Book Girl

By: Sarah Clarkson, Kate Mulligan - foreword

Narrated by: Erica Sullivan

Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

When you hear a riveting story, does it thrill your heart and stir your soul? Do you hunger for truth and goodness? Do you secretly relate to Belle's delight in the library in Beauty and the Beast?

If so, you may be on your way to being a book girl.

Books were always Sarah Clarkson's delight. Raised in the company of the lively Anne of Green Gables, the brave Pevensie children of Narnia, and the wise Austen heroines, she discovered reading early on as a daily gift, a way of encountering the world in all its wonder. But what she came to realize as an adult was just how powerfully books had shaped her as a woman to live a story within that world, to be a lifelong learner, to grasp hope in struggle, and to create and act with courage.

She's convinced that books can do the same for you.

Join Sarah in exploring the reading life as a gift and an adventure, one meant to enrich, broaden, and delight you in each season of your life as a woman. In Book Girl, you'll discover how reading can strengthen your spiritual life and deepen your faith; why a journey through classic literature might be just what you need (and where to begin); how stories form your sense of identity; how Sarah's parents raised her to be a reader - and what you can do to cultivate a love of reading in the growing readers around you; and more than 20 annotated book lists, including some old favorites and many new discoveries.

Whether you've long considered yourself a reader or have dreams of becoming one, Book Girl will draw you into the life-giving journey of becoming a woman who reads and lives well.

©2018 Sarah Clarkson (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Lots of Book Love

To make the most out of this book, you’d probably want to have a physical copy or ebook, so you could refer to the numerous book lists. It does feel like the main point of this book is to offer reading recommendations. It prompted me to check out a couple library books (one hardcover, the other a digital audiobook), so the author was persuasive in her book love!

The narrator did a nice job and made it feel like she was the author herself reading the book and sharing all those recommendations.

One thing I appreciate about Book Girl is how the author addresses the power of stories in our lives and how God can work through them.

Rave. Rave. Rave.

This is a book about the reading life, and it is filled with important words for novelists, IMHO, as well as all readers, especially for those who are followers of Christ. It is written specifically to girls/women, but I'm sure the truths within would ring just as true to the opposite sex. The lists of recommended reading throughout this book are amazing, but it is the wisdom and encouragement and joy in the rest of the narrative that I have highlighted countless times throughout. It's a book I will return to again, probably multiple times. If you are a book girl, if reading is something you love to do (or want to learn to love to do), treat yourself to BOOK GIRL.

Inspirational

This book includes many lists of classic and edifying modern books, organized by seasons of life. There are a number of new-to-me authors I’ll look for based on Clarkson’s recommendation, specifically Elizabeth Goudge. And since A Wrinkle in Time was a childhood favorite, I was excited to learn more about Madeline L’Engle’s Christian works. I purchased the paperback edition for my daughter who is a Book Girl, along with a number of the suggested titles. The lists can be a bit tedious in audiobook form, but the insights into how books impact our lives are worth listening to.

A book about books

Sarah Clarkson has a masterful way of weaving argument, story, and her extensive reading experience together to form a compelling case for reading well. Her picks are deeply Christian and centered on shaping the soul not just the mind! I was greatly influenced by her recommendations and have already finished a few of the titles. She knows what she’s talking about!
The Narrator does an excellent job portraying tone! Her voice is very easy to listen to and she speaks clearly making it easy to speed up without losing content.

Hard to follow lists

overall I enjoyed the stories and the history of the author. The lists of recommendations and lists of books throughout were hard to follow in audio version. definitely making it onto my buy the hard copy wishlist.

Perfect for Reading Inspiration

The Clarksons never disappoint. This is a great guide through booklists in addition to anecdotal episodes from the writer’s reading journey. Often “Lewis” seemed to jump from the pages; his influence on her writing is evident.

Must own for your shelves

I absolutely loved this, but I must own a hard copy so that I can mark it up and refer to all the book lists and recommendations! It is a treasure trove of Truth about words and reading as well as an excellent commentary on books that you must read in your lifetime!

My tbr pile just increased 10 fold!

Fantastic book. Encouraging, motivating, and inspiring. I cannot wait to read some of the books Sarah recommended. And it was so fun to hear her rave about some of my all time favorite books.

a wealth of treasures

this is an excellent book with excellent recommendations I thoroughly enjoyed it and my book list has ballooned

This book makes my heart happy!

After reading this book I felt like I had known Sarah Clarkson for my whole life. Being a book girl myself this book struck a deep chord in my soul and made me feel right at home. I love how this book not only gives you a wonderful list of books for different stages of life but also teaches the theology behind being an avid reader. This book challenged me to spend more time actually ready and encouraged me to broaden my book horizons. I will be recommending this book for years to come! #Goodlifechose #BookGirlForLife #thebooklife #bookgirl #SelfReflection #SelfDiscovery #Tagsgiving #Sweepstakes