KDanae Reads

The Bible is the most-read book in the world. It is the the one book that has sold more copies than any other book. It is the one book that has been cherished for centuries by people all over the world. And John Bunyan's book The Pilgrim's Progress , published in February 1678, comes in second. Within the first ten years of its publication, it was translated into at least ten different languages and had been revised/edited numerous times. It was the most loved book next to the Bible for decades. And for some, it still is. But for me, not so much. The Pilgrim's Progress is categorized as speculative fiction. But it is most easily categorized as an allegory. It was written in old English and translated into over 200 languages and has never been out of print. So what is it that makes this such a loved, popular piece of literature? Is it the poetic writing style? Is it the allegory genre? Is it the strong connections to and use of Scripture? Is it the storyline? Is it the...

The name Palin is one that used to (and still does) stir up a lot of people. People either hate or love the Palin family. Now, I am not writing this in order to discuss politics or to start arguments with anyone. I like the Palin family. I like and approve of what Sarah Palin stands for, values and believes as a woman, a mom, a wife, a politician and a Christian. I think that if she and McCain had won the 2008 Presidential campaign things would be very different than they are now. But that's just my personal opinion and not the main point of me writing for the second time today. Sarah Palin's daughter Bristol is the reason for me writing again. Bristol wrote a book called Not Afraid of Life: My Journey so Far. I started it at about 12:30 this afternoon and finished it about an hour ago. It was a fairly easy read. But it was a very good read. I was so impressed with her simple, down to earth, real style of writing. It was almost as if I was sitting across from her in a coffe...

People have debated for years what exactly defines or qualifies literature as a classic. For me, I can honestly say that I don't have a specific definition for it, but in my mind I always think about authors such as Dickens, Austen, Bunyan, Alcott, Dumas, Carrol, Emerson and Twain. I also think of Homer, Shakespeare and Stevenson. I think of books that have been around and loved by many for centuries. I think of books that have been sitting in a dusty old bookstore that only get pulled off the shelf to be dusted or by committed and avid book lovers. I think of books that have stood the test of time and remain favorites for so many around the world. I love those books. I have a special edition set of many of the loved classics sitting on my bookshelf from my great-grandpa. I love spending my time at bookstores looking at the various editions of some of my favorites. I love when I get to escape into the worlds of some of the most loved characters and settings. I love the Classics...

At the age of 8, maybe 9, I was given a copy of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. I honestly don't remember much about getting it or even who gave it to me. I think it probably was either a birthday or Christmas present since books are usually what I was/am given. But I remember being so excited to have it, yet being amazed by how big it was and unsure if I would be able to actually finish it. But I did finish it and I have finished it countless times since then. Little Women is by far my favorite classic. It's one of the first ones I read and it's one that I have cherished for at least 15 years (with many more to come). Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy, Marmee and Laurie were characters that became so incredibly real to me. The images of family, love, individuality, faith, hard-work and triumph were ones that mirrored (and still mirror) my family. I am from a home-schooled preacher's family with 4 sisters and 1 brother. I have parents who let us be ourselves in whatever ...