The story of two friends, living in a boarding school, who must face the inevitable challenges of growing up and World War II. Gene and Finny are in tThe story of two friends, living in a boarding school, who must face the inevitable challenges of growing up and World War II. Gene and Finny are in their final year at school and with the war going on, they are expected to enlist or will be drafted. Part of the ritual to manhood is jumping from a tree branch into the river below. When Finny falls off the branch and is seriously injured, Gene feels responsible for the accident. But did he actually cause the accident or did Finny jump as a way of avoiding serving his country? This book has been on my to read list for a long time.
Betty Smith could do no wrong in her writing. What a wonderful book this was! As good as A Tree Grows in Brooklyn! Here is the story of a young coupleBetty Smith could do no wrong in her writing. What a wonderful book this was! As good as A Tree Grows in Brooklyn! Here is the story of a young couple, newly married, struggling to adjust to married life in the late 1920s. Life was so different for women back then in many ways......more
It's been a long time since I have read Shakespeare...I forgot what a challenge it can be...I used my Coles notes quite often I must admit! What lovelIt's been a long time since I have read Shakespeare...I forgot what a challenge it can be...I used my Coles notes quite often I must admit! What lovely words to read though! I did enjoy the challenge! I read this book in preparation for a Margaret Atwood book I am going to read...thanks to my dear niece Amanda who encouraged me to give her another try!!
This is a book I have always wanted to read. An insight into the life of an upper class young woman in the early 1800s. It's hard to imagine that therThis is a book I have always wanted to read. An insight into the life of an upper class young woman in the early 1800s. It's hard to imagine that there was a time when the only thing a young woman had to look forward to was marriage and what that young man could bring to her life. Very few women had "careers" other than being a wife and mother and arranging social functions. How well you married determined your social status. If you did work for a living it was viewed as you not being able to find a suitable husband. At the beginning, I found the story a bit frustrating as I thought, "Really? Is this all the story is about? Husband seekers?"; but as I continued I found the book had many witty moments and kept me engaged to the very end. The writing itself, although sometimes a bit difficult, was wonderful!...more
This is my third time reading this book. They definitely don't write books like this anymore! I read it once when I was still in school; I read an abrThis is my third time reading this book. They definitely don't write books like this anymore! I read it once when I was still in school; I read an abridged version with my granddaughter when she was 10 or 11; I just finished reading the original novel again. I am looking forward to the PBS miniseries and wanted to read the book before that aired; both versions of the movie do not quite follow all of the book details as many important parts are left out....more
I didn't think I would like this book however as I was reading it it reminded me of the eulogy my brother wrote about my dad. The courage of the old mI didn't think I would like this book however as I was reading it it reminded me of the eulogy my brother wrote about my dad. The courage of the old man in the story who was trying to bring in a big catch is similar to that of my dad as he was fighting his cancer. Even though he knew that he would not win the battle, dad still tried to fight the fight...just like the old man fighting to catch the marlin. I never read this book before...I wonder if my brother did?
I received this book for my birthday from my daughter as I love the television series The Waltons. It is so nice to find a book that is as good as theI received this book for my birthday from my daughter as I love the television series The Waltons. It is so nice to find a book that is as good as the TV series or vice versa. Although the names are not the same in the novel, and there are way more kids in the novel, I found this to be a great read. John Boy (Clay Boy in novel) fell off of his pedestal in my mind in this book...running through the mountain meadow with his summer girl friend...naked!!!.....kind of shocked me a bit lol. This book showed life as it used to be when you earned everything you received...nothing was handed to you on a silver platter, other than hand me down clothes. Yes we haqve a lot of conveniences now that they did not have then but as I am reading this book I am thinking maybe too much of good things makes for a less than content world. Loved this book! #10 A classic by an author that is new to me....more
Many short stories with Christmas theme...a great way to prepare for the Christmas season. Each of these is a treasure written by my favorite author! Many short stories with Christmas theme...a great way to prepare for the Christmas season. Each of these is a treasure written by my favorite author! This is a book of 19th century classic short stories. #1 A 19th century classic....more
I can't remember the last time I have enjoyed a book so much...loved this book...proof that books don't have to be full of violence, graphic details aI can't remember the last time I have enjoyed a book so much...loved this book...proof that books don't have to be full of violence, graphic details and bad language to be remembered and important literary examples. Francie is a memorable and endearing character and I enjoyed sharing her years of growing from a little girl to a young woman. A must read! Truly a Timeless Classic and a keeper for my book shelf!
Many years ago I taught Sunday school to our grade 5 students. This was when I first read excerpts from the book The Little Prince as references were Many years ago I taught Sunday school to our grade 5 students. This was when I first read excerpts from the book The Little Prince as references were made in the lessons to it. After that it was always on my 鈥渢o read鈥 list and finally I had the pleasure of reading it over the weekend. It is a little book; but within those few pages and illustrations, there are many thoughts. The one that stands out for me is the idea that as we grow into adults we exercise our imaginations less and less. It is through the eyes of our children and grandchildren that we can once again capture the wonders of the world and the imagination. It is sad that as we have to grow up, society expects us to become the unimaginative, logical, and restricted beings of adulthood; often our focus is on how we are seen by others rather than how we view ourselves. What kind of car we drive, a nice home, what we wear and what our children wear all take precedence over the little things in life that we should be enjoying. The Little Prince reminds us that it is the relationships we develop and nurture that are the important things in life鈥hether it is a flower we grow or a person we meet in our life journey鈥t is how we respect and treat people that will make a difference in our own lives and in the world as a whole.
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