I had a great month for reading, but unfortunately I didn't have much time for reviews. I had Thanksgiving and my kids' first term of home school all converge at the same time, which didn't leave time for much else. I am giving a small condensed version, but a few I will be posting a more thorough review soon.
I am not making a heavy commitment for December since I want spend some time sewing a few Christmas gifts and I am also excited to have my parents flying out to spend a little time with us for Christmas. I'm sure I'll get more read, but one never knows.
My Nightstand for December:
From my October Nightstand I read:
- Boundaries: When to Say YES, When to Say NO, To Take Control of Your Life
by Henry Cloud & John Townsend - This book covers boundaries in many capacities: marriage, children, family, co-workers, friends, and much more. If you work with people in any capacity this book is a must-read!
- Love Amid the Ashes
by Mesu Andrews - Biblical fiction! Ugh, even though I read many reviews praising this book I had too many problems with it. Yes, I know it is fiction, and yes the author did present it in an interesting matter, but there were too many things I had issue with. It did make me very interested in Job himself, but I'll take my Bible's story any day!
- Money in the Bank
by P.G. Wodehouse - This is probably my favorite non-Jeeves book I've read so far. I will be doing a full review this soon. (Edited 11/28: review)
- Swallowdale (Swallows & Amazons)
by Arthur Ransome (review) Well, I can hardly believe it myself I actually got one book reviewed! This was a read aloud which my kids loved.
- The Year of Learning Dangerously: Adventures in Homeschooling
by Quinn Cummings - Not my cup of tea. Written from a secular viewpoint it tells the author's crazy quest to understand the homeschooling community. There were thing I could relate to, but when it came down to it our worldviews are worlds apart.
I also read:
- A Bride Sews with Love in Needles, California
by Erica Vetsch - This book caught my eye at the library and since I have this thing for Harvey Girls I had to bring it home. I really, really enjoyed it. With the background of World War I and the Spanish Influenza that struck it was an exciting and fun read.
- Lassie Come-Home
by Eric Knight - Another read aloud with my kids. This is the only animal story I ever liked or read for that matter as a kid so I wanted to read it aloud to my kids. I think it was a little more sad this time around, but it was still a winner for all of us.
- Over the Edge (The Kincaid Brides)
by Mary Connealy - Book three in the Kincaid Brides Series and it does not disappoint. Mary Connealy is as funny as she always is.
- A Royal Pain (A Royal Spyness Mystery)
by Rhys Bowen - I started this series and I'm not sure if I like it or not. I really like the heroine, but there are many other things referenced I could do without.
- Royal Flush (A Royal Spyness Mystery)
by Rhys Bowen
- Royal Blood (A Royal Spyness Mystery)
by Rhys Bowen
- Uncle Tom's Cabin
by Harriet Beecher Stowe (review) Wow, I'm outdoing myself ! And here I thought I had been a total failure in the book review department. If you haven't read this get yourself a copy and read it immediately! Every American should read this book.
- With Every Letter
by Sarah Sundin - I enjoyed Sarah Sundin's first series, Wings of Glory. Though I love all things World War II, I really had a hard time liking the two main characters which I found irritating. It ended up being an okay book, but one I just can't rave about.
I listened to:
- The Mystery of the Blue Train: A Hercule Poirot Mystery (Hercule Poirot Mysteries)
by Agatha Christie - Oh, my!! This has been my favorite Agatha Christie story so far. I could not figure out the murderer until Poirot revealed it. I really enjoyed this story!
- Our Hearts Were Young and Gay
by Cornelia Otis Skinner & Emily Kimbrough - This is another book I've read really good reviews about so I gave it a go. I don't know if I would go straight to a great read there are a few extremely funny moments and in the end I think it gives a great portrayal of young girls' dreams and desires.
- The Wednesday Wars
by Gary D. Schmidt - This is my second time to read this book. I absolutely love this story. Since it is set in the '60's there is quite an emphasis on the hippie movement, Bobby Kennedy, and the anti-war sentiment that reigned. It seem to show a very realistic picture of how America was in that time (and no, I wasn't alive then, but I have heard my parents talk a lot about it). I found this a thought provoking book and having Shakespeare's plays interspersed throughout made it even more interesting.
See what others have read over at
5 Minutes for Books.
My word -- yes, you are outdoing yourself!! I read one of the Wings of Glory book -- sad the new series isn't as great, although that's pretty typical. I've heard great things about Townsend and Cloud and their boundaries book sounds wonderful! I'll have to put Uncle Tom's Cabin on my classics to-read list. Good to know it's worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteI've read one book by Rhys Bowen--a Molly somebody-or-other story, maybe?--and enjoyed it, but like you, I felt there were parts I could've done without. I have Their Hearts Were Young and Gay and have always meant to read it. I really need to read The Wedneday Wars since I lke Schmidt so much.
ReplyDeleteAs always, I'm impressed by how much you read!
I agree that "Boundaries" is a must-read. Loved that book. As well as "Uncle Tom's Cabin"--I never read it until I was an adult. I had been missing out.
ReplyDeleteA great list. Thanks for sharing!
Yeah, you kind of did zoom through a lot in the past month! :D I guess even if you didn't get to read very much in December that would be just fine. I hope you enjoy your time with your family!
ReplyDeleteNice reading list! I'm sure you'll enjoy your December reads.
ReplyDeleteI have been slowly reading through Wodehouse. Books. I'm glad to know I have a lot to look forward to!
Happy reading!
Cassandra
I never read Mary Connealy but she sounds interesting! So does the Wednesday Wars. I was a child in the 60s but don't remember a whole lot about that era.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed With Every Letter. I like that Sarah's characters are flawed.
I haven't read any Georgette Heyer, but I think I might look into her sometime.
ReplyDeleteIt's been so long since I've read UNCLE TOM'S CABIN, I should really pick it up again.
ReplyDeleteAlso, my 12 year old son has been asking about mysteries to read, so he's getting an Agatha Christie book for Christmas. I remember enjoying her so much when I was a teen, and I hope he likes her, too!
-Dawn, 5M4B