June Book List

[eattheolives.livejournal.com]

1. Where are the Lions?, Claus Tøndering

Honestly - and as a Christian I'm kind of ashamed to admit this - this is the first depiction of heaven that's really been attractive to me. The book describes how we often think of heaven as being filled with "lethargic bliss:" Everyone sitting around, singing hymns and being happy. It seems so ... boring.

But this picture of an active heaven ... this is a place I want to go! Honestly, my first thought was, "You mean I could still be a librarian in heaven - but do it 100% for the joy of it, in a perfect library??" And to have an infinity of time to learn new things and perfect skills, just for the pleasure of it!
​​
So yeah, you could say that I think this is a brilliant concept.​

​The writing: I love the narrative voice! It's personal and approachable, but still has hints of fable-like language; I'm not sure how to describe it better than that. I felt like Nick was sitting across the table from me, telling me the story.

You can download the ebook for free here.

2. Script & Scribble, Kitty Burns Florey

Just a lovely little look at penmanship styles, methods, and trends over the ages.

3. Station 16, Yves Huppen

A short and creepy retro-styled graphic novel; probably predictable for those more familiar with the genre, but I loved it.

4. In the Wake of the Plague, Norman Cantor

As others have pointed out, the quality of writing and general interest level fades in the later chapters of the book, but for anyone with a penchant for historical diseases, this is a solid overview of the the effects of the plague years.

5. Blacksad: Amarillo, Juan Diaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido

Don't really have much to say about this one except that dang, this artwork!

6. Though the Woods, Emily Carroll

Oh goodness - just lovely and creepy, like illustrated Poe.

7. Spinster: making a life of one's own, Kate Bolick

Every time I'd get frustrated with the author's seemingly endless relationship-hopping (in a book about singlehood) and personal angsting, there'd be a sentence so perfectly formed, or a quote so timely and thought-provoking that I'd think "okay, just one more chapter."

I disagree with the author on quite a number of points and this book was not at all what I expected; I'm still glad I struggled through to the end.

Part of my frustration came from the disconnect between the author's definition of singleness and my own. Behold:

"In all my daydreaming about being alone I'd somehow overlooked that in this century being single means "dating," which means having sex with people you don't know very well..."

Um, that is not at all my definition.

Also this:

"My aim is more modest: to offer [the word 'spinster'] up as shorthand for holding on to that in you which is independent and self-sufficient, whether you're single or coupled."

No, I'm sorry, you don't get to redefine "spinster" as something that can apply to someone who is married/in a long-term relationship. You just don't get to do that. They may (and do) change over time, but words mean things, and right now nothing about the word "spinster" has any business being applied to a married person.

Comments

[sk8eeyore.livejournal.com]

Now that I've seen a couple reviews, I have to say I'm intrigued by Where Are The Lions?.

Also, your comments on depictions of heaven reminded me of a favorite quote from N.D. Wilson's Notes from the Tilt-a-Whirl, which isn't all about heaven but does have a few wonderful bits on eternity:

"Heaven will be wonderful (understatement). It will be more wonderful than we can imagine, even if our imaginations weren't so stunted by marshmallow visions. You will have a body more physical than this one. Heaven will be hard and bright, and the winds will be strong. You will have the body and the eyes and the purified, well-aged soul to bear it. We will remake this world with blistered hands."

[kiwiria.livejournal.com]

It's available as a free ebook. I hope you'll give it a try :)

Shameless plug is shameless as the author is my dad ;) So yes, I'm horribly biased, but I still think it's one of the best depictions of Heaven I've read.

[mattiescottage.livejournal.com]

Thanks, eattheolives and kiwiria, for highlighting this book. I've downloaded it. (Yay, EPUB! Now I can listen to it read to me in the car or doing house chores.)

[kiwiria.livejournal.com]

Yay! Hope you like it :)

[moredetails.livejournal.com]

I know--the first time I heard about a heaven where we could still be ourselves and do things we love, but in a perfect setting, it was eye-opening. I guess early on it's easier to think of it like we would pretty much forget our earthly lives and just wander around roads of gold. Instead, it's going to be more like life on earth should've been! Which is why all of those "before you die" types of books/lists kind of annoy me, because while I don't discourage people from going out and experiencing life, it's far from over when we die.

[moredetails.livejournal.com]

Also, so eyerolling about the spinster book! I can see how it was hard to finish.

[silent-soprano.livejournal.com]

Guess I'll have to add Where Are the Lions to my reading list. (Like it wasn't huge enough already...)

Your review of the spinster book reminds me of a friend who claimed "house spinster" should be a valid occupation ;) But yes, even without reading I agree, how can the word "spinster" apply "whether you're single or coupled." Doesn't spinster, even in this modern era, whether due to personal choice, religion, or other factors, signify a life largely devoid of romantic prospects?

Thanks for the reviews!