Studying

I feel like I’m in school again. Currently I am reading not one, not two, but three “big” books of the harder, good-for-you variety.

For my book group here in Oregon I am reading The Book of Margery Kempe an autobiography by a medieval mystic. Here’s an example:

Then it was our Lady’s turn to speak with me, in my soul: “Daughter, you are well blessed, for my son Jesus will flood you with so much grace that all the world will sing your praises. Be not ashamed, dear daughter of mine, to receive these gifts which my son will give you. Never be ashamed, dear daughter, of him who is your God, your Lord, your love……

Margery endured much “shame and criticism” because when Jesus visited her with “much grace” she inevitably wept, sobbed, and frequently cried out in an incredibly loud voice, sometimes thrashing about on the floor. Oddly enough, she didn’t seem to be very popular among her neighbors and fellow pilgrims. I’m supposed to finish it by early February.

My next book is St. Augustine’s Confessions, which I’m reading with my friend Mystie. It’s a good thing we’re planning on taking all of 2010 to read it, because it’s a huge book, and so far (although I’m only 24 pages into it!) cannot be described as “a real page turner.”

And last but not least, in the spirit of “It’s time to really set our nose to the grindstone and DO this homeschooling thing,” I’m attempting Volume 6 of A Philosophy of Education by Charlotte Mason.

Commonly we let reason do its work without attention on our part, but there come moments when we stand in startled admiration and watch the unfolding before us point by point of a score of arguments in favour of this carpet as against that, this route in preference to the other, our chosen chum as against Bob Brown; because every pro  suggested by our reason is opposed to some con  in the background.

A little thick perhaps. And there’s plenty more where that came from: 5 more volumes, in fact.  Miss Mason’s ideas and insights are worth slogging through, I think: her idea of what the point of education is, developing children’s personhood for their lifelong benefit, appeals to me, as do her simple and no-nonsense sorts of teaching “techniques.” But it’s not exactly a book I want  to reach for when a spare moment arises.

So, wish me luck.

And would somebody please recommend a good novel?!!!!