March reading list

It was a slow month, and to top it off I can't relly remember what I read, but here goes:

FAVORITE BOOK OF THE MONTH:
"Echoes of the elders: the stories and paintings of Chief Lelooska"
This book we found on the fairy tale shelf at the library I picked it out for the art work. I am so glad I did. The BEST part of this book is the CD included it has all the stories in the book on the CD told by a real Pacific Northwest Native American Storyteller. It is enthralling. My 4 year old asks to hear "The Owl Witch" and "Beaver Face" everytime we get in the car. We did read all the stories in the book as well.

"The Mayor of Casterbridge"- Thomas Hardy
Good stuff. I borrowed the Masterpiece Theatre production from the library and liked it so much that I read the book. I hate sad endings.

"Jane Eyre" - Charlotte Bronte
For the millionth time. I had started apologizing for JE being my favorite book by adding that my favorite book was a tie between JE and "The Tennant of Wildfell Hall" - by Anne Bronte. So I read Jane Eyre again (it had been a while) and WOW! Best book ever. No more apologizing. Such passion in everything. I love how she is religious and holds to god. I really hate how she ends with St, John though. It is a lovely passage but this book isn't about St. John, it is about Rochester!

"Pilgrim's Progress" - John Bunyan
...was alluded to in JE as in nearly EVERY book I have read this year, so I purchased a copy and have read the first two pages. Then I realized that the following book was due in a few days so I am putting PP aside and reading...

"C.S. Lewis: The Man and His Message" - Andrew Skinner
A collection of essays on Lewis and his works from an LDS perspective. This book is so powerful, it really makes me want to go back and slug through "Mere Christianity" and finish it this time. Then I'll take on his other stuff...or maybe I should do it the other way around.

"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" - Washington Irving
FINALLY! I have been attempting to read this for umm...years! I don't know why but everytime I picked it up I didn't have the concentration. Such a fun story, unusual ending that really makes you want more. Now the book is off it's hitherto permanent place on my night table and back on the bookshelf.

"The Tale of Despereaux" - Kate DiCamillo
Oh this is a great little story. I am going to read it to my kids this week.

"The Ch`i-lin Purse : A Collection of Ancient Chinese Stories" - Linda Fang
Good tales with morals. I like learning about Asian thought.

Ok I think that is it. Of course we have been reading lots of children's fables and fairy tales this month - my 4 year old son is now afraid of witches but like giants and ogres - Go figure.

FUNNY BOOK STORY OF THE MONTH:
I reached my limit!!! My library has a limit of 100 items that can be checked out at a time. I reached it! It wasn't that hard between travel books for this summer's vacation, numberous kids books to read at night, DVD's and music CD's, books on tape for the car and my collection of books on every topic I am currently obsessed with. I scaled back, did a major purge and have been hovering in th 30-40 item range. The poor librarians looked shocked when I come to check out and there is nothing on hold for me, they always ask what is wrong! I love that the Librarians recognize me, ours is a BUSY library! I guess the adorable, chubbybaby on my back and the huge pile of books every week makes me memorable