As a home educating parent I believe reading MUST be an integral part of our life.
“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.” - Jane Austen (Northanger Abbey)
Don’t you just love Jane Austen’s blunt way of seeing into our souls - and her keen observations about so many social situations? I think there is a lot to be said for the above quote. If we want to be educated, able to converse well, and able to transport ourselves to different worlds it is essential to READ.
Reading widely and well is something I want my children to observe in me. Reading has also been a very necessary lifeline and method of escape for me during the past few years - years that have included so much personal change, loss, and evaluation.
A good book always has the power to right a topsy turvy world!
I always share what I’m reading on my reading Instagram account. I want to share it more here on the blog because I am realizing that so many of your share my love of reading - so these bookish updates are most certainly homeschool related.
What Guides The Book Choices
Serendipity
Truth be told, I don’t often plan what I will read. I am a firm believer in book serendipity. Books find me at the thrift store, the Little Free Library, GoodWill, or through friends. Last year I found a beautiful Elisabeth Elliot book (signed nonetheless) at our local Good Will. Of course, I read that one right away!
Book Clubs/Podcasts
I am a member of the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club and also an in-person book club. (That’s two books each month that are already chosen for me).
My two favorite podcasts are What Should I Read Next? and Currently Reading. There are so many great podcasts out there!
Homeschool Curriculum
I also make sure what I am reading is preparing me for my son’s upcoming Challenge assignments, so that we can discuss those books together.
We also have a read-aloud going at all times - it gets harder with the teen boys, but I’m not giving up!
May 2020 Books
May was a wonderful reading month.
There was just one book I disliked. All Adults Here just wasn’t for me - too many social agendas not so cleverly disguised as a novel. It honestly made me ANGRY how many social statements the author was trying to cram down my throat.
I also don’t have much tolerance for cursing in a book - unless it adds to the story. The cursing in this book just added to the already low opinion I held of each character!
All Adults Here: A NovelJane EyreThe Jane Austen Society: A NovelThe Confession Club: A NovelFreak the Mighty by Philbrick, W. R., Philbrick, Rodman, Verburg, Bonnie (May 1, 1995) Mass Market PaperbackThe Lost and Found Bookshop: A NovelA Long Petal of the Sea: A NovelChristyThunder and Rain: A Novel
May Book Notes:
Historical Fiction
If you’re a historical fiction fan, anything by Isabel Allende is sure to please. A Long Petal of the Sea takes us to the time just after the Spanish American War and details the lives of a family that has immigrated to South America. I had just finished Ruta Septys’ The Fountains of Silence earlier this year, and this novel was a great way for me to learn more about this part of history.
Heart Favorites
Jane Eyre and Christy will probably be in my favorite books of all-time list.
Jane Eyre was a book I never fully appreciated until this moment in time. I’m not sure why that is - but I know it’s book serendipity. It’s on my son’s reading list for 10th grade and I wanted to be able to discuss it with him - well, I’ll be able to do that and more. I am addicted to the Bronte’s use of language and Jane’s perseverance no matter what.
I’m not sure how I missed knowing about Christy for this long, either. Wow. There is such a community of fans surrounding all of Catherine Marshall’s works! A friend of mine also loaned me the Christy DVD’s, so that’s next on my list.
Audio Favorite
Audiobooks allow me to read a lot more.
Thanks to Libro.fm, I was able to get my hands on The Jane Austen Society before it came out. Oh my! If you choose any book on audio, make it this one! Richard Armitage narrating this book was such a treat for the ears!
Feel-Good Books
The Confession Club, The Lost and Found Bookshop, and Thunder and Rain were simply books that made me happy. If you’re looking for pure escape without a ton of thought, I think you could pick any of these and be happy.
Read-Aloud
We loved Freak the Mighty and followed the reading up with a movie night watching “The Mighty”. This is a great read-aloud for a teen boy!
Check out Homegrown Book Picks on Instagram for more details on each book I’ve read.
I’ll see you back here in a month for another reading update!!
