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.

The Life Giving Table by Sally Clarkson

The Life Giving Table: Nurturing Faith through Feasting, One Meal at a Time 

I'm reading this book for the second time.  I need to soak in Sally and Sarah's thoughts, descriptions, and the understanding they bring to well-loved, familiar scripture.  Reading their recountings of the Bible and life application has helped me to ponder and digest as well as make some fresh application to Jesus's time on earth as described in the gospels.  Not really a new revelation, but rather a deepening of how I might apply in my own life the details of Jesus's servanthood on earth.  

Contemplating Jesus's days on earth before his crucifixion through  Life Giving Table also made me take a realistic look at my own servanthood.  Am I serving Christ?  Am I serving my family?  Am I daily submitting myself, or is the ugly obstacle of pride standing in my way?  The Life Giving Table goes deep into these issues, not afraid to get below the surface issues covered in so many family life books that I've read in the Christian book world.

On the other hand, The Life Giving Table delves into the practical aspects of serving at the table.  My first reading provided lots of simple, doable options of bringing discipleship to my own table.  Practical - thank you, Sally.  This Mama needs practical. I've already put some of the ideas into practice.

Favorite Ideas From The Life Giving Table:

Celebrating Us - The Clarkson family takes a day in August to go for a family picnic, take family photos, and enjoy being together.  Their special day is tied to the Biblical concept of looking back at what God has done for them in the past year as referenced in the Old Testament.  My hat is off to this creative family for their fun application of Biblical concepts.  They have such a lovely way of living it!

Shepherd's Supper - What was it like for the shepherds during Bible time on the night of Jesus's arrival on this earth?  Sarah Clarkson, Sally's daughter, explains the family's traditions concerning their shepherd's supper which they hold on Christmas Eve.  This is arguably my most exciting takeaway from the book.  Sarah's ideas are a means to awaken wonder in the eyes of young and old alike on the night before the feasting and celebrating begins with a thoughtful look at the "immense things to celebrate in the first place."

Heart Felt Celebration - Sarah also discusses why celebrating Christmas is important.  And this resonated so much with my heart.  I've read so many opposing opinions, but Sarah simply, in her informative way, explained why celebrating the birth of Christ is not something to be pushed to the wayside because of  our fear of too much and excessive celebration.  Our festivities should not loose sight of the true meaning of Christ's nativity, according to Sarah, but neither should we exchange what should be a special season for "a total absence of sacred space or time".  

A Final Thought

I wish that I had heard of Sally Clarkson and her family when we started our homeschool journey.  The Lord uses Sally.  She builds, edifies, and equips me for my life journey through her writings and for that I am grateful!

Check Out Sally's Delightful Blog:

Sally Clarkson's Blog

Check Out Sally's Podcast Here:

Sally's Podcast

I highly recommend listening to Sally's encouraging words as much as possible.  I do!

Visit Sarah Clarkson's Blog:

Sarah Clarkson's Blog

Sarah is an excellent writer, but I must also recommend her blog and facebook page for her cozy pictures of books, Oxford, and tea.  Her artistic touch is a treasure not to be missed.

Sarah Clarkson on Facebook

Book Girl

Book Girl is full of great reading suggestions. In fact,  I gleaned several for my reading list from Sarah's book.

Here is a link to Book Girl on Amazon.  

This post contains affiliate links which will provide a small percentage for me the author of The Mysterious Bookshelf if you make a purchase.  Thank you for taking a peek!

A Family Read Aloud: The Magician's Nephew

Make your choice, adventurous Stranger;
Strike the bell and bide the danger,
Or wonder, till it drives you mad,
What would have followed if you had.
              The Magician's Nephew
              C.S. Lewis

I'm sitting down, coffee in had, in a quiet moment on this crisp day in October.  It's been anything but a peaceful day, but this moment to sip my hot drink and reflect on a classic is a moment I look forward to.  I bought The Chronicles of Narnia set of books when my children were babies and that's been a few years ago now.  I looked forward to reading these books aloud to my kids even then, though I've never read them myself.  Lewis's books promised to be a treat from the first movie version I watched years ago.  Now, I, along with the kids am enjoying getting my feet wet with the first book in the series.

My coffee is just the right temperature and I'm reminded how tasty a chocolate chip cookie would be to accompany afternoon coffee next week.  Maybe I will put chocolate chips on the grocery list...  But I digress...

My Thoughts on The Magician's Nephew

The setting of The Magician's Nephew helped to draw us into the story.  The attic rooms and the passageways that promise entrance from one house to another sparks imagination of all ages.  Meanwhile, the kids related easily to the main characters, Polly and Digory.  They seemed realistic in that I don't personally know any kid who wouldn't at least consider ringing the bell.  And I know lots of grown ups who would not be able to resist as well.  And Polly's practical voice of reason in that situation resonated with us for the same practical reason - having found ourselves in similar situations.

Biblical imagery throughout the novel gave us ample opportunity to discuss in what ways Narnia is like our own planet.  It was a great opportunity to reread and discuss the creation story told in Genesis.  Narnia's creation, while a little different than our own planet, echoes the beauty God poured into the seven days of creation.  It makes us think of what it must have been like for Digory and company to have been there as Aslan called life in Narnia into being.

“But please, please - won't you - can't you give me something that will cure Mother?'

Up till then he had been looking at the Lion's great feet and the huge claws on them; now, in his despair, he looked up at its face. What he saw surprised him as much as anything in his whole life. For the tawny face was bent down near his own and (wonder of wonders) great shining tears stood in the Lion's eyes. They were such big, bright tears compared with Digory's own that for a moment he felt as if the Lion must really be sorrier about his Mother than he was himself.

'My son, my son,' said Aslan. 'I know. Grief is great.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Magician's Nephew

Aslan, the lion, is the all powerful creator of Narnia and is a symbol of God in the Chronicles of Narnia series.  He is one to be revered and respected while inspiring the love of his creation at the same time.  The plot thickens as Aslan's creation is challenged by a witch who threatens to bring her own evil intentions into play.  Comparing and contrasting the evil of the witch, Jadis, with the good works of Aslan brought about many interesting lunch time discussions as we read through the book.

Other plot twists, such as the good and bad choices of the Son of Man, Digory, and the out- for- himself Uncle Andrew, served to make this first novel in the series a much loved favorite in our home.  C.S. Lewis wove a beautiful story that shouldn't be missed by anyone, of any age, in my opinion.  We are looking forward to diving into the next book in the series, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.  

Here is a link to the Magician's Nephew on Amazon.  This is an affiliate link which will provide a small percentage for me, the author of The Mysterious Bookshelf should you make a purchase.  Thank you for taking a peek!

Tearoom for Two by Susan Page Davis: A Gentle Reading Experience

Tearoom for Two

 

by

Susan Page Davis

What it is not:  a page turning, breathless, thriller that keeps you glued to your seat until the very last sentence.  Oh, but let me tell you what this quiet little jewel is:  a gentle walk on a sunny day when the leaves are just turning and the weather is pleasant for an adventure, followed by a timely return home to the fire.  That's exactly why I enjoyed Tearoom for Two.  I could read it when a short block of time presented itself and leave the story when needed.  Then, my return to the beautiful Maine setting was just as comfortable and cozy as if  I'd never left it.  In fact, I believe the beauty lies so not so much in the story line, but rather in the lovely details interwoven to create the cozy mystery that plays out in the main characters, Elaine and Jan's everyday experiences.

Jan and Elaine, both widowers, set out on an unexpected adventure when they purchase lovely Victorian home where they plan to go into business serving tea and sweets in the east and west parlors of the lakeside home.  A series of events set into motion by the purchase of a teapot, in keeping with the theme, immerses the already busy ladies into a full-blown mystery to be solved.  And of course, I found myself enjoying the cozy descriptions of enjoying tea with friends and family along with the cookies, muffins and pastries baked by Jan. 

 I found myself encouraged, by this read, to attempt some much anticipated fall baking as the weather finally begins to cool.