I really don’t like to admit that summer is almost over, but facts are facts. I wanted to recap the Challenge using an easy evaluative question: “Would I read this book again?”
COMPLETED
Temperament, The Idea That Solved Music’s Greatest Riddle
by Stuart Isacoff. – No, too weighty. I copied quotes into my journal and will read those occasionally.
The Summer of My Great-Grandmother by Madeleine L’Engle. – Definitely, after I’ve loaned it to several friends.
The Man Who Was Thursday
by G.K. Chesterton. – Yes, for the writing, not the plot.
The Tolkien Reader
by J.R.R. Tolkien. – parts of it, yes.
1776 by David McCullough – as a reference, yes.
Every Living Thing by James Herriot. – I’m not sure. Maybe read aloud to the grands?
ABANDONED AFTER TWO CHAPTERS
I Know This Much Is True
by Wally Lamb – no.
STILL READING SLOWLY
The Imitation of Christ by
Thomas a Kempis, translated by William Griffin. – highlighted parts, yes.
by Annie Dillard – it wasn’t the right season for this book. I tried a few times but it didn’t grab me, and it wasn’t the book’s fault. I’ll keep it for later reading.
AUDIO BOOKS THIS SUMMER
My kids are mostly grown; thus I have more time alone. I love to listen to audio books, lectures and sermons while I’m cooking dinner, ironing, cleaning the bathrooms, and canning, and driving around.
Devices and Desires, PD James – no, but I’d like to read more PD James
1776, David McCullough (yes, I read and listened to this one)
84, Charing Cross Road, Helene Hanff – yes! and see the movie
An Old Man’s Love, Anthony Trollope – no, but I’d like to read more Trollope
Death of An Expert Witness, PD James – no, but I’d like to read more James
Low Country, Anne Rivers Sidon – no, I confused this book for another
The Moonstone, Wilkie Collins – no, but I enjoyed listening to this one
BOOKS RECOMMENDED FROM BLOGS/FRIENDS/SON
The Fat Flush Plan, Anne Louise Gittleman – hopefully for many years to come??!
Imagined London, Anna Quindlen – yes, before my dream trip to the UK
The Secret of Father Brown, G.K. Chesterton – once in a while, maybe
The Red House Mystery, A.A. Milne – oh yes!
A Living Pencil 
Congratulations on the summer reading challenge! I wrote down 4 books to look for at the library–maybe for the fall reading challenge?!
Dana
Based on your recap, I plan to pick up L’Engle’s Irrational Season. And I’ve heard that a Kempis’s volume makes a good devotional, so I’m adding that to my Christmas list. Still formulating my Fall Challenge. Around here September is a hot month, so I’m still thinking it’s summer 🙂
Great job on your summer challenge. I didn’t do nearly as well. I’ll post mine soon. I’m still contemplating the fall challenge. I’ve been knitting more and reading less lately, but I’m sure I can find something challenging to read.Sandy