Friday Five: Books, Books, and More Books
At RGBP, RevHRod says: "The website promoting this piece of art says, "For the first time, the world's 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?" Well, certainly! and I would be interested in knowing which books these are...?!
1.) What book have you read in the last six months that has really stayed with you? Why? Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. It's over in the sidebar if you want to click to the Amazon site to read more about it. It is an AMAZING and heartbreaking book about a part of history that I did not know: the Vichy French collaborationists under the Nazis locking up Jews (soon to be deported to death camps) in a sporting arena without food or water for several days. I heard dreadful echoes from that episode forward in time to the Super Bowl during Hurricane Katrina.
2.) What is one of your favorite childhood books? Just ONE?! Sorry, you get one and a record. The Winnie the Pooh stories. These are some of the first books I remember having read to me, and there's not a lot of that I remember, because I learned to read at four and then it was "I CAN READ IT MYSELF!" I have some copies of an early 'sixties edition that my Gramma Beth gave to me and sister Nancy (so inscribed) and just looking at the bindings brings back a very special, warm feeling. Here's what one of them looked like:
2.5.) Also, I treasure a very elderly vinyl record of "Winnie the Pooh" and "Winnie the Pooh Goes Visiting." Read by the British stage actor Maurice Evans. THAT'S what Winnie the Pooh and friends sound like, folks! They are a delight and I am looking forward to the splurgy day when I buy the fancy deal from Hammacher Schlemmer that converts vinyl and cassettes to MP3's so I can listen on my IPOD. :)
3.) Do you have a favorite book of the Bible? Do tell! Lately, the Gospel of John. I seem to be reading it with new eyes, always a good thing!
4.) What is one book you could read again and again? Madeleine L'Engle's The Small Rain (which you must read along with her A Severed Wasp to continue the story.)
5) Is there a book you would suggest for Lenten reading? What is it and why? For the last few years I have used Forty Days: The Daily Office for Lent. I am excited that Amazon is sending to me even now the March RevGals discussion book: Bread And Wine: Readings For Lent And Easter, which I plan to add to my daily practice.
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? Ummmmmmmm...that's hard! I suppose I haven't tried writing a book yet because I don't think I've had the idea yet! But if I did, and if I could have anyone at all plugging me on the jacket, it would be Madeleine L'Engle, my favorite author. Of course, she's not with us anymore, but that's okay; this is an imaginary book!
Wow, I missed Sarah's Key and I thought I'd read everything about that period of time! I'll have to get that for later when my mood lightens some.
And for some reason I never ever got into Winnie. Don't know why. I'll have to ask my mom. (who gave me the Grimm Brothers among others of the same genre).
You're inspiring me to go back to John again.
Posted by: Presbyterian Gal | January 18, 2008 at 10:48 AM
I love the book of John too, and have an A.A.Milne book that looks just like that!!! :-)
Posted by: Sally | January 18, 2008 at 11:38 AM
I like John's gospel once I get into it. At first though, it's like the beginning of a Michener novel. So wordy!
Posted by: Sue | January 18, 2008 at 11:48 AM
I read "A Wrinkle in Time" as an adult. Still very interesting.
Posted by: jordanash | January 18, 2008 at 01:11 PM
We had those very same Winnie the Pooh books. The poetry books were my favorites. "When We Were Young" and "Now We Are Six". They were my first memorized poems.
My mother still has the books. They're very ratty looking but very dear.
Thanks for the reminder.
Posted by: revhrod | January 18, 2008 at 01:22 PM
NIfty.
Posted by: The Wyldth1ng | January 18, 2008 at 03:08 PM
The Severed Wasp is a favorite of mine!
Posted by: Cathy | January 18, 2008 at 08:11 PM
I love to think of you reading all by yourself!
Posted by: Songbird | January 18, 2008 at 08:29 PM
Oh! Winne the Pooh...yes indeed. And my sister had that album from Maurice Evans. Once you've heard him read--well, the Disney voices just don't cut it do they? :-) I wish I knew where that record was--perhaps her husband has it, but I doubt it. Now I will have to ask.
Posted by: SingingOwl | January 18, 2008 at 08:33 PM
Love anything by Madeleine L'Engl. Personal favorite is Bright Evening Star.
Posted by: Serena | January 18, 2008 at 10:07 PM
Late to the party, but amen and amen to the Madeleine L'Engle comments! I will reread her till I die. I always learn something new or anew.
Posted by: concretegodmother | January 27, 2008 at 01:37 AM