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A friend shared a post the other day that said, “Book buying is a hobby entirely unrelated to book reading.” Most of the comments said “ouch.” Can you relate? Book buying for homeschoolers can be an expensive hobby, but I like to think of it as an integral part of the homeschool experience. It’s part of building and developing a home library worthy of our loftiest educational ambitions.
In 2010, our family moved from Pasadena, CA to Texas. After loading what had to be the 23rd box of books into the moving truck, the friend who was helping us said, “Have you heard of Kindle?” I love books. And my love for them goes way back. If you’ve done Oh Freedom! you know how much I believe in the power of a good story.
Most of the meaningful, most memorable moments of homeschooling started with a good book. I have cherished the time we spent reading great stories about history aloud or with an audiobook. Researching and shopping for books, serendipitously finding gems, figuring out who you can trust for great book recommendations, in other words, being the Homeschool Librarian, has been one of my favorite roles.
Yes, we are teacher, principal and lunch lady, but we also get to be librarian and curate a library full of beautifully-bound lessons, memories, “friends,” and ideas.
Though I read a lot of children’s books, longer books (with no pictures!) have become harder and harder for me to find time to sit and read or focus or not fall asleep. It wasn’t always this way. I’m learning that my mobile device has a lot to do with that. I am currently listening to Bored and Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self by Manoush Zomorodi. This one has been on my to-read list for a while and I was so happy to find it on Scribd read by the author. I’m not the only one struggling to focus and find space to be creative. And there is so much in our culture pulling us the opposite direction.
When I saw this product at the store the other day, I just had to laugh.
Folks, you don’t need your phone in the shower.
When I make time to sit and read and immerse myself in a story, the payoff is immeasurable. My favorite book so far this year is Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. I think this will remain a favorite. Here are some other books I’ve read this year.
- Unbound by Tarana Burke
- The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
- The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. DuBois (this one was published in 1903 and is requiring all of my brain power)
- Somebody’s Daughter by Ashley C. Ford
I’m ready for more amazing fiction that I can get lost in. Do you have a recommendation?
Even when sitting to read is not an option, I like to listen to audiobooks while I’m involved in another task like folding laundry, doing dishes or weeding the yard. Here are some of the books I’ve read on audio. I don’t often purchase audiobooks. Most of the time I get them from my library or Scribd. Here are some of the audiobooks I’ve listened to recently.
- Lightmaker’s Manifesto by Karen Walrond
- The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee
- How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims
- Bored & Brilliant by Manoush Zomorodi
I’m ready for more amazing fiction that I can get lost in. Do you have a recommendation? What’s on your non-fiction is on your reading list? Have you read anything amazing this year?
MERCH OF THE MONTH
Because you love books!
This month’s featured t-shirt is a reflection of my love for the best job in homeschooling – Homeschool Librarian. I’m betting you can relate. Are you the Homeschools Librarian? Sometimes we feel guilty for all those book purchases? But don’t feel bad about doing a great job building an amazing library.
Homeschool Librarian is part of the job description. Wear it proudly.
