I’ve been reading all winter long, of course, but — true to form — I’ve been reading primarily fiction, while allowing those nonfiction books sit, lonely and unread, on the shelf. Oh, I’ve picked up several of them, started them, read a few chapters, even enjoyed them, but then I abandon them and return to whatever novel is currently holding my interest. Why? Because I am a bad nonfiction-finisher and that’s all there is to it.
So I’ll be using the structure and challenge of the Spring Reading Thing to “conquer” some of these books that I want to read, but just need a little help with.
My nonfiction list:
Effective Parenting in a Defective World by Chip Ingram — I’ve read the first chapter of this one, and I know it’s going to have lots of good, practical parenting encouragement in it. Now I need to read the rest of it.
Humility by C.J. Maheny — I’ve read the first couple chapters of this little gem. A good friend sent it to me (and you know it takes a good, trusted friend to send you a book on humility, right?) and I’m so glad she did. It’s one of those “get yourself reoriented in the right direction” kind of books.
The Beautiful Fight by Gary Thomas — I loved Sacred Parenting by Thomas and am looking forward to diving into this one. It sounds great.Self Talk, Soul Talk by Jennifer Rothschild — The subtitle of this one pulled me in: What to say when you talk to yourself. Because I am always talking to myself. Actually, we all are; we all have that internal dialog. And I, for one, could stand to get that inner voice in shape a bit.
The Way They Learn by Cynthia Tobias — This a re-read for me. I read it ages ago — maybe 11 years? Pre-kids. But now I want to read it again, with C. (age 9) in mind, looking for ways to help and encourage him according to his learning style.
Take Joy by Jane Yolen — Again, a gift from a good friend. Jane Yolen is a delightful children’s author who has written this book subtitled, A Writer’s Guide to Loving the Craft. Sounds wonderful.
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As for fiction, I never need external motivation to read fiction, but there are several books that I’ve had for a while, that look good, but that — for one reason or another — I haven’t read yet. Those books have made it onto my Spring Reading Thing list.
My fiction list:
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card — I rarely read science fiction, but I’ve heard many wonderful things about this book. Most recently, Shalee recommended it to me, and I’m looking forward to digging in.An Acceptable Time by Madeleine L’Engle — When I was a preteen/teen, I loved L’Engle’s Time Quartet (A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, etc.). Imagine my surprise when I discovered that there is a fifth book (I guess that means it’s a quintet now, eh?). Can’t wait to read this.
The Princess Bride by William Goldman — Love the movie. Have seen it a million times. Haven’t read the book yet. My sister-in-law gave it to me for Christmas, and it’s about time I read it.
Clouds of Witness by Dorothy L. Sayers — I’m a big fan of Agatha Christie’s mysteries, but must admit that I’ve never even tried one by Sayers. This’ll be my first.
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult — I saw this on a ton of lists last spring and knew that I would eventually read it. Now is the time.
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And because I love to see piles of books, and thought you might like to as well, here’s a picture of my Spring Reading Thing 2008 books:
Check out the lists others have made for the Spring Reading Thing HERE. And enjoy your reading this spring, whatever it happens to be!
I always love reading your lists and knowing what you are reading in general.
I have a good friend who sends me books, too. It’s a great way to connect.
Amanda’s read a couple of fantasy books (the one that she reviewed for me), and I’m thinking it might be time for a Wrinkle in Time. Maybe I’ll add it to my list for us to read together, because I’ve been wanting to re-read it too.
I remember reading “The Princess Bride” – it was out of print at the time, and I got it through interlibrary loan when I was in graduate school! Now it’s everywhere. Hope you like it! I think the movie and the book are both excellent, and different enough from each other, that they can be appreciated separately without the whole “the book was better” or “the movie was better.”
Humility is on my list as well. Not only as a book to read
I think you will enjoy Dorothy Sayers. Have 5 of her books on my list that I did not finish during the fall!
I have not read Princess Bride either – hmmm may have to check that one out!
I am the same with with non-fiction — I probably should have added more.
I loved The Princess Bride!!
Oh, I hope you enjoy Ender’s Game! I just read it, and couldn’t believe how much it touched me…really went straight at those old maternal instincts for some reason.
Happy reading! And thanks again for hosting this!
We love Dorothy Sayers at my house! She has a wonderful way of developing her characters. Thanks for hosting the Spring Reading Thing. Hope your babe is all better!!
Oo I love the Princess Bride. I never thought to read the book though.. hmm might have to add a book to the eventual to read list
Looks like a great list. I have several re-reads on my list too and I am looking forward to them. Can’t wait to hear what you think about what you read!
Enjoy…
Rachel Langston
I hope you enjoy Ender’s Game. It is my favorite book of all time.
The Princess Bride is also great, but I admit to loving the movie a bit more than the book.
I read The Way They Learn when mine were in school and I think it helped us a bit, I probably should have re-read it b/c usually that helps me more! I thought about including Plain Truth by Picoult on mine but forgot to see if the library could get it for me; I’ll get to it eventually.
Great list!
I loved Humility, just the right amount of conviction and encouragement.
Loved the picture of the stack of books.
Look forward to your reviews.
Blessings,
Linda
homeschoolblogger.com/faithfulgrace
Yay!!! Reading time! Great list, Katrina…love Gary Thomas as well and Jodi Picoult! Is the Princess Bride book like the movie? Happy happy reading!!
Great list! I read The Princess Bride several years ago and really enjoyed it. Thanks for hosting this.
Great List! Look like some interesting books. Thanks for hosting.
Robin of mytwoblessings
Ack! I haven’t gotten my list up yet and I feel so far behind! Anyway, I popped over to grab your graphic, checked out your list and have to post a comment to say I’ve read all four of the Sayers’ Peter Wimsey novels that our library has and I loved each one of them!
Happy Reading!
I have noticed that we are alike when it comes to fiction vs. nonfiction. I appreciate your challenges because that’s when I tackle my nonfiction. I look forward to hearing about your books!
The Princess Bride is one of my all-time favorite books. (movies too!) i hope you enjoy it!
i also loved Ender’s Game when i read it several years ago and Nineteen Minutes when i read it last year.
happy reading! (and thanks for hosting this fun challenge!)
Loved Princess Bride! Even reading challenges are not enough to motivate me to read more non-fiction. Good for you!
I loved the Cross Centered Life by CJ Mahaney, so I’ll be so interested to hear how you liked Humility. Also, I read 19 minutes, having been only 20 miles away from the Columbine massacre when that happened. Very, very good read. Can’t say I enjoyed it, but I liked it very much.
Blessings!
An Acceptable Time is actually a spin-off from the original quartet. It is about Meg’s daughter, Polly. I know it is marketed as part of that series, but really, there are a couple other books that pertain to Polly and her mother all grown up. If you are interested I could give you a list. I have read them all… An Acceptable Time is a good read, though, and is perfectly acceptable to be read alone.
the princess bride is on my list too! we’ll have to have a chat about it when we’re both finished!
You read the most interesting variety of stuff! I am slowly but surely working my way through the Austin series by Madeleine L’Engle. And also currently reading Sacred Marriage, I think by Gary Thomas. I think some of the writing books on my list were actually on your Shelfari list.
Ender’s Game and Princess Bride are both on my best of all time favorites list. I’ve read all of L’Engle’s series. Acceptable Time is pretty good but the best one by far is the first.
Thanks for stopping by my blog to encourage me! What fun! I know its a lot of books. We do TOG so we read a lot anyway. And my dc have added to our normal unit studies by pulling out books at Half Price books, begging me to get them. And we love the American Revolutionary time period, which most of the books on the reading list are about. And we are planning a trip to Colonial Williamsburg this summmer, so can you tell we are a little bit excited??? LOL Most of these are children’s books, so they will be easy to read. I threw in some personal challenges, so we’ll see.
I like you book list. The Cynthia Ulrich Tobias book is excellent! I never thought to take a picture of the books. They are all piled on my desk even now. I was planning on organizing them before I put them back in the bookcase. Hmmmmm….. Thank you so much for hosting this.
Blessings,
Laurie
Sounds like a great list, Katrina. I’ve read the first few chapters of Self Talk, Soul Talk and enjoyed them, but it got set aside; we’ll see when I get back around to it. I’m interested to see what you have to say about The Princess Bride. I’ve heard several times that if you love the movie you shouldn’t read the book (very different), so I’ve never read it.
Happy Spring and happy reading!
Great varied list Katrina, you have reminded me to hoke out my CJ Maheny book and also I really must read a Jodi Picoult book, for the same reason you decided to read one!