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A Sense of Belonging' is a modern novel for women by Erica James.
Four new houses become occupied: the occupants are two couples, a female writer, and a rather strange young man. Friendships develop and tensions arise as these people inter-relate.
There are good conversations and well-woven plot lines. A predictable but believable ending.
All in all, I thought that this book made a pleasant and relaxing light read.
(I wrote a much longer review of 'A Sense of Belonging' on re-reading eight and a half years later)
The writer Susan Schaeffer Macauley is, I gather, related to the better-known Francis Schaeffer. However I have only heard of her in relation to home education, and particularly this book which has been recommended to me on some home educators' forums.
'For the Children's Sake' is based on the works of Charlotte Mason, a pioneer in early education at a time when children were expected to be seen and not heard, and to learn by rote vast quantities of boring information.
Charlotte Mason believed in learning for fun - in 'living' books, and nature walks, and discussions, and although her writing is rather lengthy and long-winded, Susan Schaeffer Macauley makes it available for the ordinary parent in this book.
There's plenty of common sense in the book, much of which seems obvious in these more enlightened days. Indeed, some of the ideas overlap surprisingly with the modern 'taking children seriously' non-coercive style of home education that's so popular in the UK.
However, as the book is written from a traditional Christian perspective, there's some emphasis on discipline (in the gentlest of senses) alongside questions about creativity and mutual respect.
I found it a bit heavy at times, but very interesting. Certainly I think it's well worth reading by any parents wanting to know more about the education process, and particularly anyone considering home education (known in the US as homeschooling).
It inevitably feels quite dated, but is still in print on both sides of the Atlantic.
'A Breath of Fresh Air' is a modern village novel by Erica James.
Charlotte loses her husband, and buys a house in the small village where her sister lives. Alex, her tenant, is attracted to her. Both have a lot to learn about pain and expressing their feelings.
On the whole, there are likable people in this novel. The minor characters are somewhat stereotyped, but perhaps all the more memorable as a result.
There are some surprises in the plot, although the ending is fairly predictable. Nothing too heavy - but I thought this an above-average light read.
(I wrote a much longer review of 'A Breath of Fresh Air' after re-reading eight years later)
I doubt if I would have come across this book in the ordinary way. But Jan Fortune-Wood was on one of the discussion groups I took part in, on the topic of home education in the UK. I was extremely interested in her theories of non-coercive parenting and autonomous education. So ordered a copy of this book.
The full title of this book is 'Doing it their way: home-based education and autonomous learning'. In essence, that's what it's about. There's a well-presented view of what autonomous eduction is, and also what it isn't. The author also explains, in a fairly comprehensive way, the non-coercive lifestyle that many home educating parents choose in the UK.
I found the book a bit heavy-going in places. And I didn't entirely agree with all the author's arguments. However, overall I thought it well worth reading, and very thought-provoking in places.
Recommended.
'Three Men in a Boat' is the classic British book by the turn-of-the-century satirical writer Jerome K Jerome. It's about three men who plan and then take a boating holiday together.
There are some hilarious anecdotes. Unfortunately they are mixed in with rather pompous preaching, although that in itself was sometimes amusing. But there is almost no plot, as such, at all.
I read this book aloud to my sons who are young teenagers. It turned out to be surprisingly good as a read-aloud. I doubt if I would have enjoyed it nearly so much had I simply read it to myself, as I would have missed some of the verbal humour.
The book is extremely British, and inevitably dated. But those are not necessarily bad things.
Recommended, on the whole, if only because it's a classic in a genre on its own.
'Out to Canaan' is the fourth book written in the 'Mitford' series by Jan Karon.
This book describes another year in Father Tim's life as minister in charge of an Episcopalian church in small-town USA. He ponders on his eventual retirement, and wonders what to do with the large, rambling old house which was left to the church, while relating in his unique way to his delightful parishioners.
'Brave new world' is a classic science fiction novel by the early 20th century writer Aldous Huxley. It's in the genre now known as 'dystopian'. It's one I felt I 'ought' to read, although I kept putting it off. It's not comfortable bedtime reading.
'Brave new world' describes the author's imagined world five hundred years in the future. In this new world, all babies are born in test-tubes. People are completely conditioned to various careers, and free thinking is strongly discouraged.
However, a few people feel that there must be more to life than structured work, scheduled play and the 'soma' tablets that remove all unpleasant emotions. John, a 'savage' from a so-called uncivilised part of the world, is brought into London where he eventually sees it for what it is.
There is some unexpected satirical humour in this book. There is also a shocking ending. I would say it is definitely worth reading once, but I doubt if I will read it again.
I do like PG Wodehouse's writing. I am particularly fond of his 'Jeeves' books, featuring the slightly gormless (but always charming and generous) upper-class Bertie Wooster, and his intelligent (if somewhat manipulative) valet Jeeves.
In 'The Inimitable Jeeves', Bertie is entangled in his friend Bingo's romantic life. As always, he tries to help out, assisted by Jeeves.
This is the book where Bertie attempts to soften Bingo's uncle's heart by taking on an unlikely impersonation. It's also the one containing the famous 'Great Sermon Handicap'.
Brilliantly funny in places, and wonderful to read aloud to older children or teenagers.
'A Liverpool lullaby' is a novel by Anne Baker. I don't know where I picked up this book. I had not previously read anything by the author.
Evie, the only daughter of a dour and strict chauvinist, is shocked to see her mother just before her mother dies. She had been told that she had died many years previously.
Evie falls in love with Ned, a local lad, but her father disapproves so she runs away. She is happy for a while with two children, but then a crisis happens and she is rescued by her employer.
The book contains fairly believable people in often sordid situations. The ending is rather too organised and unlikely for my tastes, with bits and pieces of conclusion rather than all being neatly tied together.
It was an acceptable read, but probably not a book I'll read again.
This novel is the third in the 'Mitford' series by Jan Karon.
'These High Green Hills' continues the story of Father Tim and Cynthia, and their delightful friends and neighbours from the previous books. ('At Home in Mitford' and 'A Light in the Window').
Various crises develop, all of which are dealt with in gentle humour and love. Relaxing and enjoyable with good insight into a contented community in small-town America. Each individual becomes more realistic, the more we see of them.
It's probably best to have read the earlier two novels first, but I would still recommend this, which could also stand alone. I enjoyed it very much.
This is a novel by the American writer Jan Karon, and is the first sequel to 'At Home in Mitford'.
Father Tim, the elderly Anglican priest living in a small village in the USA, has fallen in love with his neighbour Cynthia, but is continually plagued with doubts as to how she views him.
Village life continues as seen through Tim's eyes, as he continues his friendships with a variety of people from all walks of life. The teenage Dooley starts to grow up, too.
Delightful characters and conversations, easy and relaxing reading. My only gripe is that this edition appears to have a chunk of the text missing. However as I bought it second-hand, I can't return it.
Terry Pratchett books are always good, with a strange blend of humour, realism and fantasy. He somehow spotlights oddities in everyday life with his spoofs and irony, and usually throws in some unexpected and very funny one-liners.
'Interesting Times' features Rincewind the not-very-competant 'wizzard', who is sent to another country. This country is the Discworld equivalent of something like a cross between China and Russia. He arrives to find that a revolution is underway.
Rincewind teams up with the ancient but invincible barbarians, and befriends the 'Red Army'. A series of unlikely and amusing events follow.
Pretty good, if not one of my favourites, and it works well to read aloud. Just so long as you remember that there are no chapters in most of Pratchett's books, so don't agree to read 'to the end of the next chapter...'
