2006 in Books, Part One

2006 was an eventful year in my life which meant that, unfortunately, I did not read quite as much as I would have liked to. The final count, including re-reads is 258 books. My goal, as for every year, was 365. Still, the year had several bookish high points. So let’s start at the very beginning (a very good place to start).

The Open Gate by Kate Seredy: When I was younger the library in my old home town had this book in their children’s section and I loved it. Then they got rid of it and for years I suffered its lack in silence. Finally I realized that I needed to read it again and so I asked for it for a Christmas present. My copy is very old and in a protective cover and my father told me that it was extremely difficult to find so I am very careful with it. It is the story of an American family who lives in a modern apartment filled with “push-buttons” until the day that Gran drags them to a country auction. Highly recommended for all ages (if you can find it).

The Art of Prayer by Igumen Chariton of Valamo: This is an Orthodox Christian anthology, largely taken from the Philokalia, on prayer. It includes sections from St. Theophan the Recluse, St. Ignaty Brianchininnov, and others. Highly recommended, although more for Orthodox than non-Orthodox.

In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden: This was passed along to me from my grandmother who was moving herself. It is the story of a convent of nuns in England in the middle of the 20th century. I enjoyed the characters, particularly the main character, Philippa (later Dame Philippa) who was once a successful business woman. I also enjoyed a look into a community which I would not otherwise have had. Highly recommended for slightly more mature readers (i.e. approximately 15 up, depending on your family’s standards).

The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien edited by Humphrey Carpenter: I believe that this was the first time I actually finished this book. It is a must-read for any serious Tolkien lover. It gives a much more comprehensive view of Tolkien’s character than any other work, including Carpenter’s excellent biography. It includes some wonderful letters to his sons which are very personal and also many which shed light on different aspects of the writing of his books. Highly recommended for anyone who has read his works. It does contain a few minor swear words, I believe.

The Trapp Singers by Maria von Trapp: This is the original book, the real story behind “The Sound of Music.” I remembered liking it when I read it years and years ago and so I re-read it and was amazed. It is ten times better than the movie. The Trapps were a very faithful family and Mrs. von Trapp is very honest about their vision and beliefs. She is also an extremely entertaining writer. Highly recommended for slightly more mature readers.

Hamlet by William Shakespeare: We read this in my AP English Literature class. It is now my hands-down favorite Shakespeare play. Yes, everyone dies at the end. But it is complex, beautiful, full of great lines, and even funny in parts. Highly recommended for more mature readers.

Part Two here
Part Three here

Favorite Word

I willingly classify myself as an English geek. After some years of searching and denying my—never mind, I always knew and I think I accepted it long ago. And as an English geek I naturally must have a favorite word. Some people say that “cellar door” is beautiful, apart from any meaning. I agree. But it is not my favorite word. You see, I am both ‘lit.’ and ‘lang.’ (If that conveys anything to you, virtual chocolate is coming your way.) I like the sound and the meaning of a word to be united. And so, after some years of searching I have found my favorite word! (Actually, I’ve known what it is for several years, but I did try to figure it out for about a year.) Silver. A simple word, two syllables. Mostly sibilants (s, l, and v). But say it slowly, letting it slip out over your tongue. Doesn’t it sound metallic and cool and beautiful? Now think of silver. Isn’t it metallic and cool and beautiful? Hmm, where have we seen that list recently? Oh yes…(I think I’ve tried to be sardonic too much for one post. Enough.)…Anyway, you understand what I am trying to say, hopefully. Silver sounds like what it is. I like that very much indeed.

EDIT: Oh yes, and I have returned to college so more posts are forthcoming.

Just to let you know

I have not yet died nor fallen off the face of the earth. I will be back at school (and therefore have full-time internet access) late Sunday. I do have several new posts which I will be delivering early next week, including the year 2006 in books. So I will see you then!

So...

This is finals week. Strange and wonderful to think that one semester of my college education is over. Actually, that doesn't quite convey the correct note. My freshman year of college is half over. There, does that add in the little bit of panic? August seems like yesterday but the year is half over already and when I get back to school it will be 2007 already! Oy vey.

At any rate, this is not the point. The point is that a) I should be studying for my finals not blogging and therefore I haven't posted either of the things I meant to post so far this week and the poem for the week may go unposted as well and b) after finals I go home for a month where I have no wireless and therefore may not be able to post often. Sorry.

On another note entirely, I discovered The Common Room today. All right, all right, I had read a few other articles, mostly when Krista linked to them. At any rate, I actually read through the blog for the first time today and I enjoyed it greatly. I don't always agree on religious/political issues but then I don't always agree with almost everyone. And what's wrong with a little civilized disagreement? Furthermore, their taste in books is very good indeed.

Final note--I'm going to be updating the links to the right hand side of the page (I feel like a stewardess: "Here you will find the oxygen masks") and my profile which I decided today is remarkably boring. This will probably be done before I leave but I make no guarantees (actually it will probably be done in the next fifteen minutes when what I really should be doing is going to bed so I get up at a decent hour tomorrow so I have time to study so I do well on my finals). And finally, I updated my Tolkien website--at least, I updated the looks. I will get around to the content soon.

Methought there was something else I wanted to say, but methinks me hast forgotten what said thing was and therefore it must go unsaid. Alas.

Poem

Strange thing
That God's beauty should be small--
A blade of grass or the tip of a wing;
Yet fill the sky
With the glory of spring.

March 23, 2006

Housekeeping

Just a few quick things.

~After the "Tea and Thanksgiving" post I was inundated by spammers. Not good. So I started using word verification to try to keep it down. Since then I haven't had any problems. So if you were wondering when that suddenly appeared there's the story. Probably more than you wanted to know

~I won't have wireless access from Dec. 15-Jan. 15 so my time online may be somewhat limited and sporadic. I'm sorry. I won't have disappeared off the face of the earth and hopefully I'll return with wonderful thoughts ready to astound you all. Of course, I might not return with such greatness, but oh well!

~I can't remember if I've said this before, but if you want to know when I update the Changealarm thingy is wonderful. I've used it before for other websites and I can personally guarantee that it won't send you spam. It only e-mails you when the website you signed up for is updated.

Presentation of the Theotokos

The Presentation of the Theotokos to the Temple--Nov. 21/Dec. 4

When the Theotokos was born Joachim and Anna were already old. They realized that they would soon repose and therefore it was necessary to prepare for her future. St. Anna had promised the Theotokos to the Lord so they decided to take her to the temple in Jerusalem where she would live with other young virgins. The Mother of God was three when this occurred. Although she was so young she climbed all the steps of the temple by herself. The high priest took her into the Holy of Holies, where even he could only go once a year, thus signifying that she was holier than even this place. She then stayed in the Temple praying, studying and spinning and weaving until she was fourteen when she was betrothed to the Righteous Joseph.


I am somewhat attached to this feast day since it is my name day!

Source: Presentation

December's Quote

From "In the Bleak Midwinter:

"What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,--
Yet what I can give Him,
Give my heart."

~Christina Rossetti

Sunrise

Red and pink and gold and blue,
Purple and cream and peach;
Such abandoned careless glory--
Does my heart still beat?

March 23, 2006

Tea and Thanksgiving

After reading THIS lovely post of Lanier's, I found myself inspired to take a moment for tea today. I'm glad I did. I have tea almost every morning--it is my pick me up since I hate coffee--but there is something about tea time which is very special. I am a college student living in a dorm and I don't have a tea pot or nice china, but I did what I could. Rather than hurrying through my tea I savored it. Today I had Celestial Seasonings' Lemon Zinger, a tea I like better without sugar than with. I ate a bit of left-over pad thai and a oatmeal chocolate chip cookie with it. A strange combination, but it worked somehow or other.

And soon it will be Thanksgiving. I like Thanksgiving not so much for the turkey and the cranberry sauce but because I need to be reminded to thank God daily for what he has given me. I am a worry-wort by nature and I tend to get caught up in the troubles of the day and forget about the good things. It is surprising sometimes, when you stop to think, how many things there are to be thankful for in any given day. Even those that may seem like a burden--the rain for example. I actually enjoy rain but sometimes I allow myself to get caught up in a complaining spirit and grouse bitterly about it. But when I stop to think I can see that I really do enjoy it.

Finally, one of my favorite poems, which somehow seems Thanksgiving-y at the moment.


The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
And wears man’s smudge and shares man’s smell: the soil
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.

And for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last lights off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs—
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.

~Gerald Manley Hopkins