The long, hot month of July has flown by in a blur of constant activity. Summertime is when we are busiest in the library, preparing for a new year by processing new books and new members, consulting with moms to help them prepare for the coming school year, and recording podcasts for the fall. I… Read More July’s Reading
The long-awaited day has arrived. After years of dreaming, we are proud to announce that we have reprinted our first book! Our library is packed with books most families cannot use because they are old, out of print, expensive, or unavailable. Families interested in using living books for their curriculum especially desire good non-fiction titles.… Read More Men, Microscopes and Living Things
The question this week comes from a mom of two teen boys. “They are both good readers,” she explains, “but do not read for pleasure, only if required. Part of the problem, I’m sure, is the way they spend too much time with electronic entertainment. Do you have any ideas how to wean them off… Read More Electronics and the Unreading Habit
Here is the question of the week: “My daughter wants to read the books her friends are reading. I have not read these and am suspicious that they are not worthy books. How can I encourage her to read excellent literature when she is wanting to read the things her friends are talking about?” The… Read More What’s a Mother to Do?
A mother wrote me about her eight-year- old son who is crazy about books. He has piles next to his bed, a basket full in the car, and walks around with a book in his hand. This is thrilling, but her concern is that he often peeks at the end first. I know adults who… Read More Is It Cheating to Read the Ending First?
Happy Independence Day. I take a moment today to give thanks to God for the gift of living in a country where I am still free to read, and consequently think and live, that the rich world of literature is wide open to me. Here’s the list of books I finished reading in the marvelous… Read More June Books
The next question that came in for me to address ran as follows: “My 16-year- old son was once an avid reader—read historical fiction, fantasy, and children’s classics over and over again. Then, he fell out of love a few years ago. He says he only wants to read fiction about people his own age… Read More My Son’s Lost that Readin’ Feelin’
Here’s another summer reading question: “I would like to know any tips you have for my 11yo son who has struggled to learn to read. He is now able to read on his own; he read through all of the Three Boys series and is now onto The Happy Hollisters. (I still think he prefers… Read More Growing Pains in Reading
I decided just to take this pile of summer reading questions in order, and this second one is a request for favorite audio books for the car. Can anything beat making the trip shorter like listening to stories as the miles slide by? They keep the driver awake and the children quiet. I haven’t traveled… Read More Summer Reading in the Car
Considering the packed calendar this month, I’m somewhat amazed that I read or finished reading the following this month: 1. The Mistress of Husaby by Sigrid Undset. This is the second in the trilogy of Kristin Lavransdatter and picks up where the first left off, following her through her first ten years of marriage. I… Read More My May Reading