February Reading List

Happy February everyone! I'm, er, a little behind on my reading but I'm going to go ahead and post this anyway. Maybe it will help motivate me...

"Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis

"Persuasion" by Jane Austen

"The Hound of the Baskervilles" by Arthur Conan Doyle

"Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

"Tales from the Perilous Realm" by J.R.R. Tolkien

I've never read any of these before. Shocking, I know. I've seen the movies (well, for two of them), does that count?

January Reading List

"So, what are you reading now?" is a popular question amongst myself and my friends. You can tell a lot about a person from what they read... or don't read. I decided to post about what books I plan to read each month (and hopefully, though I make no promises, short reviews when I finish them). As you will see, I enjoy a variety of genres and try to mix light and heavy books. I am also doing some previewing for my little sister. So, here we go! January's list:

Joy: A Godly Woman's Adornment by Lydia Brownback

 Under the Greenwood Tree by Thomas Hardy

 Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson 

 The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

 Yes, I have this edition! It was on sale at Anthro!

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

 

What do think? I would love to hear your thoughts! Do you find book reviews useful, or not so much? Have you read any of these? If so, are they good or am I wasting my time?

 Have a wonderful Sunday! 

North Carolina Homeschool Conference 2010

This past weekend we attended the N.C. Home Education conference. Lillian looks very scholarly, don't you think?

We all found some great things at the book fair. I spent $20 on four antique books. One novel, one children's reader, one field guide and one book of spiritual guidance. Pretty well rounded if I do say so myself.

We took lots of notes during the two workshops we attended. Both were about the Charlotte Mason method of teaching. You can learn more about it at Simply Charlotte Mason.

And of course, we had lots of fun!

Traveling By Way of Books

I greatly enjoy reading aloud to the little girls. We are currently exploring the falling apart houses surrounding Gone-Away Lake. It gives me such pleasure to share with them the stories that I loved when I was younger. I have created a Goodreads shelf just for our read aloud books so you can see where we've traveled!

Storytelling

While visiting our grandparents Emma told Granny the story of "Hansel and Gretel". Mama had read it to the girls and Emma must have really liked it. I wish I could have captured her words as well as her expressions but alas, I have not the talent for that. Oh well, at least I can share these pictures with you. As you can see, she really got into her storytelling.

That's all for now!

When Roses Cease

When roses cease to bloom, dear

and violets are done,

When bumblebees in solemn flight

Have passed beyond the sun,

The hand that paused to gather

Upon this summer's day

Will idle lie, in Auburn.

--Then take my flower, pray!

-Emily Dickinson

Hansel and Gretel

I love reading fairy tales. I found a new edition of Hansel and Gretel at the library today. It was exciting but not just because I like to read fairy stories. I love it when children's book illustrators really get into the stories they are portraying. Like Jen Corace. I had never heard of her before today and I'm rather sorry I hadn't. Her painting's for Hansel and Gretel were so sweet and simple and I absolutely adored Gretel's wardrobe. Almost immediately after arriving home I was sitting with Gretel and my sketchbook.

My sketch of Gretel's dress and coat.

The book cover.

I have four little sisters and I'm certain one of them would love to have a new coat. I even have a wool blend on hand...