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The Big Summer Reading List for Moms

When I resolved in January to read, I wasn't kidding!  

The funny thing about reading is this: once you commit to read more, it becomes a bit of an addiction. I can't wait to finish a book so I can start the next one, and I find myself relishing quiet time to read. 

And here's the even BETTER thing about reading: I'm watching my whole family hop on board the reading train, too. There is so much to be said for modeling a behavior you want to see in your children.

(Check out the summer reading list for kids on the blog, too!)

The list of suggestions for this summer include everything from classics to great beach reads, with a few powerful works of nonfiction thrown in, too.  And yes, there are 26 books on this list - and I'm doing my best to read ALL OF THEM this summer!  (It's good to have goals, right?)

Actually, I am going to be driving my oldest to and from her first job this summer - and I think I might be doing a lot of audiobooks and a lot of waiting and reading. 

Here's to a WONDERFUL summer of reading!

The Big Summer Reading List for Moms

Non Fiction

Screens & Teens:  Connecting With Our Kids in a Wireless World

Why Can't We Just Play? : What I Did When I Realized My Kids Were Way Too Busy  (Put this on the TOP of your list -- I laughed out loud and could see myself in so many parts of this book!)

How Dante Can Save Your Life

The Vanishing American Adult: Our Coming-of-Age Crisis--and How to Rebuild a Culture of Self-Reliance

Consuming Kids: The Hostile Takeover of Childhood

Comfort Detox: Finding Freedom from Habits That Bind You

*Because we have been doing some driving this summer, our Audible subscription has come in quite handy. My husband and I took a trip to the beach for our anniversary and completed  How Dante Can Save Your Life -- this is one of our all time favorite books. 


Classics

(I just finished Persuasion - what a lovely Jane Austen book it is.  Her last book, the title was actually assigned to it by Jane Austen's brother after her death. I think it's a GREAT place to start if you're hesitant to read the classics!)

 Persuasion - FREE for Kindle

The Mayor of Casterbridge - FREE for Kindle

Dante's Inferno

The Island of the World




I've been trying to vary what I read - sometimes it's just fun to pick up a book that doesn't make a profound statement and that isn't hard to read.  Those are my beach reads, and I must say I'm hooked on Liane Moriarity! In fact, I read Big Little Lies in just one day at the beach recently!



Books for the Big Summer Reading List for Moms

Screens and Teens: Connecting with Our Kids in a Wireless WorldWhy Can't We Just Play?: What I Did When I Realized My Kids Were Way Too BusyHow Dante Can Save Your Life: The Life-Changing Wisdom of History's Greatest PoemThe Vanishing American Adult: Our Coming-of-Age Crisis--and How to Rebuild a Culture of Self-RelianceConsuming Kids: The Hostile Takeover of ChildhoodComfort Detox: Finding Freedom from Habits that Bind YouPersuasionThe Mayor of CasterbridgeThe Inferno (Signet Classics)The Island of the WorldLincoln in the Bardo: A NovelA Gentleman in Moscow: A NovelLilac Girls: A NovelBefore We Were Yours: A NovelThe Second Mrs. Hockaday: A NovelHalf Broke Horses: A True-Life NovelCity of LightRoss Poldark: A Novel of Cornwall, 1783-1787 (The Poldark Saga)Beauty in the Word: Rethinking the Foundations of EducationThe Core: Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical EducationThe Husband's SecretBig Little LiesWhat Alice ForgotSmall Great Things: A NovelThe Bright Hour: A Memoir of Living and DyingWhen Breath Becomes Air

 


I'd love to hear what you are reading!  Share it with me in the comments below!

The Big Summer Reading List for Moms

April Book List for Moms

Don't you wish you could take a reading retreat? 

My husband and I will be taking a trip (just the two of us!) for our 20th wedding anniversary in June, and I plan to just READ and lay on the beach.  I can't wait! 

I'm already picking out the beach reads I want to get lost in for those 5 glorious days.

Back to reality.... for now I'm at home and continuing to keep up my reading resolution.  The books I read last month range from a HUGE piece of historical fiction to a book written by a friend of mine - fun! 

April Book List for Moms

 

Historical Fiction

I've mentioned before this my favorite genre, and after all of this reading in 2017 I'm still convinced of that.

A Fine Balance

Rohinton Mistry tells the story of India in 1975.  There is so much I didn't know about this time in India's history, and so many interesting parallels between current situations in the world today. 

The writing is vivid, fast paced, oddly humorous, and poignant.  At 600+ pages it is quite long, but well worth the time investment.  If I had unlimited reading times I would have finished it in a few days, but it's taken me all month by reading a little each night and when I can sneak in a few minutes while waiting at my kids' activities.

It chronicles such a sad time in India's history -- for some reason it reminded me of Orphan Train, which also chronicled sad time in American history. 


Classics

I do double duty on this one - reading for my daughter's homeschool and my own enrichment. 

Out of the Silent Planet

Please don't send me hate mail, but I haven't enjoyed that much CS Lewis  (other than The Chronicles of Narnia) up to this point - I think it's an acquired taste and attention level. 

This book, however, was enjoyable to me and I would love to read the next in his space trilogy.  I was intrigued by the science fiction/fairy tale mix in this book. 


Professional/Personal Development

Professional and personal development are really one in the same when you are a homeschool mom and curriculum author and blogger. It's not hard for me to read these books because I learn so much and see so much of myself in them!

A Touch of The Infinite: Studies in Music Appreciation with Charlotte Mason

This book is speaking to my heart. In writing the SQUILT curriculum I use more of a Classical and eclectic approach - but I suspect I'm doing a lot of Charlotte Mason's principles without knowing it. 

That is true, but there is also so much I need to learn and this book by Megan Hoyt is such a wonderful primer on Charlotte Mason and music appreciation. I would recommend it for ANYONE, not just musicians. 

Lesson at Blackberry Inn: Adventures with the Gentle Art of Learning

If you enjoyed A Pocketful of Pinecones, Lessons at Blackberry Inn will captivate you as well. Karen Andreola always motivates me to be a more intentional, kind, patient, and quiet mother. 

Lost and Found: Losing Religion, Finding Grace

This book, written by my friend Kendra Fletcher (who is a wonderful blogger and podcaster in the homeschool space), is her moving story of tragedy that struck her family - not just ONCE, but multiple times. 

It is the story of her journey to lose her religion and find GRACE in the process.  

I was so proud as I read this book because I know Kendra's story personally - she sat with me years ago over lunch and shared it with me. To see her dream of a book finally in print makes me very happy.  I know you will love it! 

In her book you will learn about her miracle son, "Mighty" Joe - and I love that we can follow on now with Joe on Kendra's blog. 


As you can see, this month has been a lighter reading month, but I'm trying to give myself grace and just KEEP ON READING.

What have you been reading lately?  

Share it with me in the comments and I'll add it to my list!

April Book List for Moms