July 2023 Book Bracket
I was surprised by how many books I read or listened to this month, considering that I was on my honeymoon for almost two weeks.
The Prayers of Jane Austen, by Jane Austen; Introduction and Commentary by Terry Glaspey
Jane Austen, famous Regency era novelist, composed three long-form prayers that have been preserved.
Why I picked it up: I needed to read a book that was less than 150 pages for the adult summer reading program. This was also on my shelf of books that I wanted to get to sooner rather than later, and it was a wedding gift from one of my best friends.
My impressions: The prayers were beautifully written, and would be worth being read by anyone. This book was not what I expected. I knew it was short, but I didn't realize until I was reading the introduction that it had only three prayers in it. Every other pages had a page-sized illustration, and the font of the prayers was big, so a fast reader who wasn't taking time to reflect would have this book finished in no time. This is a book where I appreciated both the introduction and the commentary, although I felt they were interchangeable and might as well been combined and placed at the beginning. I'm not sure where the illustration came from, but I thought some of them might be public domain line illustrations used in older editions of Austen's novels. In any case, I really loved the illustrations because they placed my imagination so firmly in Austen's time. It reminded me that it was a woman of a particular time who wrote these prayers. And yet, I feel that these prayers are universal ones. The language used is high and formal and not what many people today would use, but the needs and meditations and praise expressed are all elements that I think would resonate with any Christian of any age. This is a fine little book, and likely to be enjoyed most of all by Jane Austen fans of any age. But any Christian would likely find something in it to ponder.
100 Things to do in Wichita Before You Die, by Vanessa Whiteside
A Wichita, KS resident recommends 100 things to do in the city.
Why I picked it up: The only reason I'd ever feel the need to pick up this book would be because I needed to read a book for the adult summer reading program and I wanted something easy and fast.
My impressions: I think this book is good for anyone looking for something to do in the city of Wichita, KS. If you're not looking for something to do, though, or already know the city well, I'm not sure that this is the book for you. This book is indeed a pretty quick read, with each recommendation taking up only a page (or, in some cases, two) and containing a larger-than-usual font. There are a few restaurants listed that sound interesting to me, but other than that, I'm not really taking note of anything that I feel like I need to do. A few recommendations are already dated because the business listed has gone out of business - and the book was copyrighted just last year. So, I can't say that I'd recommend this book to anyone except someone who needs to know what to do during their week vacation in Wichita.
Egg and Spoon by Gregory Maguire**
Fairy tale and history collide when Russian peasant Elena sets out to save her brother from conscription in the czar's army and finds the world is far more full of magic and wonder than she ever imagined.
Why I picked it up: This book was a duplicate on my list of "to read" books and, rather than use an Audible credit on it, I learned I could pick it up as an audiobook on disc from my local library.
My impressions: My main takeaway was how impressed I was that I could enjoy most of a story that was about depressing poverty and loss. Some of the writing was just lovely, and it was wonderful to see how well the author worked magical fairy tale elements into a story that started out as solidly falling within the late 19th or early 20th centuries. I didn't love all of it, though. It took a long time to get used to one personality-packed character from Russian folklore, and I can't say that I ever came to love this character (I'll leave out details to avoid spoilers). It seemed to take a while for things to really start happening in the story, but that may be an impression influenced by my inability to listen to this audiobook on 1.5x or 2x speed. There was a magic-wielding character I didn't find too concerning, although I didn't love that a monk seemed more interested with scientific or philosophical knowledge than with God, of whom there is almost no mention in this book. There were external and internal problems that were resolved, and most (but not all) of the threads were tied up in a slightly sad but mostly hopeful and very satisfying ending. I think this could be an enjoyable work of fiction for maybe some upper elementary or high school students, as well as adults. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, however - I think this one depends very much on personal interests and taste.
Between the Forest and the Hills**, by Ann Lawrence
The fading Roman town of Iscium, in Britain, prepares for war after the young Falx saves a British girl from the wilderness.
Why I picked it up: I needed to use up one more Audible credit before my membership ended and I wanted to pick a book that I didn't have access to at the library but was on my to-read list.
My impressions: This book reminded me strongly of Rosemary Sutcliff's Roman-Britain books, especially The Eagle of the Ninth. This book did not have as strong of a plot, but still enough danger looming in the unknown to maintain my interest. There was a strange character that didn't quite fit in with the historical fiction genre the book mostly falls under, but wasn't enough to make the book what I'd call a fantasy. It led to some anachronisms that left me uncertain of how well I really liked the story. I enjoyed the distinctness of many characters, as well as how the author revealed their motivations and growth to the readers, but a few of them ran together for me. The children helped create the best parts of the story. I liked the treatment of miracles in this largely Christian Roman society, but not the treatment of angels. Mid-elementary readers will probably enjoy reading this book, as well as older readers who have an interest in stories about this era in Britain's history.
The Seashell on the Mountaintop: A Story of Science, Sainthood, and the Humble Genius Who Discovered a New History of the Earth, by Alan Cutler
This nonfiction book gives the story of Nicolaus Steno, an adept doctor-cum-scientist who set the groundwork for what would later become the field of geology.
Why I picked it up: This book had made it onto my to-read list thanks to a course I audited a few years back. I'd received it as a gift for my birthday and felt in the mood for some nonfiction reading that wasn't too dense.
My impressions: This was just the sort of lighter-but-still-containing-substance nonfiction work that I had been craving. The author, a geologist, did good research and helped me make sense of the philosophies popular in Steno's time, the religious disputes of his world, the stage scientific research was at, and the cultural milieu of the time. Steno was an interesting and obviously brilliant man, achieving mastery in anatomy and easily switching to studying the earth and making great progress there. He gave it all up sometime after he converted and became a priest. It was hard to read about his lack of success in evangelizing as a bishop; it is one of those cases where a devout person might lionize Steno's holiness, but Cutler is an impartial observer...or perhaps Steno is deemed unsuccessful by human standards, but saintly in what matters to God. It was helpful to read the afterward, in which the author explained his resources, the gaps in his knowledge, and Steno's canonization process which has led him to be beatified (termed a "Blessed") by the Catholic Church. I enjoyed reading the book - while it didn't have the most gripping content in the world, I did find it interesting and I couldn't really think of any particular parts that dragged for me. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for the sort of nonfiction that one might find on a display table at Barnes & Noble, especially if they're interested in science or in getting a perspective on what the intellectual life was like in Europe in the aftermath of the Protestant Reformation. High schoolers might appreciate this, but I think those in college and/or adults would likely find more to appreciate.
The Ordinary Princess, by M. M. Kaye
Princess Amy is gifted with ordinariness by a fairy at her christening, which eventually leads to her abandoning a sumptuous castle life and making her way as a kitchen maid in a neighboring kingdom.
Why I picked it up: A few months ago, my husband agreed to let me read him this book, which he bought me for our first Christmas as a couple and is a favorite of mine.
My impressions: I read this book to him and it is a fun one for reading out loud. A short book, with some funny characters and illustrations sprinkled throughout, this is actually probably the ideal read-aloud. We talked about it as we read it, and I found in this read-through that I appreciated that Kaye will sometimes stand fairytale conventions on there heads, but the fracturing of tropes isn't the point of the story - the story is the point of the story. Kaye is subtle enough to make the twists on convention charming instead of jarring or mere "how would the story play out if I changed [x]?" This is a brand new story - not a retelling of a different one. As always, I enjoyed reading this book, and it was fun to hear my husband's reactions. "I loved it. I thought it was awesome." - My husband. He was close to calling one element of the story, but enjoyed learning that he didn't quite nail it on the head. I think many readers would appreciate this one.
The Knights' Tales, by Gerald Morris**
The careers of four of King Arthur's knights are reimagined and retold for younger readers (or, in my case, listeners).
Why I picked it up: I think this one made it onto my to-read list at some point and I discovered it was an audiobook in my local public library system when I went through my list to see which library carried it.
My impressions: I haven't been the biggest fan of King Arthur tales (it's always preemptively sad knowing how things end for Arthur), but this was a pleasant romp through a fictional England. I found that all four knights - including Sir Lancelot - were virtuous fellows who had interesting adventures. I will note that one knight engaged in deception to defeat a specific enemy, but good always wins over evil. At least one tale - Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - was based on a traditional tale, but so changed that it was kind of like a new story. The audiobook was well done and helped the world come to life. I think children would appreciate this work, but I found it pleasant too.
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, by Avi
The solitary girl passenger on board a ship in the 1800s must navigate lies, mutiny, and loyalties on her way home to her family.
Why I picked it up: Eh, it was the one sitting on the shelf that seemed interesting at the moment. I bought it at a local $1 bookstore because I think it was on my list of books to read.
My impressions: This book was a Newbery honor recipient the year it was written, but not the overall winner. I'm glad it didn't win, and - SPOILERS AHEAD - I'll explain why.
It took a bit for me to get invested since the building of anticipation was a bit formulaic rather than effective at the beginning (multiple people warning Charlotte to stay off the ship, sailors refusing to go towards this particular ship, etc.), but I did find myself reaching for this book and wondering what would happen next, especially in the last 20%. Avi did a fine job of building distinctive characters, building up an understanding of some motivations, and adding some nice twists, but the individuality of the characters wasn't enough to overcome the discomfort I felt at their decisions. The main baddy was shown to be manipulative and cruel, but everyone else proved to be deceitful in their own ways. No one was truly noble. Specifically, almost all the ship's crew swore upon a Bible during the trial and refused to say everything (spoke truly, but withheld information with the intention of attaining a certain purpose), and all participated in covering up voyage information (attempted mutiny) that could have landed them all in legal trouble. However, the worst part was the ending (big spoilers here). It really bothered me that Charlotte ran away from home. Regarding her character and the story's development, it made sense why she did: she returned home to a stuffy life and a family that showed it cared more about propriety than about loving her. However, I hated that the message of this book is, apparently, that when you have an adventure that puts you at odds with your parents and makes ordinary life seem boring, then running away to the sea is the answer. It just kind of hurt that the conclusion of the story is the destruction of the family bond in favor of...well...a crew of criminals to some degree or other who are all men. She's thirteen. This book was written for kids - I'm guessing mid-elementary to middle school - but I wouldn't recommend it based on my concerns listed above, as well as the use of the word d--n in a few places, if that's the sort of thing you're worried about. At the price of $1, it's not a book I'll feel bad about sending on to Goodwill. The Dark Frigate is a much finer book, and relatively comparable in setting and adventure style, so go read that one instead.
Bracket Play
Books Picked Up and Put Down
Planet Narnia by Michael Ward
An academic outlines why he thinks the Medieval conception of the heavens is the unifying theme of C. S. Lewis' Narniad.
Why I picked it up: I'd put this one down in the spring of last year because it was too academic. When I saw it sitting on my sister's shelf, I decided it was time to dedicate some time to it this summer.
Why I put it down: The perfectionist part of me really really really wanted to get this book in. But it's just too academic. As much as I want to say I read the whole academic treatise on the planets and their influence on Narnia, I just don't have the time or the will power to do this. I feel a bit better about putting this one down, though, because I fully intend to check out the kid-friendly The Narnia Code by the same author on the same subject. I comfort myself by reminding myself I read the academic work Tolkien's Modern Reading by Holly Ordway - you can definitely have academic prose that isn't dense as a jungle to get through.
Love and Responsibility, by Karol Wojtyla
Pope John Paul II lays down the theology and/or philosophy behind sexual love.
Why I picked it up: It was recommended to me and I found out I'd never actually sat down to read it, although I've often encountered the ideas from this book since high school.
Why I put it down: Honeymoon and the approach of school starting with so many other projects to complete helped me realize that I couldn't realistically finish this book right now. It was so dense that I had hardly made any progress on it.
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