Embracing the old tradition of sharing book lists at the end of the year, I would like to share my top five. I am blessed to read some fascinating works each year, and I get asked often about what I am reading. I do not believe any of the following books were written or published in 2024, for I rarely read the newest releases in any genre, but rather, they are timeless.
What a great way to inspire us to read ! Thank you. I used to love to read but haven’t as much these past years. I have read several of C.S. Lewis works but never made it through the Screwtape Letters. Thank you for the recommendation on who to listen to as I don’t much enjoy hearing books read by others, but I will give this one a try.
As a way into reading fiction, may I suggest starting with short stories? As smaller works, they’re more concentrated, and don’t require as much of a time commitment as novels do. Also, you can put the volume down once you finish the story, and pick it up again, if/when you wish. Very beneficial sometimes! V.S. Pritchett and William Trevor are masters of the form, and their stories document lost worlds. Happy Christmas!
In fiction, I would recommend Jane Austen's work, as well as Charles Dickens' "David Copperfield" and "A Tale of Two Cities." So far, I have only read through those two of his novels, having started to delve into his work recently, but he is *good*.
If you like CHARLES DICKENS, you might like to read Peter Ackroyd's, Dickens - the history of the man. I have read a number of Peter Ackroyd's books, always informative and easy to read and many of his subject revolve around England and its history.
I just picked up a copy of "Great Expectations" from the library today. I have been on a Dickens binge lately and am looking forward to this other novel of his. Thank you for the link to the book!
You may not know why his books are rather extended. This is because he originally wrote weekly episodes which were eventually collected and made into books.
I had read about that from the notes in the books. I think it's interesting how stories were released like that back in the day. It must have been quite exciting for the readers. I almost wish we still had that today -- but then if we did, most of it wouldn't be worth reading, anyway, considering the state modern literature is in.
I started reading it last year, but didn't finish it for some reason -- I really can't remember why. (I had never read any Dickens before, so maybe I wasn't used to him?) I'll have to take it out of the library again. This time I'll make sure to get to the end!
The recent movie, "The Man Who Invented Christmas," is also an excellent accompaniment/backstory to "A Christmas Carol," about how Dickens wrote it and what inspired him.
If you can find it, I'd recommend "The War Against The Family" by the late great William D. Gairdner. The only Canadian author worth reading as far as I'm concerned. Poor fellow died just about a year ago, Jan. 12, 2024. It's a very long and involved book and looks at the political and spiritual war that is being used to destroy the family as we know it and has been going on now for many decades.
Wonderful idea to provide reading suggestions. I have three suggestions to add: "The Medieval Village" by G. G. Coulton. This book captures life and culture of those bygone days. Another suggestion: "Pawns in The Game" by William Guy Carr. This is an exposé of modern-day power and wealth, providing facts that some would prefer to remain untold. And of course: "Failing Foundations" by Sarah Cain, which I am sure to enjoy my signed copy quite soon. . . Merry Christmas Sarah, and all : )
Like you , I generally do not read fiction, except classics like Dickens which are based on his observations of life, truth and reality of the time. I wish there was a 3rd category of books I would call Faction ; fiction based on facts.
I prefer to read a book and be informed and learn something that I was not aware of before such as :
World without cancer : the story of vitamin B17 by Griffin, G. Edward.
The Creature From Jekyll Island.pdf (PDFy mirror). by Griffin, G. Edward.
180 Degrees: Unlearn The Lies You've Been Taught To Believe. by Feargus O'Connor Greenwood (Author).
The Falsification of History : Our Distorted Reality – May 14, 2013 by John Hamer (Author).
RMS OLYMPIC Paperback – November 21, 2013 by John Hamer (Author)
What a great way to inspire us to read ! Thank you. I used to love to read but haven’t as much these past years. I have read several of C.S. Lewis works but never made it through the Screwtape Letters. Thank you for the recommendation on who to listen to as I don’t much enjoy hearing books read by others, but I will give this one a try.
As a way into reading fiction, may I suggest starting with short stories? As smaller works, they’re more concentrated, and don’t require as much of a time commitment as novels do. Also, you can put the volume down once you finish the story, and pick it up again, if/when you wish. Very beneficial sometimes! V.S. Pritchett and William Trevor are masters of the form, and their stories document lost worlds. Happy Christmas!
In fiction, I would recommend Jane Austen's work, as well as Charles Dickens' "David Copperfield" and "A Tale of Two Cities." So far, I have only read through those two of his novels, having started to delve into his work recently, but he is *good*.
If you like CHARLES DICKENS, you might like to read Peter Ackroyd's, Dickens - the history of the man. I have read a number of Peter Ackroyd's books, always informative and easy to read and many of his subject revolve around England and its history.
Thank you for the recommendation!
I am glad to be of assistance. Have you read Dicken's - Great Expectations. ? Another one of his classic novels about human nature and moral dilemmas.
This is a link to a Free Version of Dickens.
Dickens by Ackroyd, Peter, 1949- https://archive.org/details/dickens0000ackr/page/n5/mode/2up
I just picked up a copy of "Great Expectations" from the library today. I have been on a Dickens binge lately and am looking forward to this other novel of his. Thank you for the link to the book!
You may not know why his books are rather extended. This is because he originally wrote weekly episodes which were eventually collected and made into books.
I had read about that from the notes in the books. I think it's interesting how stories were released like that back in the day. It must have been quite exciting for the readers. I almost wish we still had that today -- but then if we did, most of it wouldn't be worth reading, anyway, considering the state modern literature is in.
May I ask if you've read "A Christmas Carol?" That's my favorite story of his and I think one of the best ever written.
I started reading it last year, but didn't finish it for some reason -- I really can't remember why. (I had never read any Dickens before, so maybe I wasn't used to him?) I'll have to take it out of the library again. This time I'll make sure to get to the end!
The recent movie, "The Man Who Invented Christmas," is also an excellent accompaniment/backstory to "A Christmas Carol," about how Dickens wrote it and what inspired him.
I had never heard of that film. Thank you for the recommendation!
If you can find it, I'd recommend "The War Against The Family" by the late great William D. Gairdner. The only Canadian author worth reading as far as I'm concerned. Poor fellow died just about a year ago, Jan. 12, 2024. It's a very long and involved book and looks at the political and spiritual war that is being used to destroy the family as we know it and has been going on now for many decades.
Wonderful idea to provide reading suggestions. I have three suggestions to add: "The Medieval Village" by G. G. Coulton. This book captures life and culture of those bygone days. Another suggestion: "Pawns in The Game" by William Guy Carr. This is an exposé of modern-day power and wealth, providing facts that some would prefer to remain untold. And of course: "Failing Foundations" by Sarah Cain, which I am sure to enjoy my signed copy quite soon. . . Merry Christmas Sarah, and all : )
I recommend:
"The Devil’s Final Battle" -edited by Fr. Paul Kramer
"The Kingship of Christ and the Conversion of the Jewish Nation" by Fr. Denis Fahey
"The Third Secret of Fatima & The Synodal Church. VOL. I Pope Benedict’s Resignation"
By Edmund J. Mazza, PhD
"The Star-Spangled Heresy: Americanism" by Solang Hertz
Like you , I generally do not read fiction, except classics like Dickens which are based on his observations of life, truth and reality of the time. I wish there was a 3rd category of books I would call Faction ; fiction based on facts.
I prefer to read a book and be informed and learn something that I was not aware of before such as :
World without cancer : the story of vitamin B17 by Griffin, G. Edward.
The Creature From Jekyll Island.pdf (PDFy mirror). by Griffin, G. Edward.
180 Degrees: Unlearn The Lies You've Been Taught To Believe. by Feargus O'Connor Greenwood (Author).
The Falsification of History : Our Distorted Reality – May 14, 2013 by John Hamer (Author).
RMS OLYMPIC Paperback – November 21, 2013 by John Hamer (Author)
Wow, John Cleese narrated The Screwtape Letters? Surprising but probably was entertaining to hear. Great choices!