Here's my read-before-Advent book stack for November!
Three re-reads, two non-fiction, and one I've been meaning to read forever. The Vanderbeekers Lost and Found, by Karina Yan Glaser, was the one I've been meaning to read—somehow I'd fallen behind on the series without realizing it until the latest book came out and my children scolded for me for beginning it without catching up. This was lovely, as expected! My favorite, favorite part (and skip ahead if you don't want spoilers) was when the children sat at the bedside of an elderly friend who was dying. Death is so, so hard but its hardness seems to make many people overlook the beauty of a happy death. I'm very blessed that my children have been able to be present at wakes and funerals and one death bed, and I'm happy to report that they cherish these memories and were not traumatized (that's not to say they aren't still grieving, but that is a very different thing). But children are very often sheltered from both the hardness and the beauty of death—I was so glad to see it handled sensitively but honestly here. Brava. Online Marketing for Busy Authors, by Fauzia Burke. Oof. All the things I really need to learn before I get a book published, because we can all admit I've been flying by the seat of my pants for a bit. This book is well-structured and encouraging, as well as full of good sense. I've just begin Tranquility by Tuesday, by Laura Vanderkam, and I already am gleaning so much wisdom. Her 168 Hours was life-changing for me in terms of time-management and mindset. This follows along the same vein, but with the focus being on contentment and calm rather than productivity alone. When choosing books for my November reads, I had to go with comfort over everything else, and that's why I pulled from my three favorite authors for re-reads (I don't usually re-read this much in a month). Heaven to Betsy is the first Betsy-Tacy high school book, and Jane of Lantern Hill is one of L. M. Montgomery's most overlooked titles (also the rare story not set on Prince Edward Island). Pure comfort-y goodness. And besides being my favorite book, Pride and Prejudice is on my curriculum for my high school daughters, so we've been reading through it together (it's been a blend of read-aloud, read alone, and audiobook). I LOVE sharing favorite books with my teenagers. This is such a fun stage in our homeschooling journey. I've been loving it so much that I'm planning a post on read-aloud with teenagers, so stay tuned. Okay, now I need your help: I need recommendations for good December reads! We read lots of picture books as a family during Advent (lots of Jan Brett this year as part of Read Aloud Revival's Christmas school), and I'll be reading the devotional Waiting for the Light. I'd love to add a new-to-me novel to the stack—do you have any you really love? Classic, contemporary, mystery, history—I'm pretty open! Please share your favorites!
6 Comments
11/17/2022 11:45:35 am
I have never head of Jane of Lantern Hill. I thought I had read all of Montgomery's books. I will have to check it out. For December reads, see if you can find a copy of Winter Cottage by Carol Ryrie Brink. It was out of print for years, but I think it's back in print. I think you will like it. Thanks for a fun post.
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11/18/2022 05:44:56 pm
Rosi! I'm so glad you commented, because you recommended that book to me years ago, but I couldn't remember either the book title or who had recommended it. I should have just bought it immediately, obviously. :) And it is back in print now!
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11/17/2022 05:33:46 pm
I like books that show a how there can be beauty and grace in death. My daughter was exposed to losing grandparents and the time with them filled with laughter, love and tears. For me death is a birth into spirit - our true self. Doesn't mean you don't grieve the loss, but it certainly helps you move forward. Want to read this book!
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11/18/2022 05:47:52 pm
I'm so glad your daughter had that experience, Patricia. One of my most cherished memories is being at my grandfather's deathbed.
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11/18/2022 02:46:45 pm
I do so love my old books but I've been eyeing a new book for some months now in the Sophia Institute catalog--Christmas Blossoms by Priscilla Smith McCaffery and Gwyneth Thompson Briggs.
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About meHi! I'm Faith. I blog about books and creativity, family and faith. Welcome! Archives
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