Advent Ponderings

The advent season brings thoughts of simplicity married with complexity, wealth thrown together with poverty, helplessness veiling infinite strength, sorrow mingled with joy and love. What a beautiful time of contemplation!

I share here a poem that was written, to my knowledge, by a friend of my husband, and included on his Christmas card to us last year.

The Woman, the Child, and the Serpent

By Jonathan Nauman

Her seed it was, in earth's attire,

Who crushed the ancient serpent's ire:

Sing angels of the holy fire,

Magnificat anima mea!

Her seed, to set all mankind free

Was made by God our sin to be

That men might utter joyfully,

Magnificat anima mea!

As Moses lifted up the snake,

A lifted cross our looks will take:

Let all to thanks and praise awake,

Magnificat anima mea!

Wise Words: Adversity

"It is good that we sometimes have griefs and adversities, for they drive a man to behold himself and to see that he is here but as in exile."

~Thomas à Kempis, Imitation of Christ

Back to the Classics Challenge 2016

Thanks to the encouragement from friends over at the AmblesideOnline forum, I am jumping into the Back to the Classics Challenge, hosted by Karen over at Books and Chocolate. Karen proposes that we read 12 classic books from various categories. What a fun way to push myself to continue growing as a mom, teacher, person! Here are the rules of the challenge:

1.  A 19th Century Classic - any book published between 1800 and 1899.

2.  A 20th Century Classic - any book published between 1900 and 1966.Just like last year, all books MUST have been published at least 50 years ago to qualify. The only exception is books written at least 50 years ago, but published later.

3.  A classic by a woman author. 

4.  A classic in translation.  Any book originally written published in a language other than your native language. Feel free to read the book in your language or the original language.

5.  A classic by a non-white author. Can be African-American, Asian, Latino, Native American, etc.

6.  An adventure classic - can be fiction or non-fiction.

7.  A fantasy, science fiction, or dystopian classic. Dystopian could include classics like 1984.

8.  A classic detective novel. It must include a detective, amateur or professional. This list of books from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction is a great starting point if you're looking for ideas.

9.  A classic which includes the name of a place in the title.  It can be the name of a house, a town, a street, etc. Examples include Bleak House, Main Street, The Belly of Paris, or The Vicar of Wakefield.

10. A classic which has been banned or censored. If possible, please mention why this book was banned or censored in your review.

11. Re-read a classic you read in school (high school or college).  If it's a book you loved, does it stand the test of time?  If it's a book you disliked, is it any better a second time around?

12. A volume of classic short stories. This must be one complete volume, at least 8 short stories. Children's stories are acceptable in this category only.


And here are my choices:

1.  Otto of the Silver Hand by Howard Pyle (1888)

2.  A Man For All Seasons by Robert Bolt (1954)
This is one I'll plan to read along with the AO ladies in the Book Discussion forum.

3.  The Heir of Redclyffe by Charlotte Yonge (1853)

4.  I Promessi Sposi by Alessandro Manzoni (1827)
Another one I'll read along with my AO friends.

5.  Indian Boyhood by Charles Eastman (1902)

6.  Westward, Ho! by Charles Kingsley (1855)
AO Book Discussion book!

7.  Utopia by Thomas More (1516)
AO Book Discussion book!

8.  Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy L Sayers (1933)

9.  The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1851)

10. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (1884)

11. Hamlet by William Shakespeare (~1600)
AO Book Discussion book!

12. Arabian Nights translated by Andrew Lang (1898)


I reserve the right to change my selections partway through the year as needed! Come and join me, because more than just reading good books, I love to discuss them and let them change me!