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September Titles // 2017

not my built-in bookshelves...I wish!


This month was back-to-school and not terribly hard to fit in reading, surprisingly, just hard to get into the flow of reading. I was very distracted this month, and although felt I had a decent amount of margin, once your brain is worked up with go, go, go, it's hard to get into the quiet mindset of sitting down for an hour to immerse yourself without falling asleep! That happened to me on more than one occasion. 

This month I read a few quick little books, and the new Brene Brown title (!) I'd been waiting months for. Here's the list:

* Firstborn by Tosca Lee - Tosca Lee is an author from my hometown of Lincoln, NE, and I've loved her past biblical/historical fiction books that focus on a specific person in the bible. This is the second part of a purely historical fictional series set in present day Europe. It's fast-paced with high drama, but it's a fun little read. It's about the legacy of Elizabeth Bathory and the powers that her progeny have... 

*What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty - This was the first book club pick and it was also a fun little beach read, though highly unlikely and quite predictable. It's about a woman who fell hard, hit her head and has forgot the past 10 years of her life. It's very funny and the side-plot with the sister is quite sweet. 

*Love that Dog by Sharon Creech - This was a YA novel set in verse and literally took me 20 minutes to read because of it's short nature, but it's very cute. It's about a boy telling the story of his best friend-his dog-who passed away. The book is the boy writing poetry back to his English teacher every day or so. 

*South & West by Joan Didion -  Let's just get this out of the way: I will read anything, even receipt notes, by Joan Didion. Her language is stunning. This book was made from her notebook writings about visiting the south (and then back to California) on an extended road trip with her husband in June, 1970. It still feels relevant--and humid--today. 

*A Charlotte Mason Education by Catherine Levison - This book I picked up from my local homeschooling chapter's library because I am currently learning a lot about Charlotte Mason and her educational theory. I already know enough about it, but I'm currently plucking my toes into the water and thinking of a deep dive.  Although I know a lot of the information, this was like a quick practical primer.

*Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown - Sigh. Brene. I love her work. Just like Didion up top, I will also read anything Brown writes. She is one of the nation's leading experts on social research including topics of shame, vulnerability, wholeheartedness, and now belonging, which is what this current title is about. It's short, conversational, and so worthwhile. If I had the power to make every human being on earth read one author forever and ever, amen? It'd be Brene. 

Read Alouds

*Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White - We finished this novel at the beginning of September and I will say it's a great late summer read. It just felt right to be reading it during that time of the year. It's not my favorite White story (that'd be Charlotte, of course) but the writing is excellent and my kids thought it was very funny. We paired it with the movie afterwards and they enjoyed that, too, though I thought E.B. might be rolling over in his grave if he ever saw it..........I'll leave that thought to your imagination. 

*Minn of the Mississippi by Holling C. Holling - This is a truly beautiful book both in language, and artistry, as it is a large novel (8X10 1/2 inches) and full of maps, definitions, and drawings along the edge, along with the gorgeous drawn illustrations on every other page or so depicting the story. It's designed to be similar to a novel along with science & nature journal notes next to the relevant information. I loved the design and it really added to the story. The story follows Minn, a snapping turtle who travels the entire length of the Mississippi River. Within the story of this little turtle, also comes science, geography, politics (trust me), history, and art. Holling has many of these types of books and I can't wait to read more. Paddle to the Sea is another very well-known story, and HERE is the short video (1966)  made about the story via youtube. 




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