The July 2014 Book Review

Here's how my reading list for July went:

Bible
The Book of Romans
- This is rather slow going as our Bible commentary is long and complicated, but very worthwhile and illuminating, so I'll continue through Romans for about the next five months if my progress this month is anything to go by :) I'm learning lots though so I think I'd rather go deeply into this one book for now, than be a mile wide and an inch deep in my studies. Whilst reading some more historical background elements of the commentary, James and I had a foray into Proverbs as well and I think we'll continue to dip into these wise verses as we proceed through Romans.

I don't know where I read this recently but it really struck a chord - we overestimate what we can do in the short-term (e.g. saying I'm going to reorganise the whole house TODAY) and underestimate what we can do in the long-term (e.g. underestimating the effects of a little bit of organisation, like sorting a drawer, done daily). The best example I've seen of this in my own life is how it seemed a neverending task beginning to read to my son from longer competent reader/young adult books but I've read him more than sixteen books in the last seven months. My motto should be a little bit every day will get it done or plan big and execute in small chunks.

Breastfeeding
Mothering Your Nursing Toddler (PB, Norma Jane Bumgarner)
- I finally have to accept that as much as this book is "good," I'm just not in the mood/frame of mind to read it. It'll be returned next month, unread, since James and I skipped this month's meeting.

Christian Autobiography
Something Other Than God (HB, Jennifer Fulwiler)
- I planned to read up to at least the end of the first chapter but instead dived right in and am about to begin chapter seven. The chapters are short and easy to read and not so deeply contemplative as I thought, I mean they are for Jen but not so for the reader, just interesting, the book is like taking a walk through her brain.

Christian Non-fiction
Five Lessons from the Carmelite Saints That Will Change Your Life (free e-book, Connie Rossini)
- Lessons two and three - again a little too Catholic dogma focused for me but it gave an interesting perspective on prayer. Simply put it mentioned that prayer is a must because if all else was lost (think stranded on a desert island) we will always have prayer as a communion with God. It also spoke of how holiness starts with love - we love Him because He first loved us - certainly not disagreeable!
I continued on and lesson four covered (briefly) how we should be willing to give up all for God (obviously but truly difficult) and gave examples sports, late night TV, caffeine, chocolate - all very good and then it took a turn for the odd by saying rather than listening to the Holy Spirit's guidance about what "addictions" (or distractions) we should give up for God; we should just deny ourselves something we want each day and "offer it up" - what?! Odd ritual rather than Godly direction I feel. I loved this quote though about how we can be tied down (or kept further from God) by the small issues as well as the big: "It makes little difference whether a bird is tied by a thin thread or by a cord. Even if it is tied by a thread, the bird will be held bound... it will be impeded from flying as long as it does not break the thread." (St. John of the Cross, Ascent of Mount Carmel, Book One, 11.4.)
Lesson five focused on relying on God (good) and I liked the line: "Your sins don't surprise or shock God. He knows you better than you know yourself, and He loves you without measure." The synposis at the end almost captured it all but failed (bad) to mention the need for repentance of sin (direct to God) whilst developing your intimate relationship with Him (good) and ended on the "saints pray for us" line (not for me). I believe in Jesus interceding for us not those already resting with the Lord. Still interesting to read a foray into the differing beliefs of Roman Catholicism.

Dystopia
Finding Sage: The Rogue (e-book, Logan Judy)
- Insomnia and being sucked into this "other" world, led me to work through this novel much quicker than planned. The world of Rogues and a global government had a very high death rate but I appreciated the "realism" of that as a consequence of the "reality" in which the characters found themselves. Very enjoyable, though it ended a lot more suddenly than I expected, I await the sequel(s) eagerly.

Homeschooling
Homeschooling Day By Day: A Thriving Guide for Mothers (e-book, Kirsty Howard - Editor)
- I was very glad I'd bought this in a sale as when I first began it I was extremely disappointed at the VERY short "chapters." Thus far I consider it more of a "Daily Bread" type devotional than a really encouraging "book."
The first chapter's lessons were to let God lead the way and the accompanying Scripture was to keep pressing on toward the goal but there wasn't much actual writing beyond these two universal truths.
Chapter two focused on letting go of pride and perfectionism and the belief in an ability to do it all in your own strength, reminding us/me to rely on God, accept His grace and let Him be our/my strength, allowing Him to shine through us/me. Easy to read, hard to live.
50 Veteran Homeschoolers Share... Things We Wished We'd Known (PB, Edited by Bill & Diana Waring)
- I added this to the list as my hubby has just begun to read this through, so I'm reading it (after about ten years) alongside him so we can discuss it with one another. I've re-read the first six of the sixty (short) chapters/articles under the sub-heading of Concepts, Basics, Priorities, God's Involvement, Christian Character and Blessings and it's very interesting reading it again with more years of research behind me. Hubs has read a good few more so I have a little catching up to do. This was the first book I ever read on homeschooling and it's fascinating to see how my opinions have been changed, adapted or refined over the years.

Modern Christian Novel
For Keeps: Aggie's Inheritance Series (Book 2/3, e-book, Chautona Havig)
- At times it was difficult to stop (and sometimes I didn't) after only one chapter but since I know the Aggie stories will reach an end, I wanted to savour each bit. Very high level of writing in this and I like the quirky inclusion of instant messenger style communications late at night. The faith and servant-hearts demonstrated by the characters in these books is wonderful and very encouraging. Christians supporting Christians is not as prevalent as it could/should be and I'm very guilty of living an insular life, not reaching out to those around (Christians and non-Christians alike). I really enjoyed reading about their journey into homeschooling (the author is a homeschooling mama so she writes what she knows) and it was interesting to see the educationally-trained characters look at the different homeschooling styles (albeit briefly). Despite my best intentions I finished this mid-July but I have held out to read the sequel in August.

Read-Alouds
What Katy Did Next (3/5, free e-book, Susan Coolidge) and
Clover (4/5 free e-book, Susan Coolidge)
- Katy's adventures thrugh Europe and her serenity and grace throughout are a great example. I enjoyed the romance element with its gentility and courtship and the emotions of the Amy storylines had my James saying "Mummy sad" as I swiped away manys-a-tear and choked back sobs-a-plenty. Such a well-written series with characters so rounded out that you feel you know them as intimately as the best of your friends. This quality of penmanship just doesn't compare to so many of the recently published books available. Though Hunger Games was excellent if a little bit different ;)
"Clover" continued the series through Katy's wedding and onto Clover and Phil's adventures in the "Wild West" of newly settled Colorado. Reading through Clover's romances was a different thing to Katy's as she kept her own counsel while surrounded by beaux and then through her subsequent engagement untik she could soeak to "Papa."
We just finished Clover yesterday, which was a marvel as a first read-through for me, as was its prequel, and are starting on the final installment today.
*sniff sniff*
We shall miss all the Carrs.

Self-improvement
100 LB Loser (purchased e-book, Jessica Heights)
- Many tears as I re-read the first two chapters, I've been in such a rut and need to break free. I particularly liked the quotation attributed to C. S. Lewis - "You do not have a soul. You are a soul; you have a body."

Travel
The Valley of Heaven and Hell: Cycling in the Shadow of Marie Antoinette (free at the time e-book, Susie Kelly)
- Cheesy chapter five was read (it concerned cheese). Chapter six continued the journey and history lessons.

I also read a dire modern novel (a free e-book) too poor to mention and now happily deleted from my kindle app., a well-written and typically melodramatic romance, and samples of two autobiographies, the first of which I bought for my Dad for his birthday (lots of toilet humour).

I've been really enjoying getting back into using my kindle app. as that's how we've been reading through the "Katy" books but I couldn't even remember what genre most of the freely downloaded e-books could be assigned. So I set to work and spent the better part of the last week organising the hundreds/thousands of e-books into genres as well as reading the beginning of umpteen different works to help me classify them. Hopefully I'll finish the shunting the last of them into classifications today (only one letter to go but it's a doozey).

This dipping into so many different books has really invigorated me and I am so looking forward to finishing all these barely started tomes. And as we slide into August I'm equally looking forward to the third and final installment of the "Aggie" books and continuing through the rest of my planned reads.

What have you read this month to challenge, stimulate or relax?

The Book List - July 2014

Here's my reading list for July:

Bible
The Book of Romans
- To be read daily alongside our Bible commentaries

Breastfeeding
Mothering Your Nursing Toddler (PB, Norma Jane Bumgarner)
- To be read and returned to La Leche League by July 17th, I plan to read this across three days and then call it done as it'll definitely be a dip in and out book (3)

Christian Autobiography
Something Other Than God (HB, Jennifer Fulwiler)
- I plan to read up to at least the end of the first chapter across two Sundays (2)

Christian Non-fiction
Five Lessons from the Carmelite Saints That Will Change Your Life (free e-book, Connie Rossini)
- Lessons two and three (2)

Dystopia
Finding Sage: The Rogue (e-book, Logan Judy)
- Read two chapters a day until finished (21)

Homeschooling
Homeschooling Day By Day: A Thriving Guide for Mothers (e-book, Kirsty Howard - Editor)
- Chapters one and two (2)

Modern Christian Novel
For Keeps: Aggie's Inheritance Series (Book 2/3, e-book, Chautona Havig)
- One chapter a day, until complete and I'll save the next book for August (25)

Read-Alouds
What Katy Did Next (3/5, free e-book, Susan Coolidge) and
Clover (4/5 free e-book, Susan Coolidge)
- James and I will continue through the old-fashioned delights and manners of Katy and co.

Self-improvement
100 LB Loser (purchased e-book, Jessica Heights)
- Chapters one and two (2)

Travel
The Valley of Heaven and Hell: Cycling in the Shadow of Marie Antoinette (free at the time e-book, Susie Kelly)
- I plan to read at least chapter five (1)

The June 2014 Book Review

Here's how my reading list for June went:

Bible
The Book of Romans
- I read this aloud to James and thoroughly enjoyed the familiar passages, I plan to re-read Romans across July alongside our Bible commentaries.

Breastfeeding
Mothering Your Nursing Toddler (PB, Norma Jane Bumgarner)
- I returned this one to LLL unread but then since no one else wanted to borrow it, I brought it home again!
The Nursing Mother's Guide to Weaning (PB, Kathleen Higgins and Linda Ziedrich)
- The weaning book left me more anxious and unsure than ever with only one section mentioning that empathetic gentle weaning is best, whether gradual or abrupt. Otherwise it cited every method as either working beautifully or more lkely anxiousness, upset, grief and regression in weanlings (wonderful terminology). Unfortunately this book fed into my fears as opposed to being helpful.
Sally Weans from Night Nursing and
Nursies When the Sun Shines
- Since Hubs is keen for James to wean, I ordered "Nursies..." and "Sally..." and meant to make a definite plan with James to night wean as a second step on this path (the "don't ask, don't refuse" policy hadn't dropped any feeds). I planned that we would read these picture books everyday for a week before actually beginning to say no to night nursing but man plans and God laughs. The picture books arrived and I hated the "Sally" book and promptly arranged to return it (amateurish pictures and so "pinkified" in places, with no continuity to the poor illustrations) but "Nursies when the sun shines" is a beautiful book with gorgeous illustrations. "Nursies" features a co-sleeping family (we co-sleep for half the night usually) with a gender neutral baby/toddler and simple language with a repeating sentence structure - a real delight. We read "Nursies," although we substitued in the word 'nuckies,' on Saturday for the first and that night James got up for the toilet at half twelve and went back to bed again until quarter past eight with no night nursing. Sunday night he slept right through until six, when it was very bright in his room (despite a blackout blind) had a feed and went back over until I woke him at eight. My little boy has seemingly taken the book and run with it! Well done monkey-moo.

Christian Autobiography
Something Other Than God (HB, Jennifer Fulwiler)
- Ugh, I haven't even cracked the spine on this one as yet.

Christian Non-fiction
Five Lessons from the Carmelite Saints That Will Change Your Life (free e-book, Connie Rossini)
- I've read only lesson one thus far and it was a good lesson but backed up only by catechisms and quotes from so-called "saints" rather than stated from the Word of God and then supported by quotations from PEOPLE. I 'll continue to read this but the sad fact is that the Bible should be our first port of call for teaching, with comments by mere mortals used only as further explanation of the Scriptures not in place of them.

Dystopia
Finding Sage: The Rogue (e-book, Logan Judy)
- I'm a third of the way through this and it is proving very good thus far. I enjoy the slight fear of entering a new world or rather a possibly bleak future for this world and then exploring.

Homeschooling
Homeschooling Day By Day: A Thriving Guide for Mothers (e-book, Kirsty Howard - Editor)
- Nope didn't even look at this.

Modern Christian Novel
For Keeps: Aggie's Inheritance Series (Book 2/3, e-book, Chautona Havig)
- Haven't begun this but I'm going to set out, to read a chapter of this a day, in July.

Read-Alouds
What Katy Did at School (2/5, free e-book, Susan Coolidge) and
What Katy Did Next (3/5, free e-book, Susan Coolidge)
- James and I are still enjoying our adventures with Katy (we're currently a third of the way through "What Katy Did Next"). "At School" proved aggravating at times as I felt the injustices of the Carrs adventures but delightful as we joined them on the adventure to boarding school and the excitement of new friends. The deligtfully simple amusements the girls enjoyed with their peers and the simple lives they led, free of much responsibility (no exams for one thing and no expectations of careers or even jobs) showed a vastly different life to now. Technology has changed so much when you consider how once a week letters (if you were fortunate) were the excitement of the week whilst now we connect more in frequency and immediacy but less in terms of intimacy than we did then. As we began "Next" it mentioned an interim story in the first paragraph concerning "Johnnie" Katy's little sister so I quickly downloaded this also free e-book.
Nine Little Goslings (2-and-a-half/5, free e-book, Susan Coolidge)
- We read only the first story "Curly Locks" of this collection, to catch-up on the adventures of the family Carr before "Next" and it was rather delightful, especially as this story was entirely new to me. It concerned Johnnie's being "adopted" by an old friend of her deceased mammma and was quite a tale in old-fashioned manners (as are all the Katy books) as Johnnie would not let on to "Mamma Marian" just how miserable she was since she knew Miss Inches was being so kind, or trying to be.
- I'll review "Next" upon finishing it and will finish reading "Nine Little Goslings" with James after all the Katy books are completed.

Self-improvement
100 LB Loser (purchased e-book, Jessica Heights)
- Nope

Travel
The Valley of Heaven and Hell: Cycling in the Shadow of Marie Antoinette (free at the time e-book, Susie Kelly)
- I don't think I've read any more of this one this month

Needless to say I changed my goals somewhat as I did lots of puzzling and read at least six romances besides (of varying quality I must add).

Here's to better meeting my reading goals in July...

Bright-line Rules

As I have been seeking to set ground rules for myself, I read a fantastic blog post from Gretchen Rubin of "The Happiness Project," this post detailed the legal jargon of a bright-line rule as "a clearly defined rule or standard that eliminates any need for interpretation or decision-making; for example...never buying bottled water." More than this concept of bright line rules, however, was the more pithy statement she made in the next paragraph that:

"HABITS ELIMINATE DECISION MAKING."

I knew this to be true, I'd written about it before, only without this sense of clarity or brevity. So often we forget, we break the good habits and maintain the bad, out of a sense of being in a comfort zone perhaps, or not wanting to leave it? I know I have many bad habits and too few good, but with this old and new revelation...

I turn over another leaf.

I HATE MAKING DECISIONS! I am terrible at it, I dither, I dawdle and I try to get others to make decisions for me. In an effort to avoid so many decisions, I can now seek instead to build good habits, and break the bad ones while I'm about it.

Stay tuned...

On a lighter note, in the sitcom "The Big Bang Theory," the character Sheldon, tries a form of decision-avoidance to free up his thinking by rolling dice to make his menu choices etc. Needless to say this one-size-fits-all approach backfired somewhat, as he wished for hamburgers and soda not what the dice decreed, but the concept is valid.

As an aside, I did once read of someone who made the "bright-line rule" that they would order whatever was listed second on the menu (so long as it was something they could eat, or else they would continue to the next appropriate meal). Extreme, perhaps, but if menu options left you in a tizzy each and every time, then making this once-and-for-all choice could be construed as extremely liberating.

What decisions could you simplify with a bright-line rule? What habits could you add to your life to eliminate a decision or two? What are your bright-line rules?

The Book List - June 2014

This month! I plan to continue on my literary holiday to France, as well as "enjoy" a disaster laden future and a sweet-tempered education in long-ago America. Listed according to genre, here's my reading list for June:

Bible
The Book of Romans
- Since I'm listing all my reading plans for the month, including my Bible reading plans will hopefully keep me on track.

Breastfeeding
Mothering Your Nursing Toddler (PB, Norma Jane Bumgarner) and
The Nursing Mother's Guide to Weaning (PB, Kathleen Higgins and Linda Ziedrich)
- You never know, I may actually get around to reading these before this month's La Leche League meeting (on the 19th, I think), if not, it is most definitely time to return them regardless.

Christian Autobiography
Something Other Than God (HB, Jennifer Fulwiler)
- This much anticipated conversion memoir arrived last month and I'm looking forward to diving in. This will be a light and humorous read with many deep thoughts so I suspect it will take a while to ingest this, as I leave time for digestion between chapters. I fully expect this title to continue on into next month.

Christian Non-fiction
Five Lessons from the Carmelite Saints That Will Change Your Life (free e-book, Connie Rossini)
- This very short read should be interesting, if not exactly cohesive with all my own beliefs. I do not believe in praying to God through the so-called saints, or praying directly to them either, but I do feel we have much to learn from Christians who came before us. I also think that their writings and teachings can point us to God and help us grow in our faith, I'll let you know if it changes my life...

Dystopia
Finding Sage: The Rogue (e-book, Logan Judy)
- Written by Moptop of "The Common Room" fame (the DHM's son-in-law). I read the sample upon its release and have looked forward to reading about the rest of Rogue's adventures in a future which despises his "kind."

Homeschooling
Homeschooling Day By Day: A Thriving Guide for Mothers (e-book, Kirsty Howard - Editor)
- I've read only a handful of chapters so far, and only plan to read another one or two this month, as I want to spread out the reading, so the learning can sink in. I was more than a little disappointed by how short a read this actually is overall (despite the wisdom it contains) and was very glad I bought it during a sale.

Modern Christian Novel
For Keeps: Aggie's Inheritance Series (Book 2/3, e-book, Chautona Havig)
- I'll read this sequel in tandem with my eldest sister, so we can compare notes at the end. This folows the story of young twenty-something Aggie and her inherited nieces and nephews (all seven of them), set against a backdrop of faith, hymn singing and reliance on God. We may continue on and read the third (and final) book too - Here We Come.

Read-Alouds
What Katy Did at School (2/5, free e-book, Susan Coolidge) and
What Katy Did Next (3/5, free e-book, Susan Coolidge)
- James and I will continue through these sequels as we follow Katy and Clover to boarding school and onwards.

Self-improvement
100 LB Loser (purchased e-book, Jessica Heights)
- I plan to re-read the first few chapters as I seek to be inspired and motivated.

Travel
The Valley of Heaven and Hell: Cycling in the Shadow of Marie Antoinette (free at the time e-book, Susie Kelly)
- I'll continue my way through this travelogue as the mood and time strike me. It's an easy read and is good for the days when my brain is having an off-day. I'm more than happy to have this title stretch across to next month's list.

What will you be reading this month?

The May 2014 Book Review

Here's how I did with my book list for this month:

• Colony Z: The Albion Tribe (Book 2/4, e-book, Luke Shephard)

As I suspected I got stuck into this (disappointingly) short volume and also read through the rest of series (First Days - Book 3 and Beginning and End - Book 4) and overall this would have made ONE decent length e-book rather than FOUR. The story jumped about in time and had several passages repeat throughout which gave a disconcerting sense of deja vous but the story arc was enjoyable if grim (duh). As with many (presumably self-published) e-books the spelling and grammar was at times cringe-worthy (choose instead of chose and spent in place of spend). These minor errors may not bother most readers but I am something of a pedant so I do despair of such things; a slip of spelling in a blog post is evidently more forgivable than in a purchased book that I have spent my (husband's) hard-earned money on. The characters though were well-developed, especially the relationship between alpha male Owen and his "wife" Hannah. The series ended on a positive note which is always preferable and with much hope for the apolcalyptic future, an interesting well thought out read.

• Daughter of Joy (Brides of Culdee Creek, Book One, free e-book, Kathleen Morgan)

This story ended beautifully with all loose ends tied up neatly, faith for all characters was reaffirmed, strengthened and we saw a story arc of somewhat inherited childlike faith become personal soul-deep and repentant. Very refreshing read.

• The Nursing Mother's Guide to Weaning (PB, Kathleen Higgins and Linda Ziedrich)

• Mothering Your Nursing Toddler (PB, Norma Jane Bumgarner)

The best laid plans of mice and men, both volumes are, as yet, unread; weaning began as gently as can be and I missed this month's La Leche League meeting and so couldn't have returned the books anyhow.

As for the books I read-aloud to James:

• Goodbye Malory Towers (Book Twelve of Malory Towers Boxset, PB, Pamela Cox)

This was a fitting end to the series and left the reader on a high-note of all stories brought to their conclusion and all characters having improved in their conduct and work ethic. A delightful read which my son was sad to see end but that found me sadder than he - I admit to a little boo-hoo upon reaching the end.

• What Katy Did (Book One of Five, free e-book, Susan Coolidge)

The beginning of our foray into the classic adventures of Katy and her family, it had been so long since I had read this that I had remembered only one small detail. I cannot count the number of times I had to pause with tears in my eyes and a catch in my throst from the beautiful sentiments of this story. For one thing I had forgotten the rather subtle and lovely references to God (The Teacher) within and must not have fully appreciated the nuances of the sibling relationships when first I read it. A gorgeous read and I certainly enjoyed it, thankfully so did James - "what wait-y did" he requests ("k" sounds elude him). We have already begun upon "What Katy Did at School."

With a little more reading time, but not quite the desire to read the above tomes, or begin on my own extra reading suggestions, I began upon:

• The Valley of Heaven and Hell: Cycling in the Shadow of Marie Antoinette (free e-book, Susie Kelly)

This travelogue is quite amusing, if a little over-sentimental about animals and meat-eaters and plenty grumpy. I've read about a fifth of it to date and have enjoyed journeying along with the author and her husband as they follow in the steps of Marie-Antoinette and her husband before their fateful meeting with Madame La Guillotine. The author adds lots of interesting historical details about the pair, as well as the less-advertised history of area through which they cycled - this is orobably my favourite element of the work thus far.

• Silly romance story.

In amongst the ranks, this was picked up to be read, when someone else in the family set it down, in the glorious sunshine we enjoyed toward the end of the month. Popcorn reading indeed - read and forgotten as popcorn is eaten and soon forgotten. Also terribly written...moving on...

Tomorrow I'll put up my booklist for June.

My Broken Window List

Gretchen Rubin of "The Happiness Project" asks: What are your broken windows?

Broken windows are "the particular signs of disorder that make [you] feel out of control and overwhelmed." Here's my list:

• Staying in my pyjamas all day, even dressing in rough clothes makes me much more productive.
• Putting off a needed shower, even for much needed extra minutes of sleep, leaves me in the land of unproductivity.
• An unemptied (clean) dishwasher, leading to piled up dirty dishes on the counter.
• Not having clothes left out for the morning (for myself or James) can really hold me back. My brain does not function terribly well first thing, but thinking out my clothing options the night before comes much easier,
• Not having handbag/baby bag/car/picnic packed/prepared the night before an early start keeps us late and makes me/us harried in the getting out-the-door rush. It also means things are forgotten at home.
• Not having a menu plan for the week leads to seven straight days of tea-time torture.
• Procrastinating about little jobs makes them much bigger as I carry them around in my head until they are finally done. E.g. making a hospital appointment as soon as the letter arrives gets the job done and dusted and saves my precious brain cells for other matters.
• Not writing out the tasks a large project involves ensures I underestimate the work and the time-frame needed to complete it.
• Not considering the activities of the days ahead as I think over a time-sensitive project also clouds my vision of how much time I actually have to do the work and leads to last-minute-madness.
• Leaving things until the last-minute leads to stress for me (and usually bad behaviour from me too, sorry for all the grumpies Hubs) and for the rest of the family, as well as taking me away from other activities and from family times so I can get things done in time. 
• Not making my bed can also stall my productivity (if it's tidying in our bedroom) and it also niggles at me, as an undone job every time I pass it throughout the day. Even the fact that I often nap doesn't prevent the necessity of this job (twice) everyday.

I think I can sum up most of my broken windows as procrastination and failing to plan and writing this list brings clarity to things I knew but wasn't always willing to accept about myself.

What are your broken windows?