Monthly Bookshelf Review - November 2018

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November's Books Completed and Reviewed

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde - This was a re-read of a classic, and I chose it to read for Halloween. Which was a month ago, and I didn't finish the book until last week, if that gives any idea of what my month has been like! At any rate, an interesting and suspenseful story. (Read my full review HERE.)

Disruptive Witness: Speaking Truth in a Distracted Age by Alan Noble - I had just finished this one and hadn't posted a review when I did my October Bookshelf. It's a complex and thought-provoking read. (Read my full review HERE.)

During November I started reading:

Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries by Kory Stamper - Although this behind the scenes look at how dictionaries are written is interesting, I got sidetracked and busy and haven't read very far. I'm hoping to get back to it before the library wants it back!

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe - This is required reading for the History class I teach, so I started reading it too. But we only the one copy and my daughter is the student, so she's reading it now. We found it a little awkward to keep handing it back and forth and keep two bookmarks, so I'll wait and finish it after she has.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott - Because I have unrealistic expectations about being able to keep up with any kind of a book club, I joined one (online) and this is our November read. Fortunately, it's a fairly quick read, so I think I can finish it in time for the discussion. Besides, I've read it multiple times in the past.

Coming Up in December!

No idea yet!! I need to finish what I have before starting anything new, but of course I'll want to read some holiday themed books.

This post will be linked at:

5 Minutes For Books - What's On Your Nightstand?
The Book Date - November Reading Month in Review

©2008-2018 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

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Wordless Wednesday - November Sunrise

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This was yesterday's spectacular sunrise.

And the view looking towards the west, with the sun adding just a bit of golden glow to the mountains.

This post is linked at Wordless Wednesday, hosted by Life at Rossmont; and at Pictorial Tuesday, hosted by Peabea's Scribble Pad.

©2008-2018 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - The Picture of Dorian Gray

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The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde - It seems to me this classic isn't very well known, but it's really very interesting. Many people are familiar with the general theme or storyline of most classic novels, even if they haven't read the book, but I've found that not many folks know Dorian Gray's name - none of the students in my high school writing classes this year or last had even heard of it. And to be honest, I knew very little about it until I first watched the movie The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen many years ago!

The story opens with a conversation between artist Basil Hallward and his friend Lord Henry Wotten. A young man who is sitting for a portrait by Hallward has become somewhat of a favorite of his, being particularly handsome, and Hallward looks upon this Dorian Gray as a kind of muse. When Dorian arrives, Lord Henry regales him with his own irreverent and eccentric opinions, beginning to exert his influence. Soon Lord Henry has taken him under his wing, and it is quickly seen that this is probably not a good thing for Dorian's reputation or moral character.

Subtly encouraged by Lord Henry, Dorian decides to live only for his own pleasure, and this leads him to a prideful and selfish mistreatment of a young actress he thought he loved. When he arrives home after this fateful evening, he discovers the portrait of himself has changed slightly and indicates something of his cruelty, although his own appearance remains youthful and innocent. He remembers that in a moment of passion, he had wished that he would always retain his youth and beauty and that the portrait would bear the marks of age, and to his horror he realizes that this strange prayer seems to have been answered. Dorian also finds that it is too late to make amends with the young woman, and again influenced by Lord Henry, continues to live selfishly, seeing that the portrait - now hidden away so that only he can see it - shows all the sins and immorality he engages in while his face is unchanged.

His behavior continues for years, as he lives a sort of double life, engaging in debauchery of all kinds but seeming quite ageless. Then Basil Hallward pays him a visit and confronts him about the rumours of his horrid behavior, and Dorian finally shows Hallward the painting and how it has changed. When Hallward pleads with Dorian to mend his ways, Dorian is enraged and murders the painter. He then must cover up his crime, and manages to do so for several months, but eventually conscience and the increasing risk of detection work upon Dorian's mind until he tries to destroy the painting. The picture of Dorian Gray has by this time become a hideous, aged, and ugly thing; but as the ageless and beautiful Dorian slashes it with the murder weapon, the effect is reversed. When the servants break down the door they find the original painting slashed, and an ugly old man dead.

The novel is haunting and dark in many places, and raises the question of whether our physical appearance hides or reveals our character. Can the ugliness of a wicked soul be seen on a face? Although Dorian is his own worst enemy, what is Lord Henry's responsibility? Lord Henry sees himself as conducting an experiment of influence, and he sits back and watches as the philosophies he teaches to this young protege destroy lives, and thinks it amusing. For me, that is the unsatisfying aspect of the story - that Lord Henry has ruined Dorian Gray and countless other lives for his amusement, and he seems to get away with it.

This book is a Classic for the Full House Reading Challenge 2018 hosted by The Book Date.

©2008-2018 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Scripture and a Snapshot - I Thank My God

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

~Philippians 1:3-6~

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Thank you for joining Scripture & A Snapshot. Leave a link to your own post sharing a Scripture and a Snapshot. Take time to visit some of the other links and bless each other with comments.

An InLinkz Link-up

I also link up at Sunday Scripture Blessings, hosted by Peabea Scribble Pad. and at Selah, hosted by A Spirit of Simplicity.

©2008-2018 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Wordless Wednesday - Flowers

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Just seeing these bright bouquets while I waited in a checkout line at the store cheered me up.

This post is linked at Wordless Wednesday, hosted by Life at Rossmont; and at Pictorial Tuesday, hosted by Peabea's Scribble Pad.

©2008-2018 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Art Journals from Ellie Claire (Review)

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Not long ago, I was given the opportunity to review one of three art journals from Ellie Claire. I figured my daughter would be very interested in having one of these beautiful books, and indeed she was very excited about it. As it turns out, Worthy Publishing sent us all three of the journals for our review!

Illuminate Your Story Journal - This was the one that my daughter chose as her most wanted of the three. It's a beautiful hard cover book with a cloth spine that lays flat, making it easy to write and draw in. There's an elastic pen holder on the spine, and an elastic to keep the book closed, as well as  ribbon bookmark. It's just lovely to look at before you even open it up! 

Inside, there's an introduction page and a brief history of illuminated letters that describes the different periods and styles. Throughout the journal there are step-by-step instructions to draw your own illuminated letters and flourishes in the various styles.

  

There are lots of lined pages for journaling, with inspirational quotes and Scripture sprinkled throughout. And in the back cover, this generous size Keepsakes pocket.

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Faith and Lettering Journal - This art journal is a little larger, and features the same lay-flat cloth binding and elastic pen holder. A brief introduction gives some tips on how to use the book to express your creativity. Inside are beautifully lettered full color Scriptures on some pages, examples of creative lettering for you to trace and practice, and lettering examples and practice pages. All are interspersed with grid practice pages and lined journaling pages.

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The Illustrated Word: An Illuminated Bible Coloring Journal - With the same gorgeous embossed cover and lay flat cloth binding, this is an elegant combination of journal and coloring book. High quality lined pages feature small color reproductions of museum art pieces, along with full page coloring book versions of some of the artwork.

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All three of these journals have thick high-quality pages suitable for writing, drawing, and coloring with pencil, watercolor pencils, gel pens, or markers. My daughter did say she wished these journals had a 'practice page' to try different markers or paints to be sure they didn't bleed through or smear. The markers she used did not even shadow on the other side of the page, but I think she's right about wanting an inconspicuous place to test! 

Any of the three would be perfect for personal journaling, sermon notes, story writing, or writing out and illustrating Scripture or other quotes for memorization. And they would also make lovely gifts for the artists and journalists on your Christmas list.

These are available from Amazon: 

Illuminate Your Story Journal

Faith and Lettering Journal

The Illustrated Word

or Barnes & Noble:

Illuminate Your Story Journal

Faith and Lettering Journal

The Illustrated Word

Thanks to FlyBy Promotions for putting me in touch with Worthy Publishing for this review!

©2008-2018 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.