Books

Books are like people:
fascinating, inspiring, thought-provoking,
some laugh,
some meditate,
others ache with old age, but still have wisdom;
some are disease-ridden, some deceitful;
but others are a delight to behold,
and many travel to foreign lands;
some cry, some teach, others are lots of fun,
they are excellent companions,
and all have individuality -
Books are friends.
What person has too many friends?
-- Gladys Hunt, Honey for a Child's Heart (noted below)

I love books. I come by it honestly, as both my Oma and mother love to read as well. My sister became a librarian and also loves books. I don't post often about books, mostly because I am coming out of a fog. The past four years have been a wonderful adventure adjusting to motherhood. Between a lack of sleep and any concentration I had going towards books related to pregnancy, birth, first year, toddler years, etc., etc. I had little left for any other reading. But OH, have I been reading lately. This is not a review of the books below, as I have not finished ANY of them yet (some I have barely started!).

Firstly, I am still using my ESV Study Bible for my Devos' and Bible Study. I have just started using a 'Journible' through the book of James. I am writing out the book and recording my reflections as I go. We are also continuing to host Bible Study on the book of Romans and our newly gifted Complete Matthew Henry's Commentary has come in mighty handy.



This year my parents gave all of us daughters the most brilliant organizer I have ever seen! Seriously! It is called the Time Keeper: Finding Joy in a Well Kept Life. It has a Month at a Glance with room for monthly Project Lists. Each week takes up two pages opposite eachother and look like this:

The menu planning spot, and room for lists and notes to the right are my favourite part. In the back are perforated grocery list sheets, Gift Idea section, Planning Ahead for 2013, etc. There is scripture and inspiration on each page. A month in and I am still using it and finding it so helpful.

Next, I have been making my way through Karen Anderola's The Charlotte Mason Companion

This book has been such a blessing to me as a I ponder/plan for our homeschooling adventures. It has really confirmed what I already believed and experienced in the classroom and in working with little ones. Although written as a companion to Charlotte Mason's works on Education, I have found it encouraging in my parenting and homemaking as well.

The following books, Hints on Child Training and Honey for a Child's Heart were recommended in the Charlotte Mason Companion. The first is a parenting book from 1890, written by H. Clay Trumbull and he had a passion for Child Evangelism and restoring peace and order in the home. It may just be my new favourite 'parenting book'.

Honey for a Child's Heart is summed in it's tagline: "The imaginative Use of Books in Family Life" and so much more. My children already love books, but this book beautifully illustrates the blessings of quality literature in the home and has really great booklists in the back that I plan to photo copy and keep in my organizer.

Healthy Choices, the cookbook for people who want wholesome, nutritous food. No sugar. No white flour. No artificial anything. I am currently borrowing it from my mom for the second time. This time I promised myself I will copy out the recipes that interest me!



I have been making my way through the Little House books once again. Youth fiction is my favourite kind of fiction, and in my opinion it doesn't get a lot better then Laura Ingalls and her family.


Henry and I are on our second time through Storytime with the Millers. There is a series of books about the Miller Family, but so far the others are a bit too advanced. They are character building stories about children in the Miller family. I only have to mention "Joel and Amos" and Henry starts cleaning up his toys faster then I could have asked :) The Miller series is great for all ages, and I remember enjoying it as my Mom read it aloud to my younger siblings.



I recently also purchased Building On the Rock, by Joel Beeke as another potential read aloud for the boys and I. Some of the stories seem a bit above them, but I am always surprised by how much they understand. It is another character building, short story type of book.

Speaking of Joel Beeke, I am also currently reading The Law of Kindness, by Joel Beeke's wife Mary. The Beeke's were our speakers at Family Camp this past summer, and Mrs. Beeke had a session for Women titled 'The Law of Kindness' that really whet my appetite for this book.

Lastly, I am reading a recently republished book titled "The Mother at Home" by John S.C. Abbott. It was originally published in 1833 and is a beautiful and convicting book about my role as a mother. A quote from the concluding chapter:

She who was first in the transgression, must yet be the principal earthly instrument in the restoration. Other causes may greatly aid. Other influences must be ready to receive the mind as it comes from the mother's hand, and carry it onward in its improvement. But the mothers of our race must be the chief instruments in its redemption. . .O mothers! Reflect upon the power your Maker has placed in your hands! There is no earthly influence to be compared with yours. There is no combination of causes so powerful in promoting the happiness or misery of our race, as the instructions of home.

What are you reading lately?