I know it isn't technically 2011 just yet, but it will be on Saturday, so I'll just start a little early and say this is my list for 2011. I plan on adding to this throughout the year as I read books. I may or may not add comments about the books as we go, and this isn't necessarily an endorsement of any book but just a list of what I'm reading, and I'll note if it's Fiction (F) or Non-fiction (NF) also. The Bible heads up the list every month so I'll list it here, because it is the most important book and before I read anything else each day it is my practice to read from the Bible first.
End of December 2010/January 2011:
- Jayber Crow - Wendell Berry (F)
- Atheism Remix - R. Albert Mohler, Jr. (NF)
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - J. K. Rowling (F) - reading this aloud with the boys.
- The Disappearance of God - R. Albert Mohler, Jr. (NF)
- Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross - edited by Nancy Guthrie (NF)
- Brothers No More - William F. Buckley, Jr. (F)
- Fall of Giants - Ken Follett (F) Looking forward to this one. Drew got it for me (and himself, truth be told) for Christmas because we really enjoyed Follett's Pillars of the Earth and World Without End. *****So, now that I'm almost finished, I'll say I very much enjoy the story and the historical fiction and desperately wish Mr. Follet could have not been quite so explicit in the details of the sex lives of his characters. I understand that he's showing us how far many of them fell and the kind of trouble it wrought in their lives, but still, that, to me, would give me serious pause for recommending what was otherwise a good book. Sadly, because of that, I probably won't read the rest of the series when it comes out. And that's too bad, because, like I said, the story was good.
February 2011:
- Leading Little Ones to God - Marian M. Schoolland (NF) - reading with all three kids in the evenings
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J. K. Rowling (F) - reading aloud with the boys
- Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross - edited by Nancy Guthrie (NF) - Carrying over from January, I've been reading this one as a devotional, so taking my time with it.
- Fall of Giants - Ken Follett (F) - Also carrying over from January; very long book. See note from last month.
- Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis (NF)
- Anne of Green Gables - L.M. Montgomery (F) One of my all time favorites, reading again for the countless time. Looking forward to reading it with my little girl when she's just a little older.
March 2011:
- Leading Little Ones to God - Marian M. Schoolland (NF) - Still working through this one with all three kids.
- The 39 Clues, Book One: The Maze of Bones - Rick Riordan (F) - The boys have been really interested in reading this Scholastic series so I decided to read them also along with them. So far pretty interesting as far as middle reader kind of books go. We'll see how the rest of the series is. I'm already a little lost with the interactive web game that seems to be part of the experience. Maybe I should go check it out before the boys get there.
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J.K. Rowling (F) - Reading aloud is slow going with Upward basketball games and trumpet lessons and homework and Wednesday night church in the evenings, so we don't get to read every night, but we really enjoy our read aloud times. I'm glad they aren't too cool to still enjoy it.
- The 39 Clues, Book Two: One False Note - Gordon Korman (F)
- The 39 Clues, Book Three: The Sword Thief - Peter Lerangis (F) Thumbs up: story; Thumbs down: use of God's name in vain. Funny, they must think if you don't capitalize 'god' then it's not offensive. Wrong. None of the others did it....why did this author feel the need to? One of the drawbacks to having multiple authors write the series, I guess.
- The 39 Clues, Book Four: Beyond the Grave - Jude Watson (F)
- The 39 Clues, Book Five: The Black Circle - Patrick Carman (F)
- The 39 Clues, Book Six: In Too Deep - Jude Watson (F)
- The 39 Clues, Book Seven: The Viper's Nest - Peter Lerangis (F)
- Pilgrim's Progress - John Bunyan (F) I am actually reading an edition of this classic allegory of the Christian life that has modernized the language while retaining as much of Bunyan's style and form as possible.
- The 39 Clues, Book Eight: The Emperor's Code - Gordon Korman (F)
- The 39 Clues, Book Nine: Storm Warning - Linda Sue Park (F)
- The 39 Clues, Book Ten: Into the Gauntlet - Margaret Peterson Haddix (one of my favorite authors for middle grade readers, by the way - should be a good one) (F)
- The 39 Clues Black Book of Secrets - Forward by Rick Riordan (F)
April 2011
- Pilgrim's Progress - John Bunyan (F). Carrying over from last month.
Valley of Dry Bones- Priscilla Royal (F). Didn't end up finishing this one after all. If a fiction book doesn't grip my attention by the first few chapters, I don't always feel it's worth it to continue. It wasn't bad, just not that interesting to me.- The Crocodile Bird - Ruth Rendell (F)
- Deliver Us From Evil - David Baldacci (F) - One of my favorite authors.
- Soul Depths and Soul Heights - Octavius Winslow (NF)
- Sutter's Cross - W. Dale Cramer (F)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - J.K. Rowling (F) Another read-aloud with the boys. we've been pretty busy lately, but the boys have been begging to get back to it. We really enjoy our read-aloud time. I'm glad they haven't yet outgrown it. Maybe they won't.....
- The 39 Clues, Book Eleven: Vespers Rising - Various authors (F)
May 2011
May looks empty so far, but that's because I'm still working on The New Pilgrim's Progress and Soul Depths and Soul Heights from last month, and I want to finish those before I start anything else. I'll add more when I get on to new stuff....
May looks empty so far, but that's because I'm still working on The New Pilgrim's Progress and Soul Depths and Soul Heights from last month, and I want to finish those before I start anything else. I'll add more when I get on to new stuff....
- Slave - John MacArthur (NF).
June 2011
- This Body of Death - Elizabeth George (F). I started this last month but didn't finish and don't want to list it twice, so I'll just put it here. May wasn't as empty as it looks, but still a slow reading month for me. This is the latest in her Thomas 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. Good characterization and intriguing stories mark these books, though, as crime novels, Ms. George holds nothing back with regard to the language and subject matter her detectives deal with, so it's probably not for everyone.
- Christianity and Liberalism - J. Gresham Machen (NF). Reading along with Tim Challies' reading the classics reading group. I didn't get the first chapter read before June 2, so I'm playing a bit of catch up, but I don't think I'll have a hard time getting caught up.
- Slave - John MacArthur (NF). Carrying over from last month. I tend to get too many books going at once.
- Pendragon series, Book One: The Merchant of Death - D. J. MacHale (F). My oldest son discovered these and wanted to read them. I didn't know anything about them, and I reluctantly said he could, but I wanted to read them, too....just in case I needed to talk to him about anything. So far I'm finding this one interesting. I usually do find the books my son likes interesting. We seem to like the same kind of fiction.
- 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).
July 2011
- Pendragon series: Book Five: Black Water - D. J. MacHale (F).
- Pendragon series: Book Six: The Rivers of Zadaa - D. J. MacHale (F).
- Pendragon series: Book Seven: The Quillan Games - D. J. MacHale (F).
- The Egypt Game - Zilpha Keatley Snyder (F). Summer reading assignment that my son has to read before the first week of school (cannot believe school starts August 3!Soooo not ready for them to go back yet!). I didn't like some reviews I read of it, so I read the book, too. I did find some worldview things I needed to discuss with my boy, but I guess it wasn't as bad as the review I read made it seem, but I'm still not sure I see why it was picked for an accelerated English class for 7th graders. Doesn't seem very 'accelerated' for a kid who reads The Lord of the Rings and enjoys it. Anywho.....
- Counterfeit Gospels: Rediscovering the Good News in a World of False Hope - Trevin Wax (NF). Very, very much recommend this one. In fact, I will probably read it again and again. Refreshing reminder of what the true gospel is and how it impacts and transforms believers, and a sobering look at subtle counterfeits that creep in and to which I have found myself to be prone to allow to slowly take hold at times. May I continually preach the gospel to myself and my family and stay true to my Lord and Savior Jesus Messiah King. I want to be so gripped with the gospel of grace with my heart so full of gratitude to the Savior that I will faithfully live a life worthy of the calling He has placed on me when He made me His own. And I pray for my church that we would be a people so gripped with the gospel of grace that we as a body of believers will live that life of gratitude to our King that would lead us to be a glimpse of the restored heaven and earth as we live in true, biblical community, truly forgiving and loving each other and having our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace and sharing that good news in our community and world.
- Pendragon series: Book Eight: The Pilgrims of Rayne - D. J. MacHale (F).
- Pendragon series: Book Nine: Raven Rise - D. J. MacHale (F).
- Pendgragon series: Book Ten: The Soldiers of Halla - D.J. MacHale (F). Wow. Had I read the whole series first, I probably would have said, "No," to my kids reading it. The twinges I was having as I read the first books are confirmed in the last as the whole worldview is spelled out. Very humanistic, gnostic, New Age, yin-yang life-force balance view of the universe and mankind and the after-life. I did NOT like this. Much to talk about with the kids now that I have allowed them to read it. Knowing the truth - that God is, and that He is the Creator and we do answer to Him and there is 'right' and 'wrong', and that the only hope we have is to repent and bow before Him, trusting in Christ alone, this book series saddened me and left me depressed. Because I know so many people who, though they wouldn't describe it as vividly as what was fictionalized in the book series, think of spirituality in very eerily similar terms to what is presented in the series. 'Spiritual,' triumph of the human spirit as supreme, that is what most people think matters most. Here's a quote that sums up some of the book and was depressing to me: "We proved that the power of the human spirit is supreme. It will always triumph, no matter what the adversity. There are no simple answers in life. There is good and bad in everyone and everything. No decision is made without consequence. No road taken that doesn't lead to another. What's important is that those roads always be left open, for there's no telling what wonder they might lead to." Taken along with all that is said and 'taught' throughout the book(s) it leads to a heart-breaking and impoverished worldview.
- Holiness (Abridged) - J. C. Ryle (NF). I am quite sure this is the best book I've read in a long time, and I know I'll be reading it again. I found it very thought-provoking, saturated with the gospel, and deeply encouraging. I found myself often stopping to think and pray over what I was reading, and found great encouragement to grow in love for Christ Jesus my Savior. I don't think I can recommend it highly enough. It is seldom that I find a book I can recommend without qualification or hesitation, but this is most definitely one.
August 2011
- King Raven Trilogy: Hood - Stephen Lawhead (F). Liked it!
- King Raven Trilogy: Scarlet - Stephen Lawhead (F). Like it also, but taking a break so I can read the next book on this list.
- The Help - Kathryn Stockett (F). Really liking this so far. A few of my friends said they are reading the book and want to go to the movie next week, did I want to join them? I decided that, yes, I do. So I got the book for my Nook and am having a hard time putting it down. It's one of those books that will stick with you. In one way it's an easy read in that I get so involved in it I almost forget I'm reading, but in another.....it makes me heart sick. It is a very good book.
- A Praying Life: Connecting With God in a Distracting World - Paul Miller (NF). Reading this via the Kindle app on my phone. Liking it very much.
September 2011
- King Raven Trilogy: Tuck - Stephen Lawhead (F).
- The Princess Bride - William Goldman (F).
- Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire - J.K. Rowling (F). Reading aloud with the kids.
October 2011
- Heat Wave - "Richard Castle" (F). Blah. TV series "Castle" is much better than this first book that was written to go along with the series. I'll skip the rest of the books but stick with the TV series, which I do like.
- Found, first book in the Missing series - Margaret Peterson Haddix (F). Yet another fiction series my son was reading that I found interesting also. Very much enjoying this series. You get history mixed with the science fiction of time travel. Well done. I have liked everything I've read by this author very much.
- Sent, second book in the Missing series - Margaret Peterson Haddix (F).
- Sabotaged, third book in the Missing series - Margaret Peterson Haddix (F).
- Torn, fourth book in the Missing series - Margaret Peterson Haddix (F). - I can already tell we'll be anxiously awaiting publication of the fifth book.....
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - J.K. Rowling (F). Still reading aloud with the kids. It takes us a while to get through our read alouds since we don't get to read every night. It's been especially hard to have time this past few months with football practice, gymnastics, homework, AWANA, etc. and etc.
- Double Identity - Margaret Peterson Haddix (F). I know it's really an older kids' book, but I enjoy this author, and picked this one up while looking for books for my son at the library.
- The Eleventh Plague - Jeff Hirsch (F). Planning to write a post on my thoughts. Liked this book. It's kind of like The Road, but with more hope.
- The First Counsel - Brad Meltzer (F).
November 2011
- The Zero Game - Brad Meltzer (F).
- God's Wisdom in Proverbs - Dan Phillips (NF).
- Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer - John Grisham (F). - Really like this legal thriller for kids.
- Theodore Boone, The Abduction - John Grisham (F).
- The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins (F). Liked it, and am really enjoying discussing it with my oldest son as he's reading the books, too. He needs to hurry up and finish Book 2 as Book 1 left me hanging and I want to continue.....
December 2011
- Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins (F).
- Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins (F). Wow. The whole series is powerful and very well-written. I cried for the last 124 pages of this book, and I find I'm needing a little time to process the ending. Ms. Collins does an outstanding job of taking a fictional setting and making it very believable. Her characters behave just as people would if growing up in such a situation. The ending is emotionally draining, but satisfying, too. I don't think it really could have ended any other way and still been believable. I like that you're left with hope in the midst of the trauma, though. Very well done. I have had excellent opportunities to talk to my son about things I'm sure the author didn't have in mind, too, such as how much the people in the story needed the gospel and how empty a world without it truly is, and what I think the author did intend to convey in how evil and repressive a totalitarian view of government is and how the desire for power is corrupting and many things like that. Quite an accurate picture of human nature is explored in the series, which is why it's so believable.
- The World-Tilting Gospel: Embracing a Biblical Worldview and Hanging on Tight - Dan Phillips (NF). Recommended!
- The Tiger's Wife - Tea Obreht (F). Good book, strange, but good.
