Thursday 2 October 2014

The Book List - October 2014

Themes

This month my reading will investigate the themes of sleep, (natural) health remedies, homemade beauty products and dental care. I'll continue to divvy up my reading by time of day, with Sundays focusing different books from the rest of the week. My evening reading will switch between the lighter reads and the self-educating e-books/books I've amassed. I don't intend that all my choices will be read cover-to-cover but rather this is a gathering of all the resources I have at my disposal and this reading plan may well continue into November or not...

"Morning Time"

This is completed with James and will also include memory verses and other rote learning such as months of the year, the alphabet etc.

MT (Monday-Saturday)
  • The Book of Jonah
Reading the Bible book aloud, first a chapter at a time, then reading back through it in sections that correspond to our "New Bible Commentary" below and summarising/discussing the Scripture readings with James. Then reading back through it again in sections that correspond to "Matthew Henry's Commentary." Once completed we'll move through other "shorter" Bible books (e.g. Joel, Amos, Micah, Nahum).
  • New Bible Commentary (HB, Consulting Editors: D A Carson, R T France, J A Motyer and G A Wenham)
I realised that I hadn't listed our Bible commentary in previous months! I'll read through the commentary to accompany Jonah but silently rather than aloud as I had been doing
  • Matthew Henry's Commentary (HB, Edited by Rev. Leslie F. Church)
I've added a second commentary this month, which again I'll read to myself not aloud, as I'm focusing on much shorter, more easily covered books. I'll be interested to see which commentary I prefer.
  • Little Visits for Toddlers and Little Visits with Jesus (both PB, Mary Manz Simon)
These short devotions work much like a perpetual calendar and we should manage to work through both together as even together they don't contain a full month's worth of daily devotions. These are age-appropriate and I'm hoping will allow James to take in more than he has done from the pretty-wordy commentary.
  • Westminster Shorter Catechism
James and I'll continue working through the questions and answers (one a week) from number four on, while I continue my review of the first 25 questions and answers (and reading through their Scripture proofs using reformed.org). We'll also help ourselves with our memorisation by using this wonderful set of CDs
  • Training Hearts, Teaching Minds: Family Devotions Based on the Shorter Catechism (PB, Starr Meade)
Six days a week of short devotionals about each Q&A of the WSC (one a week)

MT (Sunday)
  • The Book of Proverbs
A chapter or a section of a chapter read-aloud and discussed
  • Prayer Handbook 2014/15
We'll continue to pray for our church (and church family) using this as a starting point

Independent Reading Time (between lunch and naptime)
  • James
Two/three different picture books each day and one Winnie-the-Pooh/Dr Seuss book (see below)
  • Mummy (Mon-Sat) Kisses from Katie (HB, Katie Davis)
  • Mummy (Sun) Beyond the Sling (HB, Mayim Bialik) and The Happiness Project (PB, Gretchen Rubin)
My weekday choice is another Christian autobiography, about the founding of Amazima, a Ugandan ministry and charity, while my Sunday choices are: a secular (Jewish perspective) gentle attachment parenting book and a philosophical autobiographical tale of choosing to be intentional and build better habits/follow new resolutions in order to increase personal happiness (again secular but somewhat Catholic-perspective) both of which I've chosen to read in smaller increments.

Naptime Reading/Learning for Mummy (Monday-Saturday)
  • Counting Sheep: The Science and Pleasures of Sleep and Dreams (PB, Paul Martin)
I think this might be a bit intellectual of this sleep-deprived insomniac Mama but hopefully it'll be enlightening too
  • Honoring the Rhythm of Rest (purchased e-book, Daniele Evans)
A devotional of sorts looking at focusing on God to help you through a difficult time or time of burnout
  • How to Sleep Well: Relief and Remedies to Ease Sleep Problems (free e-book, Infinite Ideas)
Focusing in on what makes for good sleep and implementing suggestions, I may well dip in and out of this title
  • As a further part of my month-long commitment to sleep, I'll be choosing to sleep or at least have an eyes-closed silent rest for an hour while James naps following my reading

Read-alouds (during nursing)
  • Fairy Tales Every Child Should Know (free e-book, Edited by Hamilton Wright Mabie)
I continue to read-aloud to James during nursing (after nap and before bedtime stories) and we'll continue our way through Fairytales before continuing on to Mother Carey's Chickens (if we ever finish this mammoth tome).
  • Mother Carey's Chickens (free e-book, Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin)
A classic American children's novel about the life of a family following the death of their father and near destitution, it is filled with much love, respect, community, thrift and character-building morals and they are a wonderful picture of joyous family life, and hospitality.

Storytime (post-nap)
I'll read James' independent reading books to him directly after nap, we've also been reading through one book a day from either his Winnie-the-Pooh mini library or his Dr Seuss mini-library. He's got enough stamina for them (just about) and we'll continue this across October (and beyond)

Bedtime Stories
Daddy takes charge of bedtime stories unless he's working and they involve reading through James' (current) children's Bible and about three picture books, depending on time

Lighter Evening Reading (Mon-Sat)
  • Something Other Than God (HB, Jennifer Fulwiller)
Finishing off the last few chapters of this excellent autobiographical account of conversion from atheism to Christianity (Roman Catholic)
  • ConDeceived (free e-book, Cindy Dyer)
Available here, this e-book tackles the subject of what I always refer to as "God family planning" and giving your fertility over to the Creator who gave it to you. I only have about a fifth of this book and to go and have found it a very good Biblically-based book thus far.
  • From Cube to Farm: Surviving and Thriving as a Stay-at-Home Mom (purchased e-book, Heather Bryant)
The autobiographical tale of one woman's move from a corporate lifestyle in the technology sector to a SAHM and cattle rancher.
  • The Giver (First of four stories in one volume, HB, Lois Lowry)
The tale of Jonah, who lives in a so-called utopia where all is not as it seems
  • The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden (purchased e-book, Jonas Jonasson)
The story of an illiterate girl from apartheid South Africa and her life as it winds around major (recent) historical events and world leaders. A fascinating way to overview the history of a particular year with the everyday man
  • Allerednic: A Regency Cinderella Tale in Reverse (purchased e-book, Chautona Havig)
I'm going on the sub-title for the contents of this one. I've really enjoyed the other titles I've read by Havig so far (Thirty days hath..., Advent, the Aggie's inheritance series) and I'm looking forward to a little "old-fashioned" romance.

Self-educating Evening Reading (Mon-Sat)
Recipes/Homemaking/Green Living
  • The Busy Mom's Make-Ahead Breakfast Cookbook (free-at-the-time e-book, Carrie Willard)
Although James and I don't often have to rush off to morning activities, the occasional morning outing makes a already prepared breakfast a must for this sleepy-headed Mama and the oncoming cold weather make a hot breakfast that much more appetising. Over the last couple of months we have developed a family breakfast routine on Sundays which will need to be much earlier with the approach of a third birthday and starting to attend junior Sunday school (before church) Altogether I hope this book will greatly add to my repertoire of eggs (four different ways), slow-cooker apple barley hot cereal (hat-tip to The Head Girl @ The Common Room) and porridge (oatmeal).
  • Healthy Homemaking: One Step at a Time (purchased e-book, Stephanie Langford)
This is described as "a 52-week journey of baby steps, to help move towards more natural, nutritious and sustainable living." I want to read all the way through this and put some actions onto the calendar, but I know this won't be a year-long project for me. After only a cursory glance, there a few are things I would never consider (e.g. making my own Ketchup), whilst others are things I already do (e.g. using reusable bags). This should provide plenty of food for thought.
  • Accidentally Green: How and Why One Family Began Making Healthy Changes That Honour God and Happen to Help the Environment (purchased e-book, Hilary Kimes Bernstein)
The autobiographical story of one family's move from "normal" to "accidentally green" one small change at a time
  • Go Green! Shortcuts to a Healthier World (free e-book, Infinite Ideas)
Tips to lessen your impact on the world
  • Going Green: A Christian Guide (PB, Catherine von Ruhland)
From the blurb, "at last a no-nonsense guide on how to live as a green Christian today."
  • How to Save the Planet: The Hands-on Guide to Becoming an Eco-superstar (PB, Barbara Taylor)
From the blurb, "a first-aid manual for planet Earth."
I'll be reading all these green living books with a pinch of salt (especially the older volumes) as the green conspiracy theorists have yet to explain the twenty-year pause in their dire analysis of what would happen to our beloved planet. I still think it's important ti use our resources wisely though :)
Natural Remedies/Beauty Products
  • The Curative Kitchen: Gratify Your Taste Buds and Revitalise Your Body with Superior Super Foods, Herbs, Spices and Natural Remedies (purchase e-book, Susan Smith Jones)
  • Folk Medicine: The Honey and Cider-Vinegar Way to Health, A Doctor's Bagful of Health Secrets, This is the Famous Book that has Swept Britain and America, 2'6, 1958 (PB, D C Jarvis, M.D.)
  • Herbal Nurturing: A Family Healing and Learning Guide (purchased e-book, Michele Augur)
  • Herbal Remedies A-Z: Your Complete Guide to Natural Health and Beauty (free e-book, Infinite Ideas)
  • Herbal Remedies for Ailments A to Z: 190+ Natural Remedies for 50 Common Ailments (free e-book, Beau Norton)
  • Herbal Remedies for Children During Cold & Flu Season (purchased e-book, Rosalee de la ForĂȘt)
  • The Lazy Girl's Guide to Good Health (PB, Anita Naik)
  • Living Medicine: The Healing Properties of Plants, How to Prepare and Use Plants with Scientifically Proven Properties (HB, Mannfried Pahlow)
  • Mother's Little Herbal Helper and Home Remedies (purchased e-book, Natalie Vickery)
  • 1001 Little Health Miracles: Simple Solutions that Provide Big Benefits (PB, Esme Floyd)
  • 2002 Health & Beauty Planner (PB, InStyle)
  • Body Butters for Beginners: Proven Secrets to Making All Natural Body Butters for Rejuvenating & Hydrating Your Skin (free e-book, Lindsey P.)
  • 50 Best Beauty Recipes for Skin (free e-book, Kate Hilton)
  • Homemade Body Scrub Recipes: Amazing Natural Body Scrub Recipes That Will Make You Look and Feel Great (free e-book, Anonymous)
  • Homemade Body Scrubs & Masks for Beginners: 50 Proven All Natural, Easy Recipes for Body Scrubs & Facial Masks to Exfoliate, Nourish & Care for Your Skin (free e-book, Lindsey P.)
  • Homemade Body Scrubs & Masks for Beginners: Over 50 Simple & Natural Recipes For Body & Facial Masks to Exfoliate and Nourish Your Skin Today! (free e-book, Amy Barnett)
  • Make Your Own Organic Scrubs and Masks: An Everyday Guide to Simple Homemade Beauty Products (free e-book, Fiona Summers)
  • My Buttered Life - Baby Edition: Recipes Using Primary Butters and Oils to Feed the Skin (purchased e-book, Renee Harris)
  • Natural Beauty Recipes: Wellness Mama Guide (e-book, WellnessMama.com)
  • Organic Lotion Recipes for Beginners: How to Create Homemade Organic Lotions for Beauty, Nourishment, and Skin Healing (free e-book, Marlene Ray)
  • Quick & Easy Homemade Body Butters: Recipes for Natural, Healthy, Additive-free and Simple to Make Body Butters (free e-book, Dogwood Apps)
  • Simple Scrubs to Make and Give (free e-book, Stacy Karen)
  • Soap Making for Beginners: A Guide to Making Natural Homemade Soaps Grom Scratch. includes Recipes and Step By Step Processes for Making Soap (free e-book, Lindsey P.)
I suspect a lot of these recipes, lotions and potions won't appeal to me/our family but I want to improve my/our knowledge of natural healing and alternatives to the over-the-counter/prescription medicines on which we too often rely as well as moving away from chemical laden creams. Knowing I have things on hand to treat symptoms rather than having to always visit a doctor/pharmacy is a definite plus too.

Dental Health Care
  • Questions to Ask Your Dentist (purchased e-book, OraWellness LLC)
  • Tips and Tricks to Remineralise and Repair Your Cavities Now (purchased e-book, Ramiel Nagel)
My dental health is awful despite regular brushing and dentist visits, anything that could improve my teeth (and reduce the cost of treatment) is definitely a plus

Short-burst Evening Reads (Sundays)
  • The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (free e-book, Benjamin Franklin)
By all accounts a fascinating man and a man of good habits and resolutions (which he kept to), I suspect this will be a more intellectual read so I'll aim for a slow and steady approach toward it
  • Discipline Without Shouting or Spanking (free sample only e-book, Jerry Wyckoff and Barbara C. Unell)
I'll be interested to see the authors' approach and whether or not this would be worth purchasing. I don't have a problem with smacking but it's certainly not the only option and I shout way too much (definitely not a strength!).
  • The Happiness Project (PB, Gretchen Rubin)
See independent reading for Sunday, above
  • Homeschooling Day By Day: A Thriving Guide for Mothers (e-book, Kirsty Howard - Editor)
A chapter or so and associated Scriptures
  • The Visit (HB, Adrian Plass)
From the flyleaf, "what on earth would happen if Jesus Himself arrived, in the flesh, to attend Sunday service at an average High Street church?"

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