I have been reading quite a bit this Summer (you all do remember I am Master of Small Chunks of Time), and I wondered what everyone else has been reading….

Let’s see, here is what I have been reading so far with some all-too-brief notes.  I read way more non-fiction than fiction, as you will note.

• First of all, the Bible – Psalms and Proverbs and the book of James (a good place to start!),  parts of Mark, chapters of Isaiah.  I just wait to see where God leads me in my Quiet Time and go there!
• Bible Study – Beth Moore’s “Stepping Up: The Psalms of Ascent”.  This has taken me forever, lots of breaks in between doing some here and there, and I have no idea what study of Beth’s I would like to do next.   Any suggestions out from you all out there?
• “How to Have A Mary Spirit in A Martha World” – –I don’t know why, but it didn’t totally resonate with me.  I left it with Grandma in St. Croix to see if she would like it.
• “That’s My Son” –by Rick Johnson.  A quick, wonderful read with lots of food for thought.  A Christian perspective, but readable for everyone.   I have already been lending this one out to friends.  Here is a link to it at Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Thats-My-Son-Influence-Character/dp/0800730771
• “Love As A Way of Life”  by Gary Chapman, Christian author and counselor:   http://www.amazon.com/Love-Way-Life-Transforming-Aspect/dp/140007259X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278815885&sr=8-1
• “Growing Grateful Kids” – by Susie Larson.  I enjoyed this book and have gone back to it several times.  This one is a keeper.  A strong Christian perspective, with lots of things to really think about and ponder.  Here is a link to it at Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Growing-Grateful-Kids-Appreciate-Extraordinary/dp/0802452825   I would like to go on and read more things that this author has written. 
• “Mennonite In A Little Black Dress” – Funny in a wry, droll and self-deprecating kind of way.  It didn’t set me on fire, but it was okay…   I would recommend you obtain it through your local library. It is not probably one that will hang around my bookshelves, to be honest.
• Re-reading right now:  “The Family You’ve Always Wanted:  Five Ways You Can Make It Happen” by Gary Chapman.  I especially liked Dr. Chapman’s take on the “Five Steps To Intimacy” where he talks about intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual and physical intimacy in marriage.  He also has a section of this book about “Parents Who Guide” and really nails gentle discipline with boundaries and a whole section of effective modeling for children.  He also has a good section about the importance of fathers.  I disagree strongly with Dr. Chapman’s take that occasional spanking  may sometimes be justified, but if you can disregard that one part (and he DOES say that spanking is often “evidence of a parent’s misguided anger rather than a reasoned response to a child’s behavior”), I think there are many things in this book that are worth thinking about. 

Related Works to Waldorf Education: 

(My biggest accomplishment was that I read “Practical Advice to Teachers” and “Discussions With Teachers” in the Spring LOL).

• I am on the last lecture of  “The Agriculture Course” right now.  This is an amazing set of lectures, and I have been reading them and re-reading them and taking notes.  Just wonderful.  I really cannot say enough good things about these lectures.  You will think about Agriculture in a whole new way.
• Next on tap:  Soseman’s “The Twelve Senses”. 

What have you all been reading?  What have you liked?  I am always in the mood to read!

Many blessings,

Carrie