January Recap

BOOKS READ: 4

* J R R Tolkien (trans.): Beowulf: A translation and commentary  ⭐⭐⭐

    As much as I have enjoyed the story of Beowulf over the years, whether this edition by Tolkien or other editions, I did not so much this second time. I don't know what happened, other than I found the language somewhat tedious. I definitely experienced the LOTR elements in Tolkien's writing. I still prefer Beowulf the Warrior by Serraillier, a young person's retelling. 

Cherry Jones

* Laura Ingalls Wilder, Cherry Jones (narrator): Little House in the Big Woods ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐; Farmer Boy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ [Audible]

    All I have to say is that I am relishing in (for the millionth time) Cherry Jones' magnificent performance of the Little House series. She is fabulous! I think Farmer Boy is my favorite. I like to listen to the series while hauling mulch and tending to  my chickens, pretending my work is laborious like Almanzo's work. LOL. Not even close!

* Johnson & Robinson: The Scalpel and the Soul  ⭐⭐⭐

    Someone at church handed this to me, and I read it in a few days. It was about a married couple of surgeons during the 70s and 80s who performed abortions as an expedient way to make ample income on the side, and how they were convicted to quit and instead became proponents of the pro-life community. They also proclaimed Christ as Savior. I only gave it three stars because the writing was not very challenging, but I don't think that was the point. The message was. 

BOOKS I AM STILL READING: 16 

* J. Vernon McGee: Thru the Bible

    I use this commentary along with my daily Bible reading. Currently I am reading chronologically through the Bible, and I am in Deuteronomy. 

* Spurgeon: Morning and Evening

    This I use as my devotional.

* Dillehay: Broken Bread: How to Stop Using Food and Fear to Fill Spiritual Hunger [Kindle]

    I am reading this with a friend, and we discuss it one chapter a week. It's really introspective and engaging. 

* Ingalls Wilder, Cherry Jones (narrator): Little House on the Prairie [Audible]

    Again, I'm going through the entire series -- maybe two books a month. 

* Cervantes: Don Quixote

    I returned to the beginning of TWEM project, and this is the first book of the novels; it fits nicely with my self-education project for the Middle Ages because it is all about the lost art of knights and chivalry. This is my third read.

* Tsarfati: Revealing Revelation: How God's Plan for the Future Can Change Your Life Now

    I have a fascination with eschatology. 

SELF-EDUCATION PROJECT:

    Part of the reason I have so many books open at one time is because I am doing a self-education study through history and literature, and currently I am in the Middle Ages. Therefore, many of my books I am only reading within the time period that I am studying. Many of these books cover church history or Christianity. 

* Miller: TruthQuest: The Middle Ages 

    I am using this book as my spine, and from it I read deeper into history and literature with many of the following books:

* Miller: The Story of the Middle Ages

    Overview of the chronological view of history in short chapters with a brief introduction to an event or person. Reads like a story and meant to be read aloud.

* Kirk: Roots of the American Order

    This book digs into America's governmental roots, back to the Law of Moses, or God's Law. Kirk follows it all the way through history up until America's birth.

* Schaeffer: How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture

    There is an archaic video edition of this book, but I prefer the book so much more. Schaeffer put together an excellent discussion topic. 

* Foxe: Foxe's Book of Martyrs

    This is a new version of Foxe's Martyrs, edited by Voice of the Martyrs, and it too follows along chronologically through history. 

* Jackson: No Other Foundation: The Church Through Twenty Centuries

    This book is a full and complex review of Church history.

* Johnson: The History of Christianity

    I wish I did not open this can of worms with Johnson because he is an intricate writer, and I think I am in over my head regarding this topic. I almost feel like he is making the case against Christianity. LOL!! But I have had this copy for years and it follows along nicely with my history study; therefore, I will try to stick it out. I greatly appreciated Johnson's A History of the American People, which was brilliant and so enjoyable. I was hoping this title would read the same, but...we'll see where it goes.

* Langford: Fire Upon the Earth: The Story of the Christian Church

    I love this little book. A bite size overview of Church history. Short and sweet, concise and honest. Also reads in chronological order.

* Shelley: Church History in Plain Language

    One of most readable books on Church history. 

* Pyle: The Story of King Arthur and His Knights

    I very much enjoyed reading this to my kids, but that was a long time ago, and I'm not having the same experience. Yet, I carry on. Almost done. It is somewhat interesting reading it alongside Don Quixote.

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