I finished Little Men a few weeks ago.  I loved it!  I actually listened to it on librovox.org as I was knitting so it was that much more enjoyable.  I found it to be a great book, a wonderful resource, on raising children.  The principles that are emphasized throughout the book could be applied to how we raise our children, specifically our boys today.  It was also a really fun read!  I think that Jakob would really enjoy reading it, lots of mischief, mistakes, and many lessons learned tucked into every page.  Now I'm currently reading two books from my 2011 list.  I started Jo's Boys and Animal Vegetable Miracle.  I'm enjoying both of these.   I'm still slowing trying to get through Democracy In America, but since I missed the book club meeting where we discussed it I haven't read much.  I will finish it someday, but I'm not pushing too hard.  So many books, so little free time.  … [Read more...]

 I finished it!  This is one that I read for a new book club and I just loved!  I believe Gaskell's writings is a mix of Dickens and Austen.  It is a beautiful love story with a lot of social unrest.  I loved the contrast between rich and poor, employer and employee, country and city.  The love story reminds me of Pride and Prejudice.  When I finished the book I was not content until I watched the movie.  I saw it over a year ago and liked it then, but after reading the book I loved it and it is now one that I must own!  A big thumbs up for this book and the movie!  Now I need to dig into Democracy In America.  Wish me luck!Read it, watch it, you'll love it! … [Read more...]

So last night I stayed up VERY late and spent TOO much time trying to give this blog a new look.  I wanted to keep it simple. There are also a few other additions to the blog if you look at the sidebar.  The two that I am the most excited about are the books that we have read and are reading.  I have one of the books I am reading personally and one for the books I'm reading to the kids.  I love seeing what other people are reading and I thought I would share what we are reading.  I'm also going to try to figure out how to link back to the reviews I have done on many of these books.  I may eventually have a list of our favorite picture books, I absolutely adore picture books!  I also am debating if I should list some of the books Jakob is now reading on his own.  Too many books you may say?  Is that really possible?I also wanted to share a new sight that I'm enjoying right now.  Librivox.org is a free sight where you can listen … [Read more...]

I started this back in December and put it down to finish my 2010 list.  Well, just finished it this last month.  So good!!!!!  One of the best ending I've ever read.  I had no idea what the story was about when I started it and I had never read anything by Dickens before.  Well, it was good, very, very good.   … [Read more...]

I read this book this last month as part of a book club.  It was such a fun read!  I've seen the movie and didn't realize that the story was taken from a book.  The book didn't follow the storyline of the movie that I've seen, just the basic premise.  Lots of suspense and romance and such a great ending.  Great book, easy read, loved this classic! … [Read more...]

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I just finished it and LOVED it!!  I have to admit that it took me a bit of time to get into it.  I have watched the movie (the one with Winona Ryder) for years and had a hard time getting over what I thought the book should be.  I was also reading it in little bits, just a couple pages at a time, so I wasn't really enjoying it.  I finally dived in and started reading chapters at a time.  I fell in love.  I loved the lessons I learned on how to raise and work with your children.  Timeless examples of what is most important in life.  That family relationships are better then money.  That your character, your integrity and virtue, and more valuable then what people think of you.  That if you do what is right you will receive your reward.  The love stories were so much richer in the book then they were in the movie.  I so enjoyed the twist and turns, the simplicity, the surprise.  So much joy and love throughout this … [Read more...]

Drumroll please........Okay, here is my booklist for 2011.  24 books.  2 books a month.  I'm hoping to read more, I know I'll be reading a lot with the kids, but these are the books that I WILL read this next year.  I started with Little Women and Thomas Jefferson Education.  I'll let you know how they go.  Mere Christianity C. S. LewisThe Great Divorce C. S. LewisThomas Jefferson Education Oliver DemilleSo You Want to Raise a Boy? Cleon SkousenOrthodoxy Gilbert Keith ChestersonThe Autobiography of Ben FranklinA Philosophy of Education Charlotte MasonAnimal, Vegetable, Miracle Barbara KingsloverPilgrim’s Progress BunyanFinish Tale of Two Cities DickensFinish Les Miserables HugoThe Seven Habits of Highly Effective People CoveyElla Enchanted LevineAgatha Christie BookMarch Geraldine BrooksRebecca of Sunnybrook Farm WigginLittle Women AlcottLittle Men AlcottJo’s Boys AlcottThe Help Kathryn StockettBloodroot Amy GreeneBeautyMansfield Park Jane AustenMadeleine … [Read more...]

I just finished this book this morning.  I could easily read this through again and again, there are so many things to think about, so many things that apply to me in my life.  All I have left to read for this year is Ender's Game.  I'm saving 7 Habits of Highly Effective People for this next year.  You can find my original 2010 booklist here.  … [Read more...]

Loved it!!  I have such a better understanding of the overview of the first 2 thousand years of our history!  I loved all the insightful comments, so much to think about, and I now have a few other Skousen books in my Amazon wishlist and on my Christmas List!  Thanks Aaron for choosing this as a favorite!AND, since I'm really into quotes lately, here is one of my favorite from the book.  "Originally, it was intended in the divine economy of the Lord to set up an order wherein the mission of life for both men and women would be equal.  Through motherhood women acquire a superior position of influence over each rising generation.  This could completely eclipse the influence of their husbands.  Having given so great a mission to the mothers of the race, our Heavenly Father placed them under the presidency of their husbands to preserve a proper balance of power, influence and division of labor.  For this reason there is no power of presidency or … [Read more...]