Well, it's that time of year again when I turn 29 (thankfully, I don't look a day over 45). Ha! Actually, I am turning 36 today and Princess Kelly will be taking the day off from blogging to be fawned over and doted upon.
However, I am pleased to have a guest blogger filling in for me today. Allow me to introduce Colin Hutt, one of our dearest friends who wrote the following about Jeff:
Jeff's List of 11 Favorite Books
My last conversation with Jeff was at the hospice. In a blog post a few weeks before, Jeff mentioned that Les Miserables was one of his favorite books. Being a big fan of Victor Hugo, too, I wanted to find out what else was on his list. We talked about books and authors and deeper meanings for nearly two hours. It wasn't easy for him to talk, but his passion for literature was clear. So for any other "bookies" out there who also wondered what was on Jeff's list, here you go. The list is in the order he brought them up and a few of his comments are noted in parentheses:
1. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
2. Emma - Jane Austen
3. Les Miserables - Victor Hugo (he likes the book best; the musical was great; he heard the 1998 movie version was good except it completely changed the meaning of the ending by having Javier kill himself)
4. Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien (A funny note on this one: Jeff said "Lord of the Rings" and for some reason I thought he was talking about "Lord of the Flies," which led to both of us being very confused for about 10 minutes.)
5. Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis
6. The Screwtape Letters - C.S. Lewis (Jeff said he planned to give a copy of this book to any young man who wants to marry one of his daughters; he would give the suitor a weekend to read it and if he didn't like the book, Jeff would "seriously consider" not letting him marry his daughter.)
7. Surprised by Joy - C.S. Lewis ("experiences of joy are proof that God exists")
8. Miracles - C.S. Lewis ("the great imagination of God")
9. Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
10. Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare
11. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
Happy reading and thinking of Jeff.
Editor's Note: In his will, Jeff left all of his books, including The Screwtape Letters, to Aubrey. I had no idea Jeff was plotting to use this book (which is also one of my all-time favorites) to derail her tender romances. Oh well. My girls are not allowed to date until they're married anyway.
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8 comments:
Thinking of you today, Kelly! Hope you have a great "29th" birthday :) Thanks Colin for sharing the list of Jeff's favorite books with us. Things like this seem "priceless" to have.
Michelle
Happy Birthday Kelly, I hope someone makes you a homemade cake, that is the only way to enjoy a birthday cake and have the wish be effective.
Happy Birthday Kelly!! I hope you have a wonderful day!
Monica
Princess Kelly, I hope you have had a very happy birthday. I also liked reading the list of books Jeff liked. That's probably about as close to reading the books as I'll get. I watched a cute movie tonight, it's called "definitely, maybe" . It's pg 13 and if you fast forward through the first 5 minutes it probably would be rated for general viewing. It was from the makers of "Love Actually". One of my favorite videos was of you singing "happy birthday to you" like Marilyn Monroe to the boys in our white trash kitchen when they were 15 I think. They shared a cake (yes it was home made) and the video still makes me laugh at the "presents" you gave them too. I think Jim has the video. We all need to watch that sometime. Talk to you soon. Love, Mom
Kelly,
The list is a keeper. Worthy re-reads, and anything else on the list we haven't read, we probably all should...they are all recognizable staples in one's classics library! And happy birthday to you...hope you were well indulged. -Colleen Johnson
hey! i just wanted to say that i loved this post!
also (to grandma) i LOVE the movie Love, Actually, so when i saw previews for Definitly, Maybe, i REALLY wanted to see it! i haven't gotten a chance to watch it yet, but now that it's gotten you stamp of approval, i'll have to watch it soon :)
by the way, to anyone who's wondering, my mom got a homemade German Chocolate cake-with coconut in it!! yum!!!
love,
aubrey
Hey, if your 29 and I'm 29 then does that mean that mom had two sets of twins?? Hee, hee.
Well, you'll have to tell me all about your b-day and I hope it was everything and more.
Some of the books Jeff read inspire me to attempt to read one. I might want to try and read "Miracles" that one stood out at me. Have you ever read it Kelly?
Love, Terri
Hi Kelly - thinking of you and glad you had a great birthday. In chicago now for a week, would love to catch up. Thanks for the great articles you drafted for Jeff and the book list!
Talk soon.
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