What We're Reading in November 2017

There's something about the sights and smells of November that puts me in a hygge-a-rific kinda mood. In November, I unearth my wool-lined snow boots, unpack a few half-started crochet projects, and keep apple cider on perma-brew.

November is crisp. November is teasing weather that is never quite sure if it wants to snow, rain, or gust. November is a month to hunker down with a good book or two or three.


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Here's what we'll be reading during lovely November.

Read aloud- everybody

Red Sails to Capri- This one has been on our Goodreads TO READ shelf for nearly two years and now that we just turned the very last pages, I'm having trouble remembering why it took us so long to finally read it. Based on the true rediscovery of the Blue Grotto of Capri, this book will take you on an intriguing adventure with Michele, a 14-year-old Italian boy, and three international travelers who mysteriously arrive at Michele's parents inn all looking for different things. 

The Cay- I couldn't wait to share this story with my WWII-loving boys. As I suspected, I'm slamming through it. Since cracking it open yesterday, we've finished almost half of it. My kids just can't get enough of the tragic, yet redemptive story of Phillip, the only son of an American couple from Virginia who finds himself shipwrecked on an island with an old West Indian man named Timothy. Despite all odds, this motley crew of two learns to trust each other while building an unlikely friendship.

Jamie- that's me!

Reading People- In her debut book, Anne Bogel from Modern Mrs. Darcy has unpacked several of the most well-known personality frameworks in order to help readers better understand themselves and others. She offers a great introduction to Myers-Briggs, StrengthFinders, the 5 Love Languages, and more. While I have read books about many of these frameworks already, I've never come across one that sets all of them side-by-side. In cliff-notes-style fashion, Bogel gives readers a more accurate portrait of their personalities and helps them discover how to better live with the people they love.

Sweetie Pea- 9th grade

The Odyssey- (Mom-assigned book) I'll be really honest, my daughter is slowly trudging through this classic. It's mandatory reading for her literature program this year and has made the start of 9th grade quite laborious. With typical first born tenacity, she's determined to finish it, even though she's been granted permission to read some other classic in its place. 

Kisses From Katie- (Just-for-fun book) She and I have had so many great conversations about this title from her high school MUST READ book list. Like all great memoirs, it is allowing her to walk in someone else's shoes--to gently feel the struggles of the marginalized and impoverished of the world and to grow a sense of gratitude and generosity. 

Super Boy- 6th grade

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch- (Mom-assigned book) My oldest son is still plugging away at this true life story of maritime navigator Nathaniel Bowditch. It's a lengthy and meaty narrative fiction which provides both a captivating story and an in-depth look at 18th century living. 

Hero of Hacksaw Ridge- (Just-for-fun book)

Blonde Warrior- 5th grade

Farmer Boy- (Mom-assigned book) My son could not have been reading this much-loved Wilder classic at a more appropriate time. Two weeks ago, he, along with his siblings and I, had the opportunity to visit a working 1860s farm that operates as a living history museum. The pages of Farmer Boy came to life for him as he learned to command a team of oxen, feed sheep, and tend fields just like Almanzo. The book gave him a great frame of reference for 19th century farm life and the field trip filled in the gaps. 

Escape from the Island of Aquarius- (Just-for-fun book)

Greased Lightning- 3rd grade

Stuart Little- (Mom-assigned book) My son is wrapping up this delightful story of a daring mouse-boy who sets out on an adventure to find his lost friend Margalo.

Can You Survive Storm Chasing?- (Just-for-fun book) He's currently obsessed with hurricanes, tornadoes, and all-things-severe-weather. So this choose-your-own-adventure, storm-chasing novel has him plastered to its pages. 

The Dude- Kindergarten

Reading for Fun Enrichment Library- My youngest is making his way through an old boxed set of A Beka phonics readers. The particular set we own is no longer in print, but has been reworked with similar storylines and modern illustrations. I love these books because they are among the few emergent readers that are 100% phonics-based.