I’m eager to share with you a few of the books I’ve read the last few months, along with what I’m currently reading. When I open a book and process the written words of truth, goodness & beauty, I am edified. My mind expands and my heart settles into a state of peace.
As a mother of four young children, ages 7 years, 5-1/2, 4 and almost 2, I’ve found my hand naturally reaches for books in the following categories: Christian living, homeschooling, and memoir. These are the categories that fill me with much-needed truth, goodness & beauty. They pull me from my own seemingly despair and remind me, we are doing the good work of mothering together.
Tell me, what is your relationship with books? Are you a reader? What shapes your reply?
Reading has been a wonderful companion throughout my life, ever since I was a young girl. But even if that’s not the story you’d tell of your life, you can begin enjoying and reading books today. Having grown up “a reader” isn’t a prerequisite to enjoying reading now. Here is a wonderful book list to help you get started.
With a gentle commitment, I average finishing two books each month. There are many highs & lows during my mothering and teaching our children, but what I’m beginning to notice about myself is this: books remind me I am capable of accomplishing great things. With patience, I can enjoy the time needed for the story to unfold.
During my recent time offline, in which I spent three months writing purely for myself (glorious! freeing!), I finished reading a small stack of books. May I share the titles with you? ;)
RECENTLY READ BOOKS:
Beholding and Becoming: The Art of Everyday Worship by Ruth Chou Simons
Mere Motherhood: morning times, nursery rhymes, and my journey towards sanctification by Cindy Rollins
The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living by Meik Wiking
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
For the Children’s Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
Educated: a memoir by Tara Westover
CURRENTLY READING:
The Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning, and Life by Julie Bogart
Becoming Mrs. Lewis: The Improbable Love Story Between Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis by Patti Callahan
our Easter Sunday frittata (helpful baking instructions found here)
Now, in the spirit of sharing “things” that edify, may I also share with you some of the meals I’ve made recently? I’m always eager to find new recipes, or even simple meal ideas, that satisfy my family of six.
Not only am I looking to soothe our hunger through a meal, but I want to awaken our sense of taste. Food is something we can delight over, which is especially comforting during this season of intense laboring & heart training. Not just for my children, but for myself, too ;)
The five meals I’m sharing below can be modified to fit your family’s preference. Just keep an open mind, and think through what would serve you best.
RECENTLY PREPARED MEALS:
asian chicken wraps with peanut sauce
shepherds pie with cauliflower topping
garlic butter herb chicken with asparagus
You know I’m going to ask: what are you reading these days? Have you read any of the books on my shared lists? What does mealtime look like in your home? Which “sense” do you enjoy awaking?
xx, Maggie
*affiliate links shared throughout
I’m reading Life Giving Parent by the Clarksons, The Way I heard it by Mike Rowe, and I sneak a few pages of Jean Fleming A Mother’s Heart. It’s such a good book, I reread it often. My husband and I are slowly working through the Chou’s new Foundation book. And of course all the read alouds with my gang of four boys(8 and under). I go through times of feasting on books then sort of burn out. I’m trying to learn to Pace myself. Great article!
I just love the wisdom and encouragement the Clarkson’s share with the world, don’t you?! Thanks for taking a moment to share what you’re reading :) xx
I’m currently reading through:
None Like Him by Jen Wilkin
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
The Finishing School by Valerie Woerner
Identity Theft by Melissa Kruger & more
The Little Veggie Patch Co. by Fabian Capomolla & Mat Pember
And listening to Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas on audiobook from my library
I really need to stop starting so many at one time ♀️
This is a fantastic list! So many intriguing titles, I’ll have to look them up. Thank you for the comment, Julia. Hope you’ll stick around. xx