Earlier this year I began my journey into becoming more a “learning mama” by getting intentional about my own self education. My journey began with just one simple step – a commitment to read daily for just 30 minutes. Just one simple thing to begin setting the example of lifelong learning to my children and to feed my own mind and spirit.
I’m going to try to kick it up a notch in the new year by planning my reading. I’ve never even kept a record of my reading before, let alone laid it all out in advance, so this is new territory for me! I’ll also be keeping a bit of a reading journal or “Commonplace” to help me digest what I’m learning, keep a record of what I’ve read and jot down anything I think I will like to remember.
My list for 2016 contains light reads, those of a practical nature, some with spiritual significance, and some with much literary merit. Some of these are my own choices and some I will be reading along with an online book club group. A few I already own, others I will borrow from the library, and at least one I will need to purchase. Its not much, and I know some who read a book a week – but I’m trying to be realistic here, and for me, this seems achievable while also leaving a little wiggle room for some impromptu selections along the way.
Here they are!
The Awakening of Miss Prim (Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera) I know nothing about this one but it is a January selection for my online book discussion group. [spacer height=”20px”]
Surprised by Joy (C. S. Lewis) February selection for online book discussion group.[spacer height=”20px”]
Mere Christianity (C. S. Lewis) April selection for online book discussion group.[spacer height=”20px”]
The Four Loves (C. S. Lewis) June selection for online book discussion group.[spacer height=”20px”]
The Abolition of Man (C. S. Lewis) August selection for online book discussion group[spacer height=”20px”]
Teaching from Rest (Sarah Mackenzie) I have been wanting to read this one for a while.[spacer height=”20px”]
History of the Ancient World (Susan Wise Bauer) This one I started almost two years ago but had to return it to the library before I was even close to finishing it. I’ve got my own copy now, and I ‘d like to read it and the next two books. So far my education in history has consisted of reading SOTW with my children and I should probably have a deeper knowledge of history than that of a grammar stage child![spacer height=”20px”]
Jo’s Boys (L. M. Alcott)My online book discussion group is currently doing Little Men which I have read several times (as well as doing the audio currently with my girls) and I realized that I have never read it’s sequel![spacer height=”20px”]
Plutarch’s Lives This one is also for my online group. I admit that I had never even heard of Plutarch until somewhat recently. We will be doing two lives every two months starting in January. It is my understanding that this is very heavy, so I hope I will be able to keep up![spacer height=”20px”]
Margin I have heard this one recommended from many different sources, so I snagged a copy from Thrift Books.[spacer height=”20px”]
For the Family’s Sake I’m interested in this one mostly because I absolutely LOVE For the Children’s Sake and recommend it to everyone.[spacer height=”20px”]
Heartfelt Discipline (Clay Clarkson) I already own this one and started it last year. I figure I should get around to finishing it![spacer height=”20px”]
So there you have it — 12 books for 12 months! Hopefully I will be able to keep up and still have room for whatever comes across my path as I go along! What are you hoping to read in the New Year?
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This is a fantastic idea and very doable. I don’t know if I could get through a book a week this year….I really like how you’ve mapped this endeavor out. 🙂
I think maybe I’ll work up to a book a week when my kids are grown, and the homeschooling is done — until then, baby steps!
I’ve committed to reading 24 books this year because I don’t think I finished a single book last year and I LOVE to read!
Thanks a bunch for sharing, and for visiting Homeschooling in Nova Scotia in 2015 🙂 Happy New Year!
I find I’m reading a lot more now that I’ve found a group (online) to share and discuss — my usual MO is to check out a stack of books at the library and return some completely unread and most only partially read.
24 books sounds completely doable! Do you have them pre-selected, or are you choosing them as you go along?
Marvelous! I’m a book blogger, so I often get overwhelmed by new titles coming out. But there are quite a few on your list that I’d love to delve in!
I too am overwhelmed at all the book possibilities!
Looks good! My husband and I have been more purposeful about reading for the past 6 months or so. We don’t have a goal as far as how many books we want to read, but we just want to make sure that we always have something going. I am really enjoying it, but I’m finding that I don’t have as much time for other things…haha…Oh well =)
It’s amazing how much difference it can make just to make the decision to be more intentional with reading — this past year has really been a turning point for me and I’m really looking forward to this year and all the books it holds 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I love your plan of reading 30 minutes a day! My own reading habits tend to be all or nothing. I’ll curl up for hours and then spend days trying to catch up on chores.
Teaching from Rest is a favorite of mine. I’m hoping to read Mere Christianity soon, after I’ve cleared my current book pile a touch. 🙂
I’ve heard such great things about Teaching From Rest that I can’t wait to get started 🙂 Speaking of current book piles, I need to finish up my December stack so I can get started on January’s reading! I’m behind before I even start!
I read The Abolition of Man recently – hard going but very worthwhile; really enjoyed For the Family’s Sake – excellent stuff; Plutarch’s Lives – I’ve been doing these as part of our home ed for about 4 years now, spreading them out & doing about 3 lives per year. You have some great reading ahead of you!
I’m a little worried about the “hard going”ness of some of these titles — I’ve always read almost exclusively for pleasure before this. Thanks for stopping by!