Rural Simplicity

 Today Rural Simplicity is bringing you a Reading Challenge for the new year!  25 Books in 2025.      This is a very personalized list that came about when my favorite reading challenge people didn't put out a reading challenge for next year. I plopped myself down in front of my large TBR (to be read) stack and started making a list of categories.       I am going to walk you through my list in comparison to my TBR stack to give you an idea of where you could start. But like any good reading challenge you will nudge it this way and that to fit your needs and lifestyle. One thing I would not recommend is  fitting it to your likes.  One point of a reading challenge is to broaden your perspective and get you out of your comfort zone. One last point to address is that it's okay to not finish the challenge by December 31st. Again your goal is to read, not finish, or rush, or stress out. Just read and enjoy. Let it soak in slowly and cons...

I've hit upon a super fun read recently by the author Trenton Lee Stewart. They are called "The Mysterious Benedict Society" They are each about 430 some pages but quick reads due to the exciting nature of the books. There are three immediate books in the series and then a fourth that (as far as I understand, I haven't read the fourth one yet) delves into a little bit of the history of the series. It is about four brilliant and gifted children, helping an equally brilliant and gifted man overcome many puzzles and obstacles to overthrow the bad guy. I read all three books in about a week and a half, because the books just wont leave you alone. I kept dreaming about the characters and putting off chores to read the books. It's probably a good thing they are finished. (except that fourth one that's a little different.) A Few Other Reads:  Jayber Crow - Wendell Berry I almost quit this book multiple times because Jayber's lifestyle and inner thought...

My book list has gotten out of control again and at the worst time. I was in the middle of book mania, doing Bible study homework weekly, started a Charlotte Mason book club with weekly readings, and of course I had a small(ish) stack of books that I was in the middle of reading or about to start on my nightstand... and then pregnancy brain hit. Oh dreaded pregnancy brain - where a poor, tired mom now can't even do the simplest tasks without messing everything up.  (for those of you who keep up to date with my posts, this is the very same reason there was no post last week.) This has definitely been the worst case of it so far, and reading a book is not even on my radar right now. I'm pretty good with a few school books in the morning with my kindergartener, but by the time I have a moment to read, my brain has long ago checked out. So here is a list of books I've finally gotten around to finishing, or finished in the last few weeks or months and simply haven't ha...

I talk about books A LOT!  So, I figured it was about time to make my very own book list of favorites. This will be a work in progress as I am always finding new and beautiful pieces. (I added three books to this list just since starting it.) These are my favorite books, but if you need more ideas of what to read check out my post on "How to Find Good Books." Young Children (and up) What Do People Do All Day? - Richard Scarry Miss Rumphius - Barbara Cooney  The Relatives Came - Cynthia Rylant Make Way for Ducklings - Robert McCloskey The Little House - Virginia Lee Burton Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel - Virgnia Lee Burton One Morning in Maine - Robert McCloskey The Tales of Winnie the Pooh - A. A. Milne James Herriot's Treasury for Children - James Herriot Blueberries for Sal - Robert McCloskey Owl Moon - Jane Yolen Beatrix Potter series - Beatrix Potter Flossie and the Fox - Rachel Isadora Dandelion - D on Freeman Andre...

I'm three books away from reading 50 books this year, which is wonderful and a bit dissappointing because my goal was 100 before the end of the year. I've read a ton of JV books since last posting about books and here are the good ones (Because some of the ones I read aren't worth mentioning.) Poppy - AVI Good book for adults or children. Illustrated by the same man who wrote and illustrated "Locomotive" This is a story about bravery and extreme odds. The books falls under the secular realm, and has boyfriend/girlfriend and opposition to parents. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle - AVI Written by the same author as "Poppy" This book will keep you on your toes, wondering who did what and why. The Trumpet of the Swan - E.B. White I don't like this book as well as "Charlotte's Web" but it's still a great book. I love the many details of natural history that this book explains. Homer Price - Robert McCloskey Robe...

You would be frowned on if you stated that you don't go to the library, you may even get a lecture if you say right out that you don't like going to the library. Going to the library is a saintly thing. It's good for the community. Right? I'm not sure why we think so matter-a-factly about the library, but if the library isn't working for you, then it's not working for you and no one is going to be able to force you into liking it. But I do have to say that in a society of technology it might be worth your time to look over some new ways of using your library. Because while, going to the library may not be your cup of tea, reading good books should be on everyone's to-do list. A Blank Page Can Be Scary.  Just like a blank page that has endless possibilities before becoming a school paper, a library full of books when you have no direct path laid out for you can be incredibly overwhelming. Children in the Library Taking kids to the library to aimles...

Have you ever been apart of a company or program that encouraged you to pick a word for the year? Usually you are encouraged to chose a motivational word like, Preserve, strive, dream, believe, etc... Have you ever heard of doing a word just for yourself? (and it doesn't have to be the cliche motivational word you always hear.) Well, you can and you really should and here is why. That is I'll let Mike Ashcraft tell you why. You can borrow the audio version of this short book from your library and get a quick understanding about why it's such a good idea.  You will go through the process of praying, looking up scriptures passages, and making a list of possibilities. In the end you will have one word to focus on for the year along with a verse to back it up. Here is my word - (what? you think I can't do this because it 's June and not January? - I can, trust me, and so can you. New beginnings are everywhere and very few of them are actually found near th...

Every month I do a post about books, books I've read, books I recommend, non-fiction, novels, adults books, children books, pictures books... how do I know which books are the good books? How do I always have so many good options? I'll tell you... Book Lists  The number one way to find a good book is to have a friend with similar values and taste to reccomnd a book to you, the second best way is to find a book list compiled by someone with similar values and taste.  1) Read-Aloud Revival with Sarah Mackenzie  Sarah Mackenzie is becoming a leader in books. She has an amazing blog, podcast, and community. I highly recommend listening to all of her past podcasts. You will get to here so many tips and ideas about reading with your kids, you will hear interviews with authors and book lovers, and you will get a ton of book recommendations. You can also send your e-mail address to receive FREE access to her very, very large online book list.  If you do all o...

I read quite simply what I believe is one of the best books on parenting and I can't wait to share with you my thoughts on it. Once a month I do a post about books, and today's book is so good, that it is the only one I'm featuring. Stay tuned. First off I want to say, this is not a book about disciplining your children , this book is not Bible based, and you won't be needing to take any extra trips to the store for items suggested. I also firmly believe that the core truths of this book would do a wonder of good for anyone - not just parents. The book - "Simplicity Parenting" Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids." by Kim John Payne, M.Ed I am in no way receiving credit, funds, or any kind of payback for promoting this book. I was inspired by it's pages and want to pass along my great find!  Here it is, in all it's library stickered glory!  “When your child seems to deserve affecti...

February and March are always two months of intense reading for me. The holidays are over, the new year has settled in but Winter is still keeping me snug and warm indoors. So here is my list of reads over the last few weeks. River Town Written by journalist Peter Hessler I've read one other of his books and have yet another of his books on my shelf. He has a beautiful way of writing and living that brings you past the politics and into the daily struggles and achievements of the common Chinese individual.  Pride and Prejudice Written by Jane Austen in 1797 and published in 1813.  It's old, and it's a classic, but I've never read the book. I've read a couple of other Jane Austen books, and watched a few movie versions of this book, but this read through was my first. I did it as a part of an online book club and throughly enjoyed getting other people's perspectives on it. I find the language confusing at times, but always catch on eventually. ...

I seem to be drawn to 'book series' as of late. Here is a short list of recent reads and one recent rediscovery! I have read or listened (audio books) to all of these from the library and have no suitable pictures to share. So bear with me and the stock photos I found. The Wingfeather Saga   I am about forty minutes away from finishing this series. The audio books are delightful. The last two books are read by the author Andrew Peterson himself. Visit his website here and learn more about his music, books, and the Rabbit room.  A bit of back story, I don't read fantasy books, they are not my thing at all. I love real life, biographies, history, and the like. But after listening to multiple podcast episodes from the Read Aloud Revival (I highly recommend this podcast and website!!) with Sarah and her guests gushing about it, and two long holiday trips I figured I'd give it a try if I could find the audio books.  I did, and there is no turning b...