I was given the immense pleasure of being on the launch team for Sally Clarkson’s newest book “Awaking Wonder”. For years, I’ve hoped she would write a book about homeschooling. Sally has this gentle, motherly voice that brings instant comfort. Reading her books is like cozying up with a warm cup of coffee and a comfy blanket.

Being on the launch team, I was given an advanced copy of the book to read so that I could share about it leading up to the big launch day. My hard copy finally arrived yesterday, and I’m so excited. I’m going to admit that I fully judge books by their cover. Look at how beautiful this one is! The words contained within completely match the beauty of the outside.

Sally shares so much valuable advice for us. It’s not fussy or overcomplicated. It is as though she has taken me by the hand to guide me through this journey. She worked tirelessly and put her whole heart into this book.

While this book chronicles Sally’s heart and journey through homeschooling, it would be a great book for any caregiver or teacher to read! Children see the world in such a beautiful way, and we can help them awaken that wonder within themselves.

I also wanted to get this written today because there is a REALLY incredible opportunity for a free online conference. These videos are only available for free for a short time, so be sure to start watching and absorb the wealth of information and encouragement!

If you are a weary mama looking for some encouragement through these times, be sure to watch these videos. Buy the book or check it out from your library. (Truly, any of her books will be so encouraging for you.)

My to-read pile is ever-growing. Working in a library has made my usual to-read pile triple in size. I’m constantly seeing books that I want to read. I figured I would share what I am planning to read this year (so far) in case you need some ideas. Please also note that I haven’t read any of these, so I cannot speak to whether I recommend them or not.

Non-Fiction:
The Life-Giving Home by Sally & Sarah Clarkson
Uninvited by Lysa Terkeurst
When Less Becomes More by Emily Ley
The Girl For the Job by Jess Connolly
The Life Giving Parent by Clay & Sally Clarkson
Capital Gaines by Chip Gaines
Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne
Awakening Wonder by Sally Clarkson
How to Raise a Wild Child by Scott D. Sampson (read with discernment)
Bringing up Girls by James Dobson


Fiction:
The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
Meg & Jo by Virginia Kantra
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly
Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
The Little Cafe in Copenhagen by Julie Caplin (the whole series looks cute!)
The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay
The Heir Affair by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan (I loved The Royal We.)
The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

This is just my list to start the year off. My goal is to read 50 books this year. You can see what I’m currently reading and my “shelf” on Goodreads. I tend to pick up several of the newer novels or most popular checkouts at the library and read them also. When you get asked for book recommendations or opinions, it is nice to be able to give an answer.

The focus of today is books. I have always loved reading, and I still can’t believe I get to work in a library! It is so much fun to open the pages of a book and be transported to a whole different world. Some stories make you smile. Some break your heart. Some inspire you. I’m so thankful that all of our girls have developed a love of reading.

I’ve been working on my Goodreads profile. It’s a fun and easy way to keep track of what books you have read/want to read/currently are reading. If you are over there, I’d love to connect! I don’t count the books I read to my kids or audiobooks in my book goal. Do you? My goal this year is to read 50 books.

Speaking of books– Janssen always has the best printables. I printed small versions of this reading log for each member of the family. We are coloring a book with each that we finish for the year. I really want to have a giant one made. You can also snag some book quote printables for free.

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis has a Mo Willems exhibit opening next month!! Sign me up!! Elephant and Piggie books were some of the first my girls read on their own. They played a huge part in developing a love of reading.

What are you currently reading? I picked up The Great Gatsby to read for the first time. Something about entering the 20s made me want to read it. I read a LOT of the classics in college. Unfortunately, I don’t remember much from them since I took such a heavy course load and worked full time.

It’s been a rough week in our house, and I’m feeling very thankful for the weekend. We are supposed to get up to 4 inches of rain tonight and tomorrow, which is bananas! It’s been a very warm winter so far, and I’m not mad about it. Happy weekend, friends!!

Even if you aren’t in the “book world”, you have probably heard this title. If you placed a hold at the library, you know you probably waited at least 6 months for it to come in for you.

When it finally was on the shelf with my name on it, I was afraid to pick it up. This book has had so much chatter about it. Everyone talked it up. Sometimes, when people talk up a book (movie, etc.) it can be a let down. I left it on the hold shelf for almost a week before I finally checked it out. It sat on my bedside table while I went back and forth on whether to read it or not. I wanted to avoid the possibility of a let down. That is the story of my life..

I finally picked it up, and it was slow to start. I had a lot of trouble getting into it. The language was difficult for me to understand. Young Kya didn’t have an education. She and the other characters lived in the south and had such “backwoods slang” that it was hard to make sense of.

I’m so glad that I stuck with it. It was a beautiful and heartbreaking coming of age story. My heart ached for this young girl growing into a woman on her own– abandoned by the world. I grew to love the characters and always loved Tate even when he didn’t seem as loveable.

If you pick it up, give it a chance. I was not disappointed. Book reviews are tough, because I don’t want to give away vital parts to the book. But a vague review is equally as frustrating.

This was my 18th book of the year. I used to say “I don’t have time to read”. I’m sure you say it also. But, here’s the thing. YOU DO! Instead of scrolling on your phone, pick up a book. Take it with you to the waiting room at the doctor or dentist. Read a chapter before bed– though, if you are like me this turns into reading for an hour. There is time to read if we just put our phones down!

**From a christian perspective- it was not “clean”. Not many books are, and discernment is needed. I don’t want to give away any parts of the story, so I won’t share more than that here. If you’d like more insight into it, just send me an e-mail and I’d be happy to chat.