Recent Read:
‘The Trouble with Goats and Sheep’ by Joanna Cannon (2016). I hadn’t heard anything about this title before picking it up second hand, but the title grabbed my attention.
This novel is fascinating and could be described as a mystery/ coming of age story/ character study of a slightly insular ‘cul-de-sac community’ in 1970’s Britain. There are surprising themes around belief and faith in God, friendship, community and how we never know what struggles our neighbours (or anyone) are experiencing in their lives. This book was at times shocking, disturbing and heart rending to read- in relation to how we so easily judge and misunderstand one another. However, this was balanced by sharp observational humour and familiarity of the nuances of everyday interactions. The characterisation in this book is exceptional, I felt I knew the characters really well as the book follows several different perspectives throughout.
The only downside is instances where certain characters take the Lord’s name in vain, but I felt it was in context with the ark of the story and their personalities.
4 out of 5 stars overall from me. I will definitely be looking out for more work by Joanna Cannon.
Quotes from the book:
‘I still hadn’t learned the power of words. How, once they have left your mouth, they have a breath and a life of their own. I had yet to realise that you no longer own them. I hadn’t learned that, once you have let them go, the words can then, in fact, become the owner of you.’ pg 240.
‘This was the first real disagreement we’d ever had. Whenever I did have a quarrel with someone, I always felt quite pleased if I was the one who won, but as I walked back into Mrs Morton’s kitchen that day and listened to Tilly walking very slowly behind me, even though I’d persuaded her to do what I wanted, I really didn’t feel like a winner at all.’ pg 242.
Non-Fiction Recommendation:
‘Pathway to Freedom- How God’s Laws Guide Our Lives’ by Alistair Begg (2021).
From the blurb on the back; ‘With dynamic implications for how each of us lives every day, Pathway to Freedom will challenge you to think more deeply about the significance of God’s law.’
Quote from the book:
‘Surely there can be no greater adventure than to live the Christian life, energised by God’s Spirit and committed to an inward and spiritual obedience to God’s law. Such a wholehearted obedience is essential for us, since, in Robert Bolton’s words, “He that endeavours not to be better, will by little and little grow worse”.’
I found this book to be a thorough and succinct examination of the 10 commandments, and how they impact and address every area of our lives. How they are vital to societal and individual human flourishing. I learned a great deal about each commandment, and in spite of thinking I already knew the general scope of the commandments, I realised by the end of the book how far reaching and extensive the commandments go in getting to the heart of our human frailty and desperate need for a Saviour.
Poetry:
I am slowly savouring ‘Poems of Christina Rossetti’, in an ancient copy borrowed from my local library. This copy was published in 1904 by Macmillan and Co, and is part of the Golden Treasury Series. The book is small, with aged yellow pages but is still in readable condition (this only adds to the reading experience in my opinion!). There is also a beautiful pencil drawing of Christina Rossetti on the front page drawn by Dante Gabriel Rossetti in 1865.
There Remaineth Therefore A Rest by Christina Rossetti
In the grave will be no space
For the purple of the proud-
They must mingle with the crowd:
In the wrappings of a shroud
Jewels would be out of place
There no laughter shall be heard,
Nor the heavy sound of sighs:
Sleep shall seal the aching eyes:
All the ancient and the wise
There shall utter not a word
Yet it may be we shall hear
How the mounting skylark sings
And the bell for matins rings;
Or perhaps the whisperings
Of white Angels sweet and clear
What a calm when all is done,
Wearing vigil, prayer, and fast!
All fulfilled from first to last:
All the length of time gone past
And eternity begun
Fear and hope and chastening rod
Urge us on the narrow way:
Bear we still as best we may
Heat and burden of the day,
Struggling, panting up to God.
Children’s Picture Book Recommendation:
‘A Sea of Stories’ by Sylvia Bishop and illustrated by Paddy Donnelly (2019). This book is stunningly illustrated with vibrant colourful pictures on every page alongside the text. A Grandad shares with his granddaughter stories from his childhood growing up by the sea. The story is full of warmth and kindness.
From the blurb at the back; ‘Whenever Roo visits Grandpa, she loves exploring the seaside cove near his cottage. But on her latest stay, Grandpa explains that he can’t go down there any more – the path is too steep and overgrown for him to manage. Instead Grandpa tells Roo the stories behind the many objects that fill his house. All of Grandpa’s stories feature the cove and Roo realises that now, even though they’re so close to the sea, Grandpa is cut off from it. Is there anything she can do to bring Grandpa to the place he loves the most? An inspiring tale about the importance of sharing stories’.
A great read for children- it comes highly recommended by my own two aged 6 and 7 years.