lory_enterenchanted's reviews
469 reviews

An OK installment of the Oz books that mixes up some elements from earlier books, especially Ozma of Oz and Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz.

Sometimes I wondered if Querido's chronology was a bit muddled, but I still appreciated learning more about a few of the masters of Chartres and their school.

Lots to ponder in this architectural-historical-geometrical-theological consideration of the great cathedral of Chartres. There are many mysteries to be considered and often no clear answers, but there is an interesting case to be made for the influence of Islam on Gothic architecture. The author sometimes lost me with his geometrical square root calculations, but made a fascinating point about the rectangular crossing of the cathedral representing the self-denial of God (backed up by theological quotes), which gave the saying "deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me" a whole new meaning for me. 

Read for Nonfiction Reader challenge - Culture category

I enjoyed this glimpse behind the scenes at being a museum guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, a job the author took on in the wake of his brother's death. In some ways undemanding, in other ways challenging (especially on the feet), it gave him a chance to soak in the presence of great art and to spend many hours reflecting on what he saw. He shares some of his insights, along with giving us respect and appreciation for the unsung guards among the huge crew making such a place possible.

Read in preparation for Witch Week 2024 readalong. The Armitage family stories are delightful reads in the vein of E. Nesbit and Diana Wynne Jones. They start with pure juvenile silliness -- Aiken started writing them as a teenager -- and move through some darker and more complex moods, while the Armitages remain basically the same ordinary family with magical benefits. 

The best stories are the three concerning "Mr Johansen" and his lost princess -- a sequence left tantalizingly unresolved. (The Serial Garden, Mrs. Nutti's Fireplace, and The Looking Glass Tree) TLGT was the first of the Armitage stories I ever read, in Cricket Magazine when I was 8 years old. It haunts me still!

Quirky tales of Moominpappa's exploits before he met Moominmamma -- one will appreciate this best if you've read some of the other books. Gentle humor and whimsy that makes some sly comments on human foibles.

 A lovely collection of some of Aiken's most magical stories. The earlier ones riff skillfully on E. Nesbit (All You've Ever Wanted), then there are those in a more lyrical fairy tale style (The Faithless Lollybird), imagination run wild (The Dog on the Roof) and more. 

Read for Witch Week 2024 -- post to come.

Read for Witch Week 2024 -- post to come.

Read for Witch Week 2024 -- post to come.