Wilder is just the BEST. This is longer and more detailed than #1, but no less winsome, and there are SO many good life lessons here that I still repeWilder is just the BEST. This is longer and more detailed than #1, but no less winsome, and there are SO many good life lessons here that I still repeat to my 7-year old son. I wondered before I read it again if it was too feminine, but it absolutely is not. It's just wonderful. Timeless. Absolutely timeless. Laura is such a pip. What an adventure!...more
My first GIC book that I read and I can't wait to read more. We actually saw the movie first (from the 30s) and I had no idea it was based on a book. My first GIC book that I read and I can't wait to read more. We actually saw the movie first (from the 30s) and I had no idea it was based on a book. Not sure about the original story, but the adaptation was just perfect. And definitely not super watered down--there are some adult themes in here (especially the dead body, that was a shock!) My son loved it. The movie with Spencer Tracy is wonderful...catch it if you haven't seen it....more
I cried just as much this time when Aslan died as I did when I read it as a kid. Even MY kid was like, "Mom, it's going to be ok." And he's 7. :-\ I jI cried just as much this time when Aslan died as I did when I read it as a kid. Even MY kid was like, "Mom, it's going to be ok." And he's 7. :-\ I just love Lewis's writing. Now it's time for me to get into his apologetics library!...more
I love re-reading these with my 7-year old. It was funnier than I remember. "Finding yourself by screaming a lot". So many cute in-jokes that are adulI love re-reading these with my 7-year old. It was funnier than I remember. "Finding yourself by screaming a lot". So many cute in-jokes that are adult-coded (but not inappropriate)....more
I haven't read these in about 40 years, and I'm reading it to my 7-year old son (the way my mom read it to me when I was slightly older), and it was jI haven't read these in about 40 years, and I'm reading it to my 7-year old son (the way my mom read it to me when I was slightly older), and it was just as good as I remembered. I wondered if it would be too "girly" (it's hard to know if the things I loved as a child will be the things he loved), but it's really not, and the lessons and stories about growing up in late 1800s Wisconsin are pretty wonderful (and harsh). Just a wonderful way to revisit the series again, and I'm so glad he enjoyed it....more
Really loved reading up through Easter, and wished I started a little earlier and had been a little more disciplined about daily readings through EastReally loved reading up through Easter, and wished I started a little earlier and had been a little more disciplined about daily readings through Easter. But I look forward to seeing it again next year! A great mix of writers and styles about Easter....more
My John Rosemond fandom continues. He encourages parents not to skip to the "how-to's" (chapters 3/4/5) and instead focus on the foundation of why kidMy John Rosemond fandom continues. He encourages parents not to skip to the "how-to's" (chapters 3/4/5) and instead focus on the foundation of why kids are the way they are, and how parenting (formerly child-rearing) has changed since the 1960's, and it has absolutely changed. He really is the lone wolf in the wilderness talking about this subject. The how-to's were very practical (the charts can get a little complicated, but I understand the purpose and execution), but really it's your approach to your children (authority), and your role in their lives (leadership). As well as your relationship to your spouse (of utmost importance). I bought this as a handbook, but it's also a handy reminder of how important those biblical principles (and he recaps some of these at the end of the book) are to raising children: love God, love your spouse, use discipline wisely and hold the line, and provide leadership to your children. I'm to the point where with basically almost any recommendation he makes, we're trying out. Most of them were how I was raised (I was born in the 70s and my parents in the 40s), and my mantra is: "It worked for me/my husband, it'll work for him." That's doesn't completely track with everything, but about 94% of it. ...more
Dahl is the best. I'm reading to my 7-year old, and I'd never read this Dahl, and since it's shorter, it seemed like it would be easier to get throughDahl is the best. I'm reading to my 7-year old, and I'd never read this Dahl, and since it's shorter, it seemed like it would be easier to get through (and it was!) I'm glad he doesn't dumb down any of his characters or situations--the farmers are actually trying to kill those (sweet, clever, thieving) foxes, and they literally shoot off his tail. Ouch. There's risk and adventure and real challenge in his books. I had remembered bits and pieces of the great movie, but after finishing this we watched the movie right away. The movie does a wonderful job expanding the Fox universe while staying true to the story. Dahl is so clever, his writing so clear and sharp, and his language is perfect for kids. In fact, after reading some of the books I grew up on, and then reading a few more modern ones...I'm not sure of the benefit of reading a lot of modern books TO my kid (many of which are crude or dumbed down). When he reads a lot more independently, he can choose, but there's not much wrong with the authors and books I grew up on, and this was a perfect example. Next up with Dahl, I'm sure, is The BFG....more
I had not read this since when I was a kid, so trust me that being able to read this to my 7-year old son is just about the most delightful thing everI had not read this since when I was a kid, so trust me that being able to read this to my 7-year old son is just about the most delightful thing ever. Only 35 years difference between first and second readings! :-D Dahl is such a treasure, and he's so great at not dumbing down anything for kids. Miss Trunchbull is THE WORST, and Miss Honey is the best, and they really delve into some strong emotional situations, which I appreciated as a parent. Everything is magnified for effect, but the undercurrent of authenticity is there. Matilda in no way feels like a kindergartener, and her parents are just unbelievably neglectful, but the heightened characters make for a great story (and I love how Dahl subtly throws in some great classic Literature for kids to hear about). I completely forgot Miss Honey's story and the big twist of her family connections, so that was fun to rediscover. A great early effort to get into "big kid books" with my son, who was a big fan and already planning his next Roald Dahl! SCORE!...more
I'd heard about this book, and how comically dark it was--and they weren't kidding. I actually bought the first two for my 7-year old, and he enjoyed I'd heard about this book, and how comically dark it was--and they weren't kidding. I actually bought the first two for my 7-year old, and he enjoyed the first one, especially as I read it aloud each night to him and his dad. He understood the clever vocabulary and I don't think it was too much for him (we've also listened to the first 3 books of Harry Potter), so I think we'll try #2, but it's probably just a littttttle bit old for him. Snicket has a great writing style, and the Count really is awful beyond words. It's hard to believe the entire series is this dark, but I'm guessing it is! Surprisingly to see in YA fiction. Worth exploring further, though....more
I've been listening to a LOT of Allie Beth's Relatable podcast this year, and I really give her credit for making me dig deeper into my faith and figuI've been listening to a LOT of Allie Beth's Relatable podcast this year, and I really give her credit for making me dig deeper into my faith and figure out how to respond to social/cultural issues from a biblical perspective (and she's absolutely changed my mind about a lot of social issues that I was "leftier" on, like abortion and IVF--I started listening to rebut some of her arguments, and I really couldn't. Eye-opening!) When I heard about this book, I wanted to check out her arguments against the "you-be-you" and "you go girl!" and "You're amazing, hard stop!" culture that we have today. She was very persuasive, especially when seen alongside the rising rates of depression and anxiety, especially in young women, and how our abandonment of families and serving God and others has had such a negative effect on people (and not just Americans). We've gone all in "live your truth" and "live your best life" and it's made us miserable. She has some great prescriptions for turning this around. I look forward to reading her next book about toxic empathy. So much toxicity! ...more
There's a reason that this story has endured for two centuries, and continues to do so. I found this book on audiobook, and I also had a gift version There's a reason that this story has endured for two centuries, and continues to do so. I found this book on audiobook, and I also had a gift version of it, so I listened to it with my 7-year old and also read along. I was surprised at a few good scenes that I've never seen in any of the adaptations, as well as the very smart decision of basically all adaptations to have the ending at the Cratchitt's house rather than at Scrooge's workplace. But I'd like to see a slightly longer adaptation that included some of the missing elements (mostly in the "Present" stave, like checking in on his former flame as she's surrounded by children, and all the people selling his goods).
This book is powerful because it has universal truths--Scrooge was hurt as a child and abandoned. In reaction, he hurts and abandons others. But we all have opportunities to turn it around and take care of others. And the value of taking care of others is really the most important thing you can do. It's an incredibly Christian book without outright stating it. It's accessible and relatively easy to read, and I'm glad I finally read it after having looked at my parents' illustrated copy of it since I was a child. "God bless us, everyone!" Surprisingly touching, even after all my viewings of all the different films. It still rings true....more
I'm a month into reading these daily devotionals, but I'm going to go ahead and call it--I love Tripp's writing style. It's pithy yet deep, and he seeI'm a month into reading these daily devotionals, but I'm going to go ahead and call it--I love Tripp's writing style. It's pithy yet deep, and he seems to speak to me right where I am, which means God is speaking to me using Tripp's devotionals right where I am. Incredible. I look forward to drinking tea and getting into one of these each morning--it's a good way to start the day....more
This is just a beautiful little book and Young’s writings are concise but meaningful as she asks us to put Jesus in the center amidst the holiday chaoThis is just a beautiful little book and Young’s writings are concise but meaningful as she asks us to put Jesus in the center amidst the holiday chaos. It really is the perfect gift to start to Advent. The art is absolutely charming and serene. ...more
I got a recommendation from Earley in a women's bible study (actually for Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family RhytI got a recommendation from Earley in a women's bible study (actually for Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms), and I heard a podcast where he talked about his first book about the most important spiritual disciplines, and so I decided to start with that one. It's very prescriptive (which I like), and I love his Daily 4 habits and Weekly 4 habits. I (obviously) haven't been able to incorporate all of them (I honestly need to print out the habits at a glance and have them more visible), but I have tried to orient my days/weeks around those ideas and I enjoy his practical tips. As with many things that are written by men, even helpful books like this one, I didn't relate to his level of busyness (I'm a full-time working mom) where he's working 80 hours a week, through dinner (I've got way more family responsibilities that I'm juggling, which is its own unique challenge it seems to women, especially externally working women), the principles and habits are still good. I'm very much looking forward to starting Habits of the Household....more
I was really struggling with feeling the Christmas spirit this season, so I ordered a few books to do some daily study, this being one of them. I got I was really struggling with feeling the Christmas spirit this season, so I ordered a few books to do some daily study, this being one of them. I got this too late to read it all through advent, but the few weeks I read were warm, to the point, and a good mix of author stories and more biblical devotionals. I enjoyed his style, and it was really nice way to start my mornings as we got closer to Christmas....more
I just discovered Ruth Chou Simons from a friend in my church women's bible study, and her books are SO beautiful. This was in a collection of books II just discovered Ruth Chou Simons from a friend in my church women's bible study, and her books are SO beautiful. This was in a collection of books I bought from ChristianBook.com to read for Advent, as I felt the season was getting past me without feeling the true joy of Christmas. This book was absolutely perfect. Not only is it visually stunning, but I love how she broke up the book into 4 sections, I loved the prayers/praise/hymns she includes at the end of each day, and I've enjoyed reading it so much I'm still reading it after Christmas has long passed. It's still good! I feel like she takes a slightly different take on some of God's gifts of Christmas than just following the story of advent and Jesus's birth story. It's broader and deeper than that. (I think that's where the "And Always" comes in of the subtitle).
This is my first Simons book and won't be my last. What a beautiful book to behold at Christmas--I'll be so excited when I get it out each advent season when I do my Christmas decorating!...more
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