Joseph Dreamer of Dreams by E. Traylor (2/52 Books in 52 Weeks)

Welcome to week two of 52 Books in 52 Weeks. This week I chose a biblical novel to enjoy.  I first encountered the author when I was in high school.  I read Samson which opened my eyes and heart to the reality of scripture and I began to realise just how real each of the people in the bible stories really were.  Years later I found a fabulous christian bookshop in Christchurch (Christian Value Books) and encountered books by Ellen Gunderson Traylor and began collecting her novels. 

Joseph Dreamer of Dreams

• Format Paperback | 247 pages 
• Publisher Harvest House Publishers 
• Language English 
• ISBN10 0890816999 
• ISBN13 9780890816998  

I really enjoyed reading this book again. JOSEPH is a story of politics, passion and a peculiar example of GOD at work in the lives of men and women.

The Author

• Ellen Gunderson Traylor is a gifted storyteller who brings characters of the bible to life.
  
• Find her on Facebook here.
• On instagram under the hashtag #ellengundersontraylor
• She has written numerous biblical fiction novels such as: Song of Abraham, John, Mary Magdalene, Noah, Ruth, Esther, Joseph, Mark, Moses, Joshua, Jerusalem, Melchizedek and Samson.
• The Priest is her first contempory novel followed by The Oracle and The Cornerstone in the series.
• Gabriel - The War in Heaven is the first in her new series.
  

 Who are some of your favourite biblical story tellers?  I have three or four more on my shelf I am aiming to read later this year.

The Reading Life by C.S. Lewis (1/52 Books in 52 Weeks)

Welcome to week one of 52 Books in 52 Weeks. To launch my year of reading I chose The Reading Life by C.S. Lewis. I spent many years avoiding CS Lewis books and a few years back as a family we listened to and read aloud the Narnia series by Mr Lewis and really enjoyed his writing.  I received this book for Christmas and the title really called to me when deciding which book to commence the challenge with and I am so pleased that I did read it.

 No Book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally (and often far more) worth reading at the age of fifty. ... The only imaginative works we ought to grow out of are those which it would have been better not to have read at all.  - C.S. Lewis The Reading Life.

The Reading Life

Details

• Format Paperback  
• 192 pages 
• Dimensions 129 x 198 x 15mm | 170g 
• Publication date 15 Oct 2020 
• Publisher HarperCollins Publishers 
• Imprint William Collins 
• Publication City/Country London, United Kingdom 
• Language English 
• ISBN10 0008307121 
• ISBN13 9780008307127 

Every age has its own outlook. It is specially good at seeing certian truths and specially liable to make certain mistakes. We all, therefore, need the books that will correct the characteristic mistakes of our own period. And that means the old books.  - C.S. Lewis The Reading Life.

Available to purchase

• Paperback
• Hardback
• CD Audio 
  

From Book Depository

•  "The revered teacher and bestselling author reflects on the power, importance, and joy of a life dedicated to reading books in this delightful collection drawn from his wide body of writings."
• "Cultivated from his many essays, articles, and letters, as well as his classic works, The Reading Life provides guidance and reflections on the love and enjoyment of books. Engaging and enlightening, this well-rounded collection includes Lewis' reflections on science fiction, why children's literature is for readers of all ages, and why we should read two old books for every new one."

 The book is divided into two parts: On the Art and Joy of Reading (15 chapters) and Short Readings on Reading (37 chapters). The appendix contains Journal Exercises for Reflecting on Your Reading Life.

[A child] does not despise real woods because he has read of enchanted woods: the reading makes all reall woods a little enchanted.  - C.S. Lewis The Reading Life.

The Author

• Clive Staples Lewis
• 29 November 1898 - 22 November 1963
• Friends with J.R.R. Tolkien
• Served on the English faculty at Oxford University
• Wrote more than 30 books.
• In 2013 was honoured with a memorial in Poets Corner in Westminster Abbey.
• Official Website: CSLewis.com
•  C.S. Lewis Timeline can be found here
• On social media here: Facebook, Twitter,  Pinterest and Instagram.
  
• Blog here
• On Wikipedia 
  

The greatest cause of verbicide is the fact that most people are obviously far more anxious to express their approval and disapproval of things than to describe them. - C.S. Lewis The Reading Life.

I'm so pleased I chose this book to commence my year of reading. It is a beautifully compiled book with thought provoking moments.  I loved the quotes which are enlarged throughout the book.  

I had two favourite chapters: Why Children's Stories are not Just for Children and How to Murder Words.  

I really enjoyed what C.S. Lewis had to say about Tolkien in  The Achievements of J.R.R. Tolkien.

This is a fabulous book and deserves a spot on any bookshelf.

What are you reading?

2021 Reading Goals {52 Books in 52 Weeks}

This past weekend the Homeschool Review Crew asked the question What are your reading goals for 2021? This is something I had been pondering since I fractured my humerus last year and realised that it's been a long time since I read for the pleasure of doing so. I have been blessed with so many beautiful books and have decided this is the year I want to embark on reading the books I've been wanting to read or re-read.

 Back in 2012 I signed up to Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks and wondered if it was still being hosted online.  Much to my delight I descovered that it is still alive and well. I've signed up for the 2021 challenge and would like to invite you to join me.

 

To help me keep my lists handy and keep me accountable I have decided to build two lists below. I will be updating this list upon completing my challenge for each week and if I find a book I would like to add.

My Completed Reading list for 2021

1. The Reading Life by C.S. Lewis
2. Joseph Dreamer of Dreams by E. Traylor
3. The Good Master by Kate Seredy
4. The Girl from the Train by Irma Joubert 
5. False Impression by Jeffrey Archer
6. To Ride Pegasus by Anne McCaffrey
7. Pegasus in Space by Anne McCaffrey
8. The Rowan by Anne McCaffrey
9. Damia by Anne McCaffrey
10. Damia's Children by Anne McCaffrey
11. Lyon's Pride & The Tower and the Hive  by Anne McCaffrey
12. Seizure by Robin Cook 
13. Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary
14. 
    

Books I would like to read this year

1. The Reading Life : The Joy of Seeing New Worlds Through Others' Eyes by C.S. Lewis COMPLETED - Week 1
   
2. Silver Boxes by Florence Littauer 
3. What's so Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancey
4. Moses The Deliverer by Ellen Gunderson Traylor
5. Joshua - God's Warrior by Ellen Gunderson Traylor
6. Disappointment with God - Philip Yancey
7. Prayer of Jabez -
8. Ten Fingers for God - the life and work of Dr Paul Brand
9. False Impression by Jeffrey Archer COMPLETED - Week 5
   
10. Teaching From Rest - 
11. Sherlock Holmes
12. An Agatha Christie Book - which do you recommend?
13. Pegasus in Flight by Anne McCaffrey
14. 
    

The guidelines/rules

1. The challenge will run from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.
2.  Book weeks begin on Sunday
3. Week one begins on Friday, January 1st and runs through January 9th.
   
4.  Participants may join at any time
5.  All books are acceptable except children books **
6.  All forms of books are acceptable including e-books, audio books, etc
7.  Re-reads are acceptable as long as they are read after January 1, 2021
8.  Books may overlap other challenges
9.  Create an entry post linking to 52 books in 52 weeks
10.  Sign up with Mr. Linky in the "I'm participating in 2021 post" .
11. You don't have a blog or social media account to participate.  Post your weekly book in the comments section of each weekly post.   
12. The link widget will be added to the bottom of the weekly post for you to link to reviews of your most current reads, and will close at the end of each book week
    

**in reference to children books. If it is a child whose reading it and involved in the challenge, then that's okay.  If an adult is doing read aloud with kids, the book should be geared for the 9 - 12 age group and above and over 100 pages. If adult reading for own enjoyment, then a good rule of thumb to go by "is there some complexity to the story or is it too simple?"  If it's too simple, then it doesn't count.

 

Mini Challenges within 52 Books in 52 Weeks

Should you want something a little extra to participate in here are a variety of weekly, monthly and perpetual challenges including: 

• Well Educated Mind -- Continue to explore the classics in 6 categories: Fiction, Autobiography, History/Politics, Drama, Poetry and Science. 
• Agatha Christie -- read at least three of her books per year. Read the books in chronological order as listed, group by detective or collection, or randomly if you choose. 
• Brit Tripping --- A year long mystery read traveling the Roman Roads through England reading reading a book from each of the 45 counties with a few extra trips to London. 
• Plus Alphabet Soup, Dusty and Chunky, Feed Your Muse, Mind Voyages, Nobel Prize Winners, 52 weeks Bingo , Fictional Librarians, Daughters of Mnemosyne and Sounds of Silence. 
• The mini and perpetual challenges are all optional, Mix them up anyway you like or follow your own path in the quest to read. 

 

Out on the Internet

•  What I learned reading 52 books in 52 weeks over in the Canberra Times.
• The 52 Book Club - This is a structured reading challenge with a theme for each weeks reading (find the challenge for 2021 here.)