Once upon a time, a long time ago, I used to be a prolific reader. A bookworm. From the time I learned how to read until my early 20′s, I spent most of my free time lost in a book. It’s a great place to be. Totally into a thrilling story, feeling like you’re right there next to the characters.But, alas, I left behind my bookwormishness when I became enthralled in my new passion — being a mom. For many women, they can maintain their literary stride as they take on the mantle of motherhood. But for me, I let other things take the place of a good book. Giggles on the swing. Baking cookies. Snuggles at bedtime. Sleep.
Until lately. Over the past year I have been pushing myself back into a regular reading habit. I miss the feeling of falling head over heels into the middle of a great piece of fiction or learning something new from a work of non-fiction.
However, now that I’m older {only thirty-eleven}, I find reading particularly difficult. I’ve become highly distractible and need total silence to read with no interruptions. And pretty much no one in the same room. Which is a feat in itself since I am very popular during my reading time.
But I am going to persevere. Partly because I have a library’s worth of books I’ve collected over the years {and never read}. My family and I are preparing to depart on a year-long trip around the USA, and I can’t bear the thought of putting all these books, unread, into storage. Another reason I am going to push myself to read more is because I’ve started a mentoring group where reading a new book every month is required. And I so want to grow from this mentoring. So there you have it.
In any case, imagine my excitement when I learned that Katrina over at Callapidder Days is hosting her awesome Fall Into Reading 2009! Below you will find my list, or rather lists, of what I intend to read from now until December 20th.
Mentoring {for my group}:
* Identity Theft, Mike Breaux Fantastic!
* Good to Great in God’s Eyes, Chip Ingram Wow, my fave book so far!
* Your Life in Rhythm, Bruce Miller
Bible study with my kids:
* More Than a Carpenter, Josh and Sean McDowell
* The Case for Christ: Student Edition, Lee Strobel Wonderful read with both of my chicklets…looking forward to others in the series.
Read-alouds with my kids {for history}:
* Adam and His Kin, Ruth Beechick
* Story of the World: Ancients, Susan Wise Bauer
* The Golden Goblet, Eloise Jarvis McGraw Excellent!
* The God King, Joanne Williamson Excellent!
* The Trojan War, Olivia Coolidge
* Mystery of the Roman Ransom, Henry Winterfeld
* The Eagle of the Ninth, Rosemary Sutcliff
* The Ides of April, Mary Ray
* The Bronze Bow, Elizabeth George Speare
* Beyond the Desert Gate, Mary Ray
* Black Horses for the King, Anne McCaffrey
* Flame Over Tara, Madeleine Polland
* The Beduin’s Gazelle, Frances Temple
Other Read-alouds with the kids:
* The Swiss Family Robinson, Johann Wyss Loved it! Could make a science curriculum based on this book!
* Sense & Sensibility, Jane Austen Wonderful!
* City of Ember, Jeanne DuPrau
Fiction {for me}:
* The Time Traveller’s Wife, Audrey Niffenegger changed mind
* Mansfield Park, Jane Austen
* Emma, Jane Austen
Non-Fiction:
* Power of a Praying Wife, Stormie Omartian
* War of the Worldviews, Ken Ham
* So Much More, Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin
* Raising Maidens of Virtue, Stacy McDonald
* Boyhood and Beyond, Bob Schultz
* Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends, Sarah Mally
* Preparing Him for the Other Woman: A Mother’s Guide to Raising Her Son to Love a Wife and Lead a Family, Sherri Rose Shepherd
* Epic, John Eldredge
* Love and Respect, Emerson Eggerichs {I just need to finish this one.}
* The Charlotte Mason Companion, Karen Andreola
* Educating the Wholehearted Child, Clay and Sally Clarkson
So, what do you think of my choices? Have you read any of these and have a word of advice? Are you working your way through your own list? This list may seem daunting, but I’m going to give it a good try. I might possibly write a review or two along the way. We shall see. For now, I just realized that it’s quiet…and there is no one in the room…that means it’s time to read.
Hey there, it's me Susan. I'm a follower of Jesus, life photographer, pretty good baker, stumbling learner, roadtrip traveler, gigantic dreamer, adoring mom, and lovestruck wife. Want to know more? Check out my 
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