This September, I’ve read the following books:
Going forward, my goal is to read at least one autobiography a month. As an English major, I read a lot of fiction. It expanded my creativity but destroyed my reason. I saw the world as a fictional play. And I was ignorant about the events in life – the people that created the world around me. So I’m looking to destroy my previous illusions.
Secondary sources are usually biased. We hear things about people that are, by and large, a load of bullshit. Therefore, it’s important to separate fact and fiction. Reading autobiographies is a great way to decipher the timeline of history for oneself.
See Related Article: Short Story Review: “The Lake” by Ray Bradbury”
Major Styles 
Some heavy reading you’re doing there. I have been meaning to read Art of the Deal.
I tend to read less fiction and more nonfiction. As I result I make myself read an occasional novel to lighten things up.
Thanks El. I guess we need to offset our habits. I have read enough fiction for two lifetimes…
that’s … impressive.
some of my fav reading is accurate historical fiction where the author writes a preface or post script of some sort where they indicate the historical events and where, if any, they made changes.
her books are long out-of-print but can be found used, but i love Frances Parkinson Keyes’ books. she did extensive research for each novel she wrote and wrote from the civil war through WWII and all pov’s. she would go live in the country she based her novels in to research and write. she was also catholic and her books lean very heavily in that direction. as i’m not catholic, it was more informative for me. she always indicated the history before or after the novel and where, if any, she made changes.
current author Bodie Thoene is another fav author. she is the writer; her husband is the historian. they wrote a powerful series titled the Zion Covenant series – all fiction, but very historically accurate.
there were many years where all i read was non-fiction. my brain doesn’t have space for more ‘information,’ but i can slip it in thru novels.
i’m reading a series set in the early 1100’s right now. it’s fun discussing the history in it with my Oldest as she has extensive knowledge of history and is able to readily recall all of it readily. what is missed in the novels, she can always fill in – nice having such a smart ‘kid’ around 🙂
– – –
how did you choose English as a major … and would you choose differently now, looking back?
I’ve heard of Frances Keyes. Anything from the series that you recommend in particualar?
i think Came A Cavalier was the first novel of hers i read, and i loved it. it was many years ago (30?) but i remember the French underground. i don’t recommend her novels to a lot of people b/c there’s a lot of intellectual writing in there – meaning not a lot of action. a lot is given to description, drawing you into the time and place.
Dinner at Antoine’s (1948, novel, mystery) is another one i read.
i’m not even sure you can find her books in libraries anymore, so you have to find them used. so it might just be what you can find 🙂
I, the King (1966, novel about Philip IV of Spain)
i looked over her list of novels, and i’ve read maybe a third to a half of them. i need to add her books to my christmas wish list for my family 😉 … i’ve long thought having a collection of all her writings would be nice.
Thank you for the recommendations. Those sound interesting, actually.
I like that these books are written from a Christian perspective.
I intend to share a lot of books with my children when they are old enough. I chose English because I was a book worm as a child, so it was a natural continuation of my strong suit.
me, too.
i really try to guard what goes into my heart and mind, and reading books by authors grounded in their faith is part of that. i don’t read only authors who are grounded in christianity, and i’m cautious even when i do b/c many are quite ‘liberal’ even then.
i have a kindle and love to find new authors, so i’ve found a lot who have not ‘honed their craft’ yet, and they force their faith into their writings. no bueno.
it’s the ones who know how to write well, whose faith is just a part of who the characters are, those are the ones i like.
imo, it’s not possible to separate what we believe with who we are and how we live our lives and what we do … so it’s not possible to separate one’s faith from their writings, even if they do not overtly share that.
interesting. was it challenging as a boy to find good books to read? i’ve heard that there isn’t a great selection of boy books out there.
books have always been a HUGE part of our lives. their dad was a reader – always had a book with him, esp when traveling, and i love to read – always have a book with me. i’ve always made sure my girls have a book with them, esp if we’re going to be waiting somewhere.
my Oldest reveres her books … do NOT touch her books! and if you want to give her a perfect gift … give her a gift card to Barnes and Noble 😉 . she would often read a whole novel in school – which proved how little she was being taught. she’s now doing online college and doing very well.
though Oldest is dyslexic, it’s fairly mild – but Youngest is severely dyslexic, so reading for long periods is frustrating for her. however, she loves fan fiction, of all things. i don’t care what she reads (within reason) as long as she’s reading. she does well with audio books and will read along with them.
That’s great that you’re passing on your love for reading to your children. Major Styles plans to do likewise with his children!
a first grade teacher i once knew called it “Lap Time” … the amount of time children spend ‘on our laps’ while we read to them. we began reading to our babies when they were born 🙂 … we have children’s books we’ll never get rid of 🙂
have you heard of the Junie B Jones books for little girls? we LOVED reading those books to our daughters when they were little … and FUNNEE!!! we laughed and laughed!
http://juniebjones.com/