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life{in}grace

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My Bookclub debuts this week….

by 36 Comments

I came across this book this summer when I was tirelessly searching and reading in preparation for homeschooling.    The same author wrote “The Well-Trained Mind”  which we are using to give our kids a comprehensive classical education.    This is her answer to, “How do I give my children the classical education which I never had?”.   Besides being a great start on  ‘books every educated person should have read’ ,   this is an excellent tutorial on how to properly read a book.    Since I’m a “bookie”  of sorts,  reading this book  made  my heart flutter and gave me a renewed sense of structure and purpose to my own reading.   Of course,  I then wanted to share my new enthusiasm with everyone,  so I started a book club,  using this book as a guide for how  and what to read.    A few upcoming titles on our list are “Pride and Predjudice” , which we will discuss this week,   “Madame Bovary” ,  “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”,  “One Hundred Years of Solitude”  just to name a few.   I couldn’t be more excited;   reading with a purpose, friends and coffee,  laughing and visiting.    I am also determined that this will be a “real” bookclub where people actually read the book.    So far,  I’m encouraged.   Of the 17 people who have RSVP’d yes,   they’ve all mentioned how hard it has been to get through the 19th century language of Jane Austen.   Because I’m a C.S. Lewis buff,  I’ve had a little practice in reading the style and vocabulary of well-educated English writers.    It’s like any other exercise….very hard at first but the practice pays off.   It’s not the book I’m worried getting through at this point;  it’s trying to come up with discussion questions that don’t bore me and everyone to tears.   Any suggestions?   The first question on my list, “Are you a Jane or a Lizzie?”  and  “Are you married to a Mr. Darcy or Mr. Bingley?” 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kelly says

    What the heck are you doing up at 4:38 AM? Thinking of questions? I’d love to offer you some- but I have not read it so….sorry! Now go to bed!

    Reply

  2. edie+steve says

    Kelly,
    Only 2 reading days left. You better hurry. We need you. And as to my 4am habits, I don’t know what to say. I do go to bed early though!

    Reply

  3. Kelly says

    Like I could read Pride and Prejudice in 2 days! I’d have to throw out school! Maybe I’ll join your next book! Can you tell me earlier.

    Reply

  4. Kate says

    Hey Edie
    Love your blog, your schoolroom. Big IKEA fan here. Also, I just painted my bathroom vanity and love it! Just have to distress it. As for P & P ..I'm totally a Lizzy. It is one of my favorite books. I have all the movies if you want to borrow them. The bbc version is just 6 hours long!

    Reply

  5. edie+steve says

    Kate,
    Hi! So good to hear from you. Can you come on Friday? I’d so love to have you…..from one Lizzy to another! I’m married to a Darcy, BTW. Go figure. I LOOOVE the BBC version. I lost a lot of sleep one weekend watching it. Hope to see ya soon.

    Reply

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