What We've Been Reading in September 2017

One of my favorite types of posts to view when reading articles on the web are book lists. I enjoy seeing what others are reading and adding good book recommendations to my Amazon wish list.

So why has it taken me so long to share some books we’ve been reading? That I will never know (maybe it has something to do with a new baby). However, this past month we have been reading some really great books that I can’t wait to share!

Everyone-What We Are Reading Together a Family

When getting ready to start studying Asia, I asked around for a good read aloud suggestion. The number one book that came back? Safely Home by Randy Alcorn. While I would definitely say that this book may need to be filtered some for younger readers, (especially chapters 49 and 50 which talk about some rather harsh realities in our world) this book has by far been one of the most attention-getting books I’ve ever read on the persecuted church.

It has caused each of us to pray often for persecuted Christians around the world as well as seek to send them Bibles in any way possible. We are even looking into how we can get involved in organizations like Love Packages that send quality used Bibles and resources all over the world to people that don’t have any.

After the heart-wrenching read of Safely Home, we needed a little lighter read as we entered Europe so we chose Matilda by Ronald Dahl, a native of South Wales. I will say that I am not totally keen on the way the parents are presented in this book or how the daughter is looked up to for trying to “teach her parents a lesson.” That said, if you take the angle that this is an example of what NOT to do, it’s a classic read. Already, the girls are already begging for more!

Me

I’m not going to lie. This year has brought several financial challenges for our family with the addition of a new little bambino and a few other family changes. Maybe that is why I really appreciated this encouraging read on financial frustrating times. More Than Just Making It is more of an encouraging story in a “you can make it” kind of way and less of a “let’s get out your spreadsheets” kind of read as Erin tells her personal story from literal financial poverty (food stamps and all) to financial freedom.

This spring I had the honor of hearing Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller speak at our state homeschool convention, and I was immediately drawn into their view of discipline or lack thereof. In fact, for them, parenting is not so about discipline as it is about honor. By creating an environment of honor in your home, the focus of each family member is transformed into what God desires of all of us. It’s about others and taking the extra step.

Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes…in You and Your Kids! has been an enlightening read for me and one that has actually taken me a loooong time to get through because it is so packed with honor-building ideas and examples. I’ve already decided–next year is going to be the year of honor for our family. I can’t wait!

Peanut (age 8)

This week we started studying Germany and as such, Peanut is reading Number the Stars, a classic I remember reading as a girl. My hope is that this book provides a gentle introduction to the harsh realities of Nazi-occupied Denmark in 1943.

I actually read this book to the girls as a read aloud a year or two ago, but Peanut decided to read this book again for herself. The Hundred Dresses is a beautiful story about a poor girl who says she has a hundred fancy dresses at home, but who comes to school every day in the same outfit. I don’t want to give the ending away, but I will say that it is a heart-wrenching read, and a good developer of compassion for those who live “on the other side of the tracks.”

Teacup (age 6)

Teacup has had fun going back and reading this book ALL BY HERSELF. It’s a simple read for her but she feels so good that she can finish a BIG BOOK quickly and without any help. It’s amazing how far she’s come in a year.

Jackrabbit McCabe and the Electric Telegraph was a neat library shelf find. It’s the tall tale about Jackrabbit McCabe who was so fast who could even beat a locomotive. Yet, when the the Electric Telegraph came he was no longer the fastest thing around. Discouraged he thought life was over for him but instead, it becomes just the beginning of a new career as the mayor sees a gift in him that only he is qualified to fill. This book is not only a fun tall tale to read but it also introduces the history of the electric telegraph, morse code, and provides a good discussion for how to respond when you DON’T always succeed.