What 📔book are you reading right now?

[Erurávennë]

I recently read Seven Pillars of Wisdom. It was odd how I kept prefacing it with "The" but there is no "the". Yes there are lots of names of people and places and I found myself referring many times to the maps. I did find some of Lawrence's philosophising passages hard to follow but his strong intention to minimise casualties comes across well and his descriptions of the landscape are quite beautiful. I would have liked my edition to have some modern colour photos of the landscape as well as the rather grainy photos from the period. The book is quite different from the film which is more hyped up and has some important inaccuracies - most of the time they were blowing up the Hejaz railway and its bridges rather than engaging in pitch battles.

Woah, everybody seems to be reading this! 😅

 

[Deimos]

Yes, it cracked me up because it was so spot on! Besides the wording. The picture in my mind of someone (such as myself 🤫) doing it was so vivid.

At my house, there are books coming of our ears. My mom frequently comes home from the library bookstore where all the books are 50 cents to two dollars. She wants a library room!

I love your books there. 😄

Early on so many of my books came from "book fairs" , and way back then (in the 60s and 70s when I was still in grade school and high school) even hardbacks were about 50c to $1.
I still have some of those. But many finally got so battered (and they weren't in great condition to begin with) I had to replace them.
I was employed by then and able to find replacements in pretty good condition at 2nd hand book stores and now on ebay and at sites like ABE and Alibris and [sometimes] Amazon.
I typically do not buy new books... buying new books is like buying a new car... depreciation occurs rapidly in the first year, or maybe two years.
Just wait a bit and you can often find them in very good condition for a song.

 

[Erurávennë]

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
My first time reading the book, though I know the general story.

 

[Deimos]

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
My first time reading the book, though I know the general story.

Have you read any other JA books?

 

[BilboTheHobbit]

I'm currently reading LotR (again ) and The Canterbury Tales, by Chaucer. What about you guys?

I'm reading The Ranger's Apprentice from John Flanagan. It's a very good bookseries.
But not as good as the Lotr😁

 

[Erurávennë]

Have you read any other JA books?

Yes, I think I read Sense and Sensibility.

 

[Deimos]

Yes, I think I read Sense and Sensibility.

Read Emma (at some point in your life)

 

[Starbrow]

Read Emma (at some point in your life)

I second Deimos's recommendation.

 

[Finwë]

I'm currently reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

 

[Deimos]

I'm currently reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

When you want to try "the third Brontë Sister", read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë.

 

[Finwë]

When you want to try "the third Brontë Sister", read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë.

oh, will do! I think I've got the Tenant of Wildfell Hall somewhere so I'll hunt it down and read it. Thanks!

 

[Coelacanth]

Currently going through the Green Ember series by S.D. Smith again. Its target audience is middle-grade, so you don't have to worry about issues with objectionable content, but I also don't feel like the story is shallow or overly simplified in an attempt to connect to a younger audience. There's a surprising bit of depth, and on more than one occasion was significantly though provoking to me personally. It actually has what I would consider to be a very creative and moderately deep lore behind it (of course not as deep as LotR) and toward the end of the series it is integrated into the main story in a very unique way. The tone can change throughout from lighthearted to surprisingly grave, but the grave parts are never meant to feel depressing or nihilistic, and the author doesn't add anything for "shock value" or any foolishness like that. It's a mixture of tones, and honestly the lighthearted and/or comedic parts are some of the only times I have ever laughed aloud when reading a book. There are also a few companion series that are supplemental to the main books, the best of which in my opinion is called the Tales of Old Natalia. Those books are narratives that tell stories which elaborate on the lore that is essentially legendary history in the time of the main story. The series may not be as deep as some others, but it really is an enjoyable read that even got me interested in learning about the lore behind it. There are plenty of inspirational moments and satisfying character arcs. This is one of the few book series I can wholeheartedly recommend with basically no caveats.

 

[Fingon_Findekáno]

Currently going through the Green Ember series by S.D. Smith again. Its target audience is middle-grade, so you don't have to worry about issues with objectionable content, but I also don't feel like the story is shallow or overly simplified in an attempt to connect to a younger audience. There's a surprising bit of depth, and on more than one occasion was significantly though provoking to me personally. It actually has what I would consider to be a very creative and moderately deep lore behind it (of course not as deep as LotR) and toward the end of the series it is integrated into the main story in a very unique way. The tone can change throughout from lighthearted to surprisingly grave, but the grave parts are never meant to feel depressing or nihilistic, and the author doesn't add anything for "shock value" or any foolishness like that. It's a mixture of tones, and honestly the lighthearted and/or comedic parts are some of the only times I have ever laughed aloud when reading a book. There are also a few companion series that are supplemental to the main books, the best of which in my opinion is called the Tales of Old Natalia. Those books are narratives that tell stories which elaborate on the lore that is essentially legendary history in the time of the main story. The series may not be as deep as some others, but it really is an enjoyable read that even got me interested in learning about the lore behind it. There are plenty of inspirational moments and satisfying character arcs. This is one of the few book series I can wholeheartedly recommend with basically no caveats.

I receive email newsletters from S.D. Smith all the time! I'm still saving up to get the whole series, but I already know I will love the books because I know the heart and values he writes from. He truly cares for the mind and heart of his readers, especially children, and he writes these stories to instill sacrificial love, courage, confidence, goodness, faithfulness, loyalty, and more, showing how even in the darkest times we can still have hope and fight the good fight against evil. To give kids (and everyone) the armor they need to be able to face their own battles in this world, whatever form those may take. S.D. Smith knows the true value of a good book, and he wants to partner with parents in helping them raise their children in an upright way and to inspire their imaginations. He specifically avoids foul content because he wants to keep his books clean and family-friendly. As he puts it, he wants his readers to "get lost in stories that won't get you lost."

I'm very eager to be able to someday read the entire Green Ember series! I think you're the first person I have met who has actually read the series, and I'm glad you love it! There are also audiobook versions too. In addition, S.D. Smith greatly supports young aspiring writers to pursue their dreams by providing courses to help them write excellent stories. Definitely an author to follow!

My place beside you,
My blood for yours,
Till the Green Ember rises,
Or the end of the world.

#RabbitsWithSwords! 🐰⚔️