Today is the epitome of January: bleak, cold, wet and dreary.
It is the perfect day for a good book and a hot cup of coffee.
Reading is an important activity to our little family of four. We all love to devour a good book and frequent the library on a weekly (if not more) basis. Over the past year, I have read a lot. Despite being a mom to two young children and homeschooling, I set aside time everyday to read. Sometimes it is for pleasure, other times it is to learn something and sometimes it is merely to provide a distraction. I strongly believe that if you want children who love to read, you have to read yourself. The husband and I both have stacks of books on our nightstands and in our living room. The children now we love to read and both have developed quite the taste for it themselves.
Below are some of the books I read in 2011 (in no particular order), just in case you need a bit of inspiration to get you on the path to reading this year.
Just for fun, I have added my own personal star rating systems as well as some thoughts about a few of the books.
You’re welcome.
The Hunger Games Trilogy: ***** I was hesitant to begin this series. I shied away from the whole Twilght craze and thought The Hunger Games would be on the same level. I was wrong. The moment I picked up the first book in this series, I could not put it down until I had devoured all three.
The Core ***** Written by the force behind Classical Conversations, The Core shines a bright light on how to successfully homeschool one’s child in a classical manner. I am currently re-reading this book in preparation to hear the author speak at the end of the month.
The Well Trained Mind ***** Another essential for those wanting to homeschool classically. Love, love, love this book and refer to it often.
Mitten Stings for God **** Great little mommy book.
Handle with Care **** I jumpedonto the Jodi Picoult train in October of 2011 and have not slowed down yet. Love her style of wrting, despite the fact that she can depress the perkiest of individuals with her story lines. Since reading this first book, I have since read four more of hers. She provides good, mindless reading.
Plain Truth ***
The Tenth Circle ***
The Pact ***
Silver Girl *** I love Elin Hilderbrand and her obsession with Nantucket. Her latest was a quick, enjoyable read.
Drowing Ruth **** An old Oprah’s Book Club pick, Drowning Ruth is an entertaining read with a fair amount of suspense.
Water for Elephants ***** I was late to this party as well, but loved everything about this book once I picked it up.
The Postmistress * Don’t bother with this one.
The Write Start **** Love this book and use it for homeschooling.
The Glass Castle ***** If you have not read Jeanne Walls memoir of her childhood, run out and get it today. It is that good and that moving.
Sarah’s Key ***** Terribly depressing yet terribly good.
A Secret Kept ** A bit of a disappointment
Creative Homeschooling *** A good resource that I often scoop up at our library
Drawing with Children **** A great way to teach drawing techniques to children. I highly recommend this book to the homeschooling parent.
Steady Days: **** Another great little mommy book
Homeschooling Our Children, Unschooling Ourselves **** An interesting look at rethinking how one approaches educating their child.
Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling ****
The Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading ****
Cinderella Ate My Daughter ***** A must-read for all mothers with daughters. It will make you sort-of hate Disney, but that’s okay. It really helps understand the effects of media and current culture on today’s little girls.
These are just a few things that I read during 2011. I am sure there are many more that I have simply forgotten that I read.
How about you? What did you read last year and what are you gearing up to read this year?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
You’re reminding me to do my reading recap. You had quite a year…impressive! I’ve read several of those myself. Just finished the prequel to The Glass Castle…it is great! And Sarah’s Key was haunting but good. Just saw there is a movie. Great list!
I have been wondering about Half-Broke Horses. Glad to hear that you liked it…I will have to scoop that up at the library!