1.18.2008

Friday Five: Good Books Edition

Today, RevHRod 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've read a lot of Spiritual Direction books for class, and I've read a lot of fun books, but I haven't read much that was thoughtful without being work-related. I've got nothing on this one. (Though if you want a beautiful one on Spiritual Direction, Gerald May's Awakened Heart is great.) NO, WAIT, I LIE!!! I just peeked at the next question, and realized that it's children's books. I didn't read Madeleine L'Engle as a child, I just started last fall. I've loved her.

What is one of your favorite childhood books?
Early Childhood: Harold and the Purple Crayon.
Young Adult: There's a series about the Melendy children by Elizabeth Enright and they're WONDERFUL. The Saturdays, Spiderweb for Two, The Four-Story Mistake, Then There Were Five. I think there are more, but it's been a long time.

Do you have a favorite book of the Bible? Do tell!
I love the Gospel of John. I love Isaiah. I really enjoy Exodus.

What is one book you could read again and again?
John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany. I could not begin to count the number of times I've read this book.

Is there a book you would suggest for Lenten reading? What is it and why?
Something quiet. I like poetry for Lent, it makes me settle down a little better. I'll take suggestions if anyone has some, because most of my favorite poets are exuberant (Whitman, cummings).

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?
I almost left off this bonus, because I really don't know the answer. Mr. M, however, has said for a long time that he thinks I'll write a book. (I assume we're not including my Sr. research, which will certainly not be published: "Deception and Disguise in Eighteenth Century AngloAmerican Women's Literature.") So I'll leave the unanswered question here, as a reminder of his faith and expectation.

16 comments:

  1. It's good to have Mr. M's faith. Write that book!

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  2. Forgot about Harold and the Purple Crayon. And Mr M is right- you should write that book- even if only for yourself- I am sure you have a story to tell.

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  3. yes write that book- I'll read it!!!!

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  4. Thanks for reminding me of the Melendy books--those were good. I still like to read and reread children's books.

    Sophia's Rosary is completed but not in press yet (got a just miss at a couple publishers and needs to be sent out again when I get a minute to breathe). So if you'd like a copy now send me your email address and I'll send it along.

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  5. Hooray for Mr. M! And I remember the Melendy children. I liked them a lot but my little sister ADORED them. Thanks for the memory.

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  6. I translated and annotated the last 3 chapters of the gospel of John for my Greek III class...
    I too am drawn to that book over all other NT books. The pentetauch rocks too! Good play--I'd read your book!

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  7. Oh goodness - how could I have forgotten Harold? I loved that book.

    And Owen Meany, too. I just re-read the Christmas pageant section a few weeks ago. I'm not a fan of everything by Irving, but that one and Cider House are amazing.

    Thanks for a great play!

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  8. I too forgot all about Harold and the Purple Crayon!
    Mr. M. sounds like a good guy! :)

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  9. owen meany... i lent him out and never got it back! grrrr...

    so you're not writing "the search for the friday's (hopefully red) underpants?" hee hee

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  10. Isaiah really sings, doesn't it?

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  11. With you on John and Isaiah! I gotta read Owen Meany cuz people I think rock keep mentioning that book! Mr. M sounds like a keeper...faith and expectation being good things in a Mr. Great play!

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  12. Hat tip to Mr M ... I'll look forward to reading that book!

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  13. loved the melandys. also I think by elizabeth enright "gone-away lake" - did you ever read that one?

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  14. Elizabeth Enright - one of the finest writers ever.

    Madeleine L'Engle - my favorite of all. See if you can find The Other Side of the Sun, a very early effort of hers (adult fiction). Gorgeous, rather over the top, lovely.

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  15. Sophia's Rosary is streamlined and up at my place! I'd be interested to see what you think.

    Thanks for inspiring me to get it out there while I prepare to send it out to another publisher.

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  16. hmmm thought I left a comment before. I too loved the Melendy children, especially the Four Storey Mistake, and A Spiderweb for Two.

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"So keep fightin' for freedom and justice, beloveds, but don't you forget to have fun doin' it. Lord, let your laughter ring forth. Be outrageous, ridicule the fraidy-cats, rejoice in all the oddities that freedom can produce. And when you get through kickin' ass and celebratin' the sheer joy of a good fight, be sure to tell those who come after how much fun it was."
-Saint Molly Ivins