Read-a-Thon: Give Me Five Mini-Challenge
Lynn of Chronicle of an Infant Bibliophile is hosting a Give Me Five Mini-Challenge!
Go to your blog and post a list of five favorite children’s books. They don’t have to be THE five end-all-be-all of your favorites, because then you’ll just agonize over which ones to pick, and we want this to be easy. Just list five off the top of your head that you enjoyed as a child, or that your children enjoy. If you’d like, include a one sentence description of the book, but no need to post full reviews. Then come back here, and leave a comment with the URL to your blog post. The contest will remain open for three hours (until 1AM mountain time). I’ll pick a winner from the comments using random.org. That person will win a $15 ebay gift certificate. Please make sure I have a way to contact you if your email is not available in your profile. Because the prize will be delivered electronically, this challenge is open worldwide.
This was tough, as I was not sure whether to confine myself to picture books or chapter books, or what. I decided to go with a melange of both, but still had too many favorites to list. Well, in no particular order, here are five of my all-time favorite children’s books:
Goodnight Moon
The ne plus ultra of going to bed books, Goodnight Moon has ushered countless children to bed over the last couple of generations. No one ever forgets Goodnight Moon.
The Velveteen Rabbit
A moral little tale about the nature of love, without ever being preachy. Beautifully captures love and wonder, and can still make me cry.
A Little Princess
A kind of Cinderella story, A Little Princess follows the remarkable Sara Crewe as she loses her beloved papa, wealth, and every creature comfort. One of Burnett’s darkest and most passionate novels.
Little House on the Prairie
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s fictionalized autobiographical series really takes off when the Ingalls family moves West.
Eloise
An imaginative child creates adventures for herself in her palatial home at the Plaza Hotel. Iconic story and illustrations.
Read-a-Thon: Visiting Brideshead
Well, rather than pick up one of my lighter reads, I succumbed to the lure of Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited–but who could blame me? It’s been somewhat slow going as the past two hours seem to be when everyone has chosen to get up to monkeyshines, so i’ve been a bit busy. I also gave in and bought a Coke from the vending machine, a temptation I generally forgo in favor of Diet Pepsi–and heaven forfend I consume caffeine after 6pm!
One more hour here at work, and then I can relax on my comfy sofa next to my bookpile. I do look forward to updating from home.
Reading: Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
Books read: 2 (Meet the Austins by Madeline L’Engle, The Turn of the Screw by Henry James)
Pages since updating: 64
Total pages: 367
Read-a-Thon: Book the Seconde or, On Finishing The Turn of the Screw
There’s my second book of the Read-a-Thon down, and oh! What a book! Henry James in smaller doses can be just right, and though his prose can take some getting used to, The Turn of the Screw is entirely worth the effort. Such chills! Such dread! It was at times frustrating, however, reading it here at work, for the interruptions were driving me to distraction. James’ prose is such that one needs to keep one’s concentration focused–at least, for me it is.
I also want to take a moment to once again thank all the lovely commentors for their encouragement. I am only sorry that I cannot return the visits to my fellow readers and comment in turn, but my work network blocks such activities. So frustrating!
I have not yet decided on what the third book is to be, but I may go a little lighter before tackling Zola. I am bound and determined to devour Thérèse Raquin tonight, but I will bide my time. For now.
See you all again soon!
Title of book(s) read since last update: The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
Number of books read: 2 (Meet the Austins by Madeline L’Engle, The Turn of the Screw by Henry James)
Pages read since last update: 43
Running total of pages read: 303
Read-a-Thon: Deep in the Heart of Jamestown
I’m not quite as far into The Turn of the Screw as I had planned–it’s my busy time at work, and I’ve had a caller from Atlanta who defines loquacious (she was even describing her luggage to me in minute detail!)–but I am almost exactly halfway through. That means only 44 pages since my last update, but I shall prevail!
It’s a perfect autumnal read, and I wish I could be cozily enjoying it at home with the dark chill night outside! Thank you, all you lovely cheerleaders; it is so heartening to read your comments. And Laura, who is planning to pick up The Turn of the Screw, too: I hope you enjoy it as I have!
260 pages down, plenty to go
Read-a-Thon: Book the Firste
I delayed updating a little because I was anxious to finish Meet the Austins, making it my first completed book of the Read-a-Thon! Hurrah! I really enjoyed it, and am looking forward to reading the The Moon by Night, the next in the Austin series. But I will hold off a bit, because I’m not sure whether it’ll be as emotional a read as Meet the Austins was, and well, we can’t have me smearing eyeliner and mascara all over my face at work, now can we!?
I am contemplating switching off between Thérèse Raquin by Emile Zola and The Turn of the Screw by Henry James for a bit.
books:1 (Meet the Austins by Madeline L’Engle)
total pages: 216
Read-a-Thon: Heading to Work
Still tearing right through Meet the Austins, though I must say, I hope it doesn’t stay so emotional, because I can’t very well cry at work! And this has had me in tears several times, before bed and this afternoon both. I might have to read something lighter, like Zola, afterward!
See you at 4pm!
Meet The Austins, Madeline L’Engle
76 pages since the last update
134 pages total
