Rev HRod gives us this Friday Five:The website promoting this piece of art says, "For the first time, the worlds most influential religious texts are brought together and presented on the same level, their coexistence acknowledged and celebrated”. The shelf is made of reclaimed wood that contains seven religious books. The designers have put them – literally – on the same level.Well, pish posh! I think that some books ARE better than others! How about you?
What book have you read in the last six months that has really stayed with you? Why?
I just finished Geraldine Brooks' novel March, which is about Mr. March, the father of the Little Women. Haunting vision of war and what it does to people. Also, quite an insightful portrait of people who are both idealistic and flawed.
Also, like Mompriest, I have been reading Mary Oliver's poetry.
What is one of your favorite childhood books?
I always liked Little Women. I know I am not unique in this. I got an abridged edition when I was pretty young, and graduated to the thick illustrated edition. I think (no, I know) I identified with Jo, who wanted to be a writer, and was devastated that she didn't get together with Laurie.
Do you have a favorite book of the Bible? Do tell!
I can't help myself. I do like Romans. I guess I'm Lutheran, after all. Although my favorite verse of the Bible is from 2 Corinthians, chapter 5, verse 17: If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation. Everything old has passed away; behold, everything has become new.
What is one book you could read again and again?
True confessions: I have, on occasion, read certain sections of To Kill a Mockingbird over and over again. Maybe one of the reasons our dog is named Scout.
Is there a book you would suggest for Lenten reading? What is it and why?
Well, the one the Revgals has chosen, Bread and Wine, is pretty good. The readings are varied and reflect lots of different traditions. One year we read Henry Nouwen's book With Open Hands during Lent. I thought that was a wonderful meditation on prayer.
And because we all love bonus questions, if you were going to publish a book what would it be? Who would you want to write the jacket cover blurb expounding on your talent?
Right now my best book idea is a memoir of my years on the South Dakota prairie, learning from experts what it means to be a pastor. Possible title (taken from my post on Lutheran Cable Network shows: "They ordain Women, Don't they?") I'd love if Anne Lamott and Kathleen Norris could recommend it!
23 comments:
kathleen norris seems a shoe-in for the jacket diane!
We read March as a church last year (or at least some of us did) as part of a multi-media program on War and Peace. This year we're doing Islam and reading The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf.
I so agree about Jo and Laurie -- that part where she turns him down always made me cry and probably still would!
I would love to read your South Dakota prairie pastor book! And fellow Dakotan Kathleen Norris would most certainly recommend it.
Had not heard of March. Must check it out, as I loved Little Women too!
I had my middle special education class read a Low Vocab version of the book. The entire group, except one, was male. When I announced what we were reading, they were a little upset, with the title and all. But, one of my tough guys was most upset when Beth dies, to the point of almost crying. It was really sweet.
I then got the movie for them to see.
Thanks for the info about March- gotta find it!
And although I was sad that Jo didn't take on Laurie, I get kind of weapy when she finally catches up with the professor.
Thanks for playing!
Kathleen Norris and Anne Lamott recommending something would definitely get my attention!
I would read it, too!
Also, I always wanted to take Amy's cute little nose and pull it really hard......
I loved With Open Hands, another Nouwen classic!
Goota get MArch- I did not pick Little Women as my favorite re-read, but it is up there. I still have my hardbound copy with the original cover from when I was little. And you're right about Jo ( I always identified with her). Go Romans! Great play!
Loved every word of this post!!!
Love it...and I'm a Mockingbird reader, too. Some books just beg to be read aloud, and this is one of them.
Have you read Rick Lischer's Open Secrets? About his early years as a Lutheran pastor in the midwest.
I love Little Women too! And was also sad about Laurie, but the sequels where she married someone far better suited to her and opened the boys orphanage, made up for all of it.
South Dakota stories sounds like a perfect book for you. It would be prominently displayed at Wall Drug!
I know lots of Lutherans who would have no trouble whatsoever with that Corinthians text: I'm one of them. But yeah, Romans is kinda central for us, isn't it?
Great play. Having never read TKIM, even though it's a classic, I'll take your word for its greatness. I'll get to it one of these days, though, if I ever finish Bleak House.
Has there ever been a reader who was happy that Laurie ended up with Amy? I think not!
But I must say, Gabriel
Byrne forever changed my mental image of Prof. Bhaer...
I had an early labour with Son #2 and was bed-bound for two months. I read and re-read "To Kill a Mockingbird" during those weeks. Thanks for the reminder about that time...
A busy day trying to write a sermon, but a few replies:
1) Scott -- I have read Bleak House in college -- it's great, but it's been a looong time.
2) zorra -- now that version of Little Women? .. must be the Winona Ryder version?
3) queen mum -- yeah, I kinda wanted to do that to Amy too, esp. after she stole Laurie
4)RevAnne -- I love Open Secrets as well. read it a few years ago, and think it's a classic.
more later, and visiting as well... just having a hard time putting together my outline today...
"Little Women" was my favorite book that I read and re-read, but my daughters didn't like it. I'm glad to learn what "March" is about and want to read that, too. Thanks, Diane.
I loved Little Women, Little Men and Jo's Boys. They were all re-reads. I will be getting March at the first opportunity. Thanks for telling us about it.
Oh, Little Women! I wanted to start my own literary newspaper, just like the March girls, and To Kill A Mockingbird is a favorite.
Loved Little Women, too, and I have a copy of March just waiting to be read!
I have never read To Kill a Mockingbird, another book to add to my list.
Very good post.
I would probably have guessed that To Kill a Mockingbird would be on your list :)
It's nice to know I'm not the only one who reads books (or parts of books) over and over again!!!
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