I'm titling this "Favourite Books" because I didn't read many this year and because I may have forgotten some and because I started and didn't finish others. Dan thinks it's because I'm embarrassed at having read so little. Maybe. Does anyone else have a problem getting some few hundred pages into a book and then just stopping? Yes? This was just one of those years to start and stop books:
The Fellowship of the Ring (re-read),
The Hobbit (re-read),
From the Ashes. I'll get back to them eventually. Some of these are also my favourites of the many read-alouds to the kids.
Sword & Serpent Trilogy
by Dr. Taylor Marshall
I bought this novel series for Dan for Christmas last year and in the early stages of pregnancy when I felt crummy and tired, I read the whole thing in a short matter of time. Early Christianity vs. Paganism. Saints vs. Roman Emperors. The characters are realistic and intriguing. I'd like to think this is how it really went down for St George & Co. This trilogy was engaging, thought-provoking, and inspiring. It's one of those that you can't wait for your kids to get old enough to read. Five stars.
A Mother's Rule of Life
by Holly Pierlot
I'm pretty sure I must seek after the magic formula for a perfectly well-organized life... at least, I like reading about such ideas, but I'm not as great at putting them into action.
A Mother's Rule had lots to offer for a busy, homeschool mom. My favourite was probably creatively incorporating prayer into daily life and letting all other cares flow from it. Holly's idea of a daily schedule or "rule" was a little too confining for me, but brought greater clarity to my own life. Four stars.
Infiltration
by Dr. Taylor Marshall
Everything that's gone wrong with the Catholic Church in the last century and more, examined and analyzed. It's bad, really bad; but the scandal and horror must be exposed for healing. And Marshall leaves the reader with hope for the future and a desire to reach far back into our Catholic heritage and drink deeply from the Truth. I hope I've become a better Catholic by knowing the awful and embracing the Truth. For a deeper review,
check out Dan's. Five stars.
Home Management: Plain & Simple
by Kim Brennaman
Whereas
A Mother's Rule is written from a very Catholic perspective,
Home Management is Christian and Christ-centered, but has a bit of a different and more approachable feel (I'm sure this is purely my quick, personal opinion). I'm not finished, but have been jumping from topic to topic and really, really like the perspective and practical advice. Something I never thought of: have kids take turns as "mom's helper" for a day; they get the coveted sit-by-mom for read-aloud, help in the kitchen. I'm hoping to make some practical changes to our routine. Five stars.
Anna Karenina
by Leo Tolstoy
I picked up Tolstoy thinking I should really read this classic. Whew! It's a long one at over 800 pages. Morally flawed characters, especially in the area of marital infidelity, frustrate me - Anna was no different. But over time, rather than feeling disgusted and wanting to pitch the book, I've come to feel compassion for the characters and deeper insight into human frailty. There is such a lesson in reaping good or evil from your good or bad life choices. I'm still not finished, but trying to wrap this book up. Four stars.
The Temperament God Gave You
by Art and Laraine Bennett
I carried the Temperaments book with me in the purse to all my doctors appointments this summer. While I haven't been a fan of
The Four Love Languages for understanding others, I can really get the temperaments. It's been really enlightening to have ah-ha moments about different members of my family and why they react or act the way they do. I feel more equipped to deal with others strengths and weaknesses and challenge my own. I did, however, find this book a little chunky and repetitive. Four stars.
Mother Love: A Manual for Christian Mothers
Finally, a devotional recommendation. I recently got this beautiful mother's prayer book. It's traditional, filled with prayers, litanies, advice for mothers, meditations for Mass, and chapters on the vocation of motherhood and marriage. I love it! Did I mention it also has beautiful, old black and white holy images? Such a gem! Five stars.
The Mitchells Series
by Hilda van Stockum
I am a
huge fan of Hilda van Stockum! I read and re-read and loved this series as a kid. It was so exciting to re-read it to my own kids and have them fall in love too. Enter the Mitchell family: fun, adventurous, mischievous. Just like ordinary kids because the author based them on her own kids! A delightful read-aloud! Five stars.
The Winged Watchman
by Hilda van Stockum
Another van Stockum favourite. Set in Holland during World War II, the Winged Watchman is the windmill home and working place of 10-year-old Joris Verhagen's family. This story has all the wonderful depth of van Stockum's characters, combined with war history, Dutch living and culture, humour and deep questions. At times the content and suspense was difficult for our easily frightened John Paul, but we were able to keep going and the kids thoroughly enjoyed the read. Five stars.
Francis and Clare: Saints of Assisi
by Helen Walker Homan
Another awesome read-aloud! In a world that gets St Francis all wrong as only an environmentalist or vegetarian or animal-saver, it's refreshing to read about the real-deal holiness of a saint who imitated the life of Christ so closely. Our kids were inspired, laughed, and will remember this one! Five stars.
