Jesus Led Me All the Way
by:
Margaret Stringer
Book Bio from Amazon: A missionary-preacher, teacher, medic, and friend-to the province of Papua, Indonesia, Stringer lived her love for Christ and His children to the exclusion of personal gain and modern convenience. Through detailed memory, anecdotes and excerpts from her journals, she shares the array of unforgettable characters she lived, worked and praised with for forty years. Living out love is an evocative, soul-stirring phrase, containing nothing of the worldly, starry-eyed, stomach-a-flutter ethereal. Rather, the concept seems very like the hammering out of salvation on God’s own glowing forge; teaching a man to fish instead of sending him a manual. To witness such zeal and faith must surely be a moving experience for any minister, and certainly much more so to one who works in distant and primitive lands. Jesus Led Me All the Way is simply one of the most engaging and immersive recollections of a missionary life ever written.
My Review: Margaret Stringer’s enthusiasm and love for Christ is contagious! I loved reading about her life’s work among the jungles of Indonesia. A wonderful missionary biography!
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Being Elisabeth Elliot
by:
Ellen Vaughn
Book Bio from Amazon: Elisabeth Elliot was a young missionary in Ecuador when members of a remote Amazonian indigenous people group killed her husband Jim and his four colleagues. And yet, she stayed in the jungle with her young daughter to minister to the very people who had thrown the spears, demonstrating the power of Christ’s forgiveness.
This courageous, no-nonsense Christian went on to write dozens of books, host a long-running radio show, and speak at conferences all over the world. She was a pillar of coherent, committed faith—a beloved and sometimes controversial icon. And while things in the limelight might have looked golden, her suffering continued refining her in many different and unexpected ways.
Her early years, related in Becoming Elisabeth Elliot, traced the transition of a young woman who dealt in “certainties” to the woman who lived with the unknown.
Now, being Elisabeth Elliot increasingly meant confronting how much she did not understand. She sought her reference point beyond her own experiences, always pondering what she called the “impenetrable mystery” of the interplay between God’s will and human choices.
And it is that strange mystery which shaped the rest of her startling life story.
My Review: I have mixed emotions about this book. As an EE fan, I feel the author disclosed personal struggles, sin, and intimate details that taint ones view of Elisabeth. I did walk away reminded that Jesus is our only perfect example. While we can learn much from the lives of others, we should not model our lives after fallen men and women.
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A Family Guide to Narnia
by:
Christin Ditchfield
Book Bio from Amazon: Do you read The Chronicles of Narnia sensing that the stories are full of biblical parallels, even if you’re not always sure what they are or where to find them? This user-friendly companion to The Chronicles of Narnia is written for C. S. Lewis readers like you who want to discover the books’ biblical and Christian roots. Read it, and you’ll find that this chapter-by-chapter, book-by-book examination of The Chronicles will widen your spiritual vision.
My Review: This was a good tool to have as we read through The Chronicles of Narnia outloud as a family. While I do not agree with all the intrepretations and correlations the author made, it served as a guide for conversation and further discussion of biblical principles.
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The Last Battle
by:
C. S. Lewis
Book Bio from Amazon: During the last days of Narnia, the land faces its fiercest challenge—not an invader from without but an enemy from within. Lies and treachery have taken root, and only the king and a small band of loyal followers can prevent the destruction of all they hold dear in this, the magnificent ending to The Chronicles of Narnia.
My Review: We greatly enjoyed reading through this series as a family and were sad to see our adventures in Narnia come to an end. A must-read series for families!
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Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
by:
Jean Lee Latham
Book Bio from Goodreads: Readers today are still fascinated by “Nat,” an eighteenth-century nautical wonder and mathematical wizard. Nathaniel Bowditch grew up in a sailor’s world—Salem in the early days, when tall-masted ships from foreign ports crowded the wharves. But Nat didn’t promise to have the makings of a sailor; he was too physically small. Nat may have been slight of build, but no one guessed that he had the persistence and determination to master sea navigation in the days when men sailed only by “log, lead, and lookout.” Nat’s long hours of study and observation, collected in his famous work, The American Practical Navigator (also known as the “Sailors’ Bible”), stunned the sailing community and made him a New England hero.
My Review: 5 STARS!!! This is one of my top-favorite books that we’ve read together as a family. You will fall in love with the story and characters. While there is an element of hearbreak woven throughout the story, Nat rises above the challenges life brings and carries on! While this book was loved by our entire family, my husband and son really enjoyed the nautitical themes. You will also find wonderful moral lessons that lead to further family conversations.
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The Mysterious Benedict Society
by:
Trenton Lee Stewart
Book Bio from Amazon: “Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?” Dozens of children respond to this peculiar newspaper ad and are then put through a series of mind-bending tests, which readers take along with them. Only four children—two boys and two girls—succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and inventive children could complete. To accomplish it, they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules. But what they’ll find in the hidden underground tunnels of the school is more than your average school supplies. So, if you’re gifted, creative, or happen to know Morse Code, they could probably use your help.
My Review: Utterly quirky and enchanting! Sometimes you need a light and fun read and that is what this book was for me. It is written for a younger audience, but I will make note that there are some scary elements such as kidnapping and mind control. Overall, it was an engaging story that kept me on the edge of my seat!
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Marmee
by:
Sarah Miller
Book Bio from Amazon: In 1861, war is raging in the South, but in Concord, Massachusetts, Margaret March has her own battles to fight. With her husband serving as an army chaplain, the comfort and security of Margaret’s four daughters— Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—now rest on her shoulders alone. Money is tight and every month, her husband sends less and less of his salary with no explanation. Worst of all, Margaret harbors the secret that these financial hardships are largely her fault, thanks to a disastrous mistake made over a decade ago which wiped out her family’s fortune and snatched away her daughters’ chances for the education they deserve.
Yet even with all that weighs upon her, Margaret longs to do more—for the war effort, for the poor, for the cause of abolition, and most of all, for her daughters. Living by her watchwords, “Hope and keep busy,” she fills her days with humdrum charity work to keep her worries at bay. All of that is interrupted when Margaret receives a telegram from the War Department, summoning her to her husband’s bedside in Washington, D.C. While she is away, her daughter Beth falls dangerously ill, forcing Margaret to confront the possibility that the price of her own generosity toward others may be her daughter’s life.
A stunning portrait of the paragon of virtue known as Marmee, a wife left behind, a mother pushed to the brink, a woman with secrets.
My Review: I wasn’t a huge fan of this book. While it did give some beautiful insight into the relationship between Marmee and Laurie and Marmee and Aunt March, other aspects really detracted from the novel. Marmee’s character reflected tenants of modern feminism. Some of that was true to it’s time, like women desiring the same educational rights as men, but I feel like the author took it too far in Marmee’s resentment and bitterness towards being treated different because she was a woman. It was also wishy-washy on the aspect of fatih, which I felt did a disservice to the strong undercurrents of faith in the original Little Women. It also painted Mr. March in a negative light- always taking care of the poor to the neglect of his family. Not really a book I’d recommend which is disappointing. The Marmee in Little Women might be my favorite literary character!
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Parenting
by:
Paul David Tripp
Book Bio from Amazon: Sometimes parents wish there was a guaranteed formula for raising good kids―a certain list of rules to follow to ensure they’d have obedient children. But if moms and dads view their role through the lens of God’s grace, they will see that the gospel must first shape how they parent before they can effectively shape their children.
In the bestselling book Parenting, Paul David Tripp unfolds a more biblical perspective on parenting than merely adhering to a list of rules. He lays out 14 gospel-centered principles that will radically change the way parents think about what it means to raise up a child, informing everything they do as a parent. This edition includes a section of engaging study questions for every chapter, helping individuals and groups reflect on each topic in greater depth.
My Review: One of the top best parenting books I’ve read- and I’ve read many! This is one I could read again and again. I read it a year or two ago, but Simeon and I read through it together this time. It provided much food for thoughts as we seek to raise our children in accordance with God’s Word. A must-read for every parent!
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Island of the Blue Dolphins
by:
Scott O’Dell
Book Bio from Amazon: Scott O’Dell’s Newbery Medal-winning classic is a gripping tale of survival, strength, and courage. Based on the true story of a Nicoleo Indian girl living alone on an island off the coast of California, Island of the Blue Dolphins has captivated readers for generations.On San Nicolas Island, dolphins flash in the surrounding blue waters, sea otter play in the vast kelp beds, and sea elephants loll on the stony beaches. Here, in the early 1800s, a girl named Karana spent eighteen years alone.Karana had to contend with the ferocious pack of wild dogs that killed her younger brother, constantly guard against Aleutian sea otter hunters, and maintain a precarious food supply. Her courage, self-reliance, and grit has inspired millions of readers in this breathtaking adventure.As Smithsonian magazine put it: “For kids all over the country, reading the book in language arts classes, Karana is a powerful symbol of their growing independence. Through her, they can imagine themselves making their way in the world alone–and thriving.”
My Review: A story of overcoming danger, isolation, the elements, and more. My children were fascinated by the main characters resilience and ingenuity to survive alone on an island. I wish we would have known before reading the book that it was based on a true story. That would have made it even more incredible!
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The Princess and The Goblin
by:
George MacDonald
Book Bio from Amazon: Princess Irene lives in a castle in a wild and lonely mountainous region. One day she discovers a steep and winding stairway leading to a bewildering labyrinth of unused passages with closed doors – and a further stairway. What lies at the top? Can the ring the princess is given protect her against the lurking menace of the boglins from under the mountain?
My Review: I know that in the read-aloud community, this book is a golden child. But we didn’t love it. It was ok, and some elements (like the goblin queen!) were quite funny. Overall, it didn’t hold our attention. I also felt like some elements such as the mysterious grandmother were not resolved well. Who was she exactly? And why did she have magical powers??
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Taking Charge of Your Fertility
by:
Toni Weschler
Book Bio from Amazon: Since the publication of Taking Charge of your Fertility two decades ago, Toni Weschler has taught a whole new generation of women how to become pregnant, avoid pregnancy naturally and gain better control of their gynecological and sexual health by taking just a couple minutes a day using the proven Fertility Awareness Method.
Clear and comprehensive, yet warm and approachable, Taking Charge of Your Fertility is one of the most universally lauded health books on the market today. It is an essential reference for every woman of reproductive age.
My Review: I do not agree with everything the author wrote in this book, but overall, it is an very well done resources on reading and charting your fertility signs. I love that the author took very scientific facts and discussed them in an easy-to-understand way! This is a LARGE book, but I found it to be a very easy read!
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The Christmas Doll
by:
Elvira Woodruff
Book Bio from Amazon: Lucy and Glory are orphaned sisters with no real place to call home. Only their memories of a beautiful doll named Morning Glory brighten their bleak lives. When a deadly fever sweeps through the workhouse where the girls live, Lucy and Glory flee to the mean streets of London.
One day the girls find an old battered doll that Glory senses is their beloved Morning Glory. But Morning Glory is no ordinary doll–the girls learn that she has magical powers that will change their lives in amazing ways.. With the help of the doll, the sisters discover the true meaning of the Christmas spirit.
My Review: Such a beautiful Christmas story! It does not shy away from the tragedies and terrors orphans faced on the streets of England, but the redemptive end shines the brighter for it. Walk with Lucy and Glory through the hard times, and you will be rewarded with a most enchanting ending!
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Little Christmas Carol
by:
Joe Sutphin
Book Bio from Amazon: In 1843, Charles Dickens penned a story—a classic Christmas tale full of ghosts and the endearing humbug Ebenezer Scrooge. That story—which has captivated readers for over 150 years—is now accompanied by the delightful illustrations of Joe Sutphin. With charming woodland characters and settings that families will adore, readers will be transformed by Little Christmas Carol. A tale of greed, regret, loneliness, reflection, compassion, hope, and a joyfully changed life, this beautifully illustrated edition will enliven the timeless classic for readers young and old.
For the perfect family read-aloud, make Little Christmas Carol a part of your family’s Christmas tradition. This new edition makes a wonderful gift.
It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself. —Charles Dickens
My Review: Beautifully redone by Joe Sutphin, master behind Little Pilgrim’s Progress. This quickly became part of our Christmas celebrations. Each evening leading up to Christmas, we turned on the tree lights and piled on the couch to hear Daddy read this aloud to us. It is one I see us revisiting in Christmases to come! The illustrations are beautifully done, and the story holds very true to Dickens classic.
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Gentle and Lowly
by:
Dane Ortlund
Book Bio from Amazon: Christians know what Jesus Christ has done—but who is he? What is his deepest heart for his people, weary and faltering on their journey toward heaven? Jesus said he is “gentle and lowly in heart.” This book reflects on these words, opening up a neglected yet central truth about who he is for sinners and sufferers today.
My Review: This is my second time reading through this book, and what depth! I come away from each chapter being amazed at God’s love for me, and falling more in love with Him because of it! A must-read! It will encourage your walk with the Lord.
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Ben Carson: A Chance at Life
by:
Geoff & Janet Benge
Book Bio from Amazon: As a child growing up in Detroit, Ben Carson had a dream of becoming a physician, a dream that rose out of struggles with poverty, racism, and poor grades. As Ben persevered and strove for academic excellence, his life became one of compassion and service.Today, Benjamin Carson, MD, is known as the American neurosurgeon with gifted hands. The first surgeon to successfully separate twins joined at the head, he directed pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital for over a quarter of a century. His life continues to be a model of what it means to care deeply, serve brilliantly, and lead courageously (1951-).
My Review: Ben Carson! What a man! His “rags to riches” story has been spurring people towards greatness for decades. Our entire family was captivated by his life’s story. My favorite part about the book is the emphasis he put on linking his success and overcoming poverty to turning off the TV and reading books! His love and respect for the Lord in his life also shone through. It was a good opportunity for us to introduce our children to a great man who was also a great Christian!
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There are many places where you can purchase or borrow books! Some of my favorites for getting books on a budget are thrift stores, Hoopla, Libby, or your local library. If you watch for sales, you can often find deals on Amazon Audible or on physical books on Amazon. I use this option often when I know it’s a book that I want to add to our home library.
Should you choose to purchase these books through the Amazon links I have provided, thank you! They are affiliate links which gives a little back to our family at no extra cost to you!
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