Here’s my round-up of the last five books I’ve read. I wish I could take the time to talk about each book at more length, but it hasn’t happened yet and more books heap onto the reading pile so… here’s what I’ve got:
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson (10) A rare contemporary novel that is truly beautiful, insightful and interesting. I love the way she weaves the tale through the voice of the narrator who is leaving behind a letter for his young son about their family history, about faith and ultimately, about life. I didn’t know anything about this book when I picked it up other than that it was being hyped as the book to read this year. It exceeded my expectations! (Borrowed from the library.)
Heartfelt Discipline by Clay Clarkson (9) This is easily the best contemporary Christian parenting book I’ve read. Clarkson writes about a model of family discipline that harkens back to the true meaning of the word: disciplemaking. His ideas fit well with the view that our children are also our brothers and sisters in Christ through baptism, and deserve to be treated as such. Unfortunately, he does rabbit trail into Harry Potter bashing in his attempts to explain the importance of filtering what media content goes into the home, but nobody’s perfect. (Borrowed from the library.)
A Seperate Peace by John Knowles (8) After Lynn announced their new son’s name, I realized its been far too long since I read this book. It’s a coming of age tale that wrestles with some of the big questions of adolescene intelligently and simply. I enjoyed rereading it. (From the bookshelf.)
The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer (8) I read this book not expecting to learn a lot of new things (and I didn’t) but hoping to get some good talking points to use regarding our birth choices this pregnancy. Ms. Goer did not disappoint. Yes, between Bradley classes and compulsive internet reading, I did know most everything she wrote, but she does a great job of organizing the information and helping mothers to be empowered to make educated choices regarding birth. (Borrowed from the library.)
French Women Don’t Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano (7) An enjoyable book that looks at our cultural attitudes about food, comparing French and American eating habits and providing clues to how the French eat what they like without looking like whales. Common sense presented with sophistication and flair kept me reading when most books in the genre lose my interest quickly. (Borrowed from the library.)
kristin, i’m curious to hear more about your birth plans. if you don’t mind sharing.;) i’ve done a lot of research about this myself.
Your library has Clay Clarkson in its stack? Sigh. I wish I lived in an area more influenced by the gospel.
I borrowed Gilead when it was still a one week checkout and didn’t make it through more than the first chapter. I must go back. I have to admit I wasn’t thrilled with her first book, Housekeeping.
I’m going to look for the Goer book for my daughter-in-law.
I *love* reading your blog, Kristen.
We have a FANTASTIC library. Can’t say enough good things about it. They also have Lauren Winner. They have ordered several books on my request as well, which is always nice. But yes, our library has Clay Clarkson (alas, no Sally) and Jeff VanVonderen and no Gary Ezzo!
Oh, and SP, we have two completely different plans and scenarios for two completely different states — it’s pretty up in the air at this point. More to come at some point in the next four weeks, to be sure.
The croissant recipe in French Women rules. It’s our (sporadic) Sunday morning tradition now.
I’ve been waiting for _French Women_ for months. I guess it’s a popular book at the library.
And there’s no way I’m finding _Heartfelt Discipline_ there! Add me to the list of those green with envy for your library.
I didn’t love Gilead. I only finished it because it won the Pulitzer. I liked Housekeeping a little bit better than Gilead.
I’ve had *great* success in requesting books from interlibrary loan. And also in requesting the library aquisition certain titles.
I assume other parts of the country have it, but here in Florida, we can access AlleyCat–which draws from libraries all over the state. There are very few titles I’ve looked for that haven’t been available.
(Oh, and the Clay Clarkson book, IMO, is one worth actually buying. *grin*)
I agree it’s worth owning, but when our library has multiple copies… it’s hard to justify using my limited B&N gift card stash, so I bought his wife’s first book instead! Just got it yesterday, actually.