How has your week gone so far? In this week’s version of midweek mix-up, I’m sharing a couple fascinating books I’m currently reading, and several useful resources for writers and homeschoolers.
Books I’m reading this week:
The Eagle (previously Eagle of the Ninth), by Rosemary Sutcliff
Progress: 6% (page 18 of 192)
The story hasn’t really picked up yet, but I know it will get interesting, so I’m doing my best to persevere! I’m hoping to get through this one soon, so I can read its sequel—The Silver Branch—before we have to send it back to the library.
Amy Carmichael: Rescuer of Precious Gems, by Janet & Geoff Benge
Progress: 55%
Mom bought this in audio form a while ago, and yesterday when I was uploading the review she wrote of the Christian Heroes: Then and Now Series, I was reminded of the fact that we have it. Since I hadn’t listened to it yet, and since I was doing work that could be done while listening to a story, I was delighted to do double-purpose here.
I’m loving Amy Carmichael’s story! I knew she was from Ireland, but hearing the different little tidbits of her early life—first, the family went from a life of upper-class richness to being too poor to go to finishing school. Then she had a call to do work for the Lord, and began working with the “shawlies”—young women who worked long hours in the factories. Later, she went for a brief stint of missionary work in Japan, and then became too sick to continue there. After that, she had to return to England to help an old friend, and had to recuperate from sickness herself. I never realized before how much sickness hindered her work—but despite that disability, she had an amazing drive and a beautiful vision to bless all those she met with Jesus’ love.
Useful posts this week:
- Make the Best of How You Collide Into Others — Fascinating story of a car crash, and also a wonderful example of how fleeting and precious life is.
- Christian Historical Fiction Books for PreTeens — This is a beautiful book list! I’ve read some of these books, and some of the others are ones I’d love to read.
- The Write Life: Beat Writer’s Block, Increase Productivity and Maximize Your Word Count Every Day — A free ebook, in exchange for your honest review. I’m hoping to read this soon.
- National Film Board of Canada: How to Build an Igloo (1949) — We watched this video over lunch time today, and loved it. I’ve always wondered how igloos were built, and this explained it—complete with cutting yourself out of your house once it was built! Even though the film is old, it was incredibly interesting.
Resource of the week:
30 Ultimately Effective Social Media Tools For Writers
Not only social media tools, though, but grammatical helpers, apps for helping you write better, and much, much more! Check it out—I think you’ll find it useful, just as I have!
Hi Esther
Do keep going with The Eagle of the Ninth – it’s a great book! I found the sequel a bit disappointing though.
Which sequel did you read, Tani? We’ve read both The Silver Branch (book two) and The Lantern Bearers (book three) and the general consensus around here was that book two was just as good as book one, but The Lantern Bearers was a bit of a let-down.