Comments

Posted by redmom

I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my book!

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Posted by deedeeuk

This sounds great and when it is a book I can get my hands on without spending a small fortune on postage or waiting six months to get it, I'll join in too! In the meantime could you please include the rest of the details like publisher and ISBN# so I can try and get it through the library? And also, could you please turn on the RSS feed? I use the Google reader in the absence of our much loved friends link! Thanks!!

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Posted by JenIG

i object

I object to that awful picture up there of me; i look like a diseased rat. i also object to the blurb you wrote about me. i am neither funny nor witty or whatever else you said about me. not only that, you did not speak truthfully about yourself. you are:
a) the smartest girl i know
b) the best read girl i know
c) the funniest girl i know to have a sleepover with
d) the most qualified person i can think of to run a book discussion
e) you might be the prettiest girl i know.

Ok, now that we got that cleared up we can move on to other things. What date are we sposed to be kicking this thing off again? i cannot wait for everybody to begin reading Ishmael... it is truly rich and adventurous and a bit addicting. I read your description above, and i did not know it was based on a real life. that is hard for me to believe -- you'll understand why i say that as you get into the book.

ok, i'll be back later. it's breakfast time around here.

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Posted by jayfromcleveland

You guys should do a cable access show in the style of that old "Cawfee Tawk" skit from SNL. Now *that* would be great!

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Posted by anyachristine

I am also looking forward to receiving the book and getting started!

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Posted by Anonymous

I may do this. I already have the book.
maria

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Posted by drewsfamilytx

How can I resist this?!

My brain is a little dusty and rusty but I think I can manage a decent discussion. Besides, I can't stand to be left out of a conversation! :-)

Marshie

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Posted by CTdittmar

This sounds really fun and rewarding. After reading Jen's posts about Mrs. Southworth I tried finding some in our local library...NO SUCH LUCK! I finally bid on a couple on ebay and have begun my first one I lucked into winning, Nearest and Dearest. I was hoping a cheap copy of Ishmael would pop up, but only the lamlighter seems avail...I will try to acquire it though, so I can take part in these great conversations of erudition...Mrs. C.K.T.D. Booklover

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Posted by CTdittmar

I just bought my copy of Ishmael on ebay, though the lamplighter one in TOS bookstore is indeed beautiful. There are a couple of nice antique copies up for sale there right now--one with a very pretty cover.

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Posted by CAgirlwithasoutherndrawl

This is so incredibly tempting, as I am reading Hidden Hand (borrowed from Coie) and love it. However, $26 is a huge amount of money for a book. I am torn. OK, not *really* torn because as a book addict $26 is nothing, but my non-addict hubby will probably give me a jaw dropping look when I tell him. :)



Hopefully I will order it tomorrow. I am so glad that The Schoolhouse Store is carrying this!



~Annemarie

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Posted by workinprogress

When I first read about your book club on the company porch I was a bit disappointed as I would not be able to part with $26 to purchase the book. However, I just found it as a e-book at the Gutenburg Project (.com) so count me in!
(big smile here)
Any official "start date"?

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Posted by JessicaAtLamplighter

What makes a Lamplighter Edition better then one you may find used?...

God has given us a wonderful role in the production of the Lamplighter Rare Collector’s Series. The letters we receive from families testifying to the unique treasure that they have found in our books bless us often. We take the responsibility of crafting these books very seriously and it is our hope that the attention to excellence and the craftsmanship we invest in the books is communicated by the quality of the final product.

Lamplighter receives many book suggestions each year. Our first task is to determine which books will be selected for publication. God provides these titles from a number of sources. Our readers suggest many of them to us, while others might be stumbled upon while Mark is browsing through a pile of books at an antique bookshop. Once a book is selected for possible inclusion into the Rare Collector’s Series, several trusted individuals are asked to review the content. If the book meets with their approval, Mark Hamby personally reads the story with a critical eye to ascertain that biblical truths are being communicated and that the text meets Lamplighter's standards. Upon Mark's approval, modifications are sometimes considered for each of our books. Mark sometimes recommends changes to assure that each book contains BIBLICAL THEMES and that the spiritual messages within are THEOLOGICALLY ACCURATE. When we make a change it is predominantly concerning theology, morality, unnecessary racial slurs, and the use of God’s name in vain. Once the review process is complete, production can begin to bring this book into full publication.

Each book is scanned into a digital file using software that converts scanned text into editable documents. Any images found in the original text are scanned separately into high-resolution files so that they can be prepared for digital entry into the printing process. These illustrations are meticulously cleaned and restored digitally to bring out the full splendor of the original. Each piece of the digital book is scrutinized to ensure that the digitizing process is true to the original.


Once digital files have been created for the book, they are put through a rigorous editing process. Each book is edited by at least two experienced editors. Minor adjustments are made to IMPROVE the readability of the text, although it is our goal to maintain the style and grammar rules held by the original author whenever possible. FOOTNOTES that might provide historical or geographical context for the story are considered, as well as notes to explain archaic or difficult words. When changes to any content elements are proposed, they are vetted by Mark and the editors. Modifications on this level are deliberated over intently, as it is not our desire to change the original author’s content.



Once the text editing process is complete, the book layout begins. The text is laid out on the page in a manner that will ensure READABILITY. The spacing, fonts, and font sizes chosen are all intended to provide the most readable book possible. Literary details such as orphan lines, awkward spacing, and end-of-page hyphenation are all addressed. Intense labor is invested into making sure that no detail is left unattended. Artistic elements such as chapter headings, drop caps, and images are selected so that we can emphasize certain aspects of a chapter. We deliberate over page numbers, title pages, headings, margin sizes, and page counts because we want our craftsmanship to shine through on every page.

When you look at the cover of a book in the Lamplighter Rare Collector’s Series, you will instantly know that there is something special about that book. Our artists create a custom cover for each of our books to give it a unique and tailored look. We carefully select the materials that we think will work best with our cover art to complement the story within. We only use hard covers that are foil stamped because we want to provide a product that will be just as enduring as the story has proven to be. It is our goal that the content and the container will STAND THE TEST OF TIME!

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Posted by berrymorin

I'll spread the word. Unfortnately, I'm involved in an online book club right now but perhaps can join you at a later date.

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Posted by creech7s

Well, if it involves anything about reading and books, I'm in!! And what a great one to start with - we bought it last fall for my daughter's birthday and now that she has finished it I can pilfer...umm.. borrow it. Please give us lots of time to read it, though!

-Faye

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Posted by homeskoolmom

I've had this book on my shelf for months-- didn't ever make time for it before. Started reading it already. It is wonderful. Should bring lots of good discussion. So glad I found you!
Blessings,
Christine

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Posted by KarlaKAkins

I just bought this book! I had no idea there was a reading club for it, so I will be joining you! I will add you to my friends' list and put the banner up! Thanks!
Karla

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Posted by debdillon

I absolutely love this idea! I don't know, however, if I will be able to join in the book club for this read. Perhaps someday soon.

I will go check out the book.

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Posted by Jaybird

Always up for discussing books with homeschooling moms.

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Posted by ExcelsiorWarriors

I may not join you in the first book but I'll stop by for updates and be ready for the next one. I'll also put the button on my blogs. ;D

Thx for doing this.

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Posted by crackedharp

The "real" book looks beautiful, but I am going to try using the Project Gutenberg version right now :) I haven't ever been in a book club. It will be a nice change to read a book that isn't about homeschooling. I just peeked at the first few pages, and it sounds like something Anne of Green Gables would have liked...

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Posted by Melkhi

I just bought a 600+ page book to read and have one on hold at the library, but... I think I'll fit this one in too! Thanks for the gutenburg.org tip. I'll magnify the font size and read it there. If it ends up being a must-have book, then I'll buy the real thing from Lamplighter.

Thanks for starting this Jen and Kate!

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Posted by livin4Him6

I REALLY wanted to do this, but last week hubby hurt his back at work, which means things will be tighter then normal. I did read in the comments that the book is online, so I will try to read it there. So, I guess I'm in after all!! :0)

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Posted by JessicaAtLamplighter

I wanted to tell you that we finished Spanish Brothers last week. I love that book. My dad died when I was 3 and I use to dream that he was really away on a secret mission for the government. I love how Carlos loves Jesus. That's how I want to be.
I think that Spanish Brothers, and Udell's are my favorite Lamplighters to date. I have learned that, as I read more, I will have many more books to include in that list of favorites. I really enjoyed Ishmael and Self Raised but they did not slap me in the face and heart like the other two. We started Lost Clue and were immediately drawn in. (From the first chapter) This is so much fun.
I got to talk to a group of new home schoolers a week ago. They asked me what I would have done different in my home schooling, now that I have been through it a while. I told them all about Lamplighter and said that I would have made sure that I had read my boys almost every book in that catalog.

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Posted by mum of a HS bookworm

Colin Thiele is an excellent Australian author. He has written lots of excellent books, including the better known one called "Storm Boy" that was made into a film. My daughter zooms through his books, wishes he was still alive to write some more and thoroughly recommends them to both boys and girls (and grownups, they really are a good read!).

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Posted by Anonymous

Does anybody know whose life this story is based on? I found a copy of it that was my great grandmother's when I was a little girl and LOVED it. But I always wondered whose life it was based upon?
Does anybody know?

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