A while back, I wrote a Top Ten post of our favorite fantasy book series. It was supposed to be a list of our favorite kids' books, but then I realized that most of them were series, and the vast majority were fantasy. So I promised to do another post about our favorite non-fantasy stand-alone chapter books. Here it is: our favorite (mostly) stand-alone chapter books:
The American Girls Series
Look at that - the first one is a series. Oops. And it's not just a series, but a series of series. What can we say? My girls loved them all. (The "Julie" books came out just after they had decided they had outgrown them, so when I say "all", I mean all the ones that came out before that time.) Swimmah's favorites were Kirsten and Felicity, and Turtlegirl's were Kaya and Molly. These are great for introducing American history.
The Little House Books
Oh, wait, that's another series... I read Little House on the Prairie many, many years ago, when the TV show first started. I liked it, but not enough to read the other books in the series. So a few years ago, we started with Little House in the Big Woods and continued through the series. I think my favorite was The Long Winter. These are also great for sparking an interest in American history.
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
Winner of the 1956 Newberry Medal. Based on the life of Nathaniel Bowditch, this book retells his life story, from his start as an indentured servant to his self-education and his eventual writing of The American Practical Navigator (also known as the Sailor's Bible, still in use today). This was suggested for a book group discussion by one of the families in the group. The kids voted on which books to read each month, and this one only got one vote each month, until the end of the year, when there wasn't much left to choose from. The kids reluctantly agreed to read it. It ended up being the favorite book read that year!
Call of the Wild by Jack London
Another book group book. I thought this book was a little advanced for the kids in the group at the time, but they seemed to love it. I know Turtlegirl did. She was only about 10 at the time and I was concerned that it was too violent for her, but it didn't seem to bother her. Should I be concerned about that?!
Winged Watchman by Hilda van Stockum
Another book group book. This is about a Dutch family during the Nazi occupation of Holland. They hide a downed air pilot as well as others. Exciting and suspenseful, not to mention a great discussion starter.
The Great Turkey Walk by Kathleen Karr
Yet another book group selection. This takes place in the US in 1860. A young man decides to herd a huge flock of turkeys from eastern Missouri to Denver, where he can get a good price for them. Rather more lighthearted than the previous two listed.
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
Winner of the 1959 Newberry Medal. We actually read this twice, once to go along with our history study, and again with the above mentioned book group. In the year 1687, Kit Tyler arrives in Connecticut Colony from her home in Barbados to live with her uncle and his family. It's quite the culture shock. When I was a little girl, we had a copy of this book in our house, but I never read it because there was the word "witch" in the title and the picture on the cover looked spooky. I was such a chicken! When I read this as an adult to my children, I wanted to go back in time to tell my nine-year-old self that there is nothing spooky about it and to just read it!
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
This is another we read with the book group. We also watched one of the movie versions (think it was Disney) and also got to see the play at Hartford Stage. We all really enjoyed this as a book and as the play. The movie was less memorable.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Turtlegirl picked this up at the library to read as a follow-up to Tom Sawyer, but found it too difficult on her own. I was actually happy to read it aloud to both her and Swimmah so we could discuss it as we read. I know a lot of people have issues with a particular word in this book, but I explained the historical context (as well as the contemporary context). I guess they're pretty sheltered - I don't think they have ever heard that word used except in a historical context. It was a bit awkward for me reading it aloud - I did consider looking for an audio version so I wouldn't have to deal with it, but in the end I just read it myself. Despite that issue, it really is a great book and well worth the read. There's a reason it's considered one of the great American works of literature.
Hmmm, looking over this list, I see that most of the non-fantasy books my kids have read were required reading. Oh well!
What are some of your favorite books?
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Monday, October 1, 2012
Books Read in August and September
I was a bit remiss in posting books read in August. I had actually started it as a draft and then just didn't get around to completing it and posting it until now, so I am doing two months at once.
The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
This is a book I had been meaning to read for years now. I finally picked it up at the library in early August. I'm glad I read it. Swimmah has been particularly taken with the dystopian genre for several months now and this is one that I will recommend to her.
The Language of Flowers - Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Recommended to me by my sister. Victoria turns 18 and is emancipated from the foster care system; she now has to find her own way in life.
The Lost Wife - Alyson Richman
Recommended to me by my mother-in-law. This is about a newlywed couple who are separated by the Holocaust, and reunited decades later. Bittersweet.
The Giver - Lois Lowry
A reread, our first family book discussion selection. We all enjoyed the book and had a great discussion! We have also discovered that she wrote three companion books to make a quartet. The last one is being released October 2, 2012. We'll have to look for those. Another dystopian novel.
How to Get Your Kids to Get Things DONE! - Jim Erskine
This ebook is really an article, not a whole book. Luckily, I got it for free on my kindle. I would have been really disappointed if I had paid for it and then read it all in about 10 minutes. Not to mention that it still didn't answer my question of HOW to get your kids to get things done. Make a list, have them start first thing in the morning, yada, yada, yada... I guess I was looking for more of how to get your kids to want to get things done, to want to get a great education. I already know the answer to that (see link to article on reluctant learners). I guess I was just looking for more inspiration for the start of the school year.
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand - Helen Simonson
I really enjoyed this one! The Major is nothing if not quietly dignified in all situations. He is also immensely likable.
Project-Based Homeschooling: Mentoring Self-Directed Learners - Lori McWilliam Pickert
I mentioned this previously. I did finish it and highly recommend it to anyone homeschooling, or thinking about homeschooling.
The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
This is a book I had been meaning to read for years now. I finally picked it up at the library in early August. I'm glad I read it. Swimmah has been particularly taken with the dystopian genre for several months now and this is one that I will recommend to her.
The Language of Flowers - Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Recommended to me by my sister. Victoria turns 18 and is emancipated from the foster care system; she now has to find her own way in life.
The Lost Wife - Alyson Richman
Recommended to me by my mother-in-law. This is about a newlywed couple who are separated by the Holocaust, and reunited decades later. Bittersweet.
The Giver - Lois Lowry
A reread, our first family book discussion selection. We all enjoyed the book and had a great discussion! We have also discovered that she wrote three companion books to make a quartet. The last one is being released October 2, 2012. We'll have to look for those. Another dystopian novel.
How to Get Your Kids to Get Things DONE! - Jim Erskine
This ebook is really an article, not a whole book. Luckily, I got it for free on my kindle. I would have been really disappointed if I had paid for it and then read it all in about 10 minutes. Not to mention that it still didn't answer my question of HOW to get your kids to get things done. Make a list, have them start first thing in the morning, yada, yada, yada... I guess I was looking for more of how to get your kids to want to get things done, to want to get a great education. I already know the answer to that (see link to article on reluctant learners). I guess I was just looking for more inspiration for the start of the school year.
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand - Helen Simonson
I really enjoyed this one! The Major is nothing if not quietly dignified in all situations. He is also immensely likable.
Project-Based Homeschooling: Mentoring Self-Directed Learners - Lori McWilliam Pickert
I mentioned this previously. I did finish it and highly recommend it to anyone homeschooling, or thinking about homeschooling.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Books Read in July
How to Read Literature Like a Professor - Thomas C. Foster
I mentioned in a previous post that I was in the process of reading this. I have finished it since then. It is written in a conversational style, so easy to read, with chapter titles such as Every Trip is a Quest (Except When It's Not). I highly recommend it to anyone who would like to get more out of their reading. Now I think I need to brush up on Greek mythology.
Remarkable Creatures - Tracy Chevalier
By the same author who wrote Girl With a Pearl Earring. This is about Mary Anning, the uneducated working class woman who was the first person to discover an ichthyosaurus fossil and a pleisiosaurus fossil. The main focus of the story is on the friendship between Mary Anning and a middle class spinster who shares her love of fossils. Highly enjoyable.
Unschooling Rules - Clark Aldrich
"If you look at class schedules and other school propaganda, you might think that (a) the students' entire day is filled with hour after hour of rigorous work, and (b) even more hours are needed. But if you were to follow one student as an anthropologist might, actually keeping track of time spent under instruction and in practice assignments, the real number is a little less than 3 hours."
"Tests don't work. Get over it. Move on.
"And we want tests to work so badly. We love the idea of a simple-to-deploy, objective mechanism that can sort, motivate, and diagnose - the equivalent of quality control at a car manufacturing plant looking for defects. The only problem is that tests do everything wrong. Tests only test the test taker's ability to prepare for and take tests. For example, there is no skill worth having that can be measured through a multiple-choice exam."
Bridget Jones' Diary - Helen Fielding
A re-read. I was browsing in the library, looking for a light summer read when I saw this. I first read it when Swimmah was a baby, so about 14-15 years ago. That was also before I read Pride and Prejudice, so I missed all the references to that. Funny as ever, and I enjoyed the references. (v.g.)
King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table - Roger Lancelin Green
I picked this up because we've been watching back episodes of Merlin. Most of my knowledge of the Arthurian legends is from The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, which was not exactly faithful to the original legends. I realize that everyone puts their own spin on old legends such as Arthur (including the show Merlin), but I wanted to know what the traditional tales were all about.
Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague - Geraldine Brooks
Based on actual events, this novel chronicles the events in a small isolated village in 1666 where there is an outbreak of the plague. I'm not quite half-way through this one yet, but so far I'm finding it very interesting.
All Creatures Great and Small - James Herriot
Still reading with Turtlegirl, a little at a time.
I mentioned in a previous post that I was in the process of reading this. I have finished it since then. It is written in a conversational style, so easy to read, with chapter titles such as Every Trip is a Quest (Except When It's Not). I highly recommend it to anyone who would like to get more out of their reading. Now I think I need to brush up on Greek mythology.
Remarkable Creatures - Tracy Chevalier
By the same author who wrote Girl With a Pearl Earring. This is about Mary Anning, the uneducated working class woman who was the first person to discover an ichthyosaurus fossil and a pleisiosaurus fossil. The main focus of the story is on the friendship between Mary Anning and a middle class spinster who shares her love of fossils. Highly enjoyable.
Unschooling Rules - Clark Aldrich
"If you look at class schedules and other school propaganda, you might think that (a) the students' entire day is filled with hour after hour of rigorous work, and (b) even more hours are needed. But if you were to follow one student as an anthropologist might, actually keeping track of time spent under instruction and in practice assignments, the real number is a little less than 3 hours."
"Tests don't work. Get over it. Move on.
"And we want tests to work so badly. We love the idea of a simple-to-deploy, objective mechanism that can sort, motivate, and diagnose - the equivalent of quality control at a car manufacturing plant looking for defects. The only problem is that tests do everything wrong. Tests only test the test taker's ability to prepare for and take tests. For example, there is no skill worth having that can be measured through a multiple-choice exam."
Bridget Jones' Diary - Helen Fielding
A re-read. I was browsing in the library, looking for a light summer read when I saw this. I first read it when Swimmah was a baby, so about 14-15 years ago. That was also before I read Pride and Prejudice, so I missed all the references to that. Funny as ever, and I enjoyed the references. (v.g.)
King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table - Roger Lancelin Green
I picked this up because we've been watching back episodes of Merlin. Most of my knowledge of the Arthurian legends is from The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, which was not exactly faithful to the original legends. I realize that everyone puts their own spin on old legends such as Arthur (including the show Merlin), but I wanted to know what the traditional tales were all about.
Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague - Geraldine Brooks
Based on actual events, this novel chronicles the events in a small isolated village in 1666 where there is an outbreak of the plague. I'm not quite half-way through this one yet, but so far I'm finding it very interesting.
All Creatures Great and Small - James Herriot
Still reading with Turtlegirl, a little at a time.
Our Top Ten Favorite Kids' Fantasy Book Series
I intended this post to be a list of favorite kids' chapter books, but I started writing down our favorites, and realized that most of them are series. Then I noticed that they were mostly fantasy. Then I kept thinking of others that I had forgotten about. Maybe I will do another post with favorite stand-alone chapter books, and maybe one with non-fantasy books (there must be 10 they liked...). The series on this list range from the ones we read together when we first started reading chapter books to books my kids have been reading on their own more recently.
Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osbourne
These were Swimmah's first chapter books that she read. When she had progressed beyond them and was reading other books, she still wanted to read "the whole series". I pointed out that a new book comes out every 6 months or so, she decided that maybe she didn't really need to read them all. These are great for introducing history (there's one - or a "mini-series" of four - on the Olympics, fyi). The only down side I found was all the incomplete sentences. I know the author/publisher wanted easy-to-read, but couldn't they have done that and still be grammatically correct? It just irked me...especially after listening to upwards of 20 of them! Hence my need to point out that a new one comes out every 6 months - "You'll NEVER be done with them!"
Catwings by Ursula K. Le Guin
These are great beginning chapter books for cat lovers! Mrs. Jane Tabby doesn't know why her kittens are all born with wings...
My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
More great beginning chapter books, but if I remember correctly, we read these aloud, at least the first time.
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
I first read these to my girls to appease them for not reading Harry Potter to them. Now, don't get me wrong, I am (and was then) a huge Harry fan. But I don't think they are appropriate for 7 and 5 year olds. I thought that Narnia was a little less violent and scary, but still exciting. They have loved this series! I read them aloud, we have listened to them on CD, they have each read them to themselves. And we've seen the movies that have come out so far (isn't the next one due soon??)
The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi
I think these were the first chapter books Turtlegirl read completely on her own. More action and adventure, without being too scary.
Redwall by Brian Jacques
Oh my. Turtlegirl loved this series. It has all her favorite things: animals, action/adventure, and humor. She picked up the first one at the library when she was about 8 years old. She tried reading it by herself, but found it too difficult, so she asked me to read it to her. Well, I found it a bit difficult myself. Each type of animal has their own British accent - and the moles! I'm not sure what part of England they're supposed to be from, but I never did master that one (although Swimmah got pretty good at it). I was thrilled to discover that our library has recordings of some of them, but unfortunately only the first 5 or so. Then it was back to me reading aloud. But Turtlegirl was so taken with the series that she sat down, at 8 yrs old, and sewed little stuffed animals of many of the characters. (just a little bragging)
And Winifred the otter came with us almost everywhere for a while:
Tales From Dimwood Forest by Avi
More talking animals, more of Turtlegirl's favorites. There are five books in this series: Ragweed; Poppy; Poppy and Rye; Ereth's Birthday; and Poppy's Return.
Warrior Series by Erin Hunter
Feral cats, prophecies, warring clans. These were Swimmah's favorites for a few years. We read these at bedtime for a while, until I got really bored with them and told her that she had to read the rest on her own. I'm mean like that. She continued to read them and love them, but Turtlegirl admitted that she got bored with them after a while, too. Depends on the kid, I guess.
The Guardians of Ga'Hoole by Kathryn Lasky
This time the animals are owls. I never read these, as the girls both read them on their own. I saw the movie - does that count? Part hero legend, part dystopian society.
Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
Perhaps you are familiar with this one? Unless you are living under a rock, I'm sure you've heard of Percy Jackson. Great fun, great introduction to Greek mythology.
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Did you really think I could write a list of favorite fantasy novels and not include this? I love this series as much as my kids do. I started reading HP when they were babies, after my sister, who had read the first two with her sons, recommended them to me. I put off reading them to the girls as long as I could, back during the height of Harry mania. I knew that they get progressively scarier, so didn't want to rush into the series too soon for them and ruin the experience. I read them aloud, we listened to the audio recordings (Jim Dale is fantastic as the narrator), and they read them to themselves, and we watched the movies (disappointing). They still listen to the audios and re-read them from time to time. They are truly modern classics - every time we read them, we discover something new.
Wait, that's 11 already! I could go on... I didn't even mention the Lord of the Rings trilogy! The automatic numbering gets messed up when I add pictures, so I've stopped using that. I suppose I could just manually type the numbers in, but that seems so archaic. Another time I will list non-fantasy favorites. What are some of your favorites?
Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osbourne
These were Swimmah's first chapter books that she read. When she had progressed beyond them and was reading other books, she still wanted to read "the whole series". I pointed out that a new book comes out every 6 months or so, she decided that maybe she didn't really need to read them all. These are great for introducing history (there's one - or a "mini-series" of four - on the Olympics, fyi). The only down side I found was all the incomplete sentences. I know the author/publisher wanted easy-to-read, but couldn't they have done that and still be grammatically correct? It just irked me...especially after listening to upwards of 20 of them! Hence my need to point out that a new one comes out every 6 months - "You'll NEVER be done with them!"
Catwings by Ursula K. Le Guin
These are great beginning chapter books for cat lovers! Mrs. Jane Tabby doesn't know why her kittens are all born with wings...
My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
More great beginning chapter books, but if I remember correctly, we read these aloud, at least the first time.
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
I first read these to my girls to appease them for not reading Harry Potter to them. Now, don't get me wrong, I am (and was then) a huge Harry fan. But I don't think they are appropriate for 7 and 5 year olds. I thought that Narnia was a little less violent and scary, but still exciting. They have loved this series! I read them aloud, we have listened to them on CD, they have each read them to themselves. And we've seen the movies that have come out so far (isn't the next one due soon??)
The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi
I think these were the first chapter books Turtlegirl read completely on her own. More action and adventure, without being too scary.
Redwall by Brian Jacques
Oh my. Turtlegirl loved this series. It has all her favorite things: animals, action/adventure, and humor. She picked up the first one at the library when she was about 8 years old. She tried reading it by herself, but found it too difficult, so she asked me to read it to her. Well, I found it a bit difficult myself. Each type of animal has their own British accent - and the moles! I'm not sure what part of England they're supposed to be from, but I never did master that one (although Swimmah got pretty good at it). I was thrilled to discover that our library has recordings of some of them, but unfortunately only the first 5 or so. Then it was back to me reading aloud. But Turtlegirl was so taken with the series that she sat down, at 8 yrs old, and sewed little stuffed animals of many of the characters. (just a little bragging)
 |
| Martin the Warrior and Cornflower on a whale watching trip. |
 |
| She's much larger than the mice, but then, otters are bigger than mice. At a butterfly conservatory. |
Tales From Dimwood Forest by Avi
More talking animals, more of Turtlegirl's favorites. There are five books in this series: Ragweed; Poppy; Poppy and Rye; Ereth's Birthday; and Poppy's Return.
Warrior Series by Erin Hunter
Feral cats, prophecies, warring clans. These were Swimmah's favorites for a few years. We read these at bedtime for a while, until I got really bored with them and told her that she had to read the rest on her own. I'm mean like that. She continued to read them and love them, but Turtlegirl admitted that she got bored with them after a while, too. Depends on the kid, I guess.
The Guardians of Ga'Hoole by Kathryn Lasky
This time the animals are owls. I never read these, as the girls both read them on their own. I saw the movie - does that count? Part hero legend, part dystopian society.
Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
Perhaps you are familiar with this one? Unless you are living under a rock, I'm sure you've heard of Percy Jackson. Great fun, great introduction to Greek mythology.
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Did you really think I could write a list of favorite fantasy novels and not include this? I love this series as much as my kids do. I started reading HP when they were babies, after my sister, who had read the first two with her sons, recommended them to me. I put off reading them to the girls as long as I could, back during the height of Harry mania. I knew that they get progressively scarier, so didn't want to rush into the series too soon for them and ruin the experience. I read them aloud, we listened to the audio recordings (Jim Dale is fantastic as the narrator), and they read them to themselves, and we watched the movies (disappointing). They still listen to the audios and re-read them from time to time. They are truly modern classics - every time we read them, we discover something new.
Wait, that's 11 already! I could go on... I didn't even mention the Lord of the Rings trilogy! The automatic numbering gets messed up when I add pictures, so I've stopped using that. I suppose I could just manually type the numbers in, but that seems so archaic. Another time I will list non-fantasy favorites. What are some of your favorites?
This post is linked to Top Ten Tuesday.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Books Read in June
I meant to write this post yesterday, being the last day of the month and all, but I guess June just slipped away. So here we are:
The House of the Seven Gables - Nathaniel Hawthorne
Finished! This was tough to get through. I have to say I am not a fan of Hawthorne. I have also read The Scarlet Letter and one of his short stories that Swimmah was assigned for a literature class last fall, and now I think I can safely say that I do not care much for Nathaniel Hawthorne, thank you.
Emma - Jane Austen
A re-read. This is maybe my third time reading it, and I am noticing so much that I had skimmed over before. That's how you know it's a classic, right? One of my favorites.
A Thomas Jefferson Education -Oliver DeMille
Also a re-read. I like to read homeschooling/educational classics frequently to keep me motivated and remind myself why I'm doing this. Yes, we want our children to love learning and to fulfill their potentials!
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success - Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.
I can't remember now where I came across the recommendation for this book. It reminded me a bit of another book I read early in the spring, The Genius in All of Us by David Shenk. The basic premise of The Genius in All of Us is that greatness is not reserved for a gifted few, but that all of us have the potential to excel. It just takes hard work and persistence, more than most of us put to use.
Mindset claims that there are two basic mindsets: the fixed-mindset and the growth-mindset. People with the fixed-mindset believe that our personalities and abilities are fixed; we can't change what we are. So if you are not good at math, writing, or making friends, or what-have-you, that's just how it is. Or conversely, if you are good at math, or whatever, then you are special, and that makes you better than someone who is not good at it.
Now those with the growth-mindset believe that people have the potential to change and grow. So if they are not good at math, then they need to work harder so they can get better at it. And they do. And if someone is better at something than they are, they just think that the other person has had more practice with that particular something. Then they work harder so they can improve. She gives advice on how to promote the growth-mindset in our children, as well as ourselves.
The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
Audio. We are listening to a BBC Radio production on CD in the car. I think this is third time I've listened to this (third time's a charm?), I've read the books once completely through, and of course have seen the movies (more than once). An oldy but a goody.
All Creatures Great and Small - James Herriot
Still reading with Turtlegirl. This may take a while as we don't seem to have as much time for reading aloud as we used to.
The House of the Seven Gables - Nathaniel Hawthorne
Finished! This was tough to get through. I have to say I am not a fan of Hawthorne. I have also read The Scarlet Letter and one of his short stories that Swimmah was assigned for a literature class last fall, and now I think I can safely say that I do not care much for Nathaniel Hawthorne, thank you.
Emma - Jane Austen
A re-read. This is maybe my third time reading it, and I am noticing so much that I had skimmed over before. That's how you know it's a classic, right? One of my favorites.
A Thomas Jefferson Education -Oliver DeMille
Also a re-read. I like to read homeschooling/educational classics frequently to keep me motivated and remind myself why I'm doing this. Yes, we want our children to love learning and to fulfill their potentials!
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success - Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.
I can't remember now where I came across the recommendation for this book. It reminded me a bit of another book I read early in the spring, The Genius in All of Us by David Shenk. The basic premise of The Genius in All of Us is that greatness is not reserved for a gifted few, but that all of us have the potential to excel. It just takes hard work and persistence, more than most of us put to use.
Mindset claims that there are two basic mindsets: the fixed-mindset and the growth-mindset. People with the fixed-mindset believe that our personalities and abilities are fixed; we can't change what we are. So if you are not good at math, writing, or making friends, or what-have-you, that's just how it is. Or conversely, if you are good at math, or whatever, then you are special, and that makes you better than someone who is not good at it.
Now those with the growth-mindset believe that people have the potential to change and grow. So if they are not good at math, then they need to work harder so they can get better at it. And they do. And if someone is better at something than they are, they just think that the other person has had more practice with that particular something. Then they work harder so they can improve. She gives advice on how to promote the growth-mindset in our children, as well as ourselves.
The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
Audio. We are listening to a BBC Radio production on CD in the car. I think this is third time I've listened to this (third time's a charm?), I've read the books once completely through, and of course have seen the movies (more than once). An oldy but a goody.
All Creatures Great and Small - James Herriot
Still reading with Turtlegirl. This may take a while as we don't seem to have as much time for reading aloud as we used to.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Books Read in May
The House of the Seven Gables - Nathaniel Hawthorne
I picked this one up almost a year ago, read the first few chapters, got sidetracked by easier/more fun reads, and recently picked it back up. I think if I had read just one more chapter, it would have held my interest longer. Still reading.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Maya Angelou
I had heard about this for years, and had always been curious about it but never read it. So I finally did, and I'm glad I did. It was well-written and touching.
The Pickwick Papers - Charles Dickens
Been working on this one for a while now. It's fairly entertaining, but very long. I figure it originally came out in installments, so I can read it the same way.
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business - Charles Duhigg
I kept hearing about this, and it sounded interesting. It was, but I have to admit that I skipped over a couple parts about football and corporations.
Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions - Edwin Abbott
This is another one I've been working on for a while. I kept hearing about/reading references to, so I thought I would check it out. For some reason, I thought that it was written in the 1960's, but after looking it up, discovered that it was actually published in 1884. That makes a lot more sense! Not sure I really like it, although part of my problem is that I'm reading on my Kindle so there are no illustrations, and I think the illustrations may be an important part.
The Student Whisperer - Tiffany Earl and Oliver DeMille
I've mentioned this one here. This is about how to be a better mentor to your students.
All Creatures Great and Small - James Herriott
A re-read for me. A read aloud with Turtlegirl, although Swimmah occasionally listens in. Swimmah has gotten busier with her own studying and Turtlegirl needed something with me. Always enjoyable. Still reading.
I picked this one up almost a year ago, read the first few chapters, got sidetracked by easier/more fun reads, and recently picked it back up. I think if I had read just one more chapter, it would have held my interest longer. Still reading.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Maya Angelou
I had heard about this for years, and had always been curious about it but never read it. So I finally did, and I'm glad I did. It was well-written and touching.
The Pickwick Papers - Charles Dickens
Been working on this one for a while now. It's fairly entertaining, but very long. I figure it originally came out in installments, so I can read it the same way.
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business - Charles Duhigg
I kept hearing about this, and it sounded interesting. It was, but I have to admit that I skipped over a couple parts about football and corporations.
Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions - Edwin Abbott
This is another one I've been working on for a while. I kept hearing about/reading references to, so I thought I would check it out. For some reason, I thought that it was written in the 1960's, but after looking it up, discovered that it was actually published in 1884. That makes a lot more sense! Not sure I really like it, although part of my problem is that I'm reading on my Kindle so there are no illustrations, and I think the illustrations may be an important part.
The Student Whisperer - Tiffany Earl and Oliver DeMille
I've mentioned this one here. This is about how to be a better mentor to your students.
All Creatures Great and Small - James Herriott
A re-read for me. A read aloud with Turtlegirl, although Swimmah occasionally listens in. Swimmah has gotten busier with her own studying and Turtlegirl needed something with me. Always enjoyable. Still reading.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)