I did read one book over the summer, I guess. Never Again: Securing America and Restoring Justice by John Ashcroft was a definite eye-opener. My mom found it at the dollar store. Not sure if that’s a sign that the publishers wanted everyone to read it or that no one wanted to read it so the last resort was the dollar store. I’m guessing the latter, unfortunately. But if anyone wonders why we’re still at war with Iraq, read Never Again. If anyone else is like me and couldn’t tell you much about the Patriot Act, read Never Again. And for anyone who may have forgotten a bit of the pride of country that swelled up in all our hearts on September 11, 2001, read Never Again. As you relive that day your patriotic passion will be rekindled, just in time for election day.
Next on my political to-read list is Roy Moore’s So Help Me God: The Ten Commandments, Judicial Tyranny, and the Battle for Religious Freedom. I picked it up at thrift store’s half-price sale day. Since I found Never Again to be such stimulating reading (and found it an easy book to read at work in between customers) I decided I’d try another book in a similar vein.
I just downloaded the e-book Moms on Call
Basic Baby Essentials Volume Two: 6-24 Months by Laura Hunter and Jennifer Walker. Looking forward to learning more from some of my favorite mommy authors. (Their first book, Moms on Call Guide to Basic Baby Care is currently available at a great sale price from Library and Educational Services–check it out!) But I’m still laughing because no matter what parenting book I read, none except the antique books speak of potty training as early as we are (and with such success!).Another on the parenting topic that I want to find is Don’t Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman. A friend whom I really respect (based upon her wisdom and experience as a mom of two and older sister of many more) recommended it. Then I heard the author interviewed on FamilyLife Today and knew it was a book I had to read. Any parenting book author who matter-of-factly talks about training your children to say “yes, ma’am” and “yes, sir” is automatically on my “listen closer” radar! Too few out there any more. (But it helps to read parenting books by people from the South.)
I always keep Created to Be His Helpmeet by Debi Pearl near my bedside, and opened it again of late. But the book on marriage whose pages I’ve just cracked open is The Sexually Confident Wife by Shannon Ethridge. Look for more of a review coming soon. (And then there’s The Man Whisperer, whose author, Rick Johnson, I just heard interviewed on Chris Fabry Live. That sounds like a good read, too…)
And amidst all of this “thinking” reading one must have a fun read. Mine is currently in the form of a piece of Medieval Christian fiction by our pastor’s wife: Sirocco Wind from the East by Virginia Ann Work. I’ve enjoyed it so far, and once again I’m sure I’ll be sharing more once I finish it.
My husband reads out loud to me nearly every night before we go to sleep. We’re just about to start the very last book in Ralph Moody’s Little Britches series. It’s been such a fun series to read together, and one I know we’ll be reading again and again with our children–not only for all the practical farm-style problem-solving, but for the lessons in character that come through loud and clear in the stories. (Speaking of farm how-to’s, my husband has really been enjoying this book I gave him for his birthday: Handy Farm Devices and How to Make Them by Rolfe Cobleigh.)
But enough talking of books. My baby girl is asleep, so maybe I’ll go catch a chapter or two before lunch…
5 Comments
As always Gretchen, I love to hear from you and yours.
Would you mind passing on some info re. early potty training?
Thanks and Blessings,
Vanessa
I’ve heard a little bit about “The Sexually Confident Wife” and I’d love to hear a review before I pick it up!
Dear Gretchen,
I know that you are one of the Founding Mothers of YLCF and your writing has (no doubt) been praised through comments and emails, but I thought I would share my appreciation as well, especially since you’ve probably never heard praise quite like this:
First of all, I am a bit of a synsethete, and I “associate a lot of things with a lot of other things” as Audrey Hepburn says in “Charade.” When I read something good, I often realize that it seems to “smell” good to me. That’s the best way to describe it. So basically, I just wanted to tell you that your writing has a lovely fragrance like that of L. M. Montgomery!
Congratulations! I look forward to more of this loveliness!
Everly Pleasant
p.s. That is so sweet that your husband reads aloud to you!
Oh, are you doing the baby potty training? I’ve read about that in “To Train up a Child,” by the Pearls. I’m not sure if we’ll do that or not … our first is due in February. I’d love to see a post on it!
Blessings,
Lauren
Please do share more about the early potting training!