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November Titles // 2017



beautiful Fall day at Brae Island in Ft. Langley 

*Of Mess & Moxie by Jen Hatmaker - The newest Hatmaker book, I finished this in just a few days. This book has quite a few pep talks and 'you'll be okay' talks for younger women, and a few "How To" chapters that are absolutely hilarious regarding anything from potty training to Target shopping. It felt much less rant-y than her last book and if I'm being honest I read her books to keep up because a lot of Christian women follow her online. I don't always agree with her, nor do I find well-stewed spiritual meaty teaching, but can always appreciate humor that makes me snort-laugh when reading.

*More Charlotte Mason Education by Catherine Levine - This book was pt. 2 of my continuing education on Charlotte Mason educational philosophy, and it didn't disappoint. It was much more in-depth as far as practical 'how-tos', complete with helpful book lists, and chapters that didn't just go over the same information as her first book on the same topic. Although this book is just a bit outdated and the shared passion is written in quite a buttoned-up way, I really appreciate learning about this educational philosophy and realize we already do so much in our home school that is Charlotte Mason inspired. Something I am hoping to 'get on with' is a Book of Centuries. Anyone out there with a great template or one they've purchased? Or do you recommend making your own like Levine?

*The Problem with God by Mark Clark - I read this book with a group of ladies I'm connected with at church and I loved this book. It's very accessible, really interesting, and full of biblical apologetics. This was a book that I filled with yellow high-lighter, and I *never* touch my books like that! I listen to Clark's sermon every week. He is engaging, funny, and very biblically sound. This book is geared toward all the hangups, doubts, and hard questions that skeptics have towards Christianity. Not only is this a great refresher (or all new information for some!) on why Christianity is true and good, even in the wake of bad things happening, and why other worldviews including atheism just don't cut it. Anyone can get something out of this book, and it'd be excellent to go through with high schoolers, too.

*The Language of God by Francis Collins - I found out about this book from the Clark book above, as he quotes Collins a few times throughout. Francis Collins is one of the scientists that discovered DNA and came from atheistic beliefs to Christianity through his research and science background. Although still accessible, it's not quite as conversational as ss, and delves much deeper into specific sciences including DNA, the birth of the universe, bioethics, etc. A fascinating read, and right along side by last month's reads about the history of law and Moral/Natural Law and the De Grasse Tyson book about astrophysics. Phew! I think December will be full of winter novels with happy endings. My brain needs a bit of a break from these heady topics, but they have all been really enjoyable.

*Love Your Life, Not Theirs by Rachel Cruze -  Alright so I love Dave Ramsey and his money snowballs and his yelling. His daughter's second book, above, was good, but I liked her first book (Smart Money, Smart Kids) better, as I felt this was more a generalized overview from a different personality than Dave. This just hammers back the good habits to work on with your finances, and reiterates that the comparison trap is real and it'll suck you dry.

Read Aloud to the Kids

*Sophie Mouse #11 The Mouse House by Pippa Green - Ani and I finish these cute little books in one sitting, and the pictures are adorable. This one was about Sophie becoming jealous over her friend's birthday gift, and how it's resolved is sweet and a good lesson. They are pretty fluffy books but we enjoy them.

*Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling - The first in the HP series, my kids LOVED it. I know this will be one of our favorite memories of homeschooling. If they love #1 and #2 they will L-O-V-E all the others after, as Rowling does her best work, in my opinion, from 3 on. I'm not going to summarize these books when I review them being as nearly everyone I know has read them, but all that to say it was very enjoyable sharing some of my favorite literary characters and then watching the movie afterward as a family.

*Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling - We got the second book as an illustrated version from the library and blasted through Harry's second year at Hogwarts. The kids whine a lot every time we finish a chapter, which is *almost* okay to whine about.  This book has a bit more mystery to it and I already can't wait to read #3 and 4, which are some of my favorite out of the seven. Of course, each finished novel comes with a movie night, which they enjoy as well!


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