The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

 The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe 

by C.S. Lewis

Reading The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe was a valuable addition to our homeschool year.  I am so glad we did, and I felt it was a valuable way to spend our time together.

Our family read this book together in the late summer and early fall.  The hot weather kept us inside, but we still enjoyed hot coffee, tea, and homemade cookies as we read.  In fact, delving into the world of Narnia provided a perfect escape from the hot sun raging outside.  We were cool and comfortable while enjoying our read aloud.

The characters in this book stick with us even though we've finished it.  My daughter now has a small stuffed lion she carries in her purse.  During church, I noticed the lion quietly comes out to be cuddled during the sermon.  If you've read the book, I'm sure you can guess his name. Likewise, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, Lucy, Susan, Edward, and Peter stay with us as characters in classic literature tend to do.  Their noble character, or sometimes learning of it, as well as their realistic personalities interact with our souls, becoming friends in only the way book characters are able.

What was my favorite part of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe?  I enjoyed the scene in which the Beavers provide a cozy meal for the children.  It takes place in the Beavers' very snug little home where the tools of their daily lives are displayed efficiently on the walls.  Also efficient, Mrs. Beaver herself readily leaves her task of sewing and prepares a meal of very fresh, delicious fish upon which C.S. Lewis waxes eloquent on the necessity of the fish being fresh.  Although he tells this with humor, I must agree whole heartedly that the fish must be fresh when you cook it...  But that is another story, for another day.

 Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, Lucy, Susan, Edward, and Peter stay with us as characters in classic literature tend to do.  Their noble character, or sometimes learning of it, as well as their realistic personalities interact with our souls, becoming friends in only the way book characters are able.

"And when each person had got his (or her) cup of tea, each person shoved back his (or her) stool so as to be able to lean against the wall and gave a long sigh of contentment.  Then Mr. Beaver takes his own cup of tea, lights his pipe, and says, "why, now we can get to business."

He and his wife are an excellent example of hospitality.  I am reminded of Jesus feeding his hungry disciples' breakfast on the beach before they began the business of sharing the gospel.  And so, satisfied with a meal and companionship in this strange land of Narnia, the children are ready to begin their own business at hand.

They believe their business is to locate Mr. Tumnus, the creature Lucy met in her first visit to Narnia, but Aslan has a much more important quest for the young people.  It will take a lifetime to complete, beginning with their brother Edmund's betrayal.  In fact, his betrayal sets in motion a series of actions to not only save the boy's life, but the life and health of the whole land of Narnia.  But not without sacrifice.  In the midst of this adventure, the children must grow in character and the rewards of that growth and their faithfulness to Aslan are immense.

Even if you have watched the movie, I would encourage you to read the book.  The imagery that points back to the life of Christ is remarkable.  We had lots of heart discussions about this book during our lunches.  Reading The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe was a valuable addition to our homeschool year.  I am so glad we did, and I felt it was a valuable way to spend our time together.

Here is a link to The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.  This is an affiliate link from which I will receive a small percentage if you choose to make a purchase.  Thank you for taking a peek!

The Angel's Command by Brian Jacques

 

First A Little Book Chat

I picked up this read at the library because the dust jacket caught my eye, in particular the author's biography blurb on the back cover.  It's well written and informative, but what sold me that day in library was  the interesting life Jacques led.  I was sure after reading his various employment positions combined with his previous story-telling success, according to the blurb, that this would be a high interest tale not to miss.

And I am not disappointed.  At this point, I am over half way finished with this young adult fiction novel, and I've found the stories he weaves through the lives of his two main characters, Ben and his trusty dog Ned, to be packed full of adventure.  In addition, the English major in me admires Jacques well written story line.  It flows.

At one point in the story, I condsidered putting the book down.  That's right, I almost stopped reading a great novel.  But, I didn't.  And I'm glad I didn't.  This is a young adult fiction novel and I was trying to read a cozy mystery along with it.  Reading the two books together just did not work.  So, I finished one at a time.  And I enjoyed both novels very much, but separately and at different times...  Has this ever happened to you?

And now  that I have completed The Angel's Command,  here's a summary:

I was delighted to note that each chapter is a well written adventure of its own. So this grand adventure begins with a teenage boy and his dog.  Only, the boy and his dog are much older than they appear.  An angel saved them from a ship fraught with trouble and evil, and as part of the curse on the ship's occupants, Ben and the the Labrador Ned must wander the earth, never growing old.  This unique situation provides the two with ample opportunity to intervene in the lives of others who, through the Angel's prophetic words, are in need of the pair in different ways.  

The beautiful ocean is the setting of the first part of the adventure.  Ben and Ned find themselves, eventually on board a buccaneer's ship with anything but smooth sailing.  Captain Thuron is  a good captain and says the boy and his best friend bring him luck. 

"The captain's stubby finger turned Ben's chin until their gazes met.  There was sea in the boy's clouded blue eyes - ancient deeps and far horizons lurked in them."

 Ben and Ned use their ability to communicate words without talking to bring about good things for the Captain and his ship.  Gold on board, as well as the captain's wish to begin living an honest life, brings danger into their buccaneer narrative.  Add in a crew of ghosts doomed to wander the earth from Ben and Ned's past and the adventure reaches its high point.

The second part of the of Angel's command begins as Ben and Ned begin a new adventure - this time on land.  This adventure takes them from the top of rocky mountain ledges to a cave nestled behind a waterfall in a valley where the goatherder who lives in the cave with her goats promises the friends, "I'll make you a special treat of mine.  Mountain bread and herbs with good goat cheese, 'tis my secret recipe, you'll like it." Jacques creates scenes throughout the novel like this of food, family, and fellowship.  It reminds me of C.S. Lewis' and Tolkien's writing styles.

Ben and Ned find themselves in the company of a courageous if outspoken young girl, Kayray and Dominic, a young painter who catches people's true character in the portraits he draws.  New adventure presents itself when the group meets Compte Bregon who has lost his nephew to the boy's villainous kin, a deplorable clan of people, the Razan, who dwell inside a mountain.

The battle for good and evil comes to a head when Ben must face the wicked leader of the Razan clan, Maguda.  Brian Jacques, the author of this tale, does not disappoint with the close of this novel.  In fact, it was my favorite part!  He brings the two separate stories told in Angel's Command together beautifully at the end of the novel. I didn't see the plot twist coming, so it was a lovely surprise. 

My Concern

This is book is not for very young children.  There are witches and ghosts, as you will encounter in fairy tales and adventure movies, so use your parental judgement as appropriate.

Here is a link to Angel's Command on Amazon.  This is an affiliate link, so if you use this link to make a purchase it will be a blessing to me at the Mysterious Bookshelf.

Tea Rose

Tea Rose is the second installment in the Tea Room Mystery series in which I find myself intrigued with the setting of this Maine lakeside series. The main characters  are widow ladies in their mid- fifties who began their own tea room business in a delightful Victorian home they purchase during their first mystery, Tea Room for Two, which I recommend here.

I was excited to find Tea Rose on our local library shelves, after reading Tea Room for Two and quickly added it to my stack.  However, I was concerned when I discovered later that these two books in the same series are written by different authors!  Could a different author pull off the same wonderful setting while developing an interesting story line?

A Little Concern...

Now I was curious to see if the book would be as good as the first mystery in the Tea Room Mystery series, as it had a different author.

A Possible Road Block?

I began the book but soon ran into another problem of my own making.  Since studying Charlotte Mason's philosophy of education, I tend to read three books or more each at a sitting.  One chapter at a time, and then take a break before reading the next chapter..  Unless it's a real page turner.  So a I began Tea Rose and a young adult fiction read, Angel's Command.  And I really had the worst time focusing on the two.  I believe I continued this routine for about a week.  I felt I was getting nowhere and began to dread reading two very interesting books.  I am not sure if it was mixing the two genres which didn't work or exactly what was wrong.  By the end of  this past week, to avoid quitting both books, as I was tempted to do, I allowed myself to focus on one book, Tea Rose.  And this weekend I found myself enjoying this gentle read much more.  When I reached the turning point of the book, I did not want to put it down.  I am so glad I made the decision to stop reading both books at once and focus on one at a time!

Tea Rose Summary

A beautiful three story Victorian home, complete with its own tower continues to be the setting in this series.  The lovely first floor parlors become the home for much of the mystery to unravel.  Main characters Jan and Elaine help their co-worker Rose look for answers to her confusing past that has ties to far away Germany.  Into the Victorian tea rooms come characters from the delightful small town they live in, including some friends and at least one mysterious stranger who catches the tea drinking detectives' attention as the plot thickens. In fact, small town life is further woven into the mystery when Rose's father, running for election as selectman , faces complications from his daughter's past possibly shedding a bad light on his campaign.  Suspicions grow when he and Rose find their home broken into and find themselves questioning the motives of people in their own community as well as summer visitors who flock to the lovely Maine lake.  Jan and Elaine, while baking sweets and serving tea, find themselves helping to sort out the many threads of this cozy mystery.

Final Thoughts

I enjoyed this read for the setting as much as the mystery.  I felt that I knew the characters well by the end of the story and I liked the overall coziness of the mystery in how the mystery details were handled - such as the break-in as well as the detailed descriptions of the lives of the characters.  It was my cup of tea!

Here is a link to Tea Rose on Amazon.  This is an affiliate link which will provide a small percentage for me, the author of The Mysterious Bookshelf.  Thank you for taking a peek!

 Books I Have Read In 2020

This year is quickly drawing to a close.  I am excited to say I have read more this year than I have in many years which is one reason I started this blog.  I love to read, and why not enjoy reading and discussing fiction and nonfiction on my very own blog?  To redirect this discussion back to the topic, however....

Here is a list of what I have read so far in 2020:

Pastured Poultry Profits by Joel Salatin

Five Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sydney

Stepping Heavenward by E. Prentiss

Mary Jones and Her Bible by Mary Emily Ropes

*Truth Stained Lies by Terri Blackstock - This book really got me interested in reading fiction after a rather long break.  It is ONE of the reasons I started my blog.

*Cape Refuge by Terri Blackstock

*River's Edge by Terri Blackstock

*Breaker's Reef by Terri Blackstock

*Southern Storm by Terri Blackstock

An Hour Unspent by Roseanna M. White

The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin

*The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sherlock Holmes

For the Children's Sake by Susan Macaulay 

*Private Justice by Terri Blackstock

*Distortion by Terri Blackstock

*Twisted Innocence by Terri Blackstock

*If I Were You by Lynn Austin

*A Village Murder by Frances Evesham

The Mummy Case by Elizabeth Peters

*Murder At the Cathedral by Frances Evesham

*Murder At the Bridge by Frances Evesham

*Murder At the Castle by Frances Evesham

Captured By Grace by David Jeremiah

Love Riot by Sarah Barratt

Awakening Wonder by Sally Clarkson

The Life Giving Home by Sally Clarkson

*The Life Giving Table by Sally Clarkson

*The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare

**Book Girl by Sarah Clarkson

*Screw Tape Letters by C.S. Lewis

Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry

Tea Room For Two by Susan Page Davis

Tea Rose by Erin Keeley Marshall

The Angel's Command by Brian Jacques

 

Books I have read in the Hardy Boys series by Franklin W. Dixon:

While The Clock Ticked  

The Twisted Claw 

The Haunted Fort  

The Secret of Skull Mountain  

The Clue of the Velvet Mask  

The Great Airport Mystery 

What Happened At Midnight 

Mystery of the Spiral Bridge 

 And the  Nancy Drew Series Books by Carolyn Keene I've read this year:

The Haunted Bridge 

Mystery at Ski Jump 

Mystery of the 99 Steps 

The Scarlett Slipper Mystery 

The Crooked Banister 

Looking back, I've read more books this year than I thought I would.  I've met lots of new characters and went on new adventures in many new lands.  With a cup of coffee in hand and my kids beside me with their own books or sharing a read aloud, it has been an amazing book filled year.  And the year is not over yet.  I'm looking forward to making the most of my reading time in November and December.

*These were my favorite books this year.

**This book is special because it recommends MORE delightful books to read.  I've already read some of her suggestions and they've  been great!

Thoughts on the Books I Have Read in 2020 

This article contains affiliate links which will provide a small percentage for me, as the writer of The Mysterious Bookshelf,  if you make a purchase from the link.  Thank you for taking a peek!

Do you like adventure?  Read a review of Angel's Command here.

Looking for a cozy mystery? Check out my review for  Tea Rose here and Tea Room for Two here.

Or maybe you prefer nonfiction?  Here's a review of Sally and Sara Clarkson's Life Giving Table.  Click here for the link.

Here is my review of C.S. Lewis's Classic The Magician's Nephew.