I Want to Fall Into Reading in 2009

Once upon a time, a long time ago, I used to be a prolific reader. A bookworm.  From the time I learned how to read until my early 20's, I spent most of my free time lost in a book.  It's a great place to be.  Totally into a thrilling story, feeling like you're right there next to the characters.

But, alas, I left behind my bookwormishness when I became enthralled in my new passion -- being a mom.  For many women, they can maintain their literary stride as they take on the mantle of motherhood.  But for me, I let other things take the place of a good book.  Giggles on the swing.  Baking cookies.  Snuggles at bedtime.  Sleep.

Until lately.  Over the past year I have been pushing myself back into a regular reading habit.  I miss the feeling of falling head over heels into the middle of a great piece of fiction or learning something new from a work of non-fiction. 

However, now that I'm older {only thirty-eleven}, I find reading particularly difficult.  I've become highly distractible and need total silence to read with no interruptions.  And pretty much no one in the same room.  Which is a feat in itself since I am very popular during my reading time.

But I am going to persevere. Partly because I have a library's worth of books I've collected over the years {and never read}.  My family and I are preparing to depart on a year-long trip around the USA, and I can't bear the thought of putting all these books, unread, into storage.  Another reason I am going to push myself to read more is because I've started a mentoring group where reading a new book every month is required. And I so want to grow from this mentoring. So there you have it.

In any case, imagine my excitement when I learned that Katrina over at Callapidder Days is hosting her awesome Fall Into Reading 2009!  Below you will find my list, or rather lists, of what I intend to read from now until December 20th. 

Mentoring {for my group}:

* Identity Theft, Mike Breaux   Fantastic!

* Good to Great in God's Eyes, Chip Ingram   Wow, my fave book so far!

* Your Life in Rhythm, Bruce Miller

Bible study with my kids:

* More Than a Carpenter, Josh and Sean McDowell

* The Case for Christ: Student Edition, Lee Strobel   Wonderful read with both of my chicklets...looking forward to others in the series.

Read-alouds with my kids {for history}:

* Adam and His Kin, Ruth Beechick

* Story of the World: Ancients, Susan Wise Bauer

* The Golden Goblet, Eloise Jarvis McGraw   Excellent!

* The God King, Joanne Williamson  Excellent!

* The Trojan War, Olivia Coolidge

* Mystery of the Roman Ransom, Henry Winterfeld

* The Eagle of the Ninth, Rosemary Sutcliff

* The Ides of April, Mary Ray

* The Bronze Bow, Elizabeth George Speare

* Beyond the Desert Gate, Mary Ray

* Black Horses for the King, Anne McCaffrey

* Flame Over Tara, Madeleine Polland

* The Beduin's Gazelle, Frances Temple

Other Read-alouds with the kids:

* The Swiss Family Robinson, Johann Wyss   Loved it! Could make a science curriculum based on this book!
* Sense & Sensibility, Jane Austen   Wonderful!
* City of Ember, Jeanne DuPrau

Fiction {for me}:

* The Time Traveller's Wife, Audrey Niffenegger   changed mind

* Mansfield Park, Jane Austen

* Emma, Jane Austen

Non-Fiction:

* Power of a Praying Wife, Stormie Omartian

* War of the Worldviews, Ken Ham

* So Much More, Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin

* Raising Maidens of Virtue, Stacy McDonald

* Boyhood and Beyond, Bob Schultz

* Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends, Sarah Mally

* Preparing Him for the Other Woman: A Mother's Guide to Raising Her Son to Love a Wife and Lead a Family, Sherri Rose Shepherd

* Epic, John Eldredge

* Love and Respect, Emerson Eggerichs {I just need to finish this one.}

* The Charlotte Mason Companion, Karen Andreola

* Educating the Wholehearted Child, Clay and Sally Clarkson


So, what do you think of my choices?  Have you read any of these and have a word of advice? Are you working your way through your own list?  This list may seem daunting, but I'm going to give it a good try. I might possibly write a review or two along the way.  We shall see.   For now, I just realized that it's quiet...and there is no one in the room...that means it's time to read.