Books I’ve Read This Year and Why We Read Aloud
I love reading. It’s my favorite hobby for sure. If you ask my kids what I would do if I had free time, they know the answer. I’d read.
I read a mixture of non-fiction and historical fiction. But my favorite has become books for children. I guess that’s why when I read this quote by CS Lewis, I nodded emphatically along.
“A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest.” CS Lewis
When my boys were babies, thankfully iphones weren’t around. When we went to the grocery store, I put a book in their hands. They were mesmerized. At home I read to them before they were able to understand a word I read. I loved simply holding them and reading. It was soothing for each of us.
As they moved into toddler and preschool years, we’d sit for long stretches of time reading. Mostly, because I didn’t like to play. I did play. But given the option, I’d read any day.
So we’d grab piles of books and sit on the couch and read story after story after story. We’d read sometimes an hour at a time.
When they were old enough to read on their own, I continued reading aloud to them before bed. They never wanted me to stop. They seemed to get more out of this time than I realized in all the years of reading.
Here we are in high school, middle school, and elementary school and we are still reading together. When I asked Jacob recently what his favorite part of homeschool has been, he answered “that first year when we’d sit on the screened in porch together, reading books and eating snacks.”
I’ve also discovered a little secret to ending sibling bickering in the car. Audible books! We become engrossed in the story and no on argues. It’s glorious!
I thought I’d share what I’ve read this year. This isn’t a book review. But if they are on the list, I’d recommend them for the most part. Some more than others to be sure. But I have many I quit this year. Time is too short to read bad books.
Here’s a list of the books I’ve read so far in 2018.
Adult Historical Fiction
(Each book listed in this category I’d highly recommend)
Non-Fiction
(I loved each of these for different reasons. All very good!)
The Magnolia Story
Capital Gaines
Adult Fiction
The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers
Parenting
(These weren’t my all time favorites but I’m glad I read them. Especially glad I read the love languages. I needed a refresher.)
The 5 Love Languages of Teenagers
The Way They Learn (Not really a parenting book, but for parents to understand their kids’ learning styles. Not just for the homeschoolers either!)
Christian Living
(These both are in the life changing category for me. Prayer I’ve read twice! I never do that.)
Experiencing the Spirit – Henry Blackaby
Prayer-Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God – Timothy Keller
FAMILY READ ALOUDS
Where the Red Fern Grows (possibly my favorite all time in children’s book)
My Father’s Dragon
Little Women ( I actually just read this for myself. It is my childhood favorite)
Sign of the Beaver
Sword of Rhema (We LOVE this series. This was book 3.)
Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
Green ember
Ember falls
Ember rising
(The Green Ember Series goes down as a favorite in the family. Highly recommend the Audible version. The narration is incredible and really brings the story to life. This is how we read the entire series.)
The lion the witch and the wardrobe
School Reads
Darwinist Dilemna
| Join our community of readers by clicking here. You will receive some fun downloads to enjoy.In case you didn’t know, I’ve written and recorded a devotion on releasing our fears and anxieties by learning to see God for who He is. It’s called Illuminate. Find out more here and listen to a sample.
And if you want to give gifts or fill your home with reminders of God’s goodness, check out my new online shop! My heart is to encourage and inspire you to follow God with wholehearted, fearless courage. |
