I loved this book! The author – best-known for her children’s novel ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ – reflects on art, and her beliefs, and the writing process. It’s just short snippets, gathered together in chapters, but I found some of them very thought-provoking.

Highly recommended for anyone who ever wondered what ‘Christian art’ might be – or even whether such a concept exists – or who is involved in any way in creative work such as music, art or writing.

When I’d finished it, I went back and re-read the first chapter. I’m sure I shall be dipping into this regularly in future.

This is a classic 1940s black and white film, which we’d never seen before although the DVD has been on our shelves for a while now. It stars David Niven as a Bishop, so busy that he barely has time to be with his wife and daughter, and Cary Grant as a slightly unlikely angel in a suit, sent to help. The Bishop wants to build a magnificent cathedral, but the only person who may be able to fund it wants a huge memorial to her husband. Angry words ensue. Meanwhile Julia, the Bishop’s wife, worries that their marriage is falling apart because her husband is so constantly busy and stressed.

There are lots of amusing incidents, and some parts that are quite moving. It was very well done, in an era without computer graphics or simple special effects, and the story is good with a thought-provoking message. Recommended if you like a bit of sentimental nostalgia and a feel-good story.Quote-right

This is the last book of the Bromeliad trilogy, written for children. In this book, Masklin and two other nomes make their way to Florida so that their computer can communicate with a space shuttle…

Very well written, with some humour and lots of wry observations of life, typical of Pratchett. Most enjoyable, and a great end to the trilogy. Much best to have read the other two books (Truckers and Diggers) first as it would not make much sense without them. suitable to read to children from the age of about six or seven, or for older children or teens (or, indeed, adults).

The autobiography of Christian author CS Lewis, written in 1955. Very well written, painting a wonderful picture of his childhood, before his mother died, and giving insights into some of his sufferings at school later on. Full of philosophical ponderings and imaginative thoughts, ending the book when he finally gives in to God and becomes a believer. Inspiring and fascinating – I first read this in my late teens and enjoyed it just as much recently.

Slightly strange story about the last day of term in a boys’ public school in the 1950s. The unpopular classics master is leaving; his colleagues and students see him as unemotional, almost ‘dead’ emotionally, but his real self emerges in various ways.

We meet his unbelievably ghastly wife, a boy in his class who’s fairly empathic and also quite likes classics, a colleague who has been conducting an affair with his wife, and more. Acting is good, in a 1950s kind of way, once you get past the pseudo-BBC accents, and the directing is good too. The people are believable and the flow works well. It’s just rather a depressing story without any clear conclusion.

Black and white. Three and a half stars, really.

Thought-provoking, sometimes moving, sometimes frustrating, and occasionally humorous. Written from several alternating points of view, this is fast-paced and full of interesting subplots as well as a primary ethical dilemma. Unfortunately, the ending was disappointing and rather let it down. Still, I’m glad I read it. I’d seen such mixed reviews that I’d been put off, and had worried that it would be over-morbid. It wasn’t at all – it was very readable.

A fascinating book, looking sociologically and theologically at modern trends in church life. Proposes that church become more ‘liquid’ in terms of networking, and fluid structures rather than continuing the Mediaeval style ‘solid church’ that had a very different basis in society. I have one or two concerns about the author’s conclusions, but on the whole found it a very thought-provoking and discerning book. A bit heavy-going in places, but well worth the effort. Four and a half stars, really.

A light novel about three women, whose lives are apparently spiralling towards disaster in different ways. Fast-paced, despite rather too much introspection; I found myself irritated by all three of them, for behaving so stupidly at times! More thought-provoking than average ‘chick-lit’, and I was pleased at the lack of description of either shopping trips or bedroom scenes.

Shorter than the BBC version, but still true to the book. Some excellent casting, other than Mr Bingley who we thought very weak. Lavish balls, evidently a much higher budget for extras than the BBC had; all in all, very enjoyable.Quote-right

This book argues that television has brought profound differences to our culture. Not because of the entertainment as such, but because so much else has become ‘made for television’. News in brief snippets, electioneering as showbiz, lots of pictures and fast-moving programmes which we have mostly forgotten by the end of the evening.

The book is dated – it’s 23 years old now – and although it does make some excellent, thought-provoking points, I felt that he was perhaps too critical of modern technology, while insisting that the printing press, which also transformed culture, was a good move. Perhaps three and a half stars, since it’s given me a lot to think about.