All. The. Books.

I just can't seem to shake this obsession to read books, collect books, go to bookstores, make a trip to the library.... you get the point!

As a homeschool mom it is important to be well read. We want to impart as much to our children as possible. When they see us reading they want to read. When we read about something interesting we can share it with our children.

Reading also helps me retain WHO I AM - it helps me remember the stories I love, and the things that feed my soul. Sometimes we homeschooling moms tend to lose that, know what I mean?

I'm seizing every possible moment to READ, and this summer I anticipate there will be more moments than during the regular school year.

So here's a peek into my reading life - my nightstand to be exact - for this summer.

Ways To Read

I read in several formats, simply because I'm reading all the time.

Purchasing books - It's my weakness and I'm not apologizing for it, so many of these I have on my shelves.
The Library - what a great place to hang out! I'm getting to know the librarians well, and often I'm seeing the same patrons at the library and we talk books. So much fun!
Libby App - perfect for checking out eBooks - this is great for your iPhone or iPad - it's done by Overdrive.
Audible - I always have one audiobook going in the car

How To Find The Books

Finding books is a large part of the fun of living the literary lifestyle! Maybe you can add some of these resources to your arsenal.

Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club - I am a member of the book club, but you can also gain so much just from looking at all of her book lists!
Book of the Month Club - LOVE this - I can get beautiful hardbacks that are inexpensive - they are also titles everyone is talking about!
Library Bestseller Shelves - talking to the librarians
What Should I Read Next? podcast
Just the Right Book! podcast
Book Friends - I love chatting and texting with my friends about good books!

Bookish Things I LOVE!

I have a reading pouch I keep with me at all times.

I love to have pens, highlighters, book darts, and pretty bookmarks. I also keep a very simple reading journal - with the names of the books I have read, the date finished, and a few of my favorite quotes.

My book light (what I gave my husband in his stocking for Christmas -- because it's really a gift to HIM that I don't keep him awake by keeping the lights on!) is probably my favorite thing ever!

Summer Reading for Pleasure

Most of my titles this summer are purely for pleasure.

Life has been busy and emotional the past year. I need a break. Reading is going to be my HUGE guilty pleasure this summer!

Summer Reading for Professional/Personal Development

Staying inspired and aware as a homeschooling parent is important. Because my children are older I have found myself choosing just a few books to keep me going.

I also am including personal development books in this category, too.

Classics for the Summer

I've chosen a few of the "lighter" classics for this summer.

Middlemarch is a GIANT book, but I'm listening to it on audio and it's oh so wonderful. It may take me all summer to finish it, but I'm ok with that. Make sure you listen to the version with Juliet Stevenson as the narrator - she is SPECTACULAR!

I'm not promising I'll get to all of these this summer, but I'm sure going to try!

I'd love to know what YOU are reading this summer. Leave me a comment below and I'll start adding to my list!

You might also like:

Three Reasons to Read

The 50 Books I Read in a Year

Flag Day - that American holiday that goes largely unnoticed - the step-child of the patriotic holidays, if you will.

It's not a popular notion today to honor the American flag is it?

And this is another reason I love homeschooling... we don't have to go along with popular notions about anything. We choose to honor our flag and honor our country and can incorporate that liberally into our children's home education!

After taking our children to visit Washington, DC, it lit a fire in us to incorporate more patriotism into our homeschool. We do this through books, music, and now activities surrounding patriotic days such as Flag Day.

The History of the American Flag

Just as our Nation has a fascinating and embattled history, so does her flag. Most of us have heard of the seamstress of our first flag, Betsy Ross. We've seen the flag fly on the moon. And we've recognized its importance of a symbol of unity when we see it at half mast.

Here are some additional interesting facts about the history of our flag:

The colors of our flag were designated with the Flag Resolution of 1777.
The color red in our flag symbolizes hardiness and valor.
The white of the flag symbolizes purity and innocence.
The color blue represents vigilance, justice, and perseverance.
Old Glory was the actual name given to an actual single (and very large) flag, last displayed in 2006.
The Star Spangled Banner, written by Francis Scott Key, was actually inspired by a real flag. This flag was flown over Fort McHenry in Baltimore in 1814 during 25 hours of British bombardment.

The History of Flag Day

In 1777, a Flag Resolution was passed that gave us the American flag we recognize today, with the alternating red and white stripes. Of course, we would grow the number of starts represented as new states were born.

Several individuals claim first rights regarding the celebration of Flag Day, but the first official Flag Day was established by President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916. June 14th, 1949, President Truman, via an Act of Congress, declared an annual National Flag Day.

21-Days from Flag Day to Independence Day

Flag Day itself actually falls as a single day within National Flag Week. From Flag Day, there are twenty-one days until Independence Day. This period of time is called Honor America Days.

This period of time makes a perfect summer homeschooling activity with a done-for-you theme! Following are 21 Flag Day and Honor America Days activities that you can use with your children.

No planning in advance is really necessary, you can pick and choose which ones work best for you. However, if you choose to do something every day, your children (and you!) will develop a deeper respect for our nation's heritage and arrive at a new appreciation for Independence Day.

Flag Day Activities

These Flag Day and Honor America Days activities cover a wide range of ages and skill levels. You're the mom- you can choose which ones will work for you, and how to alter them for your own use.

Start an Honor America's Days notebook and add a new fact, drawing, quote, or insight every day. (Use the FREE Flag Day Notebooking Pages!)
Learn how to correctly display the Flag.
Learn how to fold the Flag.
Research to find out the name of the type of study that is used to research flags. Do a word study on it.
Make a Flag Day cake out of cupcakes or another trusted recipe.
With parental guidance, research the internet to discover locations where the American Flag is flown 24 hours per day. Plot these on a map. Record any insights from your research in your notebook.
Color a picture of our Flag. You can choose from many variations during its development.
Watch Red Skeleton's meaning of the American Flag on video.
Memorize the Preamble to the Constitution.
Research the preambles to the consti tutions of each of the fifty states. (This free ebook requires an email opt-in.)
Make a patriotic pin wheel.
Make a tissue paper flag.
Choose a word search or vocabulary printable on Flag Day.
Enjoy some red, white, and blue popcorn.
Research and plan a visit to a parade honoring the Flag or our Nation.
Enjoy an outdoor BBQ with patriotic decorations.
Interview a veteran and ask them about a memory they have about the flag.
Plan to attend a fireworks celebration.
Visit the National Museum of American History's website for a fun quiz on the Flag. How many stars can you collect?
Create your own glossary of flag terms.
Enjoy honoring America with the SQUILT Summer Music Appreciation series!