What’s On Your Nightstand? is hosted on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5 Minutes for Books. It’s an opportunity to look back (and forward) and share your reading.
Here’s what I’ve finished since last month’s round-up:
- The Harsh Truth about Public Schools (review here): A merciless account of public education.
- A Circle of Quiet (review here): Another of Madeleine L’Engle’s Crosswicks Journals.
- The Man Who Listens to Horses (review here): Memoir of horse whisperer Monty Roberts.
- Trailing Clouds of Glory: Spiritual Values in Children’s Books (review here): Another by Madeleine L’Engle. Organizes a number of books for younger readers by theme. A great resource with lots of excerpts and summaries of stories.
At the moment, I’m re-reading John Eldredge’s Waking the Dead
What’s on your nightstand?
Can you believe I’ve never read any Tolkien?!? Looking forward to your reviews, Janet!
Interesting books. There are several that I’ve never heard of.
The public school book sounds good– unfortunately, I feel like my son had to live through some nasty real-life tales this year that could be in that book! I’ve also had Three Cups of Tea on my shelf for a LONG time now. Someday!
I like your list of books. I still haven’t read “Waking the Dead”–I need to do that! Thanks for sharing.
Interesting mix of books! The public school book sounds interesting. I’ll have to click over and read the review.
Thanks for sharing!
I’d like to read the public school one too … since I used to teach, and now (gulp) have 3 kids there. I like John Eldredge as well, although sometimes it takes me a bit to get into his books. Thanks for some good ideas!
I am reading:
Larry Woiwode’s memoir titled “A Step From Death” – not your average stuff; written as a letter to his adult son. Woiwode is a Christian who can really write, but it’s not the breezy kind of writing compared to other autobiographies.
Richard Louv’s “Last Child In The Woods – Rescuing Our Children From Nature Deficet Disorder.” Excellent, must-read for all parents.
“Peace Like A River,” by Leif Enger – Been putting this one off for years, and finally getting around to it after making another vow to read fiction.
“Ideas Have Consequences.” — the classic of conservative political and social philosphy is challenging, heady stuff.
“The Russian Revolution,” by Orlando Figes. This British historian is the new master of Russian history. Balanced, and still a scathing indictment of the evils of communism.
“Too Loud Too Bright Too Fast Too Tight.” One of the best books I’ve come across on the baffling disorder known as Sensory Integration Dysfunction. This is a common, but far underdiagnosed issue for children adopted from Eastern European countries, resulting from lack of stimulation. Highly recommended as well is “The Sensory Sensitive Child.” If your child panics when wearing certain clothes (shorts, tight pants, turtle necks, etc) is easily angered, and shys away from social situations, he/she may have SID. Many social workers, doctors and therapists area clueless about this, but it is real, and it’s not ADD.
I’ve only read The Hobbit and LOTR by Tolkien. I’d like to get to the others some day.
Susan, my parents were public school teachers as well. If you — or morninglight or Lori — read ‘Harsh Truth’ I’ll be curious to know what you think.
Jim, that’s a challenging list! The only book on it I’ve read is ‘Peace Like a River.’ I’ve never heard of SID. What a fearful and wonderful thing the mind is.
Looking forward to hearing what you think of “children of hurin” It’s on the shelves waiting.
I have to admit that I’ve never read anything by Tolkien. I tried reading The Hobbit years ago and just couldn’t get into it. I should make myself try it again.
Thanks for sharing your list!
In all honesty, I couldn’t get into The Hobbit either when I tried years ago. Then when my first daughter was a baby I tried again and loved it, and burned on through LOTR like a house afire. It was just the right time for some reason.
Every time I see this meme I plan to participate the next month – then I forget again. I love looking at reading lists. I hope you enjoy Three Cups of Tea. I’m in between books, but hope to get Children of Men begun as soon as it gets to my library branch.
I’m another one who has been tested by Tolkein – my family all loves him and I never made it through The Hobbit. Interesting to hear your experience of trying again and having it be jus tthe right time.