My Reading List
I have always been an avid reader. My mom tells me that when she would send me to my room as a punishment I would gladly go. She would find my nose buried in a Little House on the Prairie book or the Bible or some other book. I also loved going to the library during the summer. There were so many books from which to choose.
The most dangerous place for me to enter is Half Price Books. I love to scan the shelves looking for treasures. I am always on the look-out for classic literature in good condition. If you are a home-schooling mom like me, they give you a discount card for 10% off each item for being a teacher. Mine is well used. In fact, I am going to have to go through the process again for the up-coming school year.
Places online like Amazon or Half.com are my favorite places to search. A good friend of mine told me recently about a site that shows you the best prices on a certain title for which you are looking. It is called Fetch Book. If you are a fan of reading or books, then I am not telling you anything you don’t already know.
I used to be a one book at a time girl. Start a book and read it until you finish it. Then proceed to your next book. Well, homeschooling has changed me. I am now used to having a pile of books in which I read a little from daily.
Karen Andreola suggests to always have three books going at the same time in addition to the Bible. This is a part of Mother Culture, a desire to do something to build up the mother. She recommends having a novel, a moderately easy book, and a “stiff” or more challenging book. Of course, these books would be living books and not twaddle to use Charlotte Mason terms.
Debi Pearl recommends reading practical books in addition to the Bible. She turns to books on nutrition, health, and herbs in order to learn to be a better wife and mother. These are where her interests lie, so it makes sense that she would pursue this information.
I have decided that I am a very interesting person. Rather I am interested in just about everything; therefore, I can read a wide variety of books and be absolutely happy. Reading is not drudgery to me. It is exciting! And, I learn so much from books.
It helps me to retain the information by talking about what I have read. I debate the issues presented. I discuss the information presented. I also apply it in some way to my life and/or change my perspective. There is no book besides the Bible that I swallow whole. Instead, I take from each book what I like and with what I agree.
I thought I would give you a taste of the books that I am currently reading. It will definitely give you an insight in where my interests lie at this moment in time.
The Walking Drum by Louis L’Amour
Our Father Abraham by Marvin R. Wilson
Wisdom by Robin Sampson
Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens by Oliver DeMille and Shanon Brooks (just finished)
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families by Stephen R. Covey
The Five Thousand Year Leap by W. Cleon Skousen
Walking Wisely by Charles Stanley
America’s Prophet: Moses and the American Story by Bruce Feiler
I know that the list is lengthy, but it offers me the opportunity to grab any of the books when I am in the mood for them. Then I bury myself in the book for as long as possible. Around here that is usually not very long. However, Andrew takes a long nap each day. Isaac has quiet time on the couch with a horse book or magazine, and I read like a mad woman.
Like Karen Andreola and Debi Pearl, these titles are in addition to my private Bible reading. Currently I am reading the New Testament in chronological order. It is a very different approach in that the gospels are all combined and the book of Acts is constantly being interrupted with other letters from Paul. However, I am completely enjoying this different approach. The Bible I am using is The Daily Bible. There are several chronological Bibles in different versions from which to choose.
If you don’t like to read, then you don’t understand this article. People ask me how I have time to read. I am a very busy woman, but I feel that you always find time for what you want to do. For some turning off the television would free up a lot of time. For others something else is to blame.
Books play an important role in my life. I hope to pass my love for good books down to my children one day. After all, they have helped to shape who I am today.
By the way, that Debi Pearl Helpmeet book is an absolute TREASURE! Thank you so much for recommending it! How I wish I’d read it years ago!
I also read the Sally Fallon book you recommend and it has inspired me to make and use lard in my cooking. It is a really good read!
I already had Encyclopedia of Country Living, otherwise I would have gotten that one, too. It is a fascinating book. We have no tv in the house, so everyone here likes reading. The boys especially like the Sugar Creek Gang series and the books by Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Castleberry.
I completely agree with you about those books. I wish we had no television, too. It annoys me and I personally would rather read. However, my husband feels differently. Being familiar with Created to be a Help-Meet, you understand why we still do.
Lara
I’m so impressed with all you do! I have a bit of a problem with motivation these days. My children are grown and do not live with us so I have time….time….time! I have a beautiful home (still trying to finish a couple of rooms such as the build out of the library/office) and 3 acres. We built our home and I did all the cabinet finishing work for the kitchen and master bath area as well as refinishing a chest for the guest bath. I’ve always been active in all it has taken to build our home…..staining our concrete floors (and we have lots of floor space) to painting and decorating. I have some above ground planters and love them. My husband just put up a greenhouse 10×12 size and I’m excited to use it. I love the Lord and am part of two bible studies but for the life of me just can’t get motivated to do anything these days. All this to say thanks for your website. It inspires me to see Godly women who are getting things done! I’m starting a diet and moderate esercise program to se if I can jump start my engine…..thanks again for taking time to share your world with all of us.
Pamela,
Thank you so much for your kind words. You don’t know how much I appreciate them. You have inspired me to keep at it. It also sounds like you are being too hard on yourself. It sounds like you have done a lot. I say listen to your body. It might need to rest and recharge.
Lara