What’s On Your Nightstand: June 2011
I’m in quite the reading slump these days, but maybe a look back over the last month’s fare — and a look at others’ reading lists — for the What’s On Your Nightstand? round-up will inspire me.
Here’s what I’ve read since the last Nightstand:
- An Experiment in Criticism (CS Lewis): An argument for judging books not by whether they’re “in” according to whatever the critical fashion happens to be at the moment, but by the quality of reading they inspire. My review here.
- The Atomic Weight of Secrets (Eden Unger Bowditch): A YA novel that I found absorbing and entertaining. It takes place in the early 20th century and concerns a group of science prodigies mysteriously separated from their parents and exiled to a midwestern farm, where they are protected — or patrolled — by black-clad men. Review here.
- The Love Exchange (Margaret Therkelsen): A book on prayer by an acquaintance of mine. It challenged me to pay more attention to how much energy I take expressing my love for God, or resting in His for me. Review here.
- The Westing Game (Ellen Raskin): A YA classic that I missed as a YA, this struck me as a clever and complicated mystery that lacked heart but exercised the mind. Review here.
I’ve also read a couple of books about local history that I haven’t reviewed here. Currently I’m reading the history of a nearby island on the Susquehanna. I’m enjoying the sense of perspective these books give me, even though they tend to generate even more questions!
What’s next? I’m considering rereading Captivating, which exhausted me a few years ago but which I might tackle again. I’m also greatly anticipating the arrival of Anna Botsford Comstock’s Handbook of Nature Study, which I want to delve into myself before using it as our home school science spine next year.
What’s on your nightstand? You can link up over at 5 Minutes for Books.
10 Comments
bekahcubed
I took a quick look at that Handbook of Nature Study online.
Wow! You should have fun with that. I’m envying your freedom to teach your kids using that–and reminding myself that God has a reason for having me in an office at this point in my life (Grr! :-) )
Amy @ Hope Is the Word
Sounds like you and I are on the same page once again, friend, in more ways than one! I have Handbook of Nature Study and find it a wonderful and interesting resource, especially paired with Barb’s blog. (I’m sure you know about Barb, right?) Local history sounds interesting!
Jennifer, Snapshot
The Atomic Weight of Secrets sounds quite good! My daughter and I might enjoy that one.
Jennifer
5minutesforbooks.com
Missional Mama
I am checking out your first two books for sure! I enjoyed The Westing Game and used to teach it when I was in the classroom. I look forward to reading and discussing it with my kids. I would probably recommend that you skip Captivating although I have met people who enjoyed it. The Handbook of Nature Study is amazing and a bit overwhelming! Enjoy your reading this month!
Amy
bluestocking
All of these books sound excellent!!!
Here is mine
Barbara H.
For being in a slump you got a good bit of reading done! I don’t know if I am up for Lewis’s experiment — maybe some day.
Lisa notes...
The Love Exchange sounds very good. And The Westing Game. It’s been on my list forever too. Maybe one day!
Great list.
Carrie, Reading to Know
I’m smiling and wondering what you mean by Captivating exhausting you! =) (Was it that everyone was talking about it?)
I definitely want to read The Westing Game after your review of it!
Janet
Carrie, I just found the content tiring — all the soul-searching it inspired, I guess. Now, though, I can’t remember much about it!
Trish @ In So Many Words
Fascinating! Enjoyed your review of Lewis’ book, although I probably won’t be adding it to my list. :)