I am thankful for books.

If I could have any superhero power, I would love to SPEED READ and retain everything. I am not a slow reader, but I just don't have enough time in the day to read all that I want to. I usually have about 10 books that I read throughout the day. These are the books that are currently on my nightstand... I am going to tell you about them (quickly) so I can return to my bed and enjoy QUIET TIME. The baby only sleeps for so long :(


Starting from the bottom up:

• Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne. I've already talked about this one a few times. So has Jane.
• God Wants a Powerful People by Sheri Dew. Love her. Easy and enlightening read.
• Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. Not an easy read but it is unbelievably powerful. I adore CS Lewis. His works have changed me. I can only read about a chapter at a time of his stuff before I need a break.
• The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. This is not a novel nor is it lighthearted reading, but I love him and the awareness he brings his readers. This is not a new religion, btw.
• The Book of Mormon. I believe this book to be true.
• A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille. This is my homeschooling BIBLE. It's not a homeschooling book, but a book for any parent or teacher who wants to inspire (not require) their students or children to learn. I LOVE this book and if I ever get frustrated, I pick up this book and immediately feel better. It's a must read, especially if you're thinking about homeschooling..
• Leadership Education: The Phases of Learning by Oliver and Rachel DeMille. A guide to bringing A Thomas Jefferson Education into your home.
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I read this book every year. It never gets old. Is it better than the movies? A million times better. I love this particular copy because it's paperback and I can mark it up. Love.
  
• Invest in the Best-- Your Kids by Karla Erickson. This is an old book I stole off my mom's bookshelf. I think it's out of print, but you could probably find it at the library. If I ever write a book, it will be along these lines.
  
• 50 Things that Really Matter- with 50 different authors. This is a hallmark book that really should be next to a toilet. It's fifty 2-3 page stories that celebrate the simple pleasures in life.

So, these are the books that I am currently reading. It does NOT include the novels I am reading to my kids. In October we read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Rip Van Winkle AND Great Expectations. We needed A LOT of help for Great Expectations. Thank goodness for Cliff Notes and children's illustrated classics! But we got through!! About a week after finishing the book, Ben said to me in the kitchen, "There are three main lessons from Great Expectations." When I asked him what they were, he said, "#1 It's not always better to be rich. #2 Spend your money carefully. #3 Never like girls who are mean to you." That little conversation made those agonizing nights of reading a difficult book SO worth it!

For November we're reading Old Yeller and Where the Red Fern Grows. I know, two super sad DOG books. We have 20 pages to finish Old Yeller and it's been a great read for little boys. None of them have seen the movie, so they are in for a surprise ending. No one has cried.... yet.