All About Books+Free Reading Chart

I have a confession…I LOVE books! I don’t mean in a “collect and have shelves of books” kind of way, as I neither have the space nor resources to do that.

What I mean is I do not read books, I devour them. I slip into a wonderful coma, oblivious to the world around me. It’s amazing, beautiful, and maybe a tiny bit dangerous~ if you have a newborn.

It’s getting colder and nothing is better than coffee and a book. Except maybe dark chocolate, coffee, and a book. Or…coffee, dark chocolate, a fireplace and a book. Or…you get the point.

I love reading, for me, books are the open door to other times, other worlds, other minds. Books are power, and can change who we are, and how we see the world around us.

Books are a huge part of our homeschool life. I want my children to have the same passion for reading as I do. I have always taught them books are special, unique to each reader, and a gateway to new worlds and undiscovered places.

My personal goal is to make them fall in love with books and reading like I have.

My educational goal is to expose children to different types of books, from poetry to fiction, to biography and non-fiction, and everything in between.

Either way, you can read/research, there is nothing you can not learn about when you set your heart on it. Isn’t that what education is all about?

Every year I start researching books, making lists of what I want them to read. Hunting the internet and stalking good reads, ones that catch and hold the attention while imparting some knowledge.

Once such gems are found, I go to the Local Library to see what I can get. We often do not do book reports or novel studies on them, although a rare book report or novel study might pop up. Normally we read them and talk about them.

Doing Something New

This year, I am doing something new! I am letting them choose their own books with a few set guidelines.

They are:

• They must be at an age/reading level
• They chose 3 books at the end of last year to read this year and one they will write a book report on.
• Aim for one book a month
• read for 30 minutes a day

Disclosure: I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Around the World in Eighty Days (Oxford World’s Classics)Around the World in 80 Days

 

They also read some books associated with their courses, for example, my son is re-reading Around the World in Eighty Days for his geography studies. He read it last year. So one book a month is about all he can handle, whereas his sister and I tend to be speed readers, a book a week is no problem.

I am not sure if I like them choosing their own books, it was and still is, hard to hand over that decision. You probably think I’m crazy (and I am!) but I worry they will not reach out and try new books but just stick to what they know and like. We will see.

Another reason why I love homeschooling. If it turns out they get stuck in a rut, next year, we will try a different plan.

Grab a free book tracker!

Book Suggestions Please:

I did inform them they had to read one Sherlock Holmes book, which they both protested. Ugh! I love his books! Thus the force-feeding!

Seriously you need to try one, so you can make an informed decision. I am currently looking for a super interesting one, that is not too scary!

Of all his books, which would you recommend? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for reading, check-in Thursday to see what Sherlock Holmes book we chose! Please share with others!

Take care

Jen

📌Don’t let this post get lost in the internet abyss – pin it to your Pinterest board now!