9.21.2006

Fall Into Reading!

My summer reading was very fun but decidedly light-weight (more about that later) so I am thrilled to take up Katrina's Fall Into Reading Challenge.

My life list of books to read is huge (the road to being well-read is paved with good intentions), but I've (finally) chosen a few...Some books I've already read (marked with an *) - for review and/or pure love, some that I should have read in school but never did, and a few that have just been calling my name for some time, plus one or two contemporary must-reads.

Here is what I plan to read between September 23rd and December 21st (or so):

Bleak House, Charles Dickens


I've been meaning to read this ever since the PBS mini-series and "Shake me up, Judy!" I've started it a couple times but haven't been able to continue, so it might be the big challenge. However, I remember Great Expectations being difficult at first, but it is now one of the books I heart the most of all. So we'll see...

The Devil Wears Prada, Lauren Weisberger
This is my sassy-beach-read read. I liked the movie and every now and then have to take a step into pop culture. Or pop couture, as the case may be. Even though I know I must be the new size 20 or something.

The Enchanted April, Elzabeth Von Armin*
I open this book and feel nineteen, sophomore in college again. My first real taste of quaint English love stories and beautiful views. Tender story. It has been haunting my bookshelf and I just need a little trip to Italy, so I'm going to open it again sometime this fall.

The Great Divorce, C.S. Lewis
My husband has read this and really loved it. I have only read Lewis' slightly lighter Christian works, like The Screwtape Letters and a brief anthology of quotes, but what he writes always rings so true on many different levels. I'm looking forward to this one.

I Don't Have to Make Everything All Better, Gary and Joy Lundberg*

I read this a year or so ago and remember thinking, "If everyone could internalize and really do what they are describing here - if I could - the world would never be the same!" I need to read it again to review and practice the art of validating and listening - it truly does change everything about how we love and interact with one another.

Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte

One of the "should have but never" reads. And my personality apparently matches Jane's so of course I need to read it!

Jesus the Christ, James Talmage*
I read this book many years ago in preparation to serve a mission in Ukraine because I wanted to understand the mission of the Savior and teach with clarity and understanding. This book is a phenomenal academic study of the Savior's life and ministry, as well as His Second Coming, by a renowned Bible scholar. I remember how it touched my life and enhanced my study of the Scriptures at that time in my life, and I want to read it again now.

The Long Winter, Laura Ingalls Wilder*
I cut my reading teeth on the Little House books. Farmer Boy and The Long Winter were my favorites, so I thought I would pick this one up again to read before the winter begins.

My Antonia, Willa Cather*
Sigh. Simply one of my all-time favorites.

Persuasion, Jane Austen*
This may be substituted by any other Jane Austen book, but it's my top choice right now. I just adore Anne Elliot.

Possession, A.S. Byatt*
This is simply fabulous writing of classical proportions. I finished it a year or two ago and meant to just start it over right away because there is so much depth and interest there...Poetry, historic research, allusions to classical literature...This is an awesome and mind-stretching read. The movie, which doesn't follow the book exactly, but stars Gwyneth Paltrow, is quite good, too.

The Scarlet Pimpernel, Baroness Orczy*

Another beloved. Historical fiction and romance at it's non-skanky best. And the movie (Jane Seymour) also takes me back to college days.

Washington's Crossing, David Hackett Fischer
A Pulitzer Prize-winning work of History. It's been so long since I've read a good history, and this one looks wonderful. I think it may be the first I delve into, just for the America-loving history major in me.


And just in case I get into a slump with the booklist above, I've prepared a second string of substitutes (always gotta have a Plan B, right?):

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Mark Twain*
Eighty Years and More, Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Follow the River, James Alexander Thom*
Gone With the Wind, Margaret Mitchell*
Great Expectations, Charles Dickens*
Lonesome Dove, Larry McMurtry*
Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling, Ross King
With Malice Toward None: A Life of Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Oats*

Making this list has gotten me all revved up to really do some quality reading this fall! The housework will never get done for sure, now!

Be sure to go on over to Callapidder Days to see the other lists, or to take her up on the challenge and add your list!

24 comments:

Amanda said...

Wow! What a great list! You have inspired me to set some reading goals too.

someone else said...

That's your leisure reading???? I'm impressed. I've been wading through C.S.Lewis' "Surprised by Joy" and I must admit he's a bit above my brain ability. But I will persevere and make it all the way through.

I loved Jane Eyre! I've been to the Bronte's home in England and it's as brooding and forbidding looking territory as the novels portray.

I may have to look up The Enchanted April if it's set in Italy. We went to Italy 2 years ago and it truly is an enchanting place.

Super Happy Girl said...

Oh My wow!
I also feel inspired now. I want to be all readery and all.
I like your list, most of those books I'd probably choose myself.

Angela said...

I always love your reading lists, that's how come I've read some of the great books I have.

No matter what though, I am always well-red.

Katrina @ Callapidder Days said...

Great list, CYM! And I must say that I'm impressed with your literary-ness!

You know, I was looking at Bleak House the other day at B&N, but it looked a bit too intimidating for me at the moment. Let me know how you like it - I'm really curious about it. I loved The Great Divorce; but I really love anything by Lewis.

And I love that you have a "second string." I think it's always important to have back-up books! And don't worry about the housework - it won't be happening here, either.

Jennifer said...

Great list! Love all the classics on there.

Stephanie said...

What a fun list. I love Jane Eyre. I have a CS Lewis on my list as well. :)

Unknown said...

Okay, I was glad to see another far-reaching ambitious list. I have quite a few books on mine, too.

I also have a "to be named" Jane Austen, but as of last night, I think I sort of decided.

I read Persuasion, and was fascinated by it, too. That reminds me, I think I was going to dig it up for a friend. I think it's boxed somewhere--poor books living in boxes.

It's gonna be fun! I mean, we're doing this for a good cause, right? Isn't there a good cause associated with this challenge. . . . ?

Anonymous said...

What a great list, and I have to say that I LOVE the Jane Austen books, I just read Northanger Abbey last week :)

I read Persuasion and then just had to watch the movie....I'm just so thrilled with the Fall Reading, I LOVE books :)

Barb said...

I'll bet the number of people out here who cut their teeth on the Little House books would be shocking. I have all Jan Karon's Mitford books and reread them from time to time. Sort of the grown up version of Little House to me.

Funny. I read Devil Wears Prada and loved the book but haven't seen the movie yet.

And every now and then I just get out my collection of Bronte and start reading all of her books all over again. Love them.

Great list. Makes my meager little list look pathetic but I know my limitations! Between all my "shows" returning on TV and blogging, sadly my list isn't nearly as long as it would have been last fall. :-)

Tammy said...

I like your list a lot!

I so need to do this too...:)

rena said...

That's quite the list! CS Lewis is one of my favorites. The Great Divorce is a wonderful book. Enjoy.

Anonymous said...

I want to both see and read Bleak House -- I keep hearing both book and mini-series are good.

I loved The Scarlet Pimpernell!! Laura Ingalls Wilder's books too -- they're always great for rereading.

I've got some Jane Austen books on my list as well. I've only read Emma.

Happy reading!

Unknown said...

Impressive! These days, I'm lucky to squeak out the scriptures; reading is definitely a luxury I hope returns into my life!

Erin said...

The Scarlet Pimpernel is one of my all-time favorite books! The other books are great or look great. Get busy reading. :)

Anonymous said...

Nice list! I did the Pimpernel and Prada ones backwards; have seen the play & movie so I should read the books! And The Long Winter would be a fun one to re-read sometime.

Southern Girl said...

Jane Eyre is one of my favorite books! On the other hand, I've always hated the other Bronte sister's Wuthering Heights. ;)

Anonymous said...

Oh wow! What a great list and so varied! Jane Eyre is one of my favourite books and one of the few I have read more than once, hope you enjoy it!

Dawn said...

That is one impressive list! I used to read much more heady stuff when I was younger. I need to get back to the classics and re-read them years later. I'm not making a list.

I haven't read for a few days and went back to your post about the sameness of life. Non-drama is a wonderful thing. Believe me!! I love a long of boredom these days.

Dawn said...

One more comment - I read the Laura Ingalls Wilder books one cold winter and just shivered through The Long Winter. I read all of her later ones, too, where she was married, teaching school, moving, etc. My husband actually went to school in Pepin, Wisconsin, home of The Big Woods. I was disappointed in the way they made up stories for the t.v. show - there was plenty of good stuff that they didn't need to embellish. But that's how I feel about most movies or shows made from good books.

Susan said...

the devil wears prada is also on my list!! I haven't seen the movie, but promised myself I'd rent it right after I read the book.

You have a GREAT and very ambitious list, here! Happy Reading.

Jan/lost-strayed-or-stolen.blogspot.com said...

I absolutely adore Anne! Persuasion is my most favorite Jane Austen, and second is Pride and Prejudice.

Blogger profile name said...

What an ambitious list! If you love Jane Austen, you should read Emma - I loved it!

Anonymous said...

Love, love, love Jane Eyre, and as I remember, the middle gets slow, but stick with it. I'm in Great Expectations myself, but I'm only on chapter 6.