Introducing a new page for book lovers

I am very excited to introduce a new page to my blog! You can access it along the right-hand side.  It's called "My Book List."  I love books, and the fruitfulness good books bring to my life.  I even hope to begin featuring some here in the future.  The information you will find in this post is the same that you will find on the new page.  I hope to update the page every month with the new treasures (I mean books!) I have found.

One of my favorite characters from the days when my oldest daughter watched Sesame Street was "The Girl Who Loves Books."  Indeed, I am one such girl, and I strive to develop a love of books in my children as well.

We recently replaced our dishwasher, and now that Nick
has seen Dad at work, he wants to help too!

I have both shared and given away many books over the years; I think it can be a beautiful and simple form of evangelization.  I have often read that spiritual reading can be very beneficial in helping us grow closer to Christ.  My experience tells me this is true.

When I struggled with depression after the loss of one of my babies at 21 weeks gestation, I asked a dear friend for some reading suggestions, and she shared this beautiful insight: "Yes, it seems that at times like these, the liberal arts can help us in ways little else can."

And when I read Silas Marner by George Eliot, I knew she was right.

I don't know why he climbed into this bowl.  I only know that when a toddler climbs
into a mixing bowl and stays a while, his mom will undoubtedly reach for the camera!

In addition to spiritual reading, I find myself drawn to beautiful children's books as well as young adult literature.  I think this is mainly because I have children who read through books so quickly; I cannot always stay ahead of my oldest daughter any more, but I try to stay familiar with what she is reading, and to continually find new suggestions that will keep her interest, as well as adding beauty and virtue into her life.  My oldest daughter, in particular, does not merely read books.  She lives them.  So the kind of books she reads shape her in so many ways.

I grew up hearing "it doesn't matter what kids read, as long as they are reading."  As a parent, my motto is the exact opposite of this phrase.  My children certainly get their fair share of "twaddle," but when there is so much beauty to be found in books, so many lessons to be learned, and so many friends to be made between their pages, I struggle to understand why so many people are content to provide children with books that offer so little.

I also enjoy cooking with my children.
They enjoy eating banana bread!

I am so excited to share this list of books I have read.  If I don't recommend a book, you can be sure I will make a notation to that effect!  I have been blessed to have found many beautiful book suggestions through blogs; I hope my list can be a blessing to some of you as well.

I hope to update this list monthly, so keep checking in!

I also hope to share, through posts, a more in-depth look into many of these books.  Hopefully that is a feature you can look forward to soon!

Happy reading!

These two have grown closer in the months Kate has homeschooled.
As for the dog ... Nick doesn't say many words, but his clearest one by far is "Rover!"

2013

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin (A book for youth that contains many beautiful truths about marriage as well!)

Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome (Great for the young-at-heart of all ages!)

Pickle Chiffon Pie by Jolly Roger Bradfield (A very fun and colorful children's book.)

Miss Twiggley's Tree by Dorthea Warren Fox (Also a beautiful children's book)

Finding God's Will for You by St. Francis de Sales

Alex O'Donnell and the 40 Cyber Thieves by Regina Domen  (This was a gift for my 13-year-old daughter that I previewed first.  We both have fallen in love with Regina Domen and her characters.  However, be warned that her books do deal with mature subject matter.  In this case, there are allusions to Internet pornography.  I chose to let my daughter read this book, after sharing some very fruitful discussions about this important topic.  If you are interested in Regina Domen's books, begin with The Shadow of the Bear: A Fairy Tale Retold.)

Shirt of Flame by Heather King (I cannot recommend this book enough! Seriously, Read.  This.  Book.)

My Sisters the Saints by Colleen Carroll Campbell

The Urgency of the New Evangelization: Answering the Call by Ralph Martin

Crossing the Tiber by Stephen Ray (I am currently reading this book.  I discovered it at a used book sale at our church yesterday.  I already told my husband it is going on a list of books our children must read before they graduate from high school.  After reading it, they may not remember all of the reasons Catholicism is true, but they will remember those reasons are out there to be found, if only they are willing to put in the effort!)