I was recently asked in an interview what books I’m currently reading. Since a picture is truly worth a thousand words, I thought I’d post one here. I snuck Poldark in as that is what I’ve been watching, too. A little 18th-century cinematic bliss!
The better question is …
What are you reading?
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I am currently reading Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen, next Thief of Glory by Sigmund Brouwer. I enjoyed watching Poldark as well. How does the book compare?
Susan, Love your fine list! I am a big fan of Julie and may have tea with her in October:) I haven’t heard of Thief and must check it out. SB is a very good writer. As for Poldark, I always think the book is better but the film is so well done that I cannot complain! In fact, it may be better to watch the movie first as it makes a stunning backdrop for the text. I am itching to go to Cornwall now but doubt I’ll get there! At least we can go in our imaginations. Happy reading to you, my friend! And happy Friday!
I have never read Gone With the Wind all the way through, so decided it was time! I’ve seen the film several times, so know the story line. As I’m reading I see that the lead characters are certainly not good examples to follow, but the writing and characterization of the different people are excellent. Margaret Mitchell certainly knew how to write a compelling story. She is an observer in the story and just tells us how things are. Ms. Mitchell shows us all the badness and goodness of the various people without playing favorites. The heroine will give her opinion about a supporting character, but that may not be a true picture. The narrator usually shows us the truth and even has sympathies for the people the heroine kicks aside. Scarlett can be so bad, but is definitely redeemable. It makes me sad about all the wrong choices she’s going to make eventually. She’s only sixteen and still growing up. If only she (and the other characters) could have turned to God. Things could have been different for them. Sigh. Gracious! I sound like they’re real people! They’re only fictional characters, Sylvia. Tell yourself that over and over. 🙂
I’m also reading a cozy mystery called State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy. The heroine is a White House chef. Next is For Elise by Sarah M. Eden. It’s a clean Regency novel.
Sylvia, I KNEW you would pay attention to this post! 🙂 And your currents reads delight me. Especially Hyzy and Eden’s. I love Eden’s covers but have never read her work. If you like, I’m sure I would, too. As for dear Margaret, she certainly nailed GWTW! Your comments comprise a great review. I think she’d like it and agree with you. The missing faith element is huge like you said. I first saw the movie when I was 13 and was just mesmerized. The book was even better. I went on to rewatch and reread but it’s been a long time ago. One of my first attempts at a novel was a GWTW type story. My “Tara” was “Albermarle” and my “Rhett” was “Philip.” Heavens! I’m glad that one went in a deep dark closet. Then I moved on to write the sequel to Dances With Wolves. Not much for original thought in my teens and twenties!!
Thanks so much for being here and sharing from your stack. We all benefit 🙂
I think you should dig out that novel on Albermarle and Philip and polish it – I’m sure there were many beautiful scenes that we readers would love to read!!
You are too kind, Bonnie! I actually have that book in a trunk and it is retch-able 😉 But it kept me going for a couple of years in high school when I desperately needed a diversion!
As an avid reader, I mostly read Christian fiction.
Currently reading Lynette Eason’s series Hidden Identity…am on #2 and have #3 handy to read next.
I have your Love’s Reckoning on my Kindle to read, and I want to get that series.
Jackie, Like you, I read mostly Christian fiction. I just have to have a happy ending most of the time. HEA, as they say 🙂
Lynette is terrific! She writes for my publisher and I’ve met her at author events. And I’m honored LR is on your Kindle. It’s quite a ride so hold on! I pray/hope you enjoy Eden and Silas’s story very much when you get to it. Like that you have Lynette’s to read back to back. That makes the reading extra sweet! Thanks so much for chiming in here. Book sharing is the best 🙂
Currently reading The Gift by Wanda Brunstetter
Gail, Wanda is so popular ~ glad you have one of hers in hand! I love some of her covers, too. This book candy is wonderful stuff! Thanks for sharing.
I’m reading “The Painted Bird” by Jerzy Kosinski as recommended by Sol Stein in “Stein on Writing.” Such a tragedy: the story, the history it’s based on, the backlash to the book, the author’s life. I hope there are bright spots in the story; so far it’s a testament to man’s inhumanity to man. But stunning writing.
Cristine, So good to see what’s in hand for you – the title is quite evocative. Oftentimes the best writing deals with the bleakest subjects, it seems. One of my favorite reads of the past few months is Amy Belding Brown’s Flight of the Sparrow.
It was hard reading because of the tragic history involved but one of the best books I’ve come across in a long time. My reading time has been slashed severely and I’m going to have to make more time for it. Thanks for the book tip. I must look up!
Hi, Laura!!
I see ‘To Capture Her Heart’, by Rebecca DeMarino, in your stack. I read/reviewed it on OWG several weeks ago – I loved it and can’t wait for the opportunity to read her first novel in the series. The fact that one of my ancestors was a war chief with the Shawnee only makes this type story line even more fascinating to me.
I think one of the marks of a really good book is developing a desire in the reader to visit/read more about historical areas depicted in the book – this one did that for me. Your books also create that desire in me, fortunately, I live near enough to visit/revisit some of Kentucky’s historical sites.
Most of my reading is for reviewing, I’ve enjoyed some wonderful novels/novellas recently. I also recently reviewed on OWG, Erica Vetsch’s ‘The Cactus Creek Challenge’ and 2 novellas in the Seeker’s ‘With This Spark’ Historical Fiction collection – one being Pam Hillman’s ‘Castaway With the Cowboy’. Erica’s book is laugh-out-loud funny, with beautiful children and the redemption of flawed characters; Pam’s novella has a most unusual story line, full of adventure, characters working together for survival, and hope. Other’s I’ve recently read and will be writing reviews for in the next couple of days are Maryann Diorio’s ‘Surrender to Love’ and Pam Hillman’s ‘The Lumberjack’s Bride’ – from the ‘Small-Town Summer Brides Collection. Today I am reading Carrie Fancett Pagel’s ‘Lilacs For Juliana’ which will be releasing this week, I think, and Darlene Franklin’s novella ‘Jacob’s Christmas Dream’ will be next – it just released.
There are numerous others waiting to be read/reviewed, including Joanne Bischof’s ‘To Get To You’, releasing soon – can’t wait to put your beautiful TMOTA at the top of that stack!!
Love, hugs, and prayers – dear Laura!!
Dear Bonnie, You continue to amaze me with ALL you do and the reading, writing, reviewing, and blog posting too!! I need to hop on over to OWG again soon and catch up. Am quite behind after this major move. It felt good to resume work and a schedule somewhat this past week when school started. Getting up early is my cup of tea and I confess to having become a nightowl over the summer…
Your reading list is a feast for us bibliophiles 🙂 Thanks for taking the time and sharing ideas. I can hear pens scratching as we write down these ideas. I’m anxious for Julie’s indie Isle of Hope to release. Not sure when that’s coming out but know lots of folks are ready!
Yes, Mistress is almost here and I’m very thankful!! Happy reading to you and have a blessed week! Love, hugs, and prayers!
Julie is shooting for Oct. or Nov. release on Isle of Hope, going through edits now. Like you, I’m so excited about it. She’s billed it as being the contemporary book of her heart (as A Passion Most Pure was the historical book of her heart)- it’s close to mine, also. Semi-biographical for her, & relates to emotional scenes from my past also.
Bonnie, I think you were an early reader for IoH? I should think so! If readers could give endorsements (well, I guess they do or don’t in reviews) then I think yours would really shine for this novel of Julie’s heart! She’s such a gem that I could get all twitterpated reading her grocery list!
Half way in A Bride at Last by Melissa Jagears and then will be reading Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin, and Driftwood Tides by Gina Holmes. Have them lined up here ~ next…
How is writing in your cabin going? Vista views.
Blessings to you and yours, Laura. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
Love your list, Kathleen. I I need to read Gina Holmes as she’s new to me – I must get busy! My writing is going beautifully in the cabin loft at that very old desk. It is actually quite comfortable sitting in that matching chair. I really like the breeze from the window above my head and the one at my back. Plus the view of the tree tops doesn’t hurt :)! Thank you for asking. You inspire me to get busy again Monday. Bless you so much! You should see Mistress soon!
I loved the redemption of those characters in ‘A Bride At Last’ – some tough subjects in this novel, those are the ones I most love!!
Oh, you have me intrigued, dear Bonnie! Tough subjects are indeed the ones I most love!! Happy reading to you. Wonderful to think of you with your feet up and savoring a book. Well deserved, my friend!!
Wow! Looks like a great line-up of books sitting there (one in particular, right in the middle, caught my eye…I think you know which one 😉 ). I just finished “Sword of Forgiveness” by Debbie Lynn Costello and now I’m reading “Lilacs For Juliana” by Carrie Fancett Pagels. After that, I’m thinking of “Wind Dancer” by Jamie Carie, unless of course a certain book finds its way to my house before then. Today I’m enjoying a little Fess Parker marathon, as this would have been his birthday, so celebrating by watching Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone. Happy reading to you, my friend! 🙂
Angi, Love that you spied Mistress in my stack 🙂 I can’t wait to hear when you get yours!! LOVE your list. I’ve read Wind Dancer when it first came out and really appreciated it centered around one of my heroes, George Rogers Clark. I’m very fond of author Jamie, too! I had no idea this was Fess’s bday! What a great way to spend a Sunday. Wish I was there with you! A blessed Sunday to you, dear Angi!!
First of all I am thrilled to be receiving your new book long before I thought!!!Yay Then I will reply to my favorite question And I know I am limited so the latest one first.Not By sight by Kate Breslin a new fav author! Then The Curiosity Keeper by Sarah E Ladd Love her! Another new author Annette K Larsen Saving Marilee. A Stillness of Chimes by Meg Mosely delighted me and I’ll be looking for more. Best of All an very old book by Hudson Taylor called Union and Communion, A devotional on Song of Songs and a beautiful picture Of Intimacy with God!!! Thanks for asking love you Laura!!!
Dear Mary Jill (I love your name and might as well tell you straight out!), Your list is wonderful and crosses genres which I love! Sarah is wonderful as is Meg. I think I endorsed that one 🙂 I was recently asked in an interview which covers I like best and the standouts for me are Kate B’s. I can only imagine the stunning stories wrapped within all that cover candy! I need to look up Larsen. I am a big fan of Hudson Taylor and have a bio of him on a shelf saved for missionaries. The one you mention sounds heavenly indeed. Thanks so much for sharing for everyone’s benefit. And heartfelt thanks for having a heart for Mistress! She’s out early this year. Oh my!
I started reading Mistress and I am on chapter 10! I am smitten, dear friend, as I knew I would be. Oh, and I am in love with that child’s sweet name. But no spoilers. 🙂
I am anxious to see the great unveiling of your Pinterest board and hoping you have some pics of Seamus and the little one. I think he resembles Silas in my mind’s eye, ha!
As always, I am not speed reading through this delicious morsel, my friend. 🙂
Blessings to you this beautiful Sunday, dear friend.
Dear Georgianne, I can’t tell you the delight I feel to think of you reading and enjoying it! And it means SO very much to me that you love that child’s sweet name. I do, too. Isn’t it winsome and more?! It came to me out of the blue and I thought, “Clever Seamus!” It was born in that early scene right at her birth and required little thought. Straight from heaven, I guess:)
This is my most ambitious Pinterest board yet. I think I went wild over there in my joy to return to the 18th-century. You are right in thinking Seamus like Silas. Very true. I have the template for his character there and also Lily Cate’s – actually a photo of them together which I sent to Revell during the cover process. The designer sewed a dress for a little girl and Miss LC was supposed to be on the cover with Seamus but alas… Sophie won out!
I hope you do savor every word. And I apologize for the delay! I couldn’t get online yesterday and today was gone all day. But what joy to return to these wonderful comments:
I am currently reading the 3 series books ‘The Hawk & The Dove Series’. I didn’t think I would like them much but am enjoying them immensely. They have parables, stories within the story. They are set in the 1200’s at a Monastery.
Hi Cherie, So happy to share your series here:) Love the title! Since you say you weren’t sure you would like them but are immensely speaks volumes to me. I must look up! That’s a refreshing time period, too. I remember reading a lot of Victoria Holt, rather her pen name Jean Plaidy, years ago and loving them. Some were set in the same period. You may well have read them. Thanks so much for taking time here and sharing!