Books

Reading is my passion. I've always wondered if I would have a job that would allow me to read for hours on end. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that wouldn't pay very much.

This week, while the older kids at school are taking ISTEP, I'm giving the kindergartners their own reading test. It's monotonous to say the least. They all start at the same book, and if they can read that, they move up a level, if not, they go backwards. 43 kindergartners down. 43 near headaches for me.

It's not hurting my own reading, however. For those who know me well, you know that I'm not a morning person at all. REALLY. NOT AT ALL! I'd much rather sleep in till noon if given the opportunity, but each day, I rise at 5:45 to take my shower, and sit down to breakfast with a book, and have 1/2 hour of uninterrupted reading time. I'm the only one up. It's glorious! Unfortunately, it seems to be the only time in the day I can read in total quiet without falling asleep while I'm reading.

I remember as a 4th grader like Grace, reading the entire set of Little House on the Prairie books. I couldn't put them down. I also read every single one of the Nancy Drew books in our elementary school library. They were FANTASTIC!!! So, when Evan told me that there was a new series of books that the kids were reading at school, I was all for finding out about them and letting him get some.

If any of you reading this, have kids in 3rd grade or above, they will LOVE this series. I've read ahead of Evan, and each time I finish one before him, he wants to know all about it. They are pretty much a mystery series that features an 11 and 14 year old brother and sister who are on a MAJOR clue hunt. Each book is set in a different country/continent/state, and features a very important historical person. They are all written by different authors, but pick up right where the one before it left off.

Frankly, I'm just glad my kids enjoy reading. Brent doesn't read. Let me clarify that. He reads the Farmer's Exchange, and once in awhile a Louis L'Amour book my dad gives him to read, but that's about it. He's not much for story lines. I was hoping the kids would love books as much as I do, or be at least a good mix between us. It's a proven fact that it's much harder to get boys into reading something that interests them than girls. So, when Evan tells me he is interested in reading something, I'm ready to go get it.

Here's the little corner I keep some of my books. At least the ones I want to read over and over again.

Here are some of my favorite authors:

Some books on animals/country life/home keeping that I like:

and my very favorite book of all for those of you on a food journey of your own. It chronicles the life of the author and her family for one year, eating only the food/animals they raise (in the appropriate season), or eating as locally as they can get. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not a "nature freak", "granola", or whatever you call those people that take it a little to the extreme, but I do like to know where my food comes from, and I don't mind raising it myself. And so, this book is great.

Then of course, for my decorating ADHD problem, I have to have a shelf of decorating books. This is only a few. I let one of my friends who is building a new house use some for reference.

These kind of books are my weakness and whenever I find one at a garage sale, goodwill, etc. I pick it up and add it to my collection.

I love to read, can you tell? Between my local library membership and my dad, I'm usually stocked up on books. I'm looking forward to summer break, so I can catch up on my reading.