Recommended Reading

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #30 on: January 04, 2007, 07:26:30 AM » by burlsgirl

My very favorite Christian author right now is Lauraine Snelling. She has many books and they are truly wonderful. I've never read one that didn't stir my heart toward God. I just can't go on about her enough.

Justice, she also has several series of fiction for Young Adults, and if I'm not mistaken, they deal with horses. Seems I remember the word "Philly" in the title of one? You could check her website.

Anyway, just had to chime in because she is so good and so encouraging!

Blessings,
Emily

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #31 on: February 02, 2007, 01:30:24 PM » by SarahK

Here's my contribution:

Hank the Cowdog

Maybe that will reveal too much about me...

Sarah K

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #32 on: February 18, 2007, 03:07:39 PM » by HeyMom

Has anyone read any books by Elizabeth Prentiss?

A neighbor gave me a copy of Stepping Heavenward a couple of years ago for my birthday and I have read it 3 x - a wonderful book. It reads as a diary - Here is a review from E. Elliot:

"This book is a treasure of both gdly and womanly wisdom told with disarming candor and humility, yet revealing a deep heart's desire to know Gd. We need such intimate accounts, need them desparately when the word commitment is so little understood and so seldom preacticed. I do not hesitate to recommend it to men, who need to better understand the wives they live with, and to any woman who wants to walk with Gd".

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #33 on: February 18, 2007, 03:25:32 PM » by ShabbyChic

Is Hank the Cowdog intended for kids? I can't tell. The graphics look a little mature, and some cartoons aren't for kids (The Simpsons...) Do they teach a moral? Are they one long story, or is each book a new adventure? I think my son would love some cool dog books. He's really into dogs right now.

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #34 on: February 18, 2007, 04:15:11 PM » by JuliaofSunnyside

I second the Anne of Green Gables series. The whole series - not just the first one. They are good reading for adults I think! The reading level is much higher than average modern adult reading, and you get a wonderful perspective on history as they are written 100 years ago. They are witty and you just want to jump into them and live on Prince Edward Island, even in the winter. LM Montgomery has other good books that I've read, too, like A Tangled Web, The Blue Castle, Akin to Anne, The Emily of New Moon series, Tales from Avonlea, Pat of Silver Bush, there are lots. She was a minister's wife. The books aren't very politically correct so you might want to buy them if you find them before they quit printing them! Or send them to me, 'cause I can't find a lot of them. I love them and can't wait till I can read them to my daughters!

Of course Jane Austen books are wonderful and I like any classic I can find time to read. Shakespeare is wonderful if you can plow through the language which I'm sure isn't a problem for all you KJV readers Wink

. My husband read Treasure Island to our 4 year old and they both really enjoyed it. Oh and Robinson Crusoe is good and I'm sure my little boy will like it.

And don't forget the Chronicles of Narnia and CS Lewis's other fiction - Perelandra is one of them but I can't remember the others - my husband liked those. I like Janette Oke's novels, too.

Speaking of classics - there is a book called Invitation to the Classics by Os Guiness which explains the worldview of a lot of the authors of the classics. It's great because you can see where the author is coming from. The co-author even makes a case for Shakespeare having a biblical wordview. I wish it had a few more authors, though. Most book reviews tend to have a liberal slant - telling you Jane Eyre was a feminist, etc.

We love to check out audiobooks and listen to them on long car trips.

« Last Edit: February 20, 2007, 07:09:30 PM by JuliaofSunnyside »
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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #35 on: February 18, 2007, 04:34:23 PM » by HeyMom

Quote from: JuliaofSunnyside on February 18, 2007, 04:15:11 PM

I second the Anne of Green Gables series. The whole series - not just the first one. They are good reading for adults I think!

Yes, they were good, one of my dd got the whole collection from grandparents for Christmas. I read them first and was disappointed to read the last one, and at the end of each was a biography and then nice map of P.E.I., Canada and Nova Scotia.

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For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.
2 Chronicles 16:9
www.courageroad.blogspot.com

Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #36 on: February 18, 2007, 04:37:40 PM » by 4myhoonie

Quote from: SarahK on February 02, 2007, 01:30:24 PM

Here's my contribution:

Hank the Cowdog

Maybe that will reveal too much about me...

Sarah K

hi Sarah--can you tell us more about these? i am interested for my 8 yo boy. thanks!

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #37 on: February 18, 2007, 04:45:06 PM » by homeschooling madre

Hank the Cowdog is hysterical! We never even heard of this series until we moved to Texas 2 years ago. There's at least 40 different stories. They're all individual stories, you can pick up # 41 and then read #8 with no problem. Our library has them on tape. (Here I must admit that I've never personally read the books, only listened to them on tape/CD, but my 2 sons have read them.) We borrow the tapes for car trips. They have humor that appeals to adults as well as kids. You've got to hear the tapes at least once - you'll never forget the "drawl" Hank has! The author is a homeschooling dad.

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #38 on: February 18, 2007, 04:45:27 PM » by oneblessedwoman

Quote from: JuliaofSunnyside on February 18, 2007, 04:15:11 PM

Speaking of classics - there is a book called Invitation to the Classics by Os Guiness which explains the worldview of a lot of the authors of the classics. It's great because you can see where the author is coming from. The co-author even makes a case for Shakespeare being a Christian. I wish it had a few more authors, though. Most book reviews tend to have a liberal slant - telling you Jane Eyre was a feminist, etc.

I agree that most book reviews are way too liberal and tend to put topics into the "imagery" of books that I can't imagine the author intending. However, sometime it seems like Christians try to make authors that really don't show any clear signs of Christianity into "Christians." It is really hard to find unbiased info.

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #39 on: February 18, 2007, 05:25:18 PM » by Kati*did

Quote from: peace4all on February 18, 2007, 03:07:39 PM

This is one of my favorite books. I first read it because I was bored, and loved it. It truly changed way I veiwed married life -- in a very similar way as CTBHHM.

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #40 on: February 18, 2007, 05:29:23 PM » by JuliaofSunnyside

Quote from: oneblessedwoman on February 18, 2007, 04:45:27 PM

Quote from: JuliaofSunnyside on February 18, 2007, 04:15:11 PM

Yes, I know it sounds like this author is doing that, making Shakespeare a Christian, but she really does make a great case and said she herself was converted through reading his works. The book is pretty good about showing the beliefs of the author. I like knowing because it helps me discern where the author is coming from and I can better glean truth and knowledge from his or her writing.

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #41 on: February 19, 2007, 08:46:32 AM » by SarahK

Quote from: fivewittletids on February 18, 2007, 04:37:40 PM

Quote from: SarahK on February 02, 2007, 01:30:24 PM

Here's my contribution:

Hank the Cowdog

Maybe that will reveal too much about me...

Sarah K

hi Sarah--can you tell us more about these? i am interested for my 8 yo boy. thanks!

Quick answer:
Humor; Animal story-fiction; Chapter book; Read-aloud potential; Reading level - 4-6 grade
Traditional gender roles, no sex, no blood, no witches/mysticism/God, lots of silliness, appeals to all age levels
Questionable(?) words:
I'll be derned. Oh, Fiddle. Oh, phooey. Drat. Darn. Shucks.

Long answer:
The main character, Hank, lives on a cattle ranch in Texas with another dog, Drover. He appears to work with Slim Chance, a bachelor cowboy on the ranch owned by Loper, his wife (who dislikes stinky dogs) Sally May, & their son, Alfred. The farm tom cat, resident chickens and the cattle are all part of the activity on the day to day workings of the ranch.

But that's just what the onlooker might see. Hank gives the 'real story' as Head of Ranch Security. Every day has it's own dangers, suspense, mystery, naps and pork chops. From his office on a gunney sack under the gas tanks, Hank uses a lot of very technically confused strategies powered by his vivid imagination to solve various mysteries that threaten the security of his ranch.

The average reading level is compariable to Beverly Cleary books like "Runaway Ralph". But the author throws in a few more difficult words in his descriptions like "Oldsmobile" and Hank often gets tongue tied (like "the kitchen limoleun floor") These would have confused my 8 yr old boy who still struggles with decoding words. But if you are looking for a good 'clean' humor chapter book series, this should do it. Could be a 'hook them on reading book series' by reading a few of the Hank books aloud and then making the rest of the series "read it yourself" books. They are addicting.

The audio versions are popular with my kids. But I'm personally limiting their use. The dramatic southern drawl is contageous...

Sarah K

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #42 on: February 20, 2007, 01:10:10 PM » by sweet

Good news everyone! Stepping Heavenward is available for free at Gutenberg Press. They also have a work by her husband which at a quick glance seems to be her personal letters.

Thanks for the recommendation

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #43 on: February 20, 2007, 02:20:42 PM » by mxmom

I have to second Hank the Cowdog. Some of these books are so funny that we 'howled' Roll Eyes

as much as we read. I read them aloud to my kids when they were younger, but as we all read this thread, they are asking me to read them aloud again. Wink

I think it is interesting that the enjoyment of being read to never ends with age. My two are 17 and 14 and still love being read to.

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #44 on: February 20, 2007, 03:20:25 PM » by ShabbyChic

Awesome. My MIL owns a Christian bookstore and is always asking "what we need" and I respond, "A maid," so now I can give her something real, not that maids aren't real, but something she could order from a christian book distributor. Wonder what the shipping would be on a maid? Guess it depends on where she's coming from and how much she weighs... Grin

Thanks, too, SarahK for that detailed response. Did you cut and paste that from a site that reviews books? I'd like to know about that site.

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #45 on: February 20, 2007, 03:55:52 PM » by HeyMom

Quote from: ShabbyChic on February 20, 2007, 03:20:25 PM

Too funny!!! LOL - if anyone researches this, let me know if the shipping price is reasonable Roll Eyes

(course if you ask my daughters, they'd tell you they were cinderellas in training)

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2 Chronicles 16:9
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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #46 on: February 20, 2007, 04:03:42 PM » by Kitty

I like Liz Curtis Higgs, Francine Rivers, and the Brock and Bodie Thoene books. Lynn Austin, I enjoy, too.

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #47 on: February 20, 2007, 04:43:55 PM » by SarahK

Quote from: ShabbyChic on February 20, 2007, 03:20:25 PM

Thanks, too, SarahK for that detailed response. Did you cut and paste that from a site that reviews books? I'd like to know about that site.

Uh... nope. It's just me.

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #48 on: February 20, 2007, 04:58:16 PM » by Tech Serv Assistant

Here are a few for you to try~

Mystery: Mindy Starns Clark- A Penny for your Thoughts, Don't Take Any Wooden Nickels, A Dime a Dozen, A Quarter for a Kiss, The Buck Stops Here

Legal/Suspense: James Scott Bell- Breach of Promise, Sins of the Fathers, Presumed Guilty
Dee Henderson: Before I Wake
Harry Kraus: Fated Genes, Serenity

Biblical: Liz Curtis Higgs- Thorn in My Heart, Fair is the Rose, Whence Came a Prince, Grace in Thine Eyes
This series by Liz Curtis Higgs is one of my favorite and one of the best set in Scotland!

Lynn Austin's A Woman's Place is excellent historical fiction about World War II.

All of the above authors have written more than what I've typed here; these are just some of my favorites! Wink

Also, a good website is www.faithfulreader.com

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #49 on: February 20, 2007, 05:32:32 PM » by Sarahsboys

I have a really hard time reading romantic fiction (it subconsciously raises my expectations of my hubby and leads to feelings of dissatisfaction) so I gravitate to books that are really funny like SAHM I am by Meredith Efken (I just about hurt myself laughing through this book), or books that make me sit in quiet thought when I finish like When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin. Charles Martin is my favorite new author. All of his books are excellent. I wish he'd write faster so I could have some good meaty books to read.

He is a Christian author, but it is not light reading. I also am a huge fan of L. M. Montgomery, especially the book The Blue Castle and A Tangled Web. The Anne and Emily books are good too, but there are so many other books by her that are almost better.
Mindy Starns Clark has a 3 book series about a girl named Tulip. Those were good - mindless, entertaining reads without too much romance.
Five Little Peppers and How They Grew is great for reading to kids, along with the Little House books.
So far, that's all I can think of right now.

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #50 on: February 21, 2007, 01:10:03 PM » by Tech Serv Assistant

Quote from: Sarahsboys on February 20, 2007, 05:32:32 PM

so I gravitate to books that are really funny like SAHM I am by Meredith Efken (I just about hurt myself laughing through this book)

That was a funny book! Grin

I'm not even a mom yet (or married for that matter) and I found it hilarious! Have you read the new one she wrote? It's called @ Home for the Holidays. I haven't read it yet and I can't get it through interlibrary loan because it's too new, but I'm (somewhat impatiently Wink

) waiting.

Quote from: Sarahsboys on February 20, 2007, 05:32:32 PM

Mindy Starns Clark has a 3 book series about a girl named Tulip. Those were good - mindless, entertaining reads without too much romance.

I've read those too. I really enjoyed them. They have some interesting tips in there!

« Last Edit: February 21, 2007, 01:12:45 PM by librarypage »
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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #51 on: February 21, 2007, 01:44:01 PM » by amazonmama2five

Quote from: YooperMama on February 20, 2007, 04:03:42 PM

I like Liz Curtis Higgs, Francine Rivers, and the Brock and Bodie Thoene books. Lynn Austin, I enjoy, too.

Jen,

I KNEW we were kindred spirits! I have a couple of LCH's books, but almost of ALL of Francine Rivers and the Thoene's books! I am impatiently waiting for the 5th and 6th in the A.D. Chronicles to come out in my bookclub. Did you know they have a website? http://www.thoenebooks.com/index.asp Check it out!
See ya later,
Lisa

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #52 on: February 21, 2007, 04:04:29 PM » by Kitty

Lisa,

<grinning> You mean we have more than "coffee in" common? Wink

Yes, I have been to their site...did you ever read the "new" books that came out that people complained weren't really new to the Nazi-era books? Have you read all of their books (Thoenes)? What was your favorite FR (I really like the OT novellas)? The LCH were some of my favorite over all.

How are you doing? Cheesy

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #53 on: March 11, 2007, 02:37:16 PM » by amazonmama2five

Quote from: YooperMama on February 21, 2007, 04:04:29 PM

Lisa,

<grinning> You mean we have more than "coffee in" common? Wink

Jen,
I just saw this today! I am ordering the "new" books I had no idea they even existed. I have read most of the Thoene's books. I don't have any of the Saga of the Sierras, maybe next furlough. Wink

I LOVE FR's novellas! I have one about Caleb and just read there are more. ~adding to wish list~ (sigh) Just when you think you are getting there someone writes some more! Cheesy

As to the coffee, I am doing great! Had some more yesterday! Cheesy

And you?
Lisa

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #54 on: March 11, 2007, 05:10:41 PM » by Texas Girl.

I love Robert Whitlow books ~ I love mysteries and suspense!

And I can't believe nobody has mentioned Randy Alcorn!!! His book 'Safely Home' is incredible, about a missionary in China, which doesn't sound all that entertaining, but believe me, it IS! You won't be able to put it down.
I've ready other books by him, too, a series...one is called 'Dominion' and the others start with 'D'?? I can't remember, but they were SO good!

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #55 on: March 11, 2007, 06:15:48 PM » by Melly

My favorites are:
Christy
Julie
by Catherine Marshall

The Witch of Blackbird Pond
by Elizabeth George Speare
(This one is historical about early America)

Mara, Daughter of the Nile
by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
(this is also historical about ancient Egypt)

These are books my mother read aloud to us as we were in our homeschool history class but I still enjoy them as an adult.

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #56 on: March 11, 2007, 08:54:49 PM » by Kitty

Quote from: amazonmama2five on March 11, 2007, 02:37:16 PM

I LOVE FR's novellas! I have one about Caleb and just read there are more. ~adding to wish list~ (sigh) Just when you think you are getting there someone writes some more! Cheesy

As to the coffee, I am doing great! Had some more yesterday! Cheesy

And you?
Lisa

Lisa,
Well, hello! Wink

I am off the coffee...going no grains for awhile and that's helping...the last thing I want to do at night is <blank>...and I never can get in there during the day alone! Roll Eyes

I love the Caleb one--I have a Caleb just like that one! And he's only 3! Cool

The other male ones are good, especially the prophet and the priest...and the prince. Well, can you tell I like them all? Grin

The women ones were encouraging...thinking about all of those foreign/pagan women being in the line of Jesus...WOW! Shocked

I don't think I read the saga of the Sierras, either...

Quote

And I can't believe nobody has mentioned Randy Alcorn!!! His book 'Safely Home' is incredible, about a missionary in China, which doesn't sound all that entertaining, but believe me, it IS! You won't be able to put it down. I've ready other books by him, too, a series...one is called 'Dominion' and the others start with 'D'?? I can't remember, but they were SO good!

Is it "Deadline"? I like Randy Alcorn, too, and his pro-life work/newsletter.

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #57 on: March 11, 2007, 08:57:35 PM » by Texas Girl.

Yes! Deadline!

I loaned those 2 books out because they were SO good and couldn't remember the name!

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #58 on: March 11, 2007, 09:06:57 PM » by amazonmama2five

Quote from: YooperMama on March 11, 2007, 08:54:49 PM

Is it "Deadline"? I like Randy Alcorn, too, and his pro-life work/newsletter.

We have this on tape!!! I must admit I have never listened to it. I want to go over to my husband's office and get it right now!
This is so awesome! I had forgotten all about this! Thank you so much for nudging my memory.
Lisa

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Re: Recommended Reading - Fiction
« Reply #59 on: March 11, 2007, 09:10:03 PM » by Texas Girl.

Those 2 books are a series...Deadline and Dominion...and I can't remember which one is first, and I just so happened to read the wrong one first, but it doesn't matter....they're so good! There may be others in that series too; now you all have started me on a quest to find more Randy Alcorn books!

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