In his book Life Under Compulsion: Ten ways to destroy the humanity of your child, Anthony Esolen writes about the destructive effects of the busy modern life, where we have no time to ‘stand and stare’, or contemplate or even think at all deeply about anything. I highly recommend both this book and its predecessor, Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child. This quote has been languishing in my commonplace book, so I thought I’d share it with you.

On my reading list this week:

Blue Birds by Caroline Starr Rose-I have been assigned to read this, and I’m enjoying it so far. Its written in free verse, which means its a bit different to read than a normal novel, but I’m finding it quite an interesting experience.

Brisingr by Christopher Paolini-More Eragon. I’m honestly not sure if I’m going to be able to finish this one. It’s even longer than Eldest, and even listening to it on audiobook does not make it any more interesting.

A Coffin for King Charles by C. V. Wedgwood-I have read several things about King Charles the First for school, but this by far is the most in depth and interesting. It talks a lot about his trial, which was basically a mere formality, because Cromwell and his friends were going to have Charles executed anyway for his terrible ‘blood crimes’, with or without the trial. It greatly annoys me that Charles kept pointing out that according to the law they couldn’t try him in the first place, and the prosecutors just keep talking over him. So much for justice.

Wednesday with Words is hosted by ladydusk.