Book 10 of 50 – Humorous Stories & Sketches

Posted on

Mark Twain can be funny. In Humorous Stories & Sketches (affiliate link), he is super funny. I especially enjoyed “Journalism in Tennessee.” Since I dabble in journalism as a local, lifestyle columnist for my local newspaper AND I live in Tennessee, this story seemed particularly suited to my situation.

Mark Twain Humorous Stories & Sketches

Mark Twain Humorous Stories & Sketches – my copy

Of course, thank God, we do not have to face the kind of tribulations as the newspaper editor Twain worked for while in Tennessee. The humor came not only from the description of the violence Twain had to face alongside his boss. It especially stemmed from the edits the boss made to Twain’s reporting. Continue reading »


Tuesday Tome Week 49 – The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Posted on

One of the 32 classic novels in Western literature recommended by Susan Wise Bauer, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was written by Mark Twain, the father of all good things in American belles lettres. I was surprised Huck Finn was picked over Tom Sawyer, but I guess I am still learning the subtleties of why one novel is considered more important than another.

Huckleberry Finn

Huck Finn is on the run – that’s the main theme of the novel. The quintessential American quest for freedom is exemplified in his running away from his alcoholic, abusive father, from the religious lady who tried to adopt him and make him into a Christian, and from the rest of the people who mean well, but are doing him more harm than good.

Continue reading »