Colin Firth on Reading

"When I’m really into a novel, I’m seeing the world differently during that time - not just for the hour or so in the day when I get to read. I’m actually walking around in a bit of a haze, spellbound by the book and looking at everything through a different prism." 

~ Colin Firth

Keep Calm And...

“When people are insulting you, there is nothing so good for them as not to say a word — just to look at them and think. When you will not fly into a passion people know you are stronger than they are, because you are strong enough to hold in your rage, and they are not, and they say stupid things they wished they hadn’t said afterward. There’s nothing so strong as rage, except what makes you hold it in — that’s stronger. It’s a good thing not to answer your enemies.”

— Frances Hodgson Burnett, A Little Princess

Tennyson's 'The Play'

Alfred Lord Tennyson - painted by Hubert von Herkomer 

The Play

Act first, this Earth, a stage so gloom'd with woe

You all but sicken at the shifting scenes.

And yet be patient. Our Playwright may show

In some fifth Act what this wild Drama means.

- by Alfred Lord Tennyson

This is one of my new favorite poems from my volume of Tennyson's Poetical Works. 

I love how this poem speaks of our life on earth as a play and that our Playwright will show us what events in this life will mean.

I hope you enjoyed!

Miss Laurie :)

Quote About Books

“For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die”

—	Anne Lamott

A Visit To The Library

Recently I've found several lovely photos of libraries and books that I wanted to share with you. I've included some quotes I've enjoyed recently. Enjoy!

“You don’t love someone for their looks, or their clothes, or for their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear.” — Oscar Wilde

“In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.” — Oscar Wilde

“‘Books are always good company if you have the right sort.’” — Jo’s Boys - Louisa May Alcott

“My personal hobbies are reading, listening to music, and silence.” — Edith Sitwell

‎"A synonym is a word you use when you can't spell the word you first thought of." - Burt Bacharach

‎"Don't waste your time waiting and longing for large opportunities which may never come. But faithfully handle the little things that are always claiming your attention." -F.B. Meyer

“How wise should we be if, with joyful certainty, we accepted each

unfolding of His will as a proof of His faithfulness and love!” —Susannah Spurgeon

"You can never be overdressed or overeducated." - Oscar Wilde

“If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.” — Haruki Murakami

Hope you enjoyed!

God Bless,
Miss Laurie :)

G.K. Chesterton Quote

Reading Quotes

A few book quotes:

"With books I slip out of my life and am with the choicest company." - Katherine Young

"People say that life is the thing, I prefer reading." - Logan Pearsall Smith

"Wear the old coat and buy the new book." - William Phelps

"The more that you read,
The more that you know,
The more that you learn,
the more places you go."
-Dr. Seuss

Two Book Quotes

"You can't get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me."  - C.S. Lewis

This is one of my all-time favorite quotes about books (and tea!). C.S. Lewis was such an amazing author!

"Never judge a book by its movie." - J.W. Eagan

It's so true! There's some films that no matter how sweet they may end they just give the story a bad reputation. My advice (especially with Jane Austen) is always read the book first before you watch the adaptation! Books are always so much better! 

Very Truly Your's,

"He giveth quietness."

"He giveth quietness." O Elder Brother,
Whose  homeless feet have pressed our path of pain,
Whose hands have borne the burden of our sorrow,
That in our losses we might find our gain.


Of all Your gifts and infinite consolings,
I ask but thise: in every troubled hour
To hear Your voice through all the tumults stealing,
And rest serene beneath its tranquil power.


Cares cannot fret me if my soul be dwelling
In the still air of faith's untroubled day;
Grief cannot shake me if I walk beside you,
My hand in Yours along the darkening way.


Content to know there comes a radiant morning
When from all shadows I will find release;
Serene to wait the rapture of its dawning-
Who can make trouble when You send me peace?


-Devotional for January 31, from L.B. Cowman's 'Streams in the Desert'

I've really been enjoying reading Streams in the Desert each evening before I fall asleep. The devotionals are hitting right where I am in life now and mean so much. I read this poem last night and wanted to share it with you!

God Bless,

Book Review: The White Flower

The White Flower by Grace Livingston Hill is the story of young Rachel Rainsford who all alone in the world since the death of her professor father. In an attempt to support herself she answers a newspaper ad to become an old lady's companion and begins her journey by train out west. Wealthy Chan Prescott sees Rachel's red hair and immediately recognizes her as the daughter of his old professor who inspired him to truth and excellence. Sitting quietly reading on the train Chan overhears Rachel's traveling companion selling Rachel to businessman Mr. Shillingsworth and submit her to "a fate worse than death". It is then that Chan makes his own plans to warn Rachel of the plan and get her off the train and to safety out of these evil men's grasp. They hop off the train at a remote location and the chase begins - hiding in trees, running through the countryside, jumping onto moving trains, and renting rooms from old ladies in farmhouses. Suspense abounds as the pair think their safe only to run into the bad guys and off they have to run again. But God is looking out for Rachel and her protector guiding them to safety and Chan to a saving knowledge of Himself.

What I most appreciated about Grace Livingston Hill is the purity and high spiritual ideals she writes both into her stories and her characters. In this book Rachel is a born-again believer who's very character breaths modesty, sweetness, kindness and purity. These are things that Chan loves about her, he sees right away in the way she dresses and conducts herself that she is different than other girls he's known, and he really appreciates that. She is a special lady and throughout the story she inspires in him a desire to be a man worthy of such a woman. To be a noble protector, loyal, kind and pure gentleman who she can trust. She also inspires in him a desire to "Live pure, right wrong, and follow the King" and to wear "the white flower of a blameless life". Another things about Ms. Hill's is that she always tried to include the salvation message and spiritual truths in her novels, which is a great blessing.

I loved the descriptions of different ways Rachel wore her hair and the 1930's clothes she wore. The way Ms. Hill writes it's so easy for the reader to see the picture she's painting of places and characters.

Another thing I enjoyed was Rachel's explanation to Chan about her Christian view of love and marriage, and why she would only marry the man God wanted her to. Below is an excerpt from Chapter 9 where Rachel is explaining:

"You see, this house we live in...This house of flesh is full of electrical currents, like the wiring of a house. That's how father explained it to me, and when we bring the wires together the current is bound to flash along the whole circuit. And we have no business to bring them together unless we really belong. That was why father objected to dancing. He said it gave license for too much personal contact, and young people especially were misled and took it for a deeper feeling. They thought it meant mind and spirit too, when it was only just the senses. And then when it was too late and they had spoiled their lives they found out it was only the flash deceiving them. He said that those feelings were meant to come after and add beauty and light and glory, just as the lighting system of a house is not the place we live in, but only an added beauty; a thing to rejoice in, but not a thing to shelter us. ...Mother used to say the light of the house were not for everybody to turn on. They are for the master's hand only. They are the crowning glory. She said that for anyone else it was uncleanness, impurity."

How does the story end? Very well, wrong is righted when Chan leaves vengeance to the Lord and chooses to follow Christ as his King! This is such a sweet and interesting story a bit like a mystery and the "romance" doesn't really happen until the very end of the story. I hightly recommend this books and other from Grace Livingston Hill. I'm afraid that his good Christian author has been forgotten in recent years.

Have you every read anything by Grace Livingston Hill? What did you think?

What have you been reading lately?

Your's Very Truly,