Books of 2011 - February

Another month, another stack of books to read. (My March stack is currently 11 deep with 3 already started, not counting the cookbook and craft book on the floor by my bed.)
1. The Twilight Warriors. Non-fiction by Robert Gandt. As funny as it would be, no, this is not about that Twilight. This is about some of the last days of WW2 in the Pacific. I started this book for research but it reads like a novel (and I mean that as high praise) and it was hard to put down. Excellent book!

2. 6 Ways to Keep the "Little" in Your Girl. Non-fiction by Dannah Gresh. I read a lot of parenting books and parenting books specific to raising girls are some of my favorites (go figure). This book didn't have a lot of new information but it was nice to be encouraged that we are on the right track.

3. Tilting the Playing Field. Non-fiction by Jessica Gavora. Scholarly, yet accessible work on Title IX and the implications thereunto pertaining.

4. Amazing Grace: The Life of William Wilberforce. Non-fiction by Eric Metaxas. Wilberforce deserves to be far better known. I know I've mentioned this before, but I very much enjoy Metaxas' writing style: just the right touches of wit and gravity. The material in this book also inspired me to order a biography about William Pitt (the younger), sadly, not written by Metaxas but I hope it will do justice to its subject anyway.

5. The Great Typo Hunt. Non-fiction by Jeff Deck & Benjamin Herson. As a self-appointed (and perhaps oft misguided) grammar hawk, I wanted to like this book. Unfortunately, due to the constant injection of politics, I did not.

6. Get a Life Not a Job. Non-fiction by Paula Caligiuri. This was first in my stack of business or work related books. Raising four daughters, homeschooling, and all this reading I must do {wink} seem to be against my actually going out and getting a job. I needed some fresh ideas.

7. Viral Loop. Non-fiction by Adam Peneberg. This book is a fascinating look at the rise of Facebook, Ebay and other internet related things.

8. Number the Stars. Fiction by Lois Lowry. This is a YA novel I was pre-reading before allowing Polly to read it for history. The subject matter is grave (there is true way to write about WW2 in a flippant manner) but tastefully handled. Does not dwell with the Holocaust in depth. Two swear words are understandable but regrettable in a book for children or young adolescents.

9. Shepherds of the Sea. Non-fiction by Robert Cross. Read as research. This book is printed by the Naval Academy. I guess the proof-readers were all busy because, good gracious the typos are legion. Very useful for research, unless you were wondering how to spell the Nazi leader's first name, which this book misspells every.single.time.

10. The Beautiful Fight. Non-fiction by Gary Thomas. I'm still processing this one. I took page after page of notes, Bible verses and the like. Combats the mindset of what Bonhoeffer called "cheap grace." Wonderful book - highly recommended! Like I said, I'm still processing this one and will most likely be referencing it more in the future.

11. Blind Justice. Fiction by Bruce Alexander. First in a series of mysteries. Great characters but the mystery could have been more mysterious. I figured out large portions about half way through, which is disappointing but the book was very well written and I will be looking for the others.

12. Putting God Back in the Holidays. Non-fiction by Bill & Penny Thrasher. I picked this up on whim at our library. It was so much more than I expected! Far more than fun ideas, this book gets right to the heart of why God is worthy of worship and ought to be at the center of why we do anything. Nicely complemented #10 above.

I wonder if God was getting my attention via books more than usual this month or if I was just more sensitive to His guidance? Not that it really matters. Message received.

My February Totals:
2 Fiction
10 Non-fiction

So, what did you read this month?
This post contains Amazon Associate links. Any action taken with these links could result in compensation for me. Opinions are my own and I encourage you to check your library or Paperback Swap first - these books are worth it!

Top 10 Tuesday - Chapter Books for Any Child

A few weeks ago I posted our favorite chapter books for girls. I can't believe I forgot the All of a Kind Family books. Those were some of my favorites when I was a girl and Polly loves them now. They are (sadly) mostly out of print but we're covering that deficit with the library and Paperback Swap. Thanks to Amanda for reminding me!

So, what if you don't have girls? Or if your girls need more chapter books to read? {smile}

1. The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. Our girls also have these stories on c.d (This set.) They highly recommend them! Every child should have a chance to visit Narnia. Please, please don't settle for the movie versions. That's like only reading about England and never actually visiting it. (Which, ahem, I've done both.) Strangely enough, I didn't read these as a kid. I've made up for lost time since then!

2. Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard & Florence Atwater. I have fond memories of my mom reading this to us. I've read it to my girls, they've listened to an audio book version and now, Polly has read it herself. It's a favorite.

3. Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling. Oh best beloved, you must read this book. It's just not negotiable. There are some picture book versions of some of the stories that are also great.

4. Stuart Little by E.B. White. Another favorite read aloud. Another book far superior to the movie version.

5. The Borrowers by Mary Norton. I read this one to Polly. Now she's busy reading the numerous sequels to herself because she can't wait for me. Interesting and not too sweet.

6. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. I haven't actually read this but Polly highly recommends it. Lots of word play.

7. Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes. Another recommendation from Polly and Tigger. A delightful book about a dog that isn't ridiculously sad (Old Yeller, anyone?).

8. The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden. Yet another book illustrated by the incomparable Garth Williams. (I'm beginning to suspect he's the reason many books became the beloved classics that they are today!)

9. Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. Everyone ought to be acquainted with the real Alice. My girls especially enjoy the audio version. (British narrators make everything better, right?)
10.Homer Price and Centerburg Tales by Robert McCloskey. Enjoyed by boys and girls for many years now. McCloskey's books are always pitch perfect. They, like Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder, also make me hungry. Especially for donuts. So consider yourself warned: you might want to lay in a supply of donuts before reading.

This post is linked to Top 10 Tuesday at Oh Amanda.
This post contains Amazon Associate links. Any action taken with these links could result in compensation for me. Opinions are my own and I encourage you to check your library or Paperback Swap first - these books are worth it