Last summer I devoted myself to reading a thick classic, and entirely enjoyed Nicholas Nickleby. So this summer, even though I am trying to read 25 books (as a part of my 100 books this year), I am determined to read another Dickens' classic, David Copperfield. (BTW, blogger does not have up the options for italics right now).
This book is wonderful! I am about 1/6 through it right now, but it is profound and funny, and delightful in every way! Dickens is my new second favorite writer (no one passes up Elisabeth Elliot on the top of the list). I totally commend David Copperfield to you (though Nicholas Nickleby is holding out as better at this point. Of course I have 5/6 more to change my mind!), even if you don't have a lot of time to dedicate to reading. A few pages a day, a chapter or so, is so delightful, refreshing, and worthwhile! And be sure to read a copy that has the original illustrations in it, because they are so precious, and add to the character of the story.
Now, someone just needs to make a movie about David Copperfield that is as great as Nicholas Nickleby!
8 comments:
Hey Gretchen! It was great to hear from you on my blog. :) I told Kevin about you guys moving down there and he said he already knew! I guess he saw Josh at the Together for the Gospel Conference.
So wow! I thought I was doing good reading 6 books this summer (5 of which were kids books). :) You are amazing! :) The past three weeks I've spent working on my two summer grad classes, so I haven't even thought about picking up a book (other than a text book). Hopefully I can go back to reading soon. :)
Tell Josh hi for me. Where are you guys living right now and what have you been up to? Are you both teaching? If you want to e-mail me, my e-mail is kelleysue2@yahoo.com or you can just comment on the blog. :)
Do you know of other Maranatha poeple's blogs?
Well, Kelley, I am not taking classes and you are! I also work at a children's bookstore. There are days that allow for a bit of reading! :)
Out of curiousity, what children's books have you read this summer?
I recommend the Penderwicks (a new one) or Gone-Away Lake for summer reading! Also, I liked Peter and the Shadow-Thieves, which is the sequel to Peter and the Star-Catchers (prequels to Peter Pan -- really good!)
gretel,
i think i arrived at mbbc when ed was student teaching. i remember that mr. licht loved him. i had heard he was sick. live IS short, isn't it? we must redeem the time.
Working at a Children's bookstore must be great! :) Although I don't know if I could keep myself from buy books every time I went in to work. :)
Oh, now you're going to make me think...what books did I read? I read all 3 books in the Everest series (which I loved). I read "Who Was Ben Franklin?" which is one of the many "Who Was" biographies that I have on my shelves. I read "The True Story of Abe Lincoln" or something like that. I think that was it for on vacation.
My favorites are Mildred Taylor books, most of Lowis Lowry's books (I don't like the Anastasia Krupnick books), Kate Di'Camillo, Andrew Clements, Chris VanAllsburg and that's all I can think of right now. I think fantasy and historical fiction are my favorite genres. I read Avi's "S.O.R. Losers" recently which I liked but there were a couple of objectionable spots. I have a few more of his that I'd like to read. I loved Kira Kira the new newberry, but again, objectionable spots. I'm also reading an Adam Gopnick book "The King in the Window" but haven't gotten too far in it yet. I started "Loser" by Spinnelli, but again haven't gotten too far. I've heard good things about it, so we'll see. I tried Stargirl once and couldn't finish it. The same for Maniac Magee, but I think that was because I tried reading that in the middle of the school year and didn't have time to really devote to it.
I don't know, there are many more books I've read (or started) :) here and there, I just can't think of them off the top of my head. I have so many books on my shelves at school (plus I just inherited a retiring 6th grade teacher's collection-talk about alot of books!). I really like books dealing with the rainforest (because I love rainforests), so i have a whole collection of those. I'd like to find some books that I can read aloud to my 6th graders next year (I'm moving up from 4th to 6th, so I don't really know too many good books for 6th graders yet). Any suggestions? :)
Oh, my next class is a Childrens Literature class, so I bet I'll have all kinds of ideas by the time I'm done with that. :)
Did you and Mrs. Hershberger ever talk books? She loved to talk about children's books! I took a directed study with her one semester and I think half of our time we spent talking about books rather than what we should have been talking about. :)
Ok, I'm going to stop typing now because this became REALLY long! :) I'll check out the books you recommended. Let me know if you read any other good ones. :)
Oh yeah, City of Ember was the other one I read this summer. I liked it alot. It reminded me of The Giver.
I just looked up Gone Away Lake and it lookes like something I'd like. :)
Kelley,
Well, there's always Narnia, if you don't already do that. A series I really like that emphasizes the sanctity of life is called "The Shadow Children". The first one is "Among the Hidden", and the rest of them start with "Among the". I think those are great for boys, which I have a hard time thinking of options for, usually.
Another good read-aloud that I have done is called "The Mistmantle Chronicles". It's new. GREAT! Good for boys and girls. And it will be a series!
I read Stargirl, not impressed. I LOVE anything Kate DiCamillo (except Mercy Watson, which does not come up to her usual excellence!). Try "The Journey of Edward Tulane" which just came out this spring.
Sorry -- you asked for suggestions! HA HA! I wish you could visit my store. It's a dream!
Oh yeah, I read the Edward Tulane book towards the end of the school year. My teaching partner bought it for me for my birthday. :)
Thanks for the suggestions, I'll check them out. :)
Post a Comment