What do YOU read?

I am trying to read Jane Austen’s Emma. I say “trying” because I’ve been very busy planning a couple of events of which I’m in charge, so my typical bedtime reading routine has been going like this: hop into bed, open the book, fall asleep within minutes, wake up 2 hours later with a sore neck/shoulder/wrist from clutching the book while sleeping….

Aches and pains aside, my clutching hand makes a good bookmark; haven’t lost my place yet! (Of course, it’s almost always the same page night after night….)

Enjoying what I’ve read so far.

marmiemamma-

I know what you mean about fiction. I suggest you try to good, old fiction.  The newer, commercialized, crank out a book every three months type of fiction is harder to get into at times.  I know for some it is a relaxing read and if it is surrounded by much more substantial works it is probably harmless.  However, I do think there is a lot of adult twaddle out there.   And none of us really have time for that!!!

It’s funny…this discussion has made me wonder if the reason why I haven’t fixed onto a lot of light fiction books is perhaps because it is twaddle.  It really had never occurred to me that that could be the reason why.  I just thought it was because I didn’t like fiction.  But I have always enjoyed reading good fiction to my children.  Huh…interesting realization for me.  

Benita, you had mentioned something interesting…that Charlotte always suggested having multiple books that you’re reading simultaneously.  I’ve ALWAYS done that, too!  Often, in one sitting.  I can never go to bed with one book…it’s always a pile!

In fact, it was through a pile of books that the Lord saved me…

Ten years ago this May, I had attended a ladies homeschool luncheon and there were a lot of topics touched upon and many different things said that day.  That evening I had finally sat down with my “pile” of books.  At this time, I had been dealing with debilitating sciatica pain that had been lasting a few months at this point.  I would basically collapse each night on the couch, crying with the pain.

Well, this night as I opened each book, the Lord put these little “hi-lites” on little phrases and words that had been said at the luncheon.  Some of them were seemingly random, others were important, like the word love repeating over and over.  I keenly remember Sally Clarkson’s book, Educating the Whole Hearted Child being one of the books I was looking at.  The little hi-lighted “bells” became so frequent and real, that I felt the Lord sitting right next to me.  I found myself on my knees, surrendering my life to Him.  

Thank you for reminding me of that night and thinking of it in such a different way regarding the books that I had with me.  

@Kelly…I remember talking to one of our librarians once and she was telling me about a fiction author that I might like and innocently said, “Oh, wait, I remember you telling me that you don’t read too much.”  I thought…”No, wait!  I do read!!!  Just not fiction!!!”  Don’t be too hard on yourself for not reading the classics…although I love all the Jane Austen movies, and my two older daughters have read all her books between them, I have yet to get through one of them.  I live vicariously through their narrations!  

And as far as how many books to read to your children, that’s also one of the things I have liked about Charlotte Mason.  She suggests that a reader spends time, a good amount of time, with a book.  To really chew on it.  I remember feeling overwhelmed when we used to use Sonlight.  Massive amount of books to get through.  

Take heart and just take one year at a time…you’ll see…you’ll look back through the years at the end and be amazed at all that has been accomplished.  

You make it sound so simple, sheraz — thank you! 🙂   Although I am not a young mom (in age or CM years), I do find these threads daunting as well. I don’t even want to read the replies sometimes because I’ll just end up feeling guilty. There was a thread like this not to long ago that someone linked to in this one and I think I did comment on my current/recent reads, and guess what? Nothing has changed! lol  Still the same list!  But my list of “want to reads” keeps growing. 

All this to say @Kelly, I feel your pain! I am personally trying to prioritize better sleep habits for myself, and I am trusting that as I do that, my time for reading will open up a bit as well. But that’s just me and where I’m at. But I do like sheraz’s approach of just start with 10-15 (or 5!) minutes of something you really want. When it’s a good book, it’s easy to keep it going a few extra minutes. 😉

@Kelly, don’t feel bad! The only reading I do is in the bathroom! TMI??  It is my perfect hiding place! LOL And sometimes I will be in there for up to 20 minutes reading on my Kindle! I love that time to myself!

Just got finished reading Louisa May Alcott’s books. All of them!

I am about to start Freckles by Gene Stratton- Porter! I am enjoying all of these classics. I also love to read non-fiction Christian books as well as some recent fiction ones.

@Katrina, I felt the same way. I tried to get through Pride and Prejudice but it is just too tedious to me! Have you read Little Women, Little Men, Jo’s boys etc?? Also, I have recently read all of Anne of Greene Gables! LOVE!  Classic, simple, and enjoyable!