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Thank YOU for joining me for Recycled Reads 2017!
I selected 12 books I’ve had on my shelf and not read. Reading through tomes sitting untouched on my shelf feeds directly into My year of CLean – deciding whether or not to keep the books may be a tougher decision!
The Pearl is another book I picked up from my parents house. Like The Last of the Mohicans, it must have been from my brothers required reading list in High School.
This short novella recalls an often told tales of ‘being careful what you wish for’, ‘be contented where you are’, and ‘the grass is always greener’. Set in a poor fishing town, a young family dreams of their lives being bettered by the quest for pearls. However, the opening scenes paint the beautiful daily rhythms the family goes through, seemingly needing nothing. Of course, inciting action begins to trickle in a change of fates.
Always an excellent story teller, Steinbeck reveals his well honed writing skills in telling a beautifully tragic tale of humanity. I am struck by the overtones that the family should be satisfied with their humble way of life. On one hand, being satisfied with where one is in life has a familiar contentedness and fulfillment.
However, I’m often struck with tales like these that seemingly exude the parable that those who are the most humble in life should be satisfied with their lot in life. The covers of the book are loaded with accolades to the story telling, but I’m wondering where the hope is? Maybe it’s my wanting everyone to encourage one another instead of helping to keep their fellow people in their proverbial places.
I often forget these fables are more for telling a story in a place in time; not to rise above, be affirmational, a signpost for the best in each of us.
Let me know if you’ve read this book and what your thoughts are, especially if you’ve read the book 🙂
What is your latest read? How did you like this book? Is it on your 2017 Reading List?
What is ‘Recylced Reads’ 2017?
The gist: Read what you have on your shelf. If you’ve read it all, then swap books with friends, enjoy a trip to the library to find a dozen you’d like to read, or classics you may have missed along the way, and read away.
The rules: There really are no rules — it’s all about giving yourself the grace and space to take the time for you. I enjoy reading, so naturally, this is a challenge I could embrace.
My dozen are books for 2017:
- The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
- The Pearl by John Steinbeck
- The Sword and the Stone by T.H.White
- Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
- King Arthur and his Knights complied and arranged by Elizabeth Lodor Merchant
- The Night Trilogy by Elie Wiesel
- Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
- Homegrown: Adventures in Parenting Off the Beaten Path by Ben Hewitt
- Lassie Come-Home by Eric Knight
- Rising Strong by Brene Brown
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I can’t comment on this book in particular because I haven’t read it, but I have also been conflicted about this theme in the past. There’s something very “noble savage” about stories written by people in the middle or upper classes talking about how lucky poor people are to have such happy, simple lives.
But speaking of having a more simple life, I love the idea of reading what’s on your shelf — as opposed to buying more books. I’ve been trying to keep myself from buying more books until I read my “to do” shelf, with only limited success. I like to think I’ve stemmed the flow of books into my house somewhat; now all I need to do is read more of the ones I have. Thanks for the inspiration!
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Yay for inspiration!! 🙂 If you’d like to choose 12 off your shelf to read this year, I’d love to have you link up with my 2017 Recycled Reads. It’s a way to set goals with others 😉 Happy Reading!!
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The books I have in mind are (mostly) not recycled reads, but new ones I haven’t gotten around to yet. I set a higher goal on my Goodreads challenge for this year and so far I’m horribly behind — only one book of 30 and it’s already February! But I’m halfway through the next, so at least I’m on the right track. If you’re on Goodreads, look me up — I love sharing reviews and suggestions. Happy reading to you too! 🙂
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I haven’t been on Goodreads for a while, but I’ve been meaning to get on and join the challenge! Thanks for the inspiration 😊
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That challenge definitely helped inspire me last year, and I’m hoping it will kick in any minute now this year. 😉
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I’ve been reading a book about every other day this year. I’ve made it {most nights!} my goal to go to bed early and read for an hour or two! I’m getting through so many books I’ve wanted to read for so long — languishing on my shelves — which has brought me innumerable inner contentedness and peace! Good Luck 🙂
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Goodness, and I thought I was a fast reader! I’ve given up trying to go to bed early to read, because as soon as I lie down in bed, my eyes start to droop. But I’ve resumed using my cozy reading nook in the evenings and am making some progress on my latest book. Still can only get in about one hour a night, though.
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I find the more I read, the faster I read. Of course, this does not apply to read alouds 😉 Happy Reading!!
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