Examples of novels, stiff books, moderately easy books: for Mom

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  • January 13, 2013 at 6:39 am
    my3boys
    Participant

    After reading a bit about Mother Culture, I was curious as to which books might fall into these categories.  I’m probably already reading one of each right now, but I’d like to add more to my reading list and to try to keep one in each of these categories going.

    Thanks!

    January 13, 2013 at 8:06 am
    MamaSnow
    Participant

    I think it’s probably going to vary from person to person…but I can tell you what I am reading right now in each category:

    Novel:All Things Bright and Beautiful (and others in the series) by James Herriot and The Hobbit (with my husband)

    Moderately Easy: Les Miserables (abridged to about 350 pages, but in French…I bump it up from the ‘novel’ category on account of it being in my second language)

    Stiff: Climbing Parnassus by Tracy Lee Simmons, and CM Volume 6

    This doesn’t count what I read with the kids, of course, or blogs and magazines, or devotional stuff (currently Romans with a commentary by RC Sproul)

    Yes, I know if you count all that other stuff I have a ridiculously large number of books going at the same time. But I think that maybe I am not alone in this…at least I know I wasn’t the last time this topic was bandied around. ;-P

    HTH some!

    Jen

    January 13, 2013 at 4:01 pm
    my3boys
    Participant

    Thanks Jen, that helps.

    And, yes, I figured it’s vary from person to person.  I’m reading David Copperfield, The Girl of the Limberlost, and going to begin The Hobbit today, hopefully.

    I guess I’d like to make sure that I’m not reading too many “easy” books or “novels” at the same time. Hmmm.  Maybe I am and just don’t know it, Embarassed.

    I’d like to add in a CM book, too.  I have them on my kindle but wouldn’t mind a paperback.

    Thanks again.

    January 13, 2013 at 6:26 pm
    MamaSnow
    Participant

    I guess for me the way I define the categories is novels are, well novels – or fiction anyhow. Moderately Easy to me would either be a heftier novel (something written in older language like Jane Austen or something like that, or for me, in French) or an easier reading non-fiction book. Stiff would be a harder to read nonfiction book – something I really have to chew on and think about. I try to have something fiction and non fiction at least going at a time, if not something from all three. =)

    Jen

    January 13, 2013 at 7:14 pm
    Monica
    Participant

    I heard one mom say that she always had five books going at one time. She read from a different book each weekday (so, for example, Mondays might be novel day, Tuesday might be spiritual reading, etc.).

    I wish I could remember her five categories. It sounded like such a great idea, but here I am months later and I haven’t implemented it.

    January 13, 2013 at 9:54 pm
    Tristan
    Participant

    I usually have several books going at once, not so specifically choosing from those categories. I like having a variety to fit my ‘mood’. I list what I’m reading and what I’ve read this year on my blog under the Books Read 2013 tab.

    Right now I’m reading:

    Sense and Sensibility (this has been slow over a few weeks)

    For Times of Trouble (This centers around the Psalms)

    Hungry Planet

    the scriptures

    Last week I finished:

    Large Family Logistics by Kim Brenneman

    Family Feasts for $75 a week by Mary Ostyn

    A Sane Woman’s Guide to Raising a Large Family by Mary Ostyn

    Allerednic: A Regency Cinderella Tale – In Reverse by Chautona Havig

    and also read from scriptures and Sense and Sensibility.

    The first week of the year I finished:

    Cleaning House: A Mom’s 12 Month Experiment to Rid Her Home of Youth Entitlement by Kay Wills Wyma

    Old Before My Time: Hayley Okines’ Life with Progeria By Hayley Okines

    Fairest by Gail Carson Levine

    Susanna and the Spy by Anna Elliott

    and I read from Large Family Logistics and Sense and Sensibility.

    As you can see it is a mix of nonfiction and fiction. The easiest read was Fairest by Fail Carson Levine, which I read because my daughter insisted I would love it. It was pretty good!

    I have actually been writing a post each week with mini reviews of the books I finish that week. One will go up later today for last week’s books too.

    Oh, and I haven’t counted school reading in that list. Just stuff for me.

    January 13, 2013 at 10:11 pm
    Sara B.
    Participant

    I love the idea of reading a different book every day of the week, jawgee.  I will have to think on that one.  Kind of like the kids’ schoolbook rotation, only “Mom” books.  🙂  I have been sick this weekend, so I finally finished a couple of books sitting here on my nightstand.

    Tristan, I just started Large Family Logistics today.  So far, it is good!  Of course, I’m only a few pages in because 4 little kids keep interrupting me.  And a cat who thinks walking across it is funny.  😛

    My biggest question is, how do you find time to read everything?  I rarely have time to read for myself – mostly during breakfast and lunch, and once in a while for a little bit before bed.  I hardly ever get to read the kids’ school books before school the next day, but anything “iffy” I definitely make time for a year or 2 ahead of time.  Well, I guess I have started “quiet time for Mom, too,” so I should read at that time instead of napping.  LOL

    January 13, 2013 at 11:05 pm
    Tristan
    Participant

    Sara B – Hehe, I know what you mean about finding time. I read:

    – in the middle of the night up with Mason (3 times a night, probably close to 1 1/2 hours of reading a night)

    – during daily quiet time (1 1/2 hours every day)

    – when I’m cooking/stirring/etc I keep a book open on my Kindle

    – stolen moments in the bathroom

    – evenings while waiting for little ones to wind down and sleep I’ll read with just a booklight so it is dark and they don’t go wandering.

    Plus nearly every week there is at least one medical appointment for someone, usually Mason or my prenatal appointments, or Makayla’s orthodontist ones. I read while we’re waiting and read aloud to any child who happens to be with me if they’re not old enough to read.

    Reading is my favorite thing to do. I don’t sew, craft, or shop. I don’t have any major hobbies beyond reading in this season of my life.

    January 14, 2013 at 4:02 am
    my3boys
    Participant

    Thanks ladies. 

    I don’t ever have a shortage of reading material and always have several books going but I was just wanting to “make sure” I had one in each category.  I love the day-of-the-week idea, but like Tristan, I find I pick up what I want to read based on my mood.  I have to be in the mood to think/chew.  I also have to be in the mood to just enjoy the moment, place, and time.  Plus, if I’m in the beginning, middle, or end of a really good book I plan my reading where I’ll have the least amount of interruptions or I just can’t enjoy it.  Kind of like settling in to a good movie.

    I do need to add in one or two other types of books and I’m thinking something spiritual (Bible, of course, but I’m thinking a study as well) and a CM volume or other CM book that I may have started but not finished.

    And, reading is my “hobby” as well.  I definitely make time for it.

    December 7, 2013 at 11:31 pm
    TailorMade
    Participant

    So, what are all of you reading now?

    I’d love to tell you a long list, but recently, I’ve only been reading scripture, recipes, and CM. Oh, I’m reading The Jew Store, by Stella Suberman and try to snatch moments for Honoring God with My Life, by Miriam Nadler. Other than that, I’ve been busy shelving books instead of reading them.

    December 8, 2013 at 12:33 am
    Karen
    Participant

    I LOVE questions like this!!! I like adding books to my “To Be Read” list.

    I’m reading

    -The Bible (a chapter every night)

    -The Spymistress by Jennifer Chiaverinni (just finished last night, actually)

    -A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola (I just read this book over and over, taking breaks and just reading the sections I need at any particular time)

    I’m excited to get my new stack of books from the library this week. I’m always on the lookout for other books to reserve at the library, too.

    I have Shepherding a Child’s Heart (I think that’s the title) by Tripp (I think?) on my pile, but haven’t felt in the mood for it yet.

    December 8, 2013 at 7:53 pm
    LindseyD
    Participant

    I’m reading …

    How to Worship a King by Zach Neese

    Pagan Christianity by Frank Viola and George Barna (with hubby)

    The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

    I also have Shepherding a Child’s Heart, but have not been in the mood for it. And The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson.

    With the kids I’m reading The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood. As a family we are reading Ann Voskamp’s Jesse Tree Advent devotional.

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