Sunshine Days
favorites
March! We're already 3 months down in this year & I can't pretend that these 3 months are my favorite time of year up here in New England. However, it is *technically* Spring, so I am holding on to that glimmer of hope as the days get longer.
A little less of a reading month for me, but I have a couple in progress that will hopefully be completed in April. Hopefully...
As my kids get older, I become more & more aware of the spiritual dangers that they face, particularly in the area of sexual sin. This book addresses some of these issues with Gospel grace & wisdom. They encourage you to lay solid foundations with each topic--gender, pornography use, & more. This will encourage a practice of consistently meeting the questions your child asks without panic or stonewalling. You can meet uncomfortable subject matter alongside your child, serving as a trusted, safe person for them to rely on. The truths of God's Word serve as our sure foundation. This is the rock that we can know will never fail. And the Kriegs address all of this with candid honesty. This is a great resource for Christian parents who want to address (sometimes) scary topics with their kids in a not-so-scary way.
George Herbert's poetry has the quiet, contemplative nature that works so well in a devotional setting. Some are deeply convicting; some are terribly sad. All of them encourage our eyes to see our Creator in those ordinary moments where we are most likely to miss him. While the selections here vary between the familiar & the more erudite, Stephen Whitmer's brief commentary after each poem lifts your gaze to meditate on the truths presented in each one. His explanations are helpful for clearing up allusions that our modern minds might miss. This beautifully-bound volume is perfect for gift-giving & is accessible to even the most reluctant poetry reader. Thanks to Lifeway for a free copy to review!
I stumbled across a story about Rose Wilder forcing her mother to publish the "Little House" books. That has definitely tainted the series for me. Especially this one. This book shows Laura and Almanzo (bizarrely referred to as "Manly" suddenly) in their first years of marriage. Each year they think will be the one where they get ahead & each year they fail in some way. (It also involves the story of losing their baby boy, so be aware if that is a trigger for you.) I guess the one thing my kids & I learned was that farming & settling the prairie was a lot harder than we thought it was. Not really as polished up of a story as most of the earlier books were...
I am becoming a history nerd more & more thanks to my oldest. This book came through on NetGalley, & I was interested in learning about a part of history I knew little about. Moscow's history is rich & varied, filled with invasions & fire & disease & overcoming those obstacles. One thing that surprised me was the integral role the religious leaders had in the governing of the city. They even went so far as to condemn the construction of their metro train system on the basis that the underground realm was for the demons. And the construction & demolition of different cathedrals were also interesting to me. I came away from the book with a greater understanding of the city & its complicated past & the Russian people in general. It's a long book, but it's fun to read about something completely new to my realm of knowledge.
The Clarkson family is a staple in the homeschooling community. So, when you see that name publishing a new book, you tend to put it on your TBR list. This one has taken me way to long to get to, but I felt like I needed this message this month. The title comes from an insult flung at the author on social media. She decided to take it as a compliment & something to contemplate. Through stories (her own & a few from classic literature) Joy takes you on the path toward being aggressively happy. As Christians, we are called to "rejoice evermore," but does that mean we ignore the injustice of this world? Does that mean we sing & dance as others mourn & weep? Not at all! This book takes a look at how we can reconcile these 2 realities--eternal & temporal. It is a fun-loving book that doesn't take itself too seriously (Mr. Collins is a admirable figure in Pride & Prejudice?!). It's a short read, too! Great for squeezing into those moments between all the busy-ness of life.
I already "love art" but have seen this book recommended all over the Christian bookstagram accounts & homeschool mom groups. The author takes an approach of an Introduction to Art professor, introducing his audience to some of the most well-known artists & their works. Many of these stories may be familiar, but Ramsey frames them in a faith-filled perspective. Lessons abound, from the community of the Impressionists to the isolation of Hopper's art, for us as Christians. Studying art is really studying humanity. We can learn so much!
We've got nonfiction (Christian & secular), poetry, & a juvenile novel this month. Do you read a variety of genres or do you stick to your favorite one?
I am always cheering you on!
{These links are affiliate links! They allow me to earn a tiny (almost miniscule) commission when you purchase through one of these links. Thanks!}
Enter your email to join the list and be among the first to hear about new shop items, special offers and blog posts.
Comments