbye to summer. But, hey— God created four seasons for a reason and Vivaldi didn’t do so shabby as a result.

 Before I admit how many books I managed to read this summer, I’d like to quickly explain why I fell off the face of blogosphere last week. Last Monday (the 14th) after I finished working, I came down with a bug and spent the next couple days in unpleasant misery until I settled into a cold. I still have the cold but I am definitely much more clear in my thoughts.

 Now, my fellow bibliophiles, to business.

 I started out my summer of with a list of thirty-one books/series I wanted to read. Needless to say, I didn’t stick to that list. One look at my Goodreads shelves would prove that. I ended up reading twenty-five books. Roughly, about eleven of them were actually on my list when I put it together in May.

 Instead of listing off the titles of all the books I read, I would like to focus in and mention several of the ones that really jumped out at me.

 Pied Piper by Nevil Shute. I love this book. Dearly. The characters, the setting, and the story are incredible. I wrote a review here.

 Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens. Oh, Dickens how I love you! I snagged an audiobook of this off Audible for my free trial and it was a masterpiece. Narrated by David Timson, this story came alive and I quickly found myself deeply invested in the characters and the story. It was a fantastic reminder as to why I love Dickens so much and I highly recommend it. By the way, his commentary on London society is brilliant.

 Cards On the Table by Agatha Christie. My favorite Hercule Poirot mystery to date, this one is very much worth reading. I would elaborate more but I'm afraid of giving out spoilers. I should hate to spoil it for you.

 The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff. I read this in August during a read along with Annie Hawthorne of Curious Wren. An excellent piece of historical fiction, Sutcliff's rich writing and historical detail in this is matchless. Britain during the Roman Empire truly comes alive under her pen.

 The Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse. I set forth on a great hunt to find a copy of this book after Annie lauded its praises on Goodreads. It was hilarious, my dear fellow bibliophiles. Never has a cow creamer had so many intrigues and attempted robberies surrounding it.

 The Prince of Fishes by Suzannah Rowntree. I had the grand opportunity of reading this and writing a review of it for its release. People, buy it. It is gold. You can read my review here.

 Some Christmas Camouflage by Elisabeth Grace Foley. I picked up this gem while on a Kindle book shopping spree. It was utterly delightful and even topped O.Henry's famous Gift of the Magi in my personal rankings. And it's only 99 cents! You should definitely pick up a copy of this to read during the Christmas season.

What were your favorite reads of the summer?

The Mid-June Report

via Pinterest

 Life has been extremely busy of late. A friend's wedding, siblings' sports games, and work has been keeping me busy these past couple days, leaving me with very little energy and time for blogging. However, I am determined not to slack off if I can help it. So here's a small glimpse of what I've been up to in the world of literature, writing, music, and film.

Reading

 The last book I finished was Cards On the Table by Agatha Christie. It was brilliant and probably my favorite Hercule Poirot mystery of the ones I have read. Currently, I am in the midst of London Afresh by E.V. Lucas and The Fisherman's Lady by George MacDonald. London Afresh I picked up at a book sale last year and apparently it is a rarity. I had to add it into the Goodreads database so I could shelve it!

Writing

 I began the process of reading through and marking the obvious mistakes in my recently finished first draft of The Letters of Lee Ames this past weekend. My sister is going through it with me. It is her first time reading past the first chapter, making it amusing when I notice a plot/character name discrepancy and start scribbling a note on the side of the paper to change it. I am also printing the manuscript in portions as needed. I think our printer might die if I printed all 311 pages in one go.

Listening

Brother - NEEDTOBREATHE

The Book Thief Soundtrack composed by John Williams

The Dancing In Gold album by The Von Trapps

Back Beat Boogie by Harry James and his orchestra is still a favorite too.

I have been falling in love with a couple pieces from The Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns as well.
The score and vintage songs from The Help soundtrack.
I have eclectic tastes to say the least.

Watching

 Most recently, I watched By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953) starring Doris Day. It was the sequel to another Doris Day musical, On Moonlight Bay (1951). On Moonlight Bay is definitely my favorite of the two and it's a delight to watch Mary Wickes as the family's maid/cook. Did I mention that it takes place during the First World War?

What have you all been up to? Have you read any good books, discovered a new favorite song, or seen any good films lately?

The Summer of Reading

via Pinterest

 Last week I realized to my horror that I hadn't put together my summer reading list yet. So, I promptly went to work compiling such a list. By the time I finished thirty-five individual titles looked back at me. I have since narrowed it down a bit to only thirty-one and decided to share the list with you all.

Fiction:

The Calligrapher's Daughter by Eugenia Kim

Plenilune by Jennifer Freitag

The Magnificent Ambersons by Booth Tarkington

Sundown Slim by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Pied Piper by Nevil Shute (I actually finished this one a few days ago and plan on writing a review of it at some point in time. In short, I loved it.)

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

King Solomon’s Mines by H. Rider Haggard

Stella Dallas by Olive Higgins Prouty

N or M by Agatha Christie

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

The Garden Party and Other Stories by Katherine Mansfield

A Fair Barbarian by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Cyrano De Bergerac by Edmund Rostand

The Zion Chronicles Series by Bodie Thoene

Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town by Stephen Leacock

Non-Fiction:

Reckless Abandon by David Sitton

The Day of Battle by Rick Atkinson

London Afresh by E.V. Lucas

Spies of the First World War by James Morton

Norman Rockwell: My Adventures as an Illustrator by Norman Rockwell

Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss

Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung

Mission at Nuremberg by Tim Townsend

Land of the Burnt Thigh by Edith Eudora Kohl

Rereads:

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Random Harvest by James Hilton

 It is an ambitious list for someone who only managed twenty-five books last summer, and I probably will switch out quite of few of them for others as the summer goes by, but I will be quite happy and contented if I can top last summer's book count by even a little bit.

What are you reading/planning on reading this summer?

An Update

This is only going to be a short update because we are still in the midst of Camp NaNoWriMo and I am behind on my word count.

Camp NaNoWriMo

 It was a struggle to get back into the groove of things for The Letters of Lee Ames at the beginning of the month, but as I head into the final stretch of the story I am starting to gather a bit of steam. I just keep telling myself after I write a section that I feel is horribly written: "Don't worry, when you get to edits you can redo it." *deep breath* I just have to keep going.

Reading

 When it comes to reading, I have slowed down a bit on account of NaNo but have still managed a fair amount. I finished Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy and also managed to read Parnassus On Wheels by Christopher Morley this past weekend. Via the wonderful world of audiobooks I read Partners In Crime by Agatha Christie while cooking dinners. I like to multitask and audiobooks are wonderful for that. I only wish they weren't so expensive. I also managed a biography on Isaac Watts by Douglas Bond.

What have you been up to so far this month? Are you doing Camp NaNoWriMo? If so, how is it coming along for you? Oh, and have you been reading any really good books this month?

The Bookshelf Tag

 I learned about this delightful tag for book lovers when Elisabeth Grace Foley did it last week and knew I had to participate. Natalie at Raindrops On Roses and Whiskers On Kittens originally created the tag and there are no rules about having to tag people- whoever wishes to do it can.

Describe your bookshelf (or wherever it is you keep your books- it doesn't actually have to be a shelf!) and where you got it from: Well, some of my books are on five shelves of a six shelf bookshelf, my writing books are on the shelf on my desk, and the rest of them are stacked underneath my desk. I have five stacks underneath my desk. :) Both my bookshelf and my desk are from IKEA.

Do you have any special or different way of organizing your books? First, I have my nonfiction books on animals which transitions into books on plants. On the second shelf I have craft books, then art books, historical costume/fashion, travel/atlases, and the start of poetry. The third shelf houses the continuation of poetry, a book on synonyms, plays, non-fiction history books, and the beginning of my fiction books. The final two shelves also house fiction. As I said, my writing books are stored on my desk. Underneath my desk I have children's books, more travel, some Agatha Christies I did not have space for on my shelf, and more non-fiction. For simplicity I am going to focus more on the books on my actual bookshelf and the stack nearest it.

What's the thickest (most amount of pages) book on your shelf? The Complete Works of O.Henry Vol. II published by Doubleday in 1953 at 1,692 pages.

What's the thinnest (least amount of pages) book on your shelf? The Land Beyond the Setting Sun: The Story of Sacagewea by Trace Leininger Craven at 61 pages.

Is there a book you received as a birthday gift? I have received numerous books as gifts. Last year, I received The Mrs. Meade Mysteries Vol. I by Elisabeth Grace Foley and Revision and Self-Editing for Publication by James Scott Bell from my parents, while one of my sisters gave me Vienna Prelude and Prague Counterpoint by Bodie Thoene.

What's the smallest (height and width wise) book on your shelf? A book of poetry by Tennyson and Browning from 1925.

What's the biggest (height and width wise) book on your shelf? The largest book I own size-wise would have to be Birds of the World by Oliver L. Austin, Jr. It is massive.

Is there a book from a friend on your shelf? No, unless you count members of my family.

Most expensive book? I am guessing it might actually be the copy of Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and Sea that I picked up for $2 at a book sale. I found an identical copy of the book (a Book-of-the-Month edition with the marking W) on Amazon being sold for $150.00. I guess I know what book to sell if I need money.

The last book you read on your shelf? Wanderlust Creek and Other Stories by Elisabeth Grace Foley.

Of all the books on your shelf, which was the first you read? Moses by Leonard Everett Fisher.

Do you have more than one copy of a book? Yes. I have doubles of a Miss Marple mystery: 4:50 From Paddington (aka What Mrs. McGillicuddy Saw!). I bought a single copy of the book and then it was also in a five-novels-in-one book I bought because I did not have the other four. I also have three individual copies of O.Henry (Strictly Business, Rolling Stones, and Options) that I need to take to a bookstore to sell because I now own a two volume set of his complete works.

Do you have the complete series of any book series? Yes, the complete Kathleen McKenzie Series by Tracy Leininger Craven.

What's the newest addition to your shelf? The two newest additions are Christopher Morley's Parnassus On Wheels and Henry Herbert Knibb's Sundown Slim.

What book has been on your shelf FOREVER? I am not sure. Maybe, Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne.

What's the most recently published book on your shelf? Wanderlust Creek and Other Stories.

The oldest book on your shelf (as in, the actual copy is old)? Cranford by Elisabeth Gaskell. My edition is from 1892.

A book you won? What a cruel question. I have never won a book in my life. Someday though ....

A book you'd hate to let out of your sight (aka a book you never let someone borrow)? Probably some of my older more fragile books and my edition of To Kill A Mockingbird. I payed more than I usually would for that book and it is one of the pricier reprints with the original cover.

Most beat up book? Events of the Great War, Volume VI: A.D. 1918 compiled by Charles F. Horne. The spine is coming off.

Most pristine book? All my books by Elisabeth Grace Foley, Fly Away Home by Rachel Heffington, To Kill A Mockingbird, Plenilune by Jennifer Freitag, and pretty much every other more modern book that I have bought in the past year.

A book from your childhood? Beatrix Potter: The Complete Tales by Beatrix Potter.

A book that's not actually your book? All the books on my shelf are mine. On my desk though are a few books I am borrowing from my parents.

A book with a special/different cover (e.g. leather bound, soft fuzzy cover etc.)? The cover of Cranford is gorgeous, so are the pages inside. The cover it a whitish color with gold colored swirls and designs on it with green flowers.

A book that is your favorite color? I am not entirely sure. My book of Winslow Homer watercolors has one of his paintings on the cover that includes some of my favorite shades of blue.

Book that's been on your shelf the longest that you STILL haven't read? The Island Stallion's Fury by Walter Farley.

Any signed books? Nope.