What's On Your Nightstand - October

October seemed to go by at a leisurely pace, until I realized way too late last night that it was time for a What's On Your Nightstand post. I guess I was in la-la land. November doesn't seem too busy, but I'm divided on what to read so I am keeping my nightstand open for possibilities.

For November:

From September's Nightstand I read:

• Hero On a Bicycle by Shirley Hughes - An okay story. We love Hughes Alfie stories for little kids, and event this story is for older kids I didn't find it a great read.
• Stories from the Old Squire's Farm by C.A. Stevens - This was an excellent read. Stevens is definitely a storyteller. I am hoping to make this an upcoming read-aloud with my kids.
• A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War by Joseph Laconte - Another very compelling and eye-opening read.

I also read:

• Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler - This is supposed to be a modern re-telling of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. Unfortunately there was no shrew, but only a very nondescript, boring female character. The more I think about it I'm not sure how funny a shrew would be in our day and time which could explain why the character was boring. Anyhow, skip this and just read the original. 
• Irish Meadows by Susan Anne Mason - This book was first in The Courage to Dream Series. I haven't read much Christian fiction lately and I liked these well enough. I have found I'm not reading CF quite the same since hopeinbrazil at her Worthwhile Books Facebook page has been posting silly sentences from Christian Fiction. These sentences now jump off the page at me. :)
• A Worthy Heart by Susan Anne Mason - ditto above
• Love's Faithful Promise by Susan Anne Mason - ditto above
• The Secret Keepers by Trenton Lee Stewart - The Mysterious Benedict Society books have been a big hit with my kids. When this came out we quickly ordered it from the library and my daughter read it. She was a little unsure on what to think about it so she insisted that I read it. So I did and we have had several discussions about the characters and the dilemmas they face. Honestly, I can't ask for more than that. Carrie at Reading to Know reviewed it so check her review out. 
• To Love, Honor, and Vacuum by Sheila Gregoire - This is a great title, but I can't say anything in it is profound or life-changing. Maybe if I was at a different stage in life. 

I listened to:

• Frederica by Georgette Heyer - This is my favorite Georgette Heyer book! Back in 2013 I noted that that this book was "filled with rambunctious children, a ravishing beauty, a sensible sister, and a bachelor--fun, fun, fun!!" and I think that still stands.

See what others have read over at 5 Minutes for Books.

Wednesdays with Words (Stories from Old Squire's Farm)

I just finished reading Stories from the Old Squire's Farm by C.A. Stephens which was recommended by Brandy from Afterthoughts. I am sharing a portion from the chapter entitled "Addison Wins the Debate". I did borrow this from the library but will soon be adding it to our book collection.

The author talks about a big debate that they had concerning the weekly debates that he termed "...one of the best features of our school days...". This chapter was very interesting since their debate centered around Andrew Johnson being impeached. I may have to go re-read about his period of history again.

The regularity with which these debates were maintained was due largely to the enthusiasm of our preceptor, Mr. George F. Kennard, who was wont to call on the students early every term to organize a debating society. Throughout four years--allowing for unavoidable postponements--ninety-two debates were held and a wide range of questions discussed. Current political questions were sometimes excluded, as likely to stir hard feelings. In strict point of fact, however, no great harm ever came from debating political questions; rather it trained us to habits of self-restraint, taught us to respect the opinions of opponents, and to be tolerant and good-natured toward them. In truth it should be put down as a rule, that a student, young or old, who cannot control his temper in a debate, keep good-humored, and be courteous to those who differ from him, is just the person who needs to take part in one--till he can. If a debater loses his temper, there is but one good medicine for him--to laugh him out of his weak egotism. p. 284