Finding joy in the everyday

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8) How many books published each year are worth reading?  How many are noble and pure?  Most are utterly empty, they give us short term pleasure but do not make us wiser or better.  They leave no trace of beauty, no inspiration, no vision of loveliness, no impulses towards higher things and no enrichment.  Some are harmless and leave no debris in our minds, in fact they are quickly forgotten as we move onto another mindless book. However some do leave lots of debris and they linger and draw us into other books that are also full of moral decay.  Many people make no choice in what they read - they read what they enjoy whether it is bad or good. However, as C...

The year is fast coming to an end, so its a good time to ask: What have been your most favourite books this year? Please share with others what you would highly recommend. What has moved you to tears? Made you think? Wanted to tell someone else about it ASAP? ******

I am forever thankful for theses who taught me read.  For those who had the patiences to persevere as I was a difficult student who found reading hard work and therefore didn't enjoy it until I was around 11.  Thank you to my mother and my teachers. I cannot imagine a life without books or the inability to read well.  I have travelled the world (and beyond) through books, I have weeped, laughed, smiled, giggled and fallen in love through books. I have read books I couldn't put down  and stayed up late to finish and I have read books that were a struggle to finish, a little like climbing a mountain. And occasionally I come across a book I can not finish, but that rarely happens.  Books are part of my life and I couldn't imagine ever been separated from them! Who do you have to thank?  Reading is dreaming with open eyes.  ****

Zamperini ran the 5000 metre at the Berlin Olympics and met Hitler. I was reading the local newspaper the other day and discovered that film director and actor, Angelina Jolie was making in a film in Australia called " Unbroken " based on the life of Louie Zamperini.  I thought I would check out the book and see what it was like. I read it over a few days and found it inspiring. Book: Unbroken Author: Laura Hillenbrand "On a May afternoon in 1943, Louie took off on a search mission for a lost plane. Somewhere over the Pacific, the engines on his bomber failed. The plane plummeted into the sea, leaving Louie and two other men stranded on a tiny raft. Drifting for weeks and thousands of miles, they endured starvation and desperate thirst, sharks that leapt aboard the raft, trying to drag them off, a machine-gun attack from a Japanese bomber, and a typhoon with waves some forty feet high. At last, they spotted an island. As they rowed toward it, unbeknownst t...

A Secret Gift by Ted Gup http://www.asecretgiftbook.com I have just finished reading the most interesting book “ The Secret Gift ” by Ted Gup. —what was life like for the ordinary folk in the town of Canton, Ohio in 1933? It was horrible — with no jobs and no money , many families had nothing — some didn’t even have a roof over their heads, shoes on their feet, food on the table or even a coat to keep themselves warm.  However, in the midst of such terrible conditions people struggled on —they  didn’t complain (or whinge as we like to do today) and even though many might have wanted to give up, they kept up the fight for survival. Mums and dads both searched desperately for what every work they could find, every cent was precious—no one had the luxury of sitting around and doing nothing.  Some had no choice but to take their children to the local orphanages as they simply couldn’t look after them (other children died from malnutrition). Suicide, dri...

Before I return " Family Secrets " by Deborah Cohen to the library I wanted to share one paragraph with you because it made me smile.  I don't know how often I have read about how bad today's society is - moral decline, increased violence, more divorce, increase in one-parent families, more delinquent children etc.. I think this is the cry of every generation - because in 1940 they bemoaned the same story - in fact what is written below could fit today!  First detected in the 1930s, the breakdown of the family had become nearly a truism by the following decade.  There were the so-called "problem families", whose acute poverty and neglected children brought them to the attention of authorities. Even worse, though, were the signs of a moral breakdown among the populace at large. Skyrocketing rates of illegitimacy; a huge rise in the number of divorces; an epidemic of juvenile delinquency, personified by the spectacle of degenerate and rebellious ...

What's being happening? Firstly, my husband had a tooth removed this week and that wasn't fun at all, going to the dentist never is. But everything is healing really well and the pain has almost gone. He was very impressed with the new dentist (who didn't over charge like many others do) and did a great job.  Secondly, our eldest son had an interview this week and did very well (even though he was very nervous).  The interviewer contacted him on Friday and asked for other bits and pieces which sounds promising.  Praying hard for this one to be successful.  And finally, we have a new fish tank (4 foot) and ready to fill with water in the next day or two.  Its all rather exciting but I am glad I won't be the one moving the fish as that will be rather stressful for both the fish and dear hubby. Fortunately the lady across the street works at a fish aquarium store and knows everything you need to know about fish - very handy. I will post some photos ...

I recently read " The Book Thief " by the Australian author, Markus Zusak. It wasn't one I would normally read as its a novel set during the World War Two and I much prefer non-fiction to fiction when reading about war and suffering. However, it really took me by surprise and I loved it. The language was just beautiful and the story was so well crafted I could hardly put it down.  Have you read a book recently that took you by surprise? I (and my colleague at work) are currently reading the top 50 Australian books as voted by viewers of the First Tuesday Night Bookclub on the ABC (TV).  I rarely read Australian authors, however by going through this list (in no particular order) I have discovered some great books and a new view on Australian authors (such as My Secret River by Kate Grenville) with a few exceptions such as Cloudstreet which I found downright miserable and I didn't like any of the characters.    What has been your favourite book so ...

To my excitement I discovered (when reading the February edition of " Good Reading " magazine) that a Canadian film company is making a new series of L M Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables .  Unlike the previous series made in the 1980 (which sadly wandered far from the book), this one is being made with the blessings of the Montgomery estate. And how about this - Anne Shirley with blonde hair, looking sexy and no freckles on the front cover of "Anne of Green Gables". The book, now in the public domain, can be published by anyone without permission of the original copyright holders and as a result these sorts of covers can be produced without seeking permission from the Montgomery family - check out this story: http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2013/02/06/anne_of_green_gables_goes_blond_on_new_us_cover.html The Anne of Green Gables remains one of my favourite book series. "Life is worth living as long as there's a laugh...

The 9th of February is " Read in the Bathtub Day " . . . now, as a book lover, this is an important thing to know about as it gives me an extra excuse to pick up my book and read it. According to the website, I need to: Disconnect the phone, lock the door, turn down the lights and pick out your favourite book safe in the knowledge that all you've got to worry about is enjoying yourself.  Why not splash out on some scented candles, posh bubble bath and - for the most adventurous - a rubber ducky to keep you company? I am not a great bath person and I am not one for reading in the bathtub (the water goes cold too quickly), so whilst this sound inviting, I might just keep on reading my book on the couch or bed as I normally do.  For those who love a bath . . . enjoy!! But . . . according to the same website . . . its LIBRARY LOVERS MONTH!! So keep on reading, not that I ever stop!!! What are you reading at the moment?  I am reading " I am...

Source: photo taken by Joluise "IT is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." Two hundred years ago today (28th of January 1813), Pride and Prejudice was announced to the world and the rest is history.   It was going to be called "First Impressions", however publishers (in 1797) rejected it and no copy of the original has survived. It was rewritten around 1812 and is the book we know and love today. Almost, as edition 1 is slightly different to edition 3 - but only slightly - a few grammatical changes have been made. Sadly, Austen's work, including Pride and Prejudice was barely noticed by critics or the general public during her lifetime. In saying this, 1,500 copies of the first edition was sold.  It wasn't until 50 years after her death (Jane died in 1817) that the book started to gain some attention. Her novels were published anonymously until after her death, when her a...

I think its time to write about something close to my heart . . . books and get away from topics that make me mad!! Are you the sort of person, who, once you have started a book, must finish it (otherwise you are letting down the author) or do you just give up and never pick up the book again. I’m the first — I try my hardest to read the book (and almost always get through) otherwise I feel like I am giving up on the author.  Silly really! I asked my colleagues this same question, a couple said life was short and couldn’t be bother trying to read a book they didn’t really like, the other half were like me and persevered!!   A new book arrived in the post today - " Around the world in 80 dishes " - another book to read in bed and mark all those I want to make with post-it notes. It's not that I needed it, but it was going very cheap and it looks interesting!!! *** Got to dash, time to water the vegetables now that the sun is setting. The zucchinis are d...

Summer has arrived, its been quite hot around here (excluding today which is quite cold). Not a lot can be done in hot weather - well, that is what I tell myself!!! For me, summer is a time for reading - and I have a pile to get through. I have j ust started to read Blue Ribbons Bitter Bread by Susanna De Vries about the life of Joice Nankivell Loch, a remarkable Australian woman that I doubt most have ever heard of. Joice Loch was an extraordinary Australian. She had the inspired courage that saved many hundreds of Jews and Poles in World War II, the compassion that made her a self-trained doctor to tens of thousands of refugees, the incredible grit that took her close to death in several theatres of war, and the dedication to truth and justice that shone forth in her own books and a lifetime of astonishing heroism. Born in a cyclone in 1887 on a Queensland sugar plantation, she grew up in grinding poverty in Gippsland and emerged from years of unpaid drudgery by ...

When my children were small I bought them lots of books. They have their own bookcase that was full to over flowing with picture books, story books, books full of facts, books on maps and science, books about animals, history books etc. . .   I love to give books to children for their birthdays, for me, its the perfect gift.  I buy far too many books, I have pile of books on the floor because my bookshelves are full. Life would be very dull without books. Sadly 3 in 10 children in the United Kingdom don't own any books. A survey of 18,141 children found that 4 in 10 boys and 3 in 10 girls did not own any books ( source - thanks Jeanne for show me this article) .  According to the research, children who did not own books were 19% more likely to read below their expected level than children who had their on books. Interestedly, parents are more likely to buy books for their daughters than their sons and mums are more likely to read to their children than their ...

Source One of the nice things about being at home is having far more time to read . . . this morning after popping down to the supermarket, I lay on the bed and read for an hour. Likewise this afternoon, Ruby and I lay on the bed and read some more with a mug of hot tea.  As I didn't have any jobs that needed to be done, reading was one activity that was perfect for a cold day.  Perhaps this is why I am not a stay-at-home wife, far too many hours would be spent reading - the Lord knew best I think. So what I am reading.  In the mornings over breakfast I am reading " Respectable Sin " by Jerry  Bridges, a very thought-provoking book that gets you really thinking. Prior to this I read his other book " Trusting God ", which I would recommend to others.  I particular like his style of writing - straight to the point. During the day I have been reading " The Necessary Aptitude: A Memoir " by Pam Ayres, a British writer and entertainer...

For those in Australia – are you doing anything special this year to celebrate the National Year of Reading? Reading is such an integral part of my life, I couldn’t imagine not being able to read, I read every day no matter how busy I am — it keeps me sane!!  I read in my lunch hour, I read before I go to bed and I read on weekends.  Life is too short not to find the time to read, even squeezing in one chapter of a good book.  There is always a few minutes each day to read. What early memories of reading do you have? My earliest memories are of my mother reading to me - curled up on the couch in the evening listening to fairy tails, poems and stories such as Wind in the Willow and Mary Poppins. However, as I was such a poor reader, I remember looking at pictures (rather than attempting to read) in our National Geographic collection or spending ages examining the large world atlas we owned—pictures can be worth a thousand words.  My first and more memor...

A few books my mother has given to me I have a collection of old books that my mother has given me. These are books she read as a girl and ones I also read as a girl. They may be old and mean very little to others, but to me they are treasures that I hope one day to pass on to my children and their children. That is the joy of books . . . they can be shared and given to others to enjoy. You can share a book with a friend to cheer them up, you can pass books onto people who may not be able to afford to buy books, you can share books with members of your bible study to help them grow . . . but most importantly, they can be past through the generations. When I say books, I am referring to the paper book, those that smell and have texture, those that can be held and flicked through . . . not the electronic ebook that has very little character at all.  Whilst I see the attraction of the ebook and I have a collection of them myself . . . I still cling to the paper version of bo...