Skip to main content

books

I must be a dot-to-dot kind of gal. Now that I look back on my favorite books throughout my life, they've all been a series: Bobbsey Twins, Chronicles of Narnia, Trixie Beldon, Hardy Boys (I always checked out Nancy Drew at school since girls weren't supposed to read boy books, but I thought she was prissy. At the public library I always got the Hardy Boys.) Sugar Creek Gang, Janette Oke, Jan Karon, Lori Wick, Harry Potter, Beverly Lewis, and now my interest is piqued by the Spiderwick Chronicles. Has anyone read this series? Since the movie came out, the library has a very long waiting list, and I just can't bring myself to pay $10 for a little bitty book that I might not like.

I did read one of the Leminy Snicket books, but I didn't like it all. It's too Grimm and Poe-like for me. There are some authors whom I've really enjoyed and wouldn't mind reading more from them, but I usually hesitate to read something by an author I've never heard of or read about. Strange, isn't it?

Now, if Bobby reads this, he'll be quick to point out that almost all my favorite books are children's books. I have started reading biographies and autobiographies (well, before I started back to work I did), but so much adult fiction is solid trash. I read one of Danielle Steele, and some of Lillian Jackson's works, but wasn't overly impressed. Steele has good characterization skills but her characters are all immoral and trashy, while Jackson is overly simplistic and borderline boring. I did enjoy some of John Grisham's books, but they have so many tedious narrations that I find myself skimming parts.

There's just something about children's literature that I've always enjoyed. Maybe it's the brevity of the books; I can read them in one day and be done. Perhaps its the informative and moralistic style (you know, the character is supposed to grow in some form or fashion without too much adult help). But for whatever reason, I would much rather read something designated as children's literature than adult. There are a lot of middle-grade novels and YAs out there that are just as trashy as adult books, but I think that's just a reflection of how depraved our society is today.

So, how many of you prefer children's books to adult lit?

Comments

Jennifer said…
I forgot all about Trixie Beldon until you mentioned her!! I like Janette Oke and books like that, but I don't get much chance to read any more. Children's books do seem to be better.
Lydia said…
I love children's lit. I own all the Harry Potter, have read all the Spiderwick AND Lemony Snickett books (which I thought were hilarious!). If you like good juvenile fantasy, try Alison Croggon- good series, I'm waiting on the last book to come out. I also REALLY love retold fairy tales. "Rose Daughter" is my favorite!

Popular posts from this blog

things we do for love

Saturday we had a baby shower for Bobby's niece. As I was making the mints, Bobby asked what else was on the menu. After I recited off the litany of items, he responded with "No peanut butter?! This shower is for Hannah! What's she going to eat?" (Hannah has had stomach problems over the years and has been unable to tolerate many foods, but peanut butter has been her staple.) Despite my assurances that she would enjoy the foods we were having, he was adamant that I needed to make peanut butter & jelly sandwiches for the shower. Even though I protested that NOBODY took that to a shower, he persisted, and informed me I could make them dainty with my little cutter. And so I did. To my surprise all but 3 were eaten. Who'd a thunk it?

perspectives

A few years ago after a Bible study a lot of the group continued to sit and talk and simply relax. One of the ladies felt like she was being mistreated by her boss. She was always given extra tasks or asked to assume responsibilities that no one else was asked to do. She felt it was unfair. As she was listing off some of the extras (she worked in a cafe for a plant), I was in flashback mode. My last year of college I was a shift manager at a fast food place. One of my many duties was to ensure that certain cleaning jobs (extra duties) was assigned and done properly. We were inspected by company headquarters once a quarter, and 3 of their 4 visits was ALWAYS a surprise visit. When I handed out those extra assignments, I had three things in mind: Who will do this job without making a bigger mess? Who can quickly do this job so we don't impede serving customers? Who will do this without the most drama? In essence, I wanted the best person for the job. Use the teenager who griped and c...

fun...funny houses

 We saw the above house in Pittsboro while on our way to the mountains. It was the strangest house I've ever seen. Evidently this isn't a modification, for Bobby remembers thinking it funny as a child. Evidently a governor lived here at one point. I think the sign said it's now a Masonic lodge. And if seeing one funny house wasn't enough, the latest issue of This Old House had a link to their website that had several galleries of funny (or strange houses). Here's my favorites from their collection:   Szymbark , Poland  This just makes me laugh, and I would love to visit this house in person. Created by a designer who wanted to demonstrate "wrong-doings against humanity".  Visitors have stood in line for as long as 6 hours to tour the house, and many come out feeling "sea-sick".     Kalambaka, Greece... This 1,000 foot cliff drop has housed monastaries since the 11th century. Six of them are open to the public, " assuming, of course, th...