First Two Books of 2020

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” -- Dr. Seuss

I just got to start using this awesome new book journal! It is so neat. It's full of pages where I can record books that I've read along with various pages about famous authors, iconic book covers, book store cats, and other literary trivia. (For anyone interested, the same company also prints notecards, a puzzle, and a Bibliophile book. The notecards and book are at Just Be.) 

So, my first two books for 2020 were both difficult, each in its own way. My goal for each month will include a book with information for writers, a biography, a spiritually-related book, a classic, and at least two just-for-fun books. I have read January's writers' book and biography, and would love to share something about each of them for you.

This first book for 2020 was a collection of essays by C.S. Lewis. (It really fits in to two of my categories, but I selected it for the essays written to support and assist writers.) I enjoyed the book, but it was intellectually a challenge. I had to keep my dictionary near me as I read, which I don't really mind since I enjoy learning and using new words. There was the added struggle of complicated sentence structure and overall difficult content. Sometimes I had to read a sentence several times before I felt like I understood it. 

Though sometimes frustrating, the book was rewarding. I'm glad that I read it and am thankful for the information I gleaned from it. I will need to read it several more times before I take in even half of what he said. There were selections about writing for children, fairy tales, and stories in general. My desire is that what I learned will help me to become a better writer.

The two most important take-away quotes are: 
 "No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally (and often far more) worth reading at the age of fifty -- except, of course, books of information."

"But books about writing by those who have themselves written viable books are too rare and too useful to be neglected." 

Unlike my first book, the second was not intellectually difficult but was emotionally draining. I chose Sally Field's book in preparation for March when I will actually get to hear her speak in Greensboro. 

I chose this as my biography selection and then realized that it is classified as a memoir. That got me wondering about the difference between an autobiography and a memoir. I have researched the two and this is what I discovered: Memoirs are more like sketches and don't just focus on the subject's life but might also delve into the lives of others. They also usually have some kind of final message to share. Autobiographies are usually more focused on the life of the narrator chronologically and solely. I was glad to discover these fine points.

As for the book, it was well-written and detailed. Sally Field has had such a difficult life, and it was quite difficult to read through all of the situations that she has had to deal with. From a spiritual standpoint, it makes me hurt to think of how lost this talented, hurting woman is. She has come to terms with so many of the incidents in her life, and that is how she was able to write this book. It was definitely a cathartic experience. It is, however, totally lacking in any reference to or belief in the One True God. This fact, even more than reading about the horrible things Ms. Field lived through, caused me such inner pain. I am still looking forward to hearing her speak in March but am sure that it will be equally as difficult.

I am now reading one of my just-for-fun books and am already enjoying it immensely, just 4 chapters in. You will have to wait for my next post to find out what my fun choice of a book is.

What are you reading right now? I really want to know!!! I'm always ready to add to my TBR list! Just comment below.