What's On Your Nightstand - June 2011

It's that time again. Though June has shaped up to be a light blogging month for various reasons, I have more books to list than I did in May, so to keep the blog alive for the summer, I’m joining in and posting a “What’s On Your Nightstand” post this month. Once again I found myself with too many books going at once and almost felt swamped under them but I finished one yesterday and one today, so I need to finish what I’m reading now and wait before starting another that I’m really wanting to start. Here’s what I’ve been reading this month and what I’m planning to carry over for next month:

Finished earlier in the month:

This Body of Death - Elizabeth George (F). I started this in May but didn’t finish, so I’m listing it here in June. May wasn’t as empty as it looks in my ‘Books I’m Reading’ page, but it was still a slow reading month for me. This book is the latest in Elizabeth George’s Inspector Lynley series, which is a favorite of mine. With No One as Witness in the series left me crying for days after I read it. Yes, I am weird. Rich characterization and intriguing stories mark these books, though, as crime/detective novels, Ms. George holds nothing back with regard to the language and subject matter her detectives deal with, so it may not be for everyone. Use your own judgment about what you like to read.

Finished more recently:

Christianity and Liberalism - J. Gresham Machen (NF). I started out reading along with Tim Challies’ reading the classics group, but found it so interesting I went ahead and finished it yesterday, several weeks early. Though written in the 1920’s, I found it eerily appropriate still today, even down to some conversations I’ve had/heard recently in my life. Highly recommend it.

Slave - John MacArthur (NF). Finished this about 30 minutes before writing this post today. Very good look at what it means to be a Christian - submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Much food for thought and practice, and I recommend this one as well.

Reading along with my sons:

My oldest son discovered the Pendragon series by D.J. MacHale and wanted to read them. I wasn’t too sure about them, but I said he could and I’ve been reading them, too, so I’d know what he’s reading. Turns out they are pretty interesting, which I am finding more and more now that the boys are both reading at a much higher level. I’m glad they tend to like books I find interesting, too. I do find it hard to find books for them that they will enjoy and I can be okay with them reading which aren’t too dark and disturbing. Slight aside: does it bother anyone else that the shelf of ‘young adult paranormal romances’ at the local book store is by far the largest shelf in the young adult/teen section???? It does me. Capitalizing on the Twilight phenomenon, I guess. I’m not a fan. Anywho.....though I have found some worldview kinds of things to discuss, and they are getting weirder as we go along, we’ve been enjoying the books and the discussion. It’s fun to share the reading experience with the boys, and I think it’s fun for them, too, to have me to bounce ideas about the stories with them. Here’s what I’ve read this month from the series:

Pendragon series, Book One: The Merchant of Death - D.J. MacHale (F).

Pendragon series, Book Two: The Lost City of Faar - D. J. MacHale (F).

Pendragon series, Book Three: The Never War - D. J. MacHale (F).

Pendragon series, Book Four: The Reality Bug - D. J. MacHale (F).

Pendragon series, Book Five: Black Water - D. J. MacHale (F). - Just started this one, so probably won’t finish it before the end of the month on Thursday, but then again, I might....

My oldest son is reading ahead and is already on Book 7. When he finished Book 4 he asked me to please hurry and finish it because he was dying to talk about it. He was great about not spoiling the plot, though he did let it slip that there was a twist ending. When I finished it, I realized why he was dying to talk about it. Did NOT see that ending coming. And I was very proud of him for not spoiling it for me, as he’s been known to do in the past.

Next up:

The rest of the Pendragon series through book 10, though our local Barnes & Noble didn’t have 9 when we bought the rest of the series, so I’m ordering 9 & 10 this week.

The King Raven Trilogy (includes Hood, Scarlet, and Tuck) - Stephen Lawhead (F).Been wanting to read these for a while. I read Hood a while back, but I could never get the others at our library. When my husband got me my Nook for my birthday, I bought this for a decent price and am excited to read it. Did I mention I got a Nook Color for my birthday??

The Princess Bride - William Goldman (F). Yes, I’ve read it before. I love it. Funny!!! And I got it on my Nook, also, because I want to read it out loud with the boys. We really enjoy our time doing that. Speaking of......

Reading Out Loud With the Boys:

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - J. K. Rowling (F). We’ve each read the series, but it’s fun to read them again out loud together. As I said, we really enjoy that time together.

Whew. Pop on over to 5 Minutes for Books to see other reading lists for this month.