Be sure to check out our recommended 2011 Summer Read-Alouds!
These are some books, websites, and other resources that have influenced my journey lately.
FICTION
Peace Like a River by Lief Enger
So Brave, Young, and Hansom by Lief Enger (I’ll read anything written by Enger. His heroines remind me how fabulous it is to be a woman.)
The Mitford Series by Jan Karon (Not just characters, but friends… dear friends.)
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers
NONFICTION
* Regarding Faith:
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
When Life and Beliefs Collide by Carolyn Custis James
Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller (Ryan and I read Miller’s books aloud to one another. They help us write better and open up our conversations.)
Girl Meets God; Mudhouse Sabbath, and Real Sex by Lauren Winner
* Regarding Life Issues
Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey (Get rid of credit cards all together! This changed our lives.)
Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung
Rescuing Ambition by Dave Harvey
Relationships: A Mess Worth Making by Timothy S. Lane
Counseling Survivors of Sexual Abuse by Diane Langburg (Though written for counselors, this book counsels.)
Boundaries by Cloud &Â Townsend (In my humble opinion, this book should be required reading for every human being.)
* Regarding Marriage:
The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie O’Martian
The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace
Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother by Carolyn Mahaney
Created to Be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl
For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn
The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands by Dr. Laura Shlessinger
* Regarding Children and Families:
Baby Blessings (3 CDs full of prayers for babies; for all of us)
Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Ted Tripp
Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby by Tracy Hogg
The Happiest Baby on the Block by Dr. Karp
Educating the Wholehearted Child by Sally and Clay Clarkson
The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson
For the Children’s Sake and For the Family’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
To Train Up a Child by Michael and Debi Pearl
The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie O’Martian
The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer
So Much More by Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin
The Return of the Daughters by Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin
Girl Talk by Carolyn Mahaney
* READ-ALOUDS
Picture Books We Love:
The Elm Tree and Three Sisters by Norma Sommerdorf
Miss Fanny’s Hat by Jan Karon
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell
Anatole by Eve Titus
Moses by Weatherford & Nelson
Reliably Great Authors: Deborah Hopkinson, Eve Titus, C.W. Anderson, Arnold Lobel, Ian Falconer, Don Freeman, Peggy Parish, Chris Van Allsburg, June O’Conner, Stan and Jan Berenstain
Peter Rabbit series by Beatrix Potter
Chapter Books
Winnie the Pooh series by Milne
Millie, Molly, Mandy by Joyce
All-of-A-Kind-Family (and the whole series!) by Sydney Taylor
The Velveteen Rabbit
Stuart Little by E.B. White
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
The Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingles Wilder (Read it with a 4-year-old while doing this lapbook and you’ll have fun!)
Sonlight Curriculum Read-alouds
