Reading Journal: April

 

I really struggled in March to get any reading finished, but once I had adjusted myself to the fact that I was going to be stuck at home I finally found a reading groove. Honestly, my list looks long which surprises me because I don't feel like I have spent too much extra time reading. I think most of my reading came from read-alouds that I did with my kids. With everything dropped from our school schedule the read-alouds didn't get bypasses as easily. A good month overall!

Books read in April

Fiction:

• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (audio) - This was the pick for The Close Reads podcast which was so exciting for me since this is probably one of my favorite books. I decided to listen to the Rachel McAdam's narration that Audible put out a few years ago and which everyone raves about. So I am going to go out on a limb and say that while I really liked Rachel McAdam's as a narrator, but I think the Barbara Caruso version is better. Of course, that is probably because that is the version I first listened to. Anyhow, Anne was a great pick especially since we are in quarantine and I it helped me get the reading juices going. 
• The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay (audio) - I have enjoyed quite a few of Katherine Reay's books and decided to download this one from the library. I think I may have enjoyed this more in book form than audio. This was an okay read, but I can't say it was a favorite.
• Blandings Castle by P.G. Wodehouse (audio) - I always enjoy P.G. Wodehouse when life gets weird and have wanted to go through the Blandings books in order. This was book 2 and I didn't realize that it was more short stories than one story. The first part dealt with Blandings and then the rest were other stories most of them Mulliner stories. Again, not one of my favorite listens.
• The Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse (read-aloud) - When we went under the stay-home order I picked this up and started reading aloud to my older kids. This is one of the best Jeeves and Wooster books and even though we all have read it we enjoyed it again. (My kids probably would have preferred the audio version since my French pronunciation is really, really bad!)
• Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon - Continuing on with the Mitford series. When I first read this book years ago I was hesitant to pick up the next book in the series since I didn't particularly enjoy it. I am glad to say I did like it better this time around and I think it helped that I have been reading through the books though I feel the following books are better.
• The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (audio) - I listened to this along with The Literary Life Podcast. A funny read.
• In the Company of Others by Jan Karon - Another Mitford book and totally enjoyable. It happens in Ireland so you can't go wrong.
• The Reb and the Redcoats by Constance Savery - (read-aloud) This was a read-aloud with my youngest daughter. I read this aloud years ago to my older kids. This is such a great book about the Revolutionary War and takes place in England. I great twist on the Revolutionary War. Highly recommended!
• Rules of Civility by Amor Towles - A few years ago I read A Gentleman in Moscow and really enjoyed it. This is the author's first book and most everyone gives it rave reviews so I decided to give it a try. Honestly, I'm glad I read this after A Gentleman in Moscow because I don't think it even compared and I would have never read A Gentleman in Moscow based off of this book.
• Scout: The Secret of the Swamp by Piet Prins (read-aloud) - While reading The Code of the Woosters to my big kids my youngest, Delani, wanted to read about Scout. Again, this was another book I read to my oldest kids and Delani really enjoyed it.
• The Steel Wave (World War II: 1939-1945, #2) by Jeff Shaara (read-aloud) - From my last Reading Journal I had listed the first book that I read aloud to my son while he is studying World War II. Again, we are really enjoying this series. (A side note: There is some language which is one reason I'm reading it aloud.)

Non-Fiction:

• Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe by Todd Wilson - This is a little book that packs a powerful punch. This is addressed to homeschool moms but there is so much truth in the fact that all moms can easily be drawn into lies about parenting, housework, childbearing, homeschooling, etc. that quickly control our thoughts and soon we believe some very wrong thoughts. Some may think that Todd Wilson is over the top in some of his suggestions, but I think it is a necessary since we mom's are so bad at listening. Great read. 
• Rhythms of Rest: Finding the Spirit of Sabbath in a Busy World by Shelly Miller - I listened to a podcast that Shelly Miller was featured on and then a few weeks later I walked into the Christian bookstore and found the book on clearance for $4. I really enjoyed this book. The way she talks about doing Sabbath is very doable and she didn't beat the reader over the head about how getting off our phones will bring peace to our lives. Her scope for having Sabbath goes way beyond phones which I think is very overlooked in self-help books that are being published today. A great read and one I hope to implement in some way shape or form in my life. Probably not perfectly, but she assures her readers that that is okay. Highly recommended!