december bookshelf and the evolution of a reading life.

I’ve been full-to-bursting with wanting to write a real bookshelf post for months now, because they’re my favorite posts to write. But they take a bit of time and work. Thank you for accepting my haphazard one right before our road trip.

You can see from the above photo that the souvenirs I chose to buy on our trip were: you guessed it.

Books!

In Mansfield, I grabbed a couple slim volumes by Laura Ingalls Wilder to round out our series at home. And one of our favorite parts of Moab, Utah, was Back of Beyond Books, which we visited several times (and I’ll admit, never left empty-handed).

It’s fun to buy books while you’re traveling!

I always write our name, the date, and the location in new books and as they become part of our permanent collection, they’re also wrapped in memories.

My academic advisor in college taught me to write the date of every time I reread the book underneath, as a sort of log. He also taught me to liberally underline and scribble margin notes in my books, which if you borrow books from me, is very apparent. It’s a sort of way to have an ongoing conversation with your book.

This is one reason I loved being a Humanities major: your academic advisor instructs you to make notes as you reread your books. Rereading books — sometimes over and over and over again — is a given.

Now, isn’t that lovely?

But I digress.

Over the course of the last couple years, I’ve noticed a change creep over myself when it comes to my reading life. And I’m still searching for ways to put this change into words.

I think it begins like this.

One of the reasons I started homeschooling my kids was the desire to read lots of good books with them. There’s nothing in the world like the feeling of getting swept up in a story. I believe stories have such power over us. Power to make us see the world and see people differently. Power to make us contemplate God and His goodness and what He means to us right now — and could mean to us, in the future. Power to inspire and challenge and convict. Power to believe heart-and-soul in good and evil and redemption.

Stories have the power to shape our very souls.

 

 

As my homeschool vision has widened to a vision for our family culture, and as I’ve soaked up the writing and teaching of many wise educators, I’ve felt a desire grow in my heart to not only read books and learn together, but to spread a feast in our home of truth, goodness, and beauty. I want this to be the foundation upon which my children’s character and their memories are built.

We find truth, goodness, and beauty in many ways in the world: in nature, in art and music, in being apart of a thriving, life-giving church community, in friendships, in bearing witness to God’s faithfulness in the fiery furnace of suffering.

And another of those means is in reading good books.

I shouldn’t be surprised to discover this.

It’s the way I was raised; my parents were the people who introduced me to many of my lifetime favorite books. It’s what my college degree was all about. But somehow over the years, just a bit, I grew complacent in my own reading life. I lowered my standards. I read some great books, but often read for entertainment, and didn’t bother so much with hard questions of the text and the characters.

And so this realization I’m having is really nothing new. It’s just a sort of gradual reawakening.  A coming back to myself, if you will. I’ve become even more intentional about the books I choose to read with my children. I want to give them a sense of wonder. I want to challenge their thinking — stretch their minds. I want to give them heroes, which they desperately need, because life is hard, and every day we make choices about the kind of life we’re going to live. We need brave people to show us what that kind of life could look like.

This process has been so much fun. We love the books we read. We have great talks about them. We laugh and sometimes we cry (well, one of us cries at least). We enjoy reading them with our friends in our book club.

 

 

As I’ve watched the way books set the tone of our home, I’ve noticed that they’re slowly beginning to transform me too.

I read beautiful literature with my kids and I find myself soaking it up and wanting all the more to read beautiful literature for myself. I want a bigger sense of wonder. I want my thinking challenged, my mind stretched. I want to read for heroes, because at almost 37 years old, I need them more than ever.

Somehow, the more I do this, the less I care about reading so many of the books I devoured in the past. The less I comb certain blogs for their book lists.

Don’t get me wrong: not everything I read is a classic or super spiritual. It’s just . . . the more I taste truth and goodness in beauty in writing and in stories, the less I want to just reach first for what’s new and popular.

I’ll be honest with you: I don’t like the note of cynicism in so many current books. I don’t like the family dysfunction that seems to permeate every novel I pick up. I used to tolerate it if the writing was excellent. Now I just put it down. I find myself not even finishing new works by authors I used to love.

Frankly, cynicism is boring to me. Criticizing the world is easy. Wallowing in family and relational dysfunction is easy. Taking cheap shots and tearing groups of people down is easy.

But building something beautiful and pure and generous in the face of adversity: now that is hard.

It takes strength to stand up and fight the tide, to flee the status quo and make something lovely out of your story. Those are the kinds of characters I introduce my children to. And now, those are the kinds of characters I want to discover and read about for myself.

I feel the power of books stealing over me in a greater way.

 

 

The Bible first and foremost, because the story of the Scriptures is my story. God Himself understands the power of story because He created it and put us into the best story of all time.

But these other books too, the true and good and beautiful ones. They’re somehow strengthening me on the inside, bringing a sparkle to my eyes and a spring to my step. The characters I read are companions and friends and sometimes they’re my cautionary tales, so often I look to them when faced with my own hard life decisions. The wisdom I find in non-fiction opens my eyes to what’s real and nudges me along the path of life.

And the characters I read about and writers who share with me hard-won insight become my companions on this journey of life. It seems as though, as my taste in reading has changed, I myself have changed along with it.

That’s the magic of books.

In this way, I’m endlessly grateful to authors for their arduous, careful work, for taking the leap and putting themselves out there to be applauded and criticized and yes, sometimes ignored. These authors and books have become apart of who I am, apart of my story, and many of them apart of our family story. And when I find books I love, I honor the authors by taking time to reread their work, to dig even deeper.

Today’s booklist reflects the evolution of my reading life.

I only chose the good stuff to share with you, the stuff I’m holding onto and will reread in years to come. That’s why I’m making an effort not to sound gushing in the following descriptions. My hope is that some of these books will make your world wider and more beautiful too.

 

The Railway Children, Edith Nesbit

We listened to the audio version of this book for our homeschool co-op book club, and I just couldn’t get enough of it. The story is about three siblings and their mother, who must make the best of a difficult season of life, and do so in a funny, heart-warming way. The narrator, Virginia Leishman, is fabulous. My big kids had listened to this book several times already and enjoy Edith Nesbit’s other books (which I’ve purchased over time during Audible sales), but I loved all five of us gathering in the living room to listen together as part of our school morning.

Though I haven’t gotten to read it yet, Judah and Amelie say that they like The Five Children and It even better. I plan to try Nesbit’s adaptations of Shakespeare plays next.

 

 

Forty Autumns: A Family’s Story of Courage and Survival on Both Sides of the Berlin Wall, Nina Willner

A friend introduced me to this fascinating memoir several months ago. I knew next to nothing about the Cold War, and can hardly believe this story is true. I was deeply moved by the endurance and courage of so many people who endured this period of history, and grieved for the weight they lived under. I’m recommending it to my book club to read and discuss together in 2019.

 

 

To the Bright Edge of the World, Eowyn Ivey

I enjoyed Eowyn Ivey’s first novel, The Snow Child, so I knew this was a book I’d want to own. I wasn’t disappointed — it’s even better than her first. Ivey’s prose is lyrical and the characters are honest and moving. It was fun to read a story about travel while we were traveling in September, and following an expedition across the icy Alaska frontier definitely put my road-trip woes into perspective.

 

 

Educated: A Memoir, Tara Westover

We arrived home from our Road Trip West at 1:00 am on Friday, September 28, and thanks to my in-laws, this memoir was waiting for me from the library. After 30 hours of driving across the United States, we hunkered down as a family that first weekend, van-sore, sleep-deprived and feeling a bit like we had  jet lag, but so very thrilled to be home. And during those two days, I devoured Educated. So it will be forever etched in my memory with those hazy, bewildered hours of tripping over spilling-out suitcases and switching loads upon loads of laundry, and crashing after the high of our trip.

This memoir is fantastic. From the first page, I was caught up in Tara Westover’s riveting story. She’s smart and insightful and oh, so brave. Now, this is not a pleasant book to read. In some ways it’s reminiscent of The Glass Castle, by Jeanette Walls, which is another of my favorite memoirs, but this story is even more harrowing. As a Highly Sensitive Person, I’ll admit to having nightmares while I read it. But it profoundly impacted me too. If Tara Westover writes another book, I’ll definitely be reading it.

 

 

Book Girl: A Journey Through the Treasures and Transforming Power of a Reading Life, Sarah Clarkson

Oh Sarah Clarkson, you made me so happy with this book! Thank you!

I don’t mind saying that I was rather skeptical about a whole book devoted to reading, but Sarah Clarkson was sublime in this one. She shares snatches of her personal story woven with suggestions for a truly noble, inspired, delightful reading life. Some of the books she recommends I love, others I don’t, but the heart and soul behind her writing is what I appreciate and fervently believe in. Basically, if I could hand you a book to sum up what I tried to share at the beginning of this blog post, Book Girl would be it.

 

 

Virgil Wander, Leif Enger

I can’t believe David found out that Leif Enger released a new novel before I did, but the fact that he immediately ordered it from Amazon for me gives you an idea of why I married the man. Peace Like A River is on both of our top 10 favorite novels list (and I’d just like to mention that Sarah Clarkson recommends it in Book Girl too … she has great taste!).

Now I’ll be honest, Virgil Wander can’t quite touch the magic of Peace Like A River (although the cover is infinitely more pleasing to the eye), but that’s okay. I honestly didn’t expect it to. This novel is slow-moving and character-driven, but press on, dear reader. The ending is worth everything. I can’t wait to read it all over again and really savor it.

 

 

Dancing with My Father: Choosing Joy in a Less-Than-Perfect World, Sally Clarkson

The Clarkson family shows up quite a bit on my bookshelves, my podcast list, and in my conversation these days. I’m enjoying them all so much — their intelligence, their zest for life, their steadfast hope in God. Sally Clarkson, who wrote Dancing With My Father, is Sarah Clarkson’s mother. As a homeschool mom, I’ve followed her for years, but I have to say that this last year or so, her ministry has stood out in a new and more powerful way to me. I deeply appreciate her wisdom, her passion for truth, and her kind spirit. I love the way she does ministry with her husband and now-adult children. And this book is my favorite of hers.

You don’t have to be a homeschooling parent to appreciate Dancing With My Father. Sally Clarkson is in her sixties, so I believe it’s for women of all ages. The book is about navigating ministry and the changing, sometimes disappointing seasons of life with a heart that stays soft and also grows strong in the personal, relational love of God.

 

 

Quo Vadis: A Narrative of the Time of Nero, Henryk Sienkiewicz

You know that moment when you discover a book for the first time and you’re blown away by the fact that, until recently, you never even knew it existed?

That’s how I feel about Quo Vadis. My friend Joanna recommended it for our book club, and it’s the topic of discussion for our final meeting of the year. I love historical fiction, and in my opinion, this book is the epitome of spectacular historical fiction. Now it starts a bit slow, as most classic novels do, but press on, my friends! Before you know it you’ll be swept away for 490 pages in the larger-than-life world of Rome during the reign of Nero, and you’ll come to know and love and be horrified by the characters in turn.

It’s not an understatement to say that this novel has changed the landscape of my imagination when it comes to the New Testament and the early church. I just kept thinking over and over again, I had no idea. I had no idea what the culture of Rome was like or what people believed and how they lived, and what it meant to choose to follow Jesus Christ in those days. I was riveted by the characters and the plot.

Now I have just a taste of that world. And although this book is a work of fiction, I love the early church more dearly for it. I read Paul’s epistles with new eyes. They are real people to me now. I feel that they’re my heroes and my inspiring in this Christian life, and I rejoice to think that they who suffered so extraordinarily are in Paradise today.

 

 

Searching for Spring: How God Makes All Things Beautiful in Time, Christine Hoover

Christine Hoover is a pastor’s wife who writes about the longing that God places within each of our hearts for beauty, and how in His mysterious way He often brings that beauty through seasons of pain and through seasons of waiting. I appreciate the vocabulary she uses for our process of finding redemption in what she calls life’s “inconsolable things,” the parts of our life we don’t like, but that God is allowing to remain with us in order accomplish His purpose. Because of this book I found my heart surrendering to God’s will in my life in a deeper way.

 

 

Treasures of the Snow, Patricia St. John

I love Patricia St. John and had forgotten about her for many years! My mom introduced me to her books as a pre-teen, and then recently I spied a couple of them on my cousin’s bookshelf and asked her if I could borrow them. Treasures of the Snow is my favorite, but The Tanglewood’s Secret and Rainbow Garden are wonderful too. I hope to own them all eventually.

I’m just finishing up Treasures of the Snow with the kids, which I highly recommend reading at Christmas time. The story is a bit sad but has a wonderfully redemptive ending. We’ve talked about pride, anger, forgiveness, and what it means when Jesus knocks on the door of our hearts. We’ve eaten potato soup and homemade bread by candlelight, like Annette and Dani did in their Swiss chalet, and we’ve baked and decorated gingerbread cookies, just like the village children all received on Christmas Eve.

I shy away from a lot of overtly Christian novels because I don’t feel that they ring true: they seem preachy to me. But I can say unequivocally that Patricia St. John’s books are different. Her characters are living and breathing and complex, her settings in Switzerland, England, and Wales spring to life, and I’m seeing the power her stories are working in my own kids’ hearts as they mull over the Christmas story in a new way.

 

 

The End of Your Life Book Club, Will Schwalbe

In this unique memoir, Will Schwalbe tells the story of his mother’s cancer diagnoses and treatment, and the books the two of them read and discussed until she passed away. It’s so very heart-warming. I mean that in the best of ways. I mentioned before how weary I am of reading about dysfunctional families, and so Schwalbe’s book comes as a breath of fresh air.

His family is in no way perfect, but they love each other and dearly love the lady they are losing to cancer. You will too. Mary Ann Schwalbe was passionate about her family and about the poor and marginalized around the world, and worked to make their life better until the end of hers. I especially appreciate Will Schwalbe’s candid portrait of his relationship with his mother. They didn’t always agree, but they loved and respected one another. I’m so thankful that he chose to share this story with us.

 

 

Cozy Minimalist Home: More Style, Less Stuff, Myquillyn Smith

Hooray for another book by Myquillyn Smith! I still love It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect to be Beautiful, and consult it from time to time, and I like this one even better. Mainly because I consider myself a cozy minimalist — or that’s what I imagine myself to be at least. I enjoyed reading her honest journey as a passionate decorator of choosing to embrace a simpler home, and the freedom it’s brought her.

I like the fact that though our decorating styles aren’t the same, her principles are universal and can be tweaked according to what you enjoy. I also like the very practical tips she gives for making over a room. And from my own experience I’ll chime in with agreement: choosing the right rug makes a world of difference! I’m not currently making over any rooms in our house (David breathes a big sigh of relief), but the next time I do, I’ll be referring to this book for guidance.

 

 

The Life Giving Table: Nurturing Faith Through Feasting, Sally Clarkson

Yes, another title from the Clarksons has made it to this list! I haven’t read this book cover to cover yet, but appreciate its wisdom about mealtimes as a means of discipleship. Even if you don’t have a spouse or children, you’ll find lots here that’s relevant to all kinds of relationships. I plan to keep it close at hand as a reference for our meals together as a family, and for the many times we host others. I love that Sally Clarkson includes some of their favorite family recipes. We highly recommend the blueberry crumble muffins and the shepherd’s soup!

 

 

Gone With the Wind, Margaret Mitchell

In my opinion, Gone With The Wind is a masterpiece of historical fiction. It demonstrates the power a story has to sweep you up into a world vastly different from your own, and see life from another person’s point of view, even if you don’t agree with that person. This was my second time reading this 1,000 page epic drama, and though it’s not a feel-good book, I was just as moved. Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler are moral anti-heroes, but Mitchell’s genius lies in the fact that self-serving and devious as the pair of them are, you feel a stroke of compassion for each of them. I love this book for its many extraordinarily complex characters. Read the novel first, then Pat Conroy’s preface afterwards. He sums up the books strengths and weaknesses perfectly.

 

 

The Invention of Wings, Sue Monk Kidd

I mentioned this one to you all in my quick August book list here, but I wanted to include it again, because I think it holds the place of my favorite novel of 2018.  Although To The Bright Edge of the World is a close second. This would be a fascinating book to read after Gone With the Wind, because it’s also set in the south (although in an earlier time period), but gives a very different perspective of slavery. I love that it’s based on the true story of Charleston-born Sarah Grimke, and her lifelong wrestling with a part of her culture she just could not accept.

 

 

Swift Rivers, Cornelia Meigs

I typically read children’s fiction at night right before bed, because I find it simple and comforting. Swift Rivers is a Newberry Honor novel about a young man who floats logs from Minnesota down the Mississippi River to sell in St. Louis, and the adventures he has along the way. It sparks great conversations with young people about courage and integrity.

 

 

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, Pete Scazzero

I saved Pete Scazzero’s book for last. I’ve known about it for years, and David and I became familiar with his multi-cultural church in New York City while we were there training with our mission agency. During our pastor’s retreat in Charleston, a fellow pastor’s wife told me, “Julie, you must read this book!”

And so I did. I’m not exaggerating when I say that it’s changed my life. His thesis is, “It’s impossible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature.” I read it in a weekend and I just kept thinking, “This is me, this is me.” A light bulb went on as Pete Scazzero described the impact of emotional un-health on the life of a committed Christian, and the way to live a better, more free life in Christ. I felt that things that had long dwelt in the darkness of my sub-conscious came to light and a heavy burden slid from my shoulders.

Now there’s no way I’ll become an emotionally healthy person overnight, but this book gives a helpful, encouraging path to follow, and as I embark on the path I find enormous freedom.

Finally, it demonstrates the power of books to create meaningful conversation. I immediately started telling friends at church about it, and they started reading it. An older friend approached me Sunday morning and said, “I think maybe we should do a women’s study on this book.” I said, “Great! You should lead it!” I love being on a spiritual journey with others, and the way that new books give us a wider vocabulary as we encourage one another to follow and treasure Christ.

 

 

And that’s it, my friends.

Thank you for your book recommendations and comments about books you like and dislike. I love the way books bring people together.

Happy reading!