Some Genuine Gems (The Latest Reading Review)

The first 2 1/2 months of 2021 have gone exceptionally well in the reading department. 24 books spread out (as usual) in a variety of genres: history, novels, entertainment reading, drama, Christian life, even some poetry this time around. But the part of this year's reading that is unusual thus far is that there have only been a few re-reads in that pile whereas around 50% of the books I read are normally "old friends" that I've spent time with before.

So, you're wondering if any of those books made my 4-star list or are otherwise worthy of recommendation? 

Sure. Here they are.

* Christmas Stories by Charles Dickens was a special collection of little-known tales from Dickens' magazine, Household Words. Terrific stuff. 

* The Book of King Arthur by Howard Pyle was a special treat for both Claire and I because we listened to an audio version during a trip to Kansas and back. It is connected to a second volume, The Book of Three Worthies, which we finished listening to at home. We liked the first one quite a bit. However, we wouldn't recommend the second one.

* Salt to the Sea by Ruth Sepetys was the January selection of our book club of longstanding, the Notting Hill Napoleons. The novel is a very good one about an unusual group of war refugees fleeing across Germany in the last months of WWII. It is an extremely interesting, inspiring, page-turner.

* Lorna Doone by R.D. Blackmore misses being a 4-star classic by just a half star or so because I find the ending a bit disappointing. Still, this was my third time reading this novel and so you can see I do consider it worth reading.

* Through The Magic Door by Arthur Conan Doyle is a small (but delightful) book about books, writers, and reading that I absolutely loved. It's a rare gem that you probably couldn't afford unless, like me, you read it for free on your Kindle.

* Nathaniel Philbrick's history, Valiant Ambition: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution, was excellent.

* Our Town by Thornton Wilder is a classic that I probably read (and treasure) every other year or so. And my love for the play isn't only because I acted in it way, way back in high school.

* The five Rush Revere books by Rush & Kathryn Limbaugh. These interesting and fun books are for modern kids...and for those adults who are interested in providing effective ways to pass along the true history and ideals of America to the next generation.

* The Singer Trilogy by Calvin Miller. Yes, it's poetry but easily do-able even for those who wouldn't normally bother with verse. I found it very moving and memorable.

* He Came Unto His Own But... by Donald Grey Barnhouse. This is a short Bible commentary that concentrates on 

* Hamlet & Othello by Edward de Vere (aka William Shakespeare). Two of the Bard's best known tragedies. 'Nuff said.

* Of Other Worlds: Essays and Stories by C.S. Lewis. Among the treasures in this small volume are his essays "On Stories," "On Three Ways of Writing for Children," and "Sometimes Fairy Stories May Say Best What's To Be Said."

* The Triumph of William McKinley: Why the Election of 1896 Still Matters (Karl Rove) probably told me more than I wanted to know, but it was extremely well researched and of significant interest.