by the book // a tag blog

 Hello friends, welcome back!

Okay, who else loves tags as much as me? They are so much fun to sit down and do. Answer questions, think about yourself, and wonder who you truly are inside.
I was reading old blogs this morning and stumbled across some of my old tags I did in the past. This one I first did here in 2016. I thought perhaps it would be fun to get this tag circulating again. What do you think?

The rules are simple. Just answer the questions and tag a few friends to do the same! On your mark, get set, go!

// What is on your nightstand right now?
The Complete Tales and Poems of Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne
Here is Edward Bear, coming downstairs now, bumpy, bump, bump, on the back of his head, behind Christopher Robin. It is, as far as he knows, the only way of coming downstairs, but sometimes he feels that there really is another way, if only he could stop bumping for a moment and think of it.

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Once upon a time, sixty years ago, a little girl lived in the Big Woods of Wisconsin, in a little gray house made of logs. The great, dark trees of the Big Woods stood all around the house, and beyond them were other trees and beyond them were more trees. As far as a man could go to the north in a day, or a week, or a whole month, there was nothing but woods. 

More Than Petticoats: Remarkable Oregon Women by Gayle C. Shirley

 The Path of Loneliness by Elizabeth Elliot

// What was the last truly great book you read?
It has been so long since I sat down and truly read. I am not certain what I would say was the last great book I picked up?
Perhaps it was The Magnolia Story by Chip and JoAnna Gaines.

// If you could meet any writer - dead or alive - Who would it be and what would you want to know?
Louis L'Amour. He was such a fascinating character. A seamen, cowboy, soldier, boxer, and of course, a writer. If you could do it, he did it.
He traveled around the world and met many people of all kinds of lifestyles.
I would love to just sit and listen to his tales of yesterday. 

// What books might we be surprised to find on your shelves?
Perhaps you would be surprised to find that I own many biographies and autobiographies. Books on facts and history. I have story based ones as well, but I seem to love the true stories of people who really live/lived. 

// How do you organize your personal library?
By author, sizes, and kind of writing. The classics here. The biographies there. The fictional series here. Someday I would like a bookshelf but for now they sit in the "pantry' my husband built. This is the first time my books have been out of a box in about three years!

// What book have you always meant to read but haven't gotten around to it yet?
*wracks brain*
Honestly, I have no idea. There really isn't any book out there that I am "dying to get my hands on". 

// Anything you feel embarrassed never to have read?
Well... I am not embarrassed for never have reading this but, I have never read the Narnia books. Growing up, those were not allowed and I honestly never had the desire to read them. I remember going to Christian school from 4th-6th grade and everyone gasping with shock when they found out I wasn't allowed/never had read those books. Now that I am married and an "adult", I personally still have no desire to read them *shrugs*. Fantasy just isn't my thing.

// Disappointing, Overrated, Just not good: What book did you feel you were suppose to like but didn't?
I remember stating this in my entry two years ago, but the only thing I can really think of was Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss.
It was far to sad for me during that stage of my life. Perhaps if I read it now I would feel differently.

 // Do you remember the last book you put down without finishing?
Sadly, yes... It was
This Life I Live by Rory Feek.
I thoroughly was enjoying this book! Life just got super busy (dating, engagement, and marriage) and I never was able to finish it.

// What kind of stories are you drawn to? Any you stay clear of?
Anything historical with mountain men, Indians, and pioneers. As well as classics like Anne of Green Gables, Heidi, and Little Women.
I usually steer clear from "self help" books, fantasy, or modern day stories. Just not my thing.

// If you could require the president to read one book, what would it be?
The Bible.
And perhaps Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence by Benson J. Lossing.
Written in 1848, it talks about each of the signers who fought to make this a free nation. Stating how almost all were followers of Jesus Christ.

// What do you plan to read next?
Hmm.... I think perhaps if I ever finish the books I have already started, I would like to re-read the Anne Shirley books by L.M. Montgomery.

Anything surprise you? Do you know any of these authors or books? What kind of reading material do you prefer?

I tag:

Daminika at Walking in the Sonshine

LaKaysha at Calico and Lace

Liberty at The Elegant Cowgirl

Shantelle at Between the Pages of this Bookish Life

My Top Five Favorite Historical Books

I love history. Always have, always will.

Some people think that's crazy. "It's just about dead people." But to me, history is fascinating. These people lived. They thought, they felt, they cried, they laughed. Just like you. Just like me.
They had dreams and fears like anyone else. They lost loved ones. They seen battles fought and a country be born. They struggled with the same struggles as anyone else.
I thought I would share with you my top five favorite historical books.

1. Jim Bridger - Mountain Man by Stanley Vestal

Now I know I have mentioned this before to people. But, I love this book! It was so neat to learn about the real Jim Bridger. I'd heard stories about this wild mountain man all my life but never knew who he truly was.
You'll discover he was a brother struggling to support his sister. At a young age he headed into the mountains where his legend would be born.
He fought Indians and bears.
He married. He buried his wife. He married again. He buried her as well. He married a third time.
He was a father to six children. He buried one and another would be killed at the Whitman Massacre.
I highly recommend this book!
I loved it so much, I bought it for myself.

2. One Woman's West by Martha Gay Masterson and Lois Barton
Recollections of the Oregon Trail and Settling the Northwest Country

This autobiography intrigued me the moment I picked it up. I've always loved the pioneer days and grew up listening to stories of Laura Ingalls Wilder. It was neat to read another girls experiences of the days when our country was expanding.
Laura grew up in the Midwest while Martha's father settled them in Oregon during the 1850's. I think I enjoyed it so much because Oregon is near to my heart and it was easier to picture the scenery she described.
This book shares almost all of Martha's life from a child to a old woman.
She suffered hardships with weather, snakes, Indians, and death.
Later she would marry a man who had wander lust and would move her over twenty times! I don't know how she handled it all.
Very neat!

3. Lost in Death Valley by Connie Goldsmith

Why this book interests me so much, I don't know. It was written so well I could almost feel the sun beating down on me as I turned each page.

As the cover says, it's about four families during the California Gold Rush. They decide to take a "shortcut" through "Death Valley" which proves to be deadly.

I advice to keep a glass of water near by as you will get thirsty. *wink*

A sad, interesting tale!

4. Davy Crockett's Own Story as written by himself - David Crockett

Everyone knows, I love Davy Crockett. I first fell in love with the character played by Fess Parker as a young girl. That voice still sends shivers up my spine. *smiles*

As I grew up, I wanted to know about the real Davy. I was a little nervous, I'll admit, to dig deep and find out. I was afraid my hero would no longer be fit to be my hero.

I searched and discovered that, though it is sometimes said he did not truly do this, a book was supposedly written by the great Davy Crockett. I searched my library and was pleased to see they had a copy! I placed it on hold and was ready to find out what the real man was like.

I knew a little about his life, but not a lot.

I discovered he was a spirited young boy, a young man who had his heart broken, a woodsman, soldier, Colonel, congressman, friend of Andrew Jackson, and a lover of his country.

Though he had some qualities I did not approve of, such as drinking, I fell in love with him even more. I laughed when he did, I cried when his dear Polly passed away.

Did you know Davy, a father of three small children, went on to re-marry a widow?

That he knew the famous river man Mike Fink?

That George Russell was a young man whom he had a small relationship with during his war years? But someone whom he greatly respected.

That the song "Farewell to the Mountains" sung in the Disney films was actually two verses from a long poem Davy himself had written?

That he met a young boy whom he only calls "the beekeeper" and who would later die in his arms at the Alamo?

That Davy kept a journal during that time? Which the second part of this book is?

If you want to know Davy, I suggest reading this book!

I would like to add that I would read this version pictured, published in the 1950's. It has Davy's autobiography in the beginning and then at the end is his journal from his Texas times to bring more closure to the story.

5. Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Did you know, before the Little House books, Laura wrote an autobiography of her life? That she was told it was not interesting enough to be published and to go home? That maybe if she wrote it in story form, changing a few things, maybe then people would want to read it?
I am so thankful that now they have learned Laura's life was fascinating in all it's truth. Forgotten since the 1930's, today Laura's true life is finally becoming known.
Did you know that Laura's beloved Jack did not travel with them west?
That during the Long Winter, a married couple was also stranded in their home, whom "Mother" (as Laura calls her) delivered a baby to?
That Laura thought herself to be in love with another young man?
If you love the Little House books, and Laura, read this and discover that her real life was filled with excitement, fear, and joys new to us!

By The Book Tag

I was tagged by Marita at When I Hear Music for the "by the book" tag, so here it goes.

What Book Is On Your Nightstand Now?
Well, I don't have a nightstand at this moment in my life, though I do have a dresser! It actually does have a book on it, surprisingly! I've been meaning to put it away.
"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen.
I started reading this a few months ago for the first time and never completed it. I haven't been doing much reading lately!

What Was the Last Truly Great Book You Read?
Oh boy! The last "truly great book" I have read? Well as I said above, its been a long time since I sat down and enjoyed a book! I am not sure what I would consider great that I read more recent?
I guess the last book I finished and really enjoyed was probably "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte.
I was trying to get into the habit of reading the classics for awhile there, if you can't tell!
Though at times I would be like "huh?" and not have a clue what was going on in the chapter, I still enjoyed it. The story line is somewhat "iffy" (I mean come on! What kind of husband locks his mentally deranged wife in the attic and is willing to marry a governess who is twenty years his senor with a clean conscious?) but all in all a good read! Some parts were "okay, your weird" but, it was interesting.

I guess I could add another book I recently finished was "Bendigo Shafter" by Louis L'Amour. I've read it dozens of times but I still love it! I would even consider it greater than "Jane Eyre" (by far!). But since I have read it so many times and "Jane Eyre" was my first time, I listed it first.
"Bendigo Shafter" really is a great book and I will be reading it dozens of more times in the years to come!

If You Could Meet Any Writer - Dead or Alive - Who Would It Be? And What Would You Want To Know?
Definitely without question, Laura Ingalls Wilder! I would love to hear first hand her accounts of growing up on the American prairie, what Pa's fiddle really sounded like, and how good those heart shaped cakes really tasted.  And much more!

What Books Might We Be Surprised to Find On Your Shelves?
Hm... you'd probably be better at answering this than myself? Maybe the "Boxcar Children" series by Gertrude Chandler Warner. I have dozens of those! I don't read them anymore but I loved them when I was younger.



One more you might find surprising could be "The Journal's of Lewis and Clark" while they traveled with the Corpse of Discovery. Yes, I have read it and yes, I enjoyed it! I have a soft spot for those two men.

How Do You Organize Your Personal Library?

Well sadly my books have been packed in a box for over nine months! I miss them! But when I did have them on shelves it was my "romance" starting with the Love Comes Softly series. Next would probably be my "history" style books like bio's and journals. Then last would be my children books.

What Book Have You Always Meant to Read But Haven't Got Around Yet?

"Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo. (Though I wouldn't say "always". I hadn't heard of it until last year! But I have been meaning to ever since.) I received it for Christmas from a friend and though I tried to read it once I never even finished the first chapter. It's just so big! And so... confusing.

Anything You Feel Embarrassed Never to Have Read? 

Maybe "Sherlock Holmes" Sir Arthur Conan Doyle? I wouldn't say I am "embarrassed" but since many in my family have read them and loved them you might be surprised I haven't! I don't even know why? Maybe that will be next on my list.

Disappointing, Overrated, Just Not Good: What Book Did You Feel You Are Supposed to Like But Didn't?

Probably "Stepping Heavenward" by Elizabeth Prentiss. (Sorry Marita!). I just didn't like it! But like I said to her, maybe I need to sit down with a different mind set? I read it thinking it would be an entertaining story. Instead it depressed me beyond anything. I couldn't handle it anymore and never did finish it.

Another would be the "Elsie Dinsmore" series by Martha Finley. (Sorry to those who like those books! I know many who do! Each to their own, right?) I read only one (Elsie's Impossible Choice) for a school project and it scarred me for life! I was eleven years old. Maybe it was because my Grandma had died just a few months before? I don't know, but all I remember is wanting to just vanish from the earth. I hid under my teachers desk and thought my heart would burst from holding the sobs back. I remember vowing to myself "Never, ever again!" I refused to even look at those books after that. It's been nine years now and I have yet to even hold another one in my hand.

Just looking at the cover below brings back those awful feelings and makes me shutter... it's really strange I know!

I have come to the conclusion that your circumstances in life have a great deal in your book enjoyment!

Do You Remember the Last Book You Put Down Without Finishing?

As I said at the beginning of this post, that would be "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen. It wasn't because I wasn't enjoying it. In fact, I was very much! But life got busy and it's just one of those books you can't easily jump back into. It's written in a rather old way and can be hard to understand at times.

What Kind Of Stories Are You Drawn To? Any You Stay Clear Of?

Drawn to? Hm... probably anything during the pioneer era. I think I got that love from my Mom. I actually even went through a time where I thought that's all anyone read! Until someone pointed out that was all the kind of books we owned. I was like "Isn't that all anyone reads?"

Or any of the classics like the "Anne of Green Gables" series by L.M. Montgomery, "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott, and the "Little House" series by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

I also enjoy books based in the Amish!  

Stay clear of? Like Marita said, anything that has something against God's Word.

Also, modern day romances, vampire books, or anything modern really. I've never been into books that place in "today". I also have never been too interested in anything medieval or swords. Not sure why! Maybe because I grew up with Laura and Louis L'Amour's? When the hero picks up a sword and wears tin rather than a Winchester and cowboy boots I'm just like "nope. Not for me."

If You Could Require The President to Read One Book, What Would It Be?

Hands down, the Bible!!

What Do You Plan to Read Next?

I've been wanting to re-read "Pioneer Girl" by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Maybe I'll change my priorities one of these days and start reading again!

  Well, there you have it! My "by the book tag". Hope you enjoyed it!

I tag Daminika at Walking in the Sonshine

           

America's Favorite Storyteller

Growing up, like Laura, "Louis L'Amour" was a name I knew all too well. When I was very small he was just a name to those well loved books, torn pages and faded covers, neatly lined on the shelf. I loved to take them and look at the pictures on the front. The cowboy sitting astride his horse. The mountain man crouched behind a tree. The sheriff standing in the street. Each one I'd gaze at for hours, taking in every detail and wondering what stories were hidden in those shapes called "words."
I know I was not your typical little girl. Though I knew my realistic dream was to be a Mommy, my "fantasy" dream was to be a rough and tough mountain man. How exciting it must be to out smart the Indian, walk silently through the forest, and climb a tree faster than the squirrel!
When I was about seven my Daddy read aloud to my siblings and I from
"Down the Long Hills".
My very first "Louis L'Amour". I remember being swept right into the story, seeing every detail in my mind. And there my love for those Western stories was born.

  

Though we know Louis L'Amour was not a perfect man, in my house you often can here "Well Louis L'Amour said...". He had his faults, but some things he said makes sense and I love many of his quotes. Some of my very favorites being:

These ten Louis L'Amour's are some of my very favorite that I read over and over:

Down the Long Hills:

My first Louis L'Amour will always be the most special. Maybe because I was the same age as the character, or maybe because I loved curling up next to my Daddy and hearing his voice bring the picture to life.

This story is about seven year old Hardy, and three year old Betty Sue. When his mother, and the entire wagon train, are massacred by Comanche's, Hardy struggles to survive with a toddler and his ever faithful horse Big Red. They encounter bears, outlaws, and Indians as they head West to find Hardy's Pa. 

"Hardy Collins was seven years old, and he had never been alone before... not like this. He knew where the North Star was, and he knew the sun came up in the east and went down in the west. At home he had done chores around the farm, had run and played in the wooded hills with other boys, and for the last two winters he had kept a trap-line down along the creek. He did not know much more about the world except that pa was out west.

He did not know how to tell Betty Sue about what had happened, or whether she would understand if he told her."

Comstock Load:

This Louis L'Amour also begins with two young children. A twelve year old boy named Val and a eight year old girl named Grita. After their parents are murdered by a group of men, as Val and Grita hide together in the bushes, they lose contact of each other. Ten years later Val is searching for the man who led the men into their camp. He finds Grita again, who has become a famous actress, and together they put a end to their nightmare.

 Bendigo Shafter:

The first I read on my own was Bendigo Shafter. About a young man who travels West with a wagon train as they try to survive and begin a town deep in the mountains.

"Where the wagons stopped we built our home, making the cabins tight against the winter's coming. Here in this place we would build our town, here we would create something new."

The Lonesome Gods:

My very, very favorite is The Lonesome Gods. Though it has a "unique" title, its full of excitement and mystery. Most of the story takes place in the hot desert of California. A young boy named Johannes Verne is left orphaned traveling to California with his Father. His hateful Grandfather takes Johannes far away, deserting him in the desert to die. But Johannes Verne does not die.

There was a faint light in the sky when they stopped. It was an empty place of flat sand and broken rock and cactus. All around , as far as I could see, there was nothing but a few great boulders and the empty desert. "Here," the old man said. "Leave him. He is of my own blood, after all. If he dies-"

"Kill him now," the younger man said. "Leave him dead."

"I will not," the old man said stubbornly. "Leave him. Let the desert do it. I will not destroy my own blood even if it is mingled with that of scum. Leave him."

They started off, and filled with anger, I stood among the rocks. "Good-bye Grandpa!" I shouted.

He winced as if struck, and his shoulders hunched as from a blow.

They rode away, and I was alone.

Shalako:

 Shalako is about a man who comes across a European group traveling through the heart of Indian country. He tries to convince them that they are in danger but the leader, a military man, assures him that he can handle the Indians. They are just uneducated people who don't have guns and couldn't possibly harm them. How wrong he is!

And of course, there is Louis L'Amour's famous family, the Sackett's. I love them all but my favorites are:

To The Far Blue Mountain

The Warriors Path

Jubal Sackett

The Day Breakers

The Sackett Brand  

"I'm just a storyteller, a guy with a seat by the campfire. And I want to share with people what I have found, and what I have seen, and the wonderful old voices of men and women talking of those bygone times."

-Louis L'Amour