I was browsing the discount book section of a store (one of my favorite past times) the other day. As I was intently examining the cluttered shelves , a woman approached me and said, “People think I have a problem, but I just LOVE looking for books. My kids don’t understand why I buy books and then just put them on the shelves without reading them - and I can’t really explain it to them. I just like doing it.”

My response to her was this -

“Books represent a world of possibility when I look at them. I love having lots of possibilities in my life. Keep buying those books!”

In that moment I forged a connection with a total stranger.

Reading has dramatically changed my life over the past two years. When my mom passed away in the summer of 2016 I lost my best friend - and gained a large chunk of time. At the same time, I was a full-fledged mom of teens, which meant they spent less time needing (or wanting) my attention.

To put it bluntly: I found myself more alone than I had been in a long time, and I had to do something about it!

Reading books helped me escape to different worlds while I was grieving. Reading books became a way to fill the time I had normally chatted with my mom on the phone. I committed to a robust reading life - not only for the betterment of myself, but also to become a better homeschool parent.

The time you spend reading is not wasted. I encourage you to carve time out of your schedule to READ. It is of immense value to you and your children!

In 2017 I committed to read 50 books.

2018 brought increased reading enthusiasm and MORE books completed - 102 to be exact - and while it isn’t about the number of books I read, it IS about the knowledge I gained, the friends I made (I even started my own #bookstagram account!), and the beautiful hobby I continue to cultivate.

To put it simply,

“I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book.”

— JK Rowling

I joined the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club and a local book club. I was honored to be selected for the I’d Rather Be Reading Book Launch Team.

Any time we visited a new city I went to their best bookstore. I found myself haunting our local Goodwill and thrift stores.

I hung out at the local library just for fun.

I became the book recommender and lender for many of my friends.

It was a GREAT reading year.

Ten Favorite Books of 2018

It was an arduous task to narrow the list to TEN favorite books, but I’m confident and pleased with my choices. After the ten favorites, I have also included the list of all of the books I read in 2018.

They are ALL worth reading (with the exception - in my opinion - of The Handmaid’s Tale - which I read out of curiosity - and did not like at all), because I have no qualms putting down a book I am not enjoying. Life is too short to read books that don’t resonate with you!

My favorites quite obviously reflect the genre I enjoy most (historical fiction), but I did enjoy The Library Book and Fearfully & Wonderfully Made (nonfiction).

All Books Read in 2018

I tried to read across all genres and get out of my comfort zone in 2018.

This list also includes books we read aloud in our homeschool - something I adore doing.

I hope you can find some books to add to your 2019 reading list!

I’d love to know some of YOUR favorites from 2018.

Share them with me in the comments below!

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” ~Charles William Eliot

This is my relationship with books.

My love affair with books has burned slowly over the past few years, and I believe this year it has culminated into a roaring fire - a healthy (albeit all consuming) hobby.

My goal is to read widely, carefully, and out of my comfort zone.

I read to better educate myself and my children.

What I didn’t realize was just what a balm reading would be for my soul - the soul of a mom who is readying children for college, caring for aging parents, and sometimes feeling that escaping into a book might just be the very best part of the day.

A Bookish Update - The Reading Life of a Homeschooling Mom

Can you relate?

When last I left you with a bookish update it was the Quarterly Reading Update. I had read many books I enjoyed - and a couple that reached me in profound ways.

I’ll give you my highlights since then, and a fun reading project I have set for myself this fall.

No matter how you slice it - I’d Rather Be Reading!

Books for Mom

Following are the books I’ve read since the last update.

My five must reads out of this list are:

Reading Aloud with Teens

I take such joy in reading aloud - thanks to The Read Aloud Family I have plenty of suggestions!

Reading with older children can be fun, too. It creates a shared time and experience that is of such value in the teen years.

Please don’t give up on reading aloud to them once your children are older. They need it then more than ever!

I heartily recommend each one of these titles!

Reading for Fall

This fall I have a fun project - I have recently acquired some of the Puffin in Bloom classics. At the same time, two other books have found their way to me - books that will pair perfectly with the Little Women and Anne of Green Gables. I can’t wait to revisit these classics from my childhood, and then read the contemporary books to go with them!

All of this was inspired through a visit to meet Anne Bogel at The Story Shop in Monroe, GA - if you’re ever in the Atlanta area and have a chance to visit this bookstore, you MUST!