Book Tag: Journals and Diaries

Jun12

According to this calendar of June activities, today is Diary Day. I really like reading a good diary or journal, either fictional or nonfiction.

Therefore, in honor of the day, the theme for this week’s Book Tag is Journals and Diaries. What do you recommend?

My first thought is Anne Lindbergh’s diaries, which are actually published in several volumes:

Bring Me a Unicorn: Diaries and Letters of Anne Morrow Lindbergh, 1922-1928
Hour Of Gold, Hour Of Lead: Diaries And Letters Of Anne Morrow Lindbergh, 1929-1932
Locked Rooms Open Doors:: Diaries And Letters Of Anne Morrow Lindbergh, 1933-1935
Flower And The Nettle:: Diaries And Letters Of Anne Morrow Lindbergh, 1936-1939
War Within & Without: Diaries And Letters Of Anne Morrow Lindbergh, 1939-1944

I’ve recommended these before, and I think they are so good.

The Rules: “In this game, readers suggest ONE good book in the category given, then let somebody else be ‘it’ before they offer another suggestion. There is no limit to the number of books a person may suggest, but they need to politely wait their turn with only one book suggestion per comment.”

18 thoughts on “Book Tag: Journals and Diaries”

  1. Not sure this counts … but I recall that if not a journal itself, it was filled with journal entries … Through the Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot

  3. The Journals of Jim Elliot (one of five missionaries killed by what was then known as Auca Indians in Ecuador in the late 50s or early 60s) had a big impact on me in college.

  4. An oldie but goodie ~
    The Diary of Anne Frank whose birthday is today.

    Guess maybe that’s why June 12 is National Diary Day?

  5. Probably, Dana. I failed to notice the birthday tie-in. One of my favorite books of humor is a sort of fictional diary or journal written by by Virginia Cary Hudson called Oh Ye Jigs and Juleps. It’s lots of fun.

  8. Dana mentioned that it is Anne Franks birthday today. I did not know that. I am not familiar with Anne Lindbergh’s diaries, although I have heard them mentioned. I am glad that I stopped in today. I learned something new and I am off to do a little research.

  9. One more for good measure ~

    Phoebe’s Secret Diary by Joyce Blackburn

    It describes the daily life and first romance of a colonial girl in Georgia (1742). Short and entertaining this booklet is a good way to teach a little history during summer vacation.

  10. I don’t know if this comment really counts, but I just finished reading Peter Clarke’s The Last Thousand Days of the British Empire, and he drew heavily on contemporary journals and diaries for his account, so that, of course, put those journals and diaries on my TBR, such as Sir Alec Cadogan’s journal, Jock Colville’s journal, Churchill’s war memoirs (his history of the WWII), etc.

  11. I love Anne’s diaries. I now have all five on my bookshelves, waiting to be reread when the time is right.

    I also can only think of books of letters, such as Edith Schaeffer’s With Love, Edith and Dear Family. Edith began writing letters to her mother to share what was happening with their ministry in Europe, how she felt about it, family events, etc. so they are “kinda” like journal entries.

  13. I recently finished A City of Tranquil LIght by Bo Caldwell, per your recommendation. Oh my, it took the breath out of me! I loved the way she interlaced Will’s recollections as an old man with Katherine’s diary entries.

  16. I just remembered I never did come back and add this — my favorite fiction in journal form is Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss, who also wrote the hymn More Love to Thee.

  17. Madeleine L’Engle’s Crosswicks Journals: A Circle of Quiet; Summer of the Great-Grandmother; The Irrational Season; A Two-Part Invention.

  18. Pingback: History and Heroes: 55 Recommended Books of Biography, Autobiography, Memoir,and History | Semicolon

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