It IS morning as I write this and I don't even have the perk of a nice cup of coffee these days. Brace yourselves for some typos (ha, I misspelled typo twice).
I'm reading... Middlemarch! Not only is it killing my pace for 52 in 52 but it is also killing my Friday morning book posts. My sister has encouraged me to pick up something else in addition to Middlemarch and I think that's a good plan. Now the internal struggle begins again between the books I want and the freebies.
Theresa recommended Dust which I did finish and enjoy. It was pretty creepy but I loved the imagery. Amazon likened it to a Ray Bradbury story and I think that's spot on.
My daughter is still making her way through the Bruno and Boots books. I think these are largely out of print which stinks (mine are falling apart). They are some of my favorites from childhood. It's funny because if I hadn't read them as a child I don't think I would approve of them now, centering, as they do, on the bad behavior of well intentioned children. They sort of remind me of Calvin and Hobbes and in that, I see them as pretty harmless. Or at least funny enough that I look the other way!
I ordered Rosemary Sutcliff's Black Ships Before Troy and The Wanderings of Odysseus. My classically educated daughter loathes anything to do with Greece. Anything. I really enjoyed The Eagle of the Ninth so I was hoping these retellings might interest her. Does anyone have an opinion on these two?
My little boy's current favorite is Hedgie's Surprise. We don't have many Jan Brett books, but he loves Hedgie. He still sleeps with his knitted Hedgie (under his pillow, cutest thing ever). I'm slowly rotating our winter picture books out in favor of spring favorites. Pelle's New Suit and The Bunny Who Found Easter are already out. And while we aren't having another child just so I can keep my nose in beautifully illustrated picture books for another few years it certainly is a nice perk. I can stop pre-mourning as I put away Christmas books, "What if this is the last year I read 'The Last Straw'?"
Well, today looks to be rather indoorsy and I hope to wrap up my first little baby cardigan. The Journey North Mystery Class clues are out too so that should make for a super fun afternoon.
Ah, I've begun Middlemarch too and am very much enjoying it.
We like the Rosemary Sutcliffe versions. My daughter is the opposite and was bereft when we had to leave Greece behind and move on to Rome!
Posted by: Ellie | February 03, 2012 at 07:43 AM
Years ago my daughter despised studying about ancient Egypt and referred to them as those "stupid Egyptians." I remember her going to school in 6th grade after being homeschooled in 5th and coming home the first day with study notes on who else but those "stupid Egyptians!" We still laugh! :)
Posted by: Cheryl M | February 03, 2012 at 08:51 AM
It was the Greeks who stalled our homeschooling too.
I'm amazed you are persisting with Middlemarch. You are a braver woman than I.
Posted by: sarah | February 03, 2012 at 12:42 PM
The myths especially are really kind of horrible. Cannibalism! Adultery! Other... stuff. As for Middlemarch, Im just obsessed with finishing what I start, even when it makes no sense at all.
Posted by: Jennifer | February 03, 2012 at 06:19 PM
Have you ever read Annie and the Wild Animals by Jan Brett? It is a favorite of our children and a perfect book to illustrate the transition from winter to spring.
Posted by: Emily | February 03, 2012 at 07:20 PM
I haven't Emily, but it looks great. Thanks for the recommendation!
Posted by: Jennifer | February 04, 2012 at 06:43 AM
I just got the illustrated Black Ships from the library as my kids are naturally fond of Alan Lee. (actually I grabbed two copies, thinking I was getting one of each {doh}, but the kids said it's okay and now they don't have to fight over it) I do love Hedgie too, and the Annie book is one of my favorites of Jan Brett.
Posted by: Kimberlee | February 04, 2012 at 08:52 AM
My Antonia. Love it so far.
Posted by: Elisa | February 09, 2012 at 06:01 AM