The Great Gatsby

(BOOK 26 of the 52 week Challenge)

From the back cover:

"The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald's third book, stands as the supreme achievement of his career. This exemplary novel of the Jazz Age has been acclaimed by generations of readers. The story of the fabulously wealthy Jay Gatsby and his love for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan, of lavish parties on Long Island at a time when The New York Times noted "gin was the national drink and sex the national obsession," is an exquisitely crafted tale of America in the 1920s."

The adulteries of two of the main characters, along with the hosting of weekly alcohol-drenched festivities by Mr. Gatsby, are parts of the main storyline of this book. It is assigned as high-school level reading in our literature studies, but I've opted to wait a couple of years before I assign it to Zachary and Ryan, even though it goes with our current time period in our history studies. I do want them to read it in high school, just not while they are 14.

All Quiet on the Western Front

(BOOK 25 of the 52 week Challenge)

"The greatest war book that has yet been written."
~ Redakteur Stohr

"It is the strongest document that has come out of the war."
~ Ernst Toller

"It surpasses all other war books in its cruel truth."
~ L'Action Francaise

"It is a great document. A powerful work of art. All other books about the war become small and insignificant in comparison."
~ Albert Engstrom

These are some of the reviews of this book which describes the horror of life in the trenches on the front lines of WWI, and the inability of the men who fought to adjust to their previous lives when on leave.

The author had this to say about his novel:

"This book is to be neither an accusation nor a confession, and least of all an adventure, for death is not an adventure to those who stand face to face with it. It will try simply to tell of a generation of men who, even though they may have escaped its shells, were destroyed by the war."

Many parts of the reading were difficult to get through due to the emotional impact of the passages. I recommend it for anyone interested in learning more about the daily atrocities faced by some of the men and women of our armed forces. Be warned that there is some sexual content.

Free Writing Workshop

Cindy Marsch of Writing Assessment Services is offering for free her Writing Prep Workshop for Great Books. The offer expires in October, so hurry if you're interested in signing up.

Though The Darkness Hide Thee

(BOOK 24 of the 52 week Challenge)

When Thomas Clement accepts the job as pastor in a small, country church, the Clement family returns to the wife's hometown to renew family relationships . They land right in the middle of a long-standing family feud complete with two suspicious deaths (considered suicides) and a murder. The tale is complete with ponderings on how Jesus really wants us to live while here on earth.

The book is a page-turner; I settled in on the couch one night this week around 8 pm to "read a couple more chapters" and I finished the book around 12:30 am. It definitely kept my attention.

This novel was written by Susan Wise Bauer, co-author of The Well Trained Mind, a book which provides guidelines on giving your children a classical education at home.

Teen-Proofing: A Revolutionary Approach to Fostering Responsible Decision Making in Your Teenager

(BOOK 23 of the 52 week Challenge)



I think John Rosemond had a little fun with his title. There is nothing *revolutionary* about the advice he offers. As he explains in the book, his suggested methods of parenting teens are nothing new; they are simply good, old-fashioned, common-sense ways of thinking that seem to have gone out the window in today's era of feel-good psychobabble.

If you are a parent, read this book. You won't necessarily agree with everything he says, but I guarantee that he'll give you some things to think about.

For Women Only: What You Need To Know About the Inner Lives of Men

(BOOK 22 of the 52 week Challenge)

If you're a woman, read this book. Eye-opening. I wish I had read it 20 years ago.

An Ideal Husband

(BOOK 21 of the 52 week Challenge)

This was another play by Oscar Wilde that I greatly enjoyed.