Tuesday, July 26

On My Nightstand (It's Getting Crowded)

I don't have any projects for you today, but I wanted to post real quick to share what I've been spending time on this summer. Part of it is still post-moving recovery (unpacking, organizing, you know), part is more time spent outdoors in this beautiful summer weather, but another part is that... I actually started reading. Since my kids were born, I've read maybe two book a year. Maybe. I'm pretty sure it's less but I was embarrassed to say it. Sigh. After our last move, we signed up with our new library and I was on their website when I just started adding all these books I've been meaning to read to my hold list. And then all the books started coming in. Fast. And I felt like I had to read them in three weeks before they were due back. It's the best reading motivation I've had in a while! When I head to bed, instead of reaching for my phone or grabbing the laptop to write a post, I'm picking a book from my stack. And I'm starting to remember that I actually like to read.


So here's what's been on my nightstand this summer:

Alignment Matters by Katy Bowman - This is one I own but hadn't cracked yet, and it's the second of her books of read (I've also read Move Your DNA) and both have been excellent. This is great movement-lifestyle stuff to keep your body healthy and moving well. I like her writing so well I actually ordered three more of her books - Whole Body Barefoot, Diastasis Recti, and Don't Just Sit There.

What Women Fear by Angie Smith - This is another one I got for Christmas, and I'm loving it, too. It especially speaks to my mom-self.

Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan - A little fiction to keep things fresh. I don't want to give any spoilers if you haven't read it, but I did enjoy this one quite a bit, too. I love having some fiction in the stack to help me keep myself chugging along.

Give them Grace by - I'll tell you, the idea of this book really sounded great - parenting from an attitude of grace. But I could. not. get. through. it. I already returned it half finished. I don't know if it's just not written in a style I enjoy? I would hit ideas that made me stop and go "oh! this makes sense! I'll give it a try." but for the most part it was so wordy I felt like each chapter was dragging me through quicksand. If you ever read it, please give me the Cliff Notes version. K, thanks.

Teaching from Rest by Sarah Mackenzie - L.O.V.E.D. this read about homeschooling (without going crazy). It's short, quick, and full of great ideas I can implement right away. This one is going on my must-buy list.


The boys and I have been reading quite a bit, too. We started Little House in the Big Woods and are still working away at the Magic Tree House series, but have mostly been burning through all the library books they can carry for the Library's summer reading program. If you're looking for a good laugh, they've also been loving the book I Ain't Gonna Paint No More.

I recently discovered Read Aloud Revival and it has been inspiring to read more with the boys and read better. That's also where I heard about Simple Homeschool's Read the World Summer Book Club and we've been adding books about different regions to our library haul every week. It's based on the book Give Your Child the World which is full of wonderful ways to open their eyes to the bigger world around them.


Our library also has a great downloadable collection. Husband and I have both been working our way through the How to Train Your Dragon Series read by David Tennant. It's been great, and I love being able to listen while I work on other things. 


I just picked up Honey for Child's Heart (another book about reading with kids, but haven't started it yet) and 'Til We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis (which I haven't been able to put down. I love a little fiction, okay?)


So I guess I'm favoring a little self-improvement and reading about reading, with a sprinkle of fiction on top. I'm looking for more book ideas once I finish these, so....

What are you reading this summer? 

P.S. Don't forget to come enter our giveaway!

4 comments:

  1. Same thing happened to me with "give them grace." I love the idea, use the gospel to help your kids understand life. Teach them about grace, forgiveness, why need Jesus. I just couldn't get into it. Too wordy or something, but great reminder.

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    1. I'm glad it's not just me! Definitely very wordy. :/

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  2. Life is a balancing act. Give kids direction, love, boundaries, time to explore, discipline, discipleship, punishment, rewards, and through it all grace. And...remember to give yourself grace. You are no more perfect than they are. Give yourself grace as well when raising your kids. God will fill in the gaps; after all, they are His kids first.

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