What We're Reading in December 2017

As I’m hunkered down writing these very words to you, I’m surrounded by Christmas pleasantries. ’Tis the season. “The Little Drummer Boy” is wafting somewhere in the white space of my day. Ironically, my life plays a similar melody. Like the little drummer boy, I often feel very poor. Depleted. Empty. I have nothing fit to bring the newborn King, nothing but my daily drum—the mundane beat of life: laundry to wash, meals to make, lesson plans to prepare, a husband to honor and children to teach. These are my simple daily beats—the calling that he’s given me. But, I’m determined to play my best for Him, serving quietly; homeschooling daily; finding miracles even in the mundane; laying my obedience at His cradle. These are my finest gifts. Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum.

(This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for full details.)

I've got a stack of books sitting next to me--all in various states of done-ness. And I look forward to poring over pages in the coming days of December. Here's what we're all reading this month.

Read Aloud-everybody

Jotham's Journey- This is the first in a series of Advent books by Arnold Ytreeide. He also has a few titles that correspond with the Easter season. Each fictional chapter ends with a short non-fiction section that ties the story to our modern-day search for Jesus, the Savior King.

Jamie- that's me!

The Life-Giving Table- I read Sally's book, The Life-Giving Home, last year and can say without a doubt that the title did not disappoint. The book was life-giving. Needless to say, I couldn't wait to get my hands on her newest offering. It takes a slightly more applicable tone with devotional thoughts and recipes designed to nurture faith through feasting. I'm about 1/3 of the way through it. My favorite part has been the unfolding of feasts and shared meals in Scripture and learning how important they are in discipleship.



Watch for the Light- I've not started this one yet, but will be reading it through the Advent season to prepare my heart for the coming of a Baby King.

Sweetie Pea- 9th grade

Graceful- (Mom-assigned book) I've read a few things by Emily P. Freeman and listen to her podcast quite faithfully. Her writing is like a drink of cool water in a dry desert. So, I was eager to share this young woman's resource with my daughter on her MUST READ-for-high-school book list. A Christian upbringing in a "good" home can easily turn faith into a spiritual checklist instead of an act of worship. I want my daughter to grab onto grace. I want her to know that her life in Christ is not about striving, but about abiding.

Kisses from Katie- (Just-for-fun book) This book is also on my daughter's MUST READ-for-high-school book list, but she's reading it for "fun" instead.

Super Boy- 6th grade

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch- (Mom-assigned book) My son is still picking his way through this one. It's a weightier book, to be sure. But he's definitely enjoying the tenacity and courage of Nathan Bowditch in his adventure to live a purposeful and curious life. 

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

Blonde Warrior- 5th grade

Farmer Boy- (Mom-assigned book) My son is almost done with this American classic. He's enjoyed the whimsy and boy-next-door antics of Almanzo Wilder. But who doesn't love Little House and Laura's portrayal of pioneer living?



The Case of the Food Fight- (Just-for-fun book) We have a small collection of Jigsaw Jones Mystery books in our attic library. They seem to always be my son's GO TO for fun reading when he doesn't already have a title in mind. Admittedly, these books are all silly twaddle. But, we all need a little bit of twaddle every now and then.

Greased Lightning- 3rd grade

In Grandma's Attic- (Mom-assigned book) Some would set this in the "girl" pile of books. But I think the themes of friendship, love, and shared memories are timeless and genderless. This book has always ranked high on my list of living literature treasures. It is the first in a series of four books that details the 19th century childhood of the narrator's grandmother.

I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912- (Just-for-fun book) My son has been fascinated with sunken ships lately. He has researched the locations of the most-well known shipwrecks and has made ocean maps of each one. He has read and re-read this book several times already this month and anxiously awaits a few other Titanic-themed fiction books that I've requested for him through our public library.

The Dude- Kindergarten

Reading for Fun Enrichment Library- (Mom-assigned book) My youngest son is still 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.

The Boxcar Children- (Just-for-fun book) One-on-one time with my 5-year-old can easily get lost in the fray of a busy homeschool day. His schooling doesn't require nearly the concentrated effort as that of his older siblings'. So this month, he and I searched our home library for a book that we could share together, just the two of us. We've been nestled on my bed for a few quiet moments nearly every weekday to read a chapter of this first Boxcar Children. Although his attention span is short, he can fully grasp the simple plot and dialogue-driven story line.

That's what we'll be reading during this Advent season. How about you?

Set your homeschool day on autopilot!

Thank you! Your task cards will be sent to your inbox shortly.

Set your homeschool day on autopilot!

No more nagging your kids to do their work. Grab my free Task Cards today.