Good Reads

These past few weeks, I've been so enjoying exploring some 'new' books by one of my favorite authors, Gene Stratton-Porter. 

I first read one of her most famous books, 'A Girl of the Limberlost', when I was about 10 years old, and probably 15 times since then. The story I know by heart, but I never get tired of reading it again. Besides the delicious romance and heart of the story, I love hearing the wonders of the woods described, as well as the different personalites and plots of the tale twining together....

A few years later, I discovered the prequel, 'Freckles', and loved it too.

But, since then I've had a shameful lapse in discovering what other delightful treasures were penned by this same authoress. Just a few weeks ago, when hungering for something new and good to read, I was scanning my crowded bookshelves, when I saw a very old tattered copy of 'Her Father's Daughter', by Porter that Mom had found for me at a garage sale a few years before.... I was soon enjoying it very much, and wondering why I hadn't long before. Her stories always are so fascinating, and I never can guess what twist or turn they are going to take next!

So, now I've been listening to 'The Harvester' on audio book while sewing, and found it quite wonderful as well. She has many other novels that I am longing to find out now:

The Song of the Cardinal, 1903

Freckles, 1904
At the Foot of the Rainbow, 1907

A Girl of the Limberlost, 1909

The Harvester, 1911

Laddie, 1913

Michael O'Halloran, 1915

A Daughter of the Land, 1918

Her Father's Daughter, 1921

The White Flag, 1923

The Keeper of the Bees, 1925

The Magic Garden, 1927

While there is occasionally a perspective written that I don't quite agree with, each one I've read so far has left me with lots to think about and just bursting with inspiration for drawing, artwork, learning and enjoying God's creations in nature, and even sewing! They are all around good reads, and I would highly recommend trying them out if you haven't already.

Have you read Gene-Stratton Porter before? Do you have a favorite? If so, why?

(Note: all the pictures are from my Pinterest, and although most of them have nothing to do with the books, they instantly reminded me of the Gene Stratton-Porter books I have read, and give a much better impression of the flavor of the books than I could write. So, if you like what you see....go read! :)



Library Books and Costume Research

Last week I had the opportunity to go to the Texas Tech college library. I needed to do some extensive costume research for an upcoming project. I found some of the most amazing books! I wish all of these were in my permanant libraray.

The Tech library is - wow. I could get lost for years in there and be perfectly happy. 5 huge stories of books floor to ceiling, with stairs and elevators - oh. And moving book shelves. You push a button and two bookshelves electonically open up to reveal a new row of books. Sort of creepy, actually.

Anyhow - I've been completely enjoying all these costume research books. I've been going through and making sketches of anything of particular interest.

17 titles in all. That's alot of reading, and sketching. :^) Fun.

Best Dressed by Blum and Hangland

The Cut of Women's Clothes 1600-1930 by Waugh

Costume Close-up, Clothing Construction and Pattern 1750-1790 by Baumgarten and Carr

The Mode in Hats and Headdress by Wilcox

Historical Costumes of England 1066-1968 by Bradfield

Period Costume for Sage and Screen 1500-1800 by Hunnisett

Edwardian Ladies Tailoring by Hopkins

The Mode in Furs by Wilcox

The Voice of Fashion by Grimble

Reconstruction Era Fashions by Grimble

Fashion in Costume 1200-2000 by Nunn

English Costume by Yarwood

Dress Design by Hughes

Historic Costuming by Truman

The History of Haute Couture 1850-1950 by DeMarley

The Fashion Dictionary by Picken

The Guide to Historic Costume by Baclawski

Book Review: Adam Bede by George Elliot

I was surprised by how much I liked this book. It is a profoundly thought-provoking, yet simple story, set at the turn of the century in Regency England. The characters are all very real - not at all 'smoothed out' or glorified at all. The plot moves slowly, but it matches the slow-moving working life of the setting. Sleepy farms and villiages populated with common people - who prove not-so-common on closer inspection. The story is quite gripping, though. As I neared the climax, I just couldn't put it down. One of the things I came to think about most was how one tiny action by one character can have a life changing effect on the life on another, and how we must be so careful to make sure we are on the right path before we run forward.

Anyhow - I highly reccommend this to fans of historical novels and period dramas.

Main Characters:

Adam Bede - a talented and intelligent young carpenter who is well respected for his honesty and strength of character and opinions. Can often be a bit too stubborn and harsh. In love with Hetty.

Hetty Sorrel - a farm girl of uncommon beauty whose vanity and thoughtlessness causes more greif than she ever could have imagined.

Arthur Donnithorne - grandson of the local Squire and captain in the milita. A gentleman of 20 who is well liked and admired by all the tentants for his cheerful character and genuine concern for their welfare. His worst faults are self-indulgence and a wavering conscience.

Seth Bede - Adam's younger brother. Strong and gentle. In love with Dinah.

Dinah Morris - a deeply religious and selfless young woman who is a comfortor to all she meets. Determined not to marry so she can devote her life to the Lord's work.

I read Elliot's 'Silas Marner' several years ago, and found it quite good too. Has anyone every seen the BBC versions of either Adam Bede or Silas Marner? I am quite curious to see them now. :^)

Vintage Hairstyling Book

Vintage Hairstyling by Lauren Rennells

I stumbled upon this really cool-looking book the other day. Full color pictures and step-by-step instructions for tons of different retro hairstyles? I need this. It is definately on my wish list.

I have been trying to recreate some 40s and 50s styles lately - and only had one success so far. Some help and instructions would be so welcome!

What do you think? Does anyone have this book?

Book Review: King Raven Trilogy

by Stephen R. Lawhead

The traditional Robin Hood Story, but set in Wales during the rule of William Rufus (son of William the Conquerer).

A young Welsh prince named Bran suffers a horrific tragedy, loses his father's kingdom to the Ffrenic (Norman) usurpers and is forced to flee into the ancient forrest. There his life is saved by a mysterious elderly woman named Angharad. She gives him hope and courage to fight back against his enemies against all odds. Bran slowly gathers a rag-tag band of Welsh peasants who have also lost everything to the Ffrenic rule. They use the forest and their deadly long-bows to best advantage and trust in God to give them justice in the end.

The three book titles are Hood, Scarlet, and Tuck. I found Scarlet to be the most edge-of-your-seat and Tuck the most enjoyable read. The plot grows more complicated with each book, and the ending was not what I was expecting!

The story line was compelling, but the writing style I didn't care for so much. I never could feel as involved in the story as I wished, somehow. Also several key characters seemed to remain distant (most notably Bran and Merian). There were also some rather gory descriptions, and a lot of 'Medieval' cursing that I could have done without.

I would say ages 16 and up for these books. Parents might wish to read them first for younger kids.

Actually whatI liked best were the historical notes found in the back of the book. Here the author explains why he chose to set the story in Wales, and in the earlier time period than most Robin Hood stories. The notes several Medieval legends and the facts that led him to make those desicions. Very interesting!

Has anyone else read these?

Book Review: Just Jane

My dear friend Cari recently sent me a book she thought I would like. (and she must know me pretty well - because I loved it!)

The book chronicles the life of Jane Austen, beginning when she is a young woman of twenty looking forward to an upcoming engagement. It is told from her point of view - so the reader is privy to all her deepest thoughs and wishes. At times the 'random thoughts' point of view got just a little grating - but really it was hardly noticeable, as the story moved along fairly quick. All of her family members and friends were very well portrayed and fleshed out. The author skillfully guides the reader along the various paths of her everyday life, Jane's fictional written characters, her friends and family, and her dissapointed love interests. It seemed very well researched and very minute on points of detail that I found very interesting. It even included excerpts from some of Jane's actual letters. There was also a nice section of historical notes, detailing what was fact and what was fiction in the back of the book, which I appreciated very much. Reading this book really helped me to see how much Jane Austen really drew on her own life experiences and knowlege of the people around her and translated these into her writing and  characters. Now I want to read some of her books again, armed with my new knowledge and vision of the author!

Highly recommend for any Jane Austen fan!

Also go check out the slideshow tour of Jane Austen's home currently on the Masterpeice website.
Be sure to enter the Jane Austen DVD giveaway on the main page as well!

New Cook Books!

For Christmas I recieved a set of wonderful little books by Barbara Swell. I would highly recommend them to anyone who loves cooking, history, and all things old-timey! Besides being full of great recipes (many unchanged from the original recipes handed down from generation to generation), every page is gorgeously decorated with tintypes, CDVs, and black-and-white illustrations pulled from old fashioned books and ladies magazines. So it's great - I can look for a new recipe, and do costume research at the same time!
The author also includes various tidbits of old-time lore and Southern wisdom - and little true stories that often have me laughing out loud. Excellent for just a good read by the woodstove - and for a great recipe resource! Published by Native Ground.