Don't you wish you could take a reading retreat?
My husband and I will be taking a trip (just the two of us!) for our 20th wedding anniversary in June, and I plan to just READ and lay on the beach. I can't wait!
I'm already picking out the beach reads I want to get lost in for those 5 glorious days.
Back to reality.... for now I'm at home and continuing to keep up my reading resolution. The books I read last month range from a HUGE piece of historical fiction to a book written by a friend of mine - fun!
Historical Fiction
I've mentioned before this my favorite genre, and after all of this reading in 2017 I'm still convinced of that.
A Fine Balance
Rohinton Mistry tells the story of India in 1975. There is so much I didn't know about this time in India's history, and so many interesting parallels between current situations in the world today.
The writing is vivid, fast paced, oddly humorous, and poignant. At 600+ pages it is quite long, but well worth the time investment. If I had unlimited reading times I would have finished it in a few days, but it's taken me all month by reading a little each night and when I can sneak in a few minutes while waiting at my kids' activities.
It chronicles such a sad time in India's history -- for some reason it reminded me of Orphan Train, which also chronicled sad time in American history.
Classics
I do double duty on this one - reading for my daughter's homeschool and my own enrichment.
Out of the Silent Planet
Please don't send me hate mail, but I haven't enjoyed that much CS Lewis (other than The Chronicles of Narnia) up to this point - I think it's an acquired taste and attention level.
This book, however, was enjoyable to me and I would love to read the next in his space trilogy. I was intrigued by the science fiction/fairy tale mix in this book.
Professional/Personal Development
Professional and personal development are really one in the same when you are a homeschool mom and curriculum author and blogger. It's not hard for me to read these books because I learn so much and see so much of myself in them!
A Touch of The Infinite: Studies in Music Appreciation with Charlotte Mason
This book is speaking to my heart. In writing the SQUILT curriculum I use more of a Classical and eclectic approach - but I suspect I'm doing a lot of Charlotte Mason's principles without knowing it.
That is true, but there is also so much I need to learn and this book by Megan Hoyt is such a wonderful primer on Charlotte Mason and music appreciation. I would recommend it for ANYONE, not just musicians.
Lesson at Blackberry Inn: Adventures with the Gentle Art of Learning
If you enjoyed A Pocketful of Pinecones, Lessons at Blackberry Inn will captivate you as well. Karen Andreola always motivates me to be a more intentional, kind, patient, and quiet mother.
Lost and Found: Losing Religion, Finding Grace
This book, written by my friend Kendra Fletcher (who is a wonderful blogger and podcaster in the homeschool space), is her moving story of tragedy that struck her family - not just ONCE, but multiple times.
It is the story of her journey to lose her religion and find GRACE in the process.
I was so proud as I read this book because I know Kendra's story personally - she sat with me years ago over lunch and shared it with me. To see her dream of a book finally in print makes me very happy. I know you will love it!
In her book you will learn about her miracle son, "Mighty" Joe - and I love that we can follow on now with Joe on Kendra's blog.
As you can see, this month has been a lighter reading month, but I'm trying to give myself grace and just KEEP ON READING.
