The Once and Future King

The Once and Future King is by T.H. White. White's classic retelling of the legend of King Arthur and his Knights. These retellings are funny, charming, poignant, and thoroughly enjoyable. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. Great for children and adults alike, this is one of the best books ever written and you should definitely experience it before you pass. You really feel like you know and understand all the characters in these tales much better after reading this book. 

Ratings: 6th grade - 10 out of 10. 

The Children's Shakespeare

The Children's Shakespeare is by E. Nesbit. The classic historical fiction retelling of 11 of the Bard's plays. The book is written for children, to acquaint them early on with these timeless works. The stories include famous plays like "Romeo and Juliet and "Hamlet;" as well as lesser known works like "Pericles," "The Winter's Tale," and "Cymbeline." A must have book for parents who want to start their children off on the right reading track. 

Ratings: 4th grade - 10 out of 10. 

The Oxford Inklings: Lewis, Tolkien, and Their Circle

The Oxford Inklings: Lewis, Tolkien, and Their Circle is by Colin Duriez. Another magnificent nonfiction book by Duriez. In this work, he discussed the founding of the Inklings and provides biographies and insights into all of the essential members. Some of this material is covered in J.R.R. Tolkien: The Making of a Legend, but it does not seem redundant even if you have read the Tolkien biography. All of Duriez's works are well researched and thoroughly readable. Highly recommended for all fans of Tolkien, Lewis, Barfield, and Williams. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10. 

J.R.R. Tolkien: The Making of a Legend

J.R.R. Tolkien: The Making of a Legend is by Colin Duriez. A masterful biography of Tolkien. Duriez writes in a readable and interesting way. He takes you into Tolkien's life and writings in a seamless fashion. A must read for all Tolkien fans. Actually, anything written by Duriez should be a must read. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Troy

Troy is by Stephen Fry. The third in his trilogy of books on Greek Mythology. The wonderful mythological tale of the Trojan war told by a master storyteller. Fry relates the entire history of the Trojan War, in all its horror and glory, in his own inimitable way. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

Northrop Frye on Shakespeare

Northrop Frye on Shakespeare is by Northrop Frye. Frye's classic nonfiction literary criticism of nine of Shakespeare's plays. A must read for all teachers of Shakespeare or readers who love Shakespeare. 

Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10. 

Hard Times

Hard Times is by Charles Dickens. The classic historical fiction tale of the Head vs the Heart. Mr. Gradgrind runs the school in Coketown; he believes in Facts and bans Fancy from the minds of his children and his pupils. Mr. Bounderby is a the local businessman, a man of "boundless humility" who "pulled himself up by his own bootstraps;" he marries Louise, Gradgrind's daughter and employs his son Tom at his bank. Their lives become entwined with those of Sissy Jupe (a girl abandoned by her father in Gradgrind's care), Stephen Blackpool (a weaver at the local mill), James Harthouse (a lazy interloper), and Mrs. Sparsit (the local busybody). As things move from bad to worse, Mr. Gradgrind must face the value of the human heart in a world of materialism and "progress." Dickens is at his darkest in this book; at times his tone is sarcastic and almost vitriolic. A must read for fans of Dickens. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Dorothy L. Sayers: A Biography: Death, Dante, and Lord Peter Wimsey

Dorothy L. Sayers: A Biography: Death, Dante, and Lord Peter Wimsey is by Colin Duriez. As a lover of Sayers, I am always on the lookout for a good biography and this one is excellent. It is imminently readable and delves into Sayer's life and writings in a way that connects all aspects of her life. This biography is a must read for fans of Sayers. Duriez is such an excellent author and scholar, that I would recommend all of his biographies.

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content). 

The Big Bow Mystery

The Big Bow Mystery is by Israel Zangwill. A Golden Age historical fiction mystery by an author not named Christie or Sayers. This story is regarded as the first full length locked room mystery. When a young political organizer is found in his locked room with his throat slit and no way anyone could have gotten in or out, retired Inspector Grodman is called in to solve the case before his rival in Scotland Yard does. Very funny in places, if you are a fan of dry British humor. This book has a very surprise ending. A must read for fans of Golden Age mysteries. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Uncanny Collateral

Uncanny Collateral is by Brian McClellan. The fist in the fantasy Valkyrie Collections series. Alex Fitz is a reaper for Valkyrie Collections; he is also half troll. He tracks down debtors and solves problems for clients as diverse as vampires, Lords of Hell, goblins, and other exotic clients. When he is asked to discover who is stealing souls from hell, he finds himself in more trouble than he bargains for, with enemies who are part of his own past. An interesting premise and a fun read. 

Ratings: 12th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic contents) - V (violence). 

Prince of Thorns

Prince of Thorns is by Mark Lawrence. The first in the dark fantasy Broken Empire series. When he was nine, Prince Jorg watched his mother and brother brutally murdered in front of him. By thirteen, he had left the palace and joined a band of brutal robbers to seek his revenge. But are his decisions his own, or is Jorg being guided by magic of a sinister kind? This is a very dark fantasy, but if you can handle the violence, it is really good. It is a good example of what happens to us when we are consumed by revenge and can't let go of the past and heal. You admire Jorg's ruthlessness, but you can't like him.

Ratings: 12th grade - 7 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence). 

The Truth and Beauty: How the Lives and Works of England's Greatest Poets Point the Way to a Deeper Understanding of the Words of Jesus

The Truth and Beauty: How the Lives and Works of England's Greatest Poets Point the Way to a Deeper Understanding of the Words of Jesus is by Andrew Klavan. A study of England's Romantic poets and Mary Shelley. Klavan looks at the words of Jesus through the poems of Keats, Wordsworth, Coleridge and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. This book is a thought provoking and interesting read. I would recommend this to all Christians, especially those who love poetry. While you may disagree with some of Klavan's conclusions, this book is well worth the mental exercise of analyzing his points. 

Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10. 

The Christie Affair

The Christie Affair is by Nina de Gramont. The historical fiction novel about the Queen of Mysteries. When Agatha Christie mysteriously disappeared for 11 days, the whole world was transfixed. This is de Gramont's retelling of the those 11 days from the point of view of Nan O'Dea, Archie Christie's mistress and future wife. A tantalizing read, this novel covers not only Christie's life, but Nan's past as well. Bleak in places, but an thoroughly enjoyable read. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content). 

Heroes

Heroes is by Stephen Fry. The second book in his recitation of classical Greek myths. This is a charmingly funny and informative look at the heroes of Greek myth and legend. It includes sections on Heracles, Jason, Perseus, and others. A must read for mythology fans. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content). 

Shady Hollow

Shady Hollow is by Juneau Black. The first book in the fantasy Shady Hollow Mystery series. Shady Hollow is a quiet little town run by various animals, instead of humans. When the local curmudgeonly toad is found murdered in the pond, the town is rocked by fear and suspicion. The Deputy Orville Braun, a brown bear, and Vera Vixen, a fox and star reported for the local paper, must solve the crime before someone else dies. Perhaps Shady Hollow is not as idyllic as they have always thought. This is a thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery series. I can't wait to read the next installment. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).