Marvelous. I thought it might be Karen Andreola if it wasnt’ CM (or Susan Schaeffer Mc…), but couldn’t find it when I skimmed the CM Companion last night, so I posted the questiion. Thank you. I’m just making a book list for myself for the new year and thought I would use this guideline. so, here’s the next question. What books would you recommend that are stiff, moderately easy and a novel?
To pick specific books, I recommend you look at some booklists – either on the Free Curriculum Guide on this site, Ambleside Online, or Mater Amabilis:
To me stiff books could be classics like by authors like Jane Austen or something that is personally challenging you to make changes (like a book on prayer life, organization, or scripture study) maybe C.S.Lewis? What about Charlotte Mason’s original series?
One thing I would love to do some year (LOL) is choose an author who has written several books and read them all over the year.
Under a novel books like the Anne of Green Gables series come to mind. Maybe something by G.A. Henty? though his could fit in other categories for me, they take brain-power to read.
Well, I always have a handful of books going. =) Right now they are:
Charlotte Mason’s Original Home Education (I’d consider this a “stiff” book)
The Discipline of Grace (Not necessarily an “easy” read, but inspirational)
Mansfield Park (Jane Austen) – novel
and of course always the Bible…reading out of Joshua and Proverbs for myself, Genesis and Mark with the kiddos. Sometimes dh and I like to read something together too, but we aren’t at the moment.
I also like to read kids’ books just for myself…not always with the kids. =) I think part of what drew me to a CM education was the fact that it would allow me to continue to dabble in my lifelong love for excellent children’s literature. =)
Oh, this is all so helpful, everyone. Thank you! I always have a bunch of books going, but I wanted to think my list for 2012 through in a different way. Some of the books I have on my list for 2012 include the Miss Read books, The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady, Jane Eyre, Square Foot Gardening, Letters from Eden, The Weekend Garden Guide, Book 4 of CM’s series, From Clutter to Clarity by Twig, Natchez by Harnett Kane, Savoring God’s Word by Jan Johnson, Reading with Deeper Eyes by William Willimon, a study of the Book of James, Parenting is Heart Work by Turansky and Miller, Lessons from Blackberry Inn by Andreola, . I’m pulling titles (and ordering a few) and putting them in the crate under my bed, so I’ll have my collection ready to go. Keep those titles and thoughts coming!
I’m impressed with your thinking-ahead-ness! I really should try to make a list like that, then maybe I wouldn’t end up where I am today – bookless! I’m in need of a novel, but nothing has jumped out at me yet. I’m thinking maybe another by Kate Morton.
When do you all have time to keep all of these books going? I have 3 little ones 9 and under, and we usually keep 2-3 read aloud books going plus our bible. I don’t usually have time to keep 3 books going for myself especially if I am going to keep my chores up, cook from scratch and keep things going outside the house as well. I wish I had more time to sit down with a book, but it seems like after Im done with their read alouds which is usually 2 hours or more a day, Ive got lots of other things in the home that need tending. I like to keep a very tidy house as well. So when do you find the time?? What does a normal schedule look like time wise for you?