Monday, June 5, 2017

My Literary Medicine Cabinet

Last week, I let you in on my crazy Big Fish analogy. Today, I'm going to give you a peek into my Literary Medicine Cabinet. Recently, one of my imaginary friends the bloggers I follow wrote a post about what's in her Literary Medicine Cabinet, and I thought that was just the best way to describe those books you reach for time and time again when life beats you up. As soon as I read that phrase, my comfort reads immediately popped into my mind, and I thought I'd share them with you today. I've divided them into three categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Children's Books. Just thinking about these titles brings a smile to my face, and I'm seriously tempted to go grab Anne-with-an-E right now and have a little visit. 

Fiction
The Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery : I'm not sure anyone can truly understand how much I love these 8 books. If I was stranded on a deserted island and I already had my Bible with me, this set would be next in line.

The 12 original Christy Miller books by Robin Jones Gunn : You all know that I love every book that Robin Jones Gunn has ever written--truly I do--but the ones I always go back to when life gets overwhelming are those first 12. 

The Complete Novels of Jane Austen : I never tire of Miss Austen's witty, sarcastic style, and it's always sweet to lose time in her romantic world.

The English Garden series by Lori Wick : These 4 books featuring different characters in Collingbourne, England during the 1800s are literally starting to fall apart from all the time I've spent in their company.

Little Women, Little Men, & Jo's Boys by Louisa May Alcott : I've recapped all 3 of these precious books on this very blog. It's forever a treat to go adventuring with the March sisters and romping all over Plumfield with Jo's boys. 

The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers : Ms. Rivers is another of my all-time favorite authors, but The Atonement Child is the book I've officially lost count of how many times I've read. In fact, I just re-read it a couple weeks ago.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë : Who doesn't get wrapped up in the dark love story of Jane Eyre and Edward Fairfax Rochester?

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis : I mean, if I can't step through an actual wardrobe leading to Narnia, stepping into Narnia through these books is the next best thing. 

Non-Fiction
The Psalms : The Bible in general heals all my wounds, but when life hits hard, the Psalms are where I inevitably turn. 

Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot : These little snippets by one of my favorite women relieve and soothe me when I'm worn out in this world. 

Children's Books
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams : "Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand." Real love is the best medicine there is so naturally this book belongs in my Literary Medicine Cabinet. 

The Complete Tales and Poems of Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne : There's something about A.A. Milne's writing that makes me want to curl up in a cozy nook with a cup of tea and forget the world. 

The Classic Tales of Beatrix Potter : Escaping for a few minutes with Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddle-Duck, Peter Rabbit, or Tom Kitten always brightens my outlook on life.

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf : I can't help but love a bull who would rather sit and smell the flowers than fight. 

Corduroy by Don Freeman : This sweet book about finding a friend has been a favorite of mine since I was too small to read it by myself. 

The Princess and the Kiss by Jennie Bishop : I actually discovered this book as a high schooler at summer camp, and I immediately went to the book store when I got home to add this to my library. I can't wait to read this to all my nieces.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein : My tonic for cynicism. 

You Are Special by Max Lucado : Really all of Max Lucado's children's books, but this one in particular is wonderful. 

The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins; Oh, the Places You'll Go!; and Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! by Dr. Seuss : Dr. Seuss is the best bandaid for life's minor scrapes. To this day, I can't look at Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! without hearing my dad reading it to me as a little girl. 

What's in your Literary Medicine Cabinet?

8 comments:

  1. Great list! Maybe I'll do one soon :)
    And they're making Ferdinand into a movie!!!

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  2. So many great selections here! Agreed on Narnia. I remember going into my room and skipping straight to my favorite chapter of The Horse and His Boy just because. I have A Year with C. S. Lewis that's thoroughly highlighted, and sometimes I just flip through the pages to re-read some favorite passages. The older I get, the more I read Job when things are down in addition to Psalms.

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    1. That's how I do with Keep A Quiet Heart, too. :)

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  3. "Marvin K. Mooney" a rocking chair, and Hannahbelle on my lap -> sweet memories!

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  4. Side question: Have you heard about/seen/contemplated watching the new Netflix series "Anne with an E"?? I have been dying to see if you have lol.

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    1. Oy. I saw one trailer for it and was like, "NOPE!" Haha! And I feel completely justified now that it's out and I've read some reviews on it. Have you watched it?

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    2. I did watch it lol. I LOVED IT. Haha but I figured you wouldn't dare watch it!

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