Reading With the Seasons: New Year's Edition

With all my fluffy reading in December, I always feel the need come January for something with a little more substance to it. Plus, the rushing desire for self-improvement hits me full-force. So I tend to gravitate towards books that will improve my parenting, cooking, cleaning, or organizational abilities. Also, books that will help me be more healthy--physically, mentally, or spiritually. And books that will stretch my brain and teach me new things.

With that introduction, here's the line-up for this month:

Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin
Ever since reading (and loving) The Happiness Project last year, I have been dying to read Gretchen Rubin's new book which came out last September. This one focuses more on being happier at home, finding joy and feeling satisfaction with the little things, which is exactly what I need right now. I started it last night and went to sleep with my head full of goals and lists and ambitions. It was great. (I just hope it doesn't drive me crazy that this time, she begins her project in September instead of January.)

A Thomas Jefferson Education: Teaching a Generation of Leaders For the Twenty-First Century by Oliver DeMille
As Aaron approaches Kindergarten, I find myself more and more caught up with the many questions that surround education. I have tried to keep an open mind as I have explored all my options: public school, private school, charter school, homeschool, as well as language immersion programs, gifted programs, accelerated programs, etc. In November, I was blessed to be introduced to an education group in my area, consisting of parents from all walks of life (many of them much more seasoned and experienced than me) with similar questions, seeking a variety of answers. Anyway, in November, we discussed the first half of this book. And now, at our January meeting, we will discuss the second half. I am so excited for this. This book provides a lot of personal insight, but it is so much more beneficial to be able to discuss it with other individuals.

The Evelyn Wood Seven-Day Speed Reading and Learning Program by Stanley D. Frank
Okay, I feel kind of cheesy putting up this title, but the truth is, I still really want to increase my reading speed. (See my previous post: Like a Tortoise With a Lame Foot.) My brother used this book in a speed reading class he took in college, so I feel like it's fairly legitimate. I'm not interested in the really fast skimming and layered reading because I still want reading to feel like leisure and a relaxing experience (although I think this type of reading would be great if I were still doing a lot of academic reading). I just want to increase my words-per-minute average.

Bringing Up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting by Pamela Druckerman
My parenting tactics have become a bit stale. I feel like I'm not as focused or consistent with providing good discipline and education and love to my children as I have been in the past. This is not a parenting manual per se, more of a memoir, but I think it will be just the breath of fresh air I need.

I'm still reading The God Who Weeps by Terryl and Fiona Givens. It is truly excellent and has really rejuvenated me spiritually. Highly recommend.

And finally, in case I need a little break, I might listen to Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George. Doesn't that title just sound like a good one to read in January?

What about you? Do you have some books you're reading this month that will help you be a better you? Or just a good cozy, winterish read? Please share! (I really mean that. I know sometimes it's hard to break the comment barrier, but please do it! I want to hear your ideas!)

P.S. Do you like the picture at the top of this post? My brother, Gordy, took it. I'm kind of in love with it.

Reading Goals for 2013

Happy New Year! I love making goals, and even though there is never a wrong time to want to make changes or reach for something new, there is something so fun and invigorating about doing it at the beginning of the year. I've had some reading goals in the back of my brain for the last several months. Every time I thought of a new one, I tucked it away for the coming new year.

Well, now the new year is here, and so I don't want to waste a day before sharing all that I have planned. (I'm pretty excited.) (Oh, and any suggestions/recommendations for how to meet these goals are welcome/appreciated!)

1. Read a new genre
For a long time, I had no interest in graphic novels. (And before that, I didn't even know what a graphic novel was.) But now, I think I'm ready to try one. What should I start with? I want to give it a fair chance, so I want my first one to be really good.

2.  Finish a series I already started
I am notorious for reading the first book in a series and then leaving it for a long, long time; so long, in fact, that I usually give up on the series entirely because by the time I'm ready to read the second book, I've forgotten the first book, and I just don't have the heart to start over. I usually read what I'm in the mood for, so I have a hard time reading five books in a row that have all the same characters and setting and general plot line. Here are a few of the series I have started:

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull (I've read the first three.)
Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery (I've read the first one.)
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (I have read this entire series before, but recently, I've reread the first four.)
Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson (I've read the first two.)
The Queen's Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (I've read the first one.)
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear (I've read the first one.)
Flavia de Luce by Alan Bradley (I've read the first two.)
Matched by Ally Condie (I've read the first one.)
The Chronicles of Narnia (I've read the first three.)
Shadow Children by Margaret Peterson Haddix (I've read the first four.)
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith (I've read the first one.)
Little House on the Praire by Laura Ingalls Wilder (I've read the first four.)

So you can see, I have a lot to choose from (and I didn't even list them all). I think I'm leaning towards Emily or Peter or Little House.

3. Begin and finish a series
I don't know if I'll make myself read the entire three or five or seven or however many books in a row, but I do want the continuity of reading an entire series start to finish during the course of one year. I don't have any immediate ideas for this one, but trilogies definitely count.

4. Read and reread a book
I'm becoming more of a rereader (which is funny since I have so many new books I want to read), but something I haven't done is reread a book soon after finishing it the first time. I want to see what things I can glean from it the second time around while the first time is still fresh in my mind. I'm not sure which book this will be. I'm sure I'll know it when I read it. If I had made this goal last year, I most certainly would have reread either The Happiness Project or Edenbrooke.

5. Read something less well-known by an author I like
I have several ideas for this one: I loved Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech, Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse, and Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. All of these authors have written other books, and both Creech and Hesse each published a new book in 2012. It seems a shame that some of their other books are brushed over in favor of the more well-known titles (as good as they are), so I want to give something else a chance.

6. Read two classics from the 19th century and two classics from the 20th century.
This is broad and a tad vague on purpose. I definitely want to read some classics, but I want to keep an open mind throughout the year so I can read what sounds interesting to me. But one that I will definitely be reading is The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. Feel free to give me other ideas! There are many very well-known classics I have not read yet.

7. Read at least four Newbery candidates for 2014.
I can already tell you what one of these four will be: Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool.

8. Read Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson
Because it is very important that this book not be missed.

I will update this list as I complete these goals, and if I think of any others in the next couple weeks, I will add those, too.

What are your goals (reading or otherwise) for 2013?

2012 Books

I had a goal to read 52 books this year. I figured if I could read an average of a book a week, that was pretty good considering my slow reading speed and busy life. I'm happy to report that I read a total of 60 books, so I even exceeded my goal by a little bit. :-)

At a glance, here are all of the books I read. All titles will be linked to my original reviews (unless I haven't written them yet, in which case they're coming soon). Also, I'll make note of whether it was an audio book. And last, be on the lookout for which ones made it into my Top 5 of the year because, you know, those are the ones you should read no matter what.  

1. State of Wonder, by Ann Patchett, partial AUDIO, 1/10
The year had a rough start. I enjoyed most of the book, but the ending RUINED the ENTIRE book.

2. Maniac Magee, by Jerry Spinelli, AUDIO, 6/10
I liked it, but now, almost a year later, I can remember very little about it.

3. The Parenting Breakthrough: A Real-Life Plan to Teach Your Kids to Work, Save Money, and Be Truly Independent, by Merrilee Boyack, 9/10
With Boyack's detailed plan for how to raise truly independent kids by age 18, this is one of my very, very favorite parenting books.

4. Anne of Windy Poplars, by Lucy Maud Montgomery, 8/10
As always, great characters.

5. Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, by Laura Hillenbrand, AUDIO, 10/10, Top 5
Every time I tell someone about this book, I am amazed all over again that it is a true story. 

6. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, AUDIO, 3/10
I know it's a science fiction classic. I know it's about books. But I could not wait to be done with it.

7. Baby-led Weaning: Helping Your Baby Love Good Food, by Gill Rapley, 8/10
Outlines a whole new approach to introducing solids to babies without using any purees. I used it with Bradley with great success (mainly because it made me much less stressed about all the whens and whats).

8. Peter and the Starcatchers, by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, AUDIO 9/10
All about how Peter Pan became Peter Pan, this book had the perfect blend of adventure, magic, and a great deal of wit.

9. Taking Off, by Jenny Moss, 7/10
This historical fiction, with events surrounding the Challenger disaster, was interesting.

10. Midnight in Austenland, by Shannon Hale, 7/10
Nothing too memorable but very fun to read.

11. Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld, AUDIO, 5/10
I was intrigued by the steampunk genre, but it was a little too out there (or something) for me. I have no intention of finishing the trilogy.

12. The Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde, 8/10
The plot is funny, the lines are funny, the characters are funny.

13. The Mouse and the Motorcycle, by Beverly Cleary, 6/10
Ralph S. Mouse and his obsession with vehicles was a great choice for Aaron's first chapter book.

14. The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin, 10/10, Top 5
This book changed my life. Really. I still think about it frequently.

15. Key Lime Pie, by Josie S. Kilpack, 6/10
The fourth one in a series of culinary mysteries, this one was just as fluffy as the others, but I read it when I was in the right mood for it.

16. My Father's Dragon, by Ruth Stiles Gannett, 7/10
Great little story about a young boy's adventures trying to save a dragon.

17. Funeral Potatoes, by Joni Hilton, 6/10
Not my genre of choice but not a bad way to pass the time during a long road trip.

18. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, by, E. Lockhart, AUDIO, 7/10
I really enjoyed this story about a feisty teenage girl outwitting all her male counterparts, but there were some things I didn't like about it, too.

19. Edenbrooke, by Julianne Donaldson, 10/10,  Top 5
I feel happy every time I think about this book. Pure pleasure. Gets the award for best leading man.

20. Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever, by Mem Fox, 8/10
How could I not like a book that tells me the best thing I can do as a mother is read to my children?

21. Peter and the Shadow Thieves, by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, AUDIO, 7/10
I didn't like it as well as the first one, but it was still very good, and I would definitely recommend this series to 10-14 year-old boys.

22.  Elmer and the Dragon, by Ruth Stiles Gannett, 6/10
I actually can't remember a single thing about this book except that I didn't like it quite as well as My Father's Dragon.

23. The Penderwicks at Point Moutte, by Jeanne Birdsall, AUDIO, 9/10
Really, really liked this third installment about the Penderwick sisters. These books say "summer" to me like almost nothing else.

24. Sink Reflections, by Marla Cilley, 8/10
A bit on the cheesy side (okay, a lot on the cheesy side), but after I implemented many of the suggestions in this book, my house stayed much cleaner. (Sadly, I lost a lot of my good habits when we moved. Yes, I know that was four months ago.)

25. The Littles, by John Lawrence Peterson, 6/10
I enjoyed reading this book from my childhood to Aaron and Max.

26. The Littles Take a Trip, by John Lawrence Peterson, 6/10
After reading this one, I decided I'm probably just going to let the boys read the rest of these on their own someday. It was cute, but it was a little juvenile to be truly enjoyable for me, too.

27. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith, 10/10, Top 5
Francie may well be one of the best main characters I've ever encountered. And the writing is an absolute treat.

28. Heaven is Here, by Stephanie Nielson, 9/10
This book made me appreciate all the good things in my life just a little bit more.

29. The Phantom Tollbooth, Norton Juster, AUDIO, 6/10
I thought I would like this children's classic more than I did.

30. ScreamFree Parenting: The Revolutionary Approach to Raising Your Kids By Keeping Your Cool, by Hal Edward Runkel, AUDIO, 8/10
Some really great ideas. I should already reread it.

31. Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America, by Firoozeh Dumas, 8/10
This memoir was both entertaining and enlightening. It cast America in a new, but not unfavorable, light.

32. Princess Academy, by Shannon Hale, AUDIO, 9/10
I enjoyed this book the second time just as much as when I first read it. 

33. Dead End in Norvelt, by Jack Gantos, AUDIO, 8/10
I really did love this partly autobiographical story (and Mike did, too).

34. Bringing Up Geeks: How to Protect Your Kid's Childhood in a Grow-Up-Too-Fast World, by MaryBeth Hicks, 9/10
I felt like I was reading a parenting manual written by my own parents. I agreed with practically everything in it. I want my kids to be geeks.

35. Emily of New Moon, by Lucy Maud Montgomery, AUDIO, 8/10
I loved Emily almost as much as Anne Shirley.

36. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloo, 9/10
I have not stopped thinking about this book and all the ethical and moral questions it raised. Also, I never thought I would find cell cultures so fascinating.

37. Charlotte's Web, by E.B. White, 10/10
Aaron and I enjoyed this book equally well. A true classic.

38. Gone With the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell, AUDIO, 9/10
I'll still go with my original summary: this book is heartachingly perfect.

39. What the Dog Saw and Other Adventures, by Malcolm Gladwell, 8/10
I will never think the same way about ketchup, birth control, or a multitude of other topics.

40. The Thief, by Megan Whalen Turner, AUDIO, 6/10
Not really my favorite.

41. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, by Susan Cain, AUDIO, 9/10
This book validated my introverted personality. I will forever be grateful for it.

42. The Girl Who Chased the Moon, by Sarah Addison Allen, 3/10
Not what I was expecting and not what I liked.

43. Mr. Popper's Penguins, by Richard and Florence Atwater, 5/10
I thought this story was a bit on the boring side and not all that funny or cute.

44. The Unwanteds, by Lisa McMann, AUDIO, 9/10
Really, really great. This was the perfect blend of fantasy, magic, and dystopian.

45. The Witches, by Roald Dahl, AUDIO, 9/10
The story was great. The narrator was amazing.

46. Wonder, by R.J. Palacio, 10/10
Told from several different viewpoints, I loved this story about a 10-year-old boy learning to overcome his challenges.

47. The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigian, 6/10
I should have loved this story, but the writing draaaaaged.

48. The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden, 8/10
Aaron or Max will mention Chester or Harry or Tucker or Mario at least once a week.

49. Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier, AUDIO, 10/10, Top 5
The writing was exquisite, the plot was captivating, and even now, I get lost in the story just thinking about it.

50. The Aviary, by Kathleen O'Dell, 8/10
Unlike anything I've ever read before, in a good way.

51. Mr. and Mrs. Bunny--Detectives Extraordinaire by Polly Horvath, 8/10
I dare you to read this book and not laugh out loud.

52. Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl, AUDIO, 9/10
Opened my eyes to the subtle flavors of food and the powerful influence of appearance.


53. Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver, AUDIO 8/10
A strangely sentimental and beautiful story about a girl and her ghost.

54. Liar & Spy, by Rebecca Stead, AUDIO 8/10
So fun to see how all the pieces came together in the end.

55. Dinner: A Love Story, by Jenny Rosenstrach, 8/10
Yummy recipes intermixed with a great commentary about the importance of eating dinner as a family.

56. Matilda, by Roald Dahl, AUDIO, 8/10
I didn't know it until this year, but I love Roald Dahl.

57. Lost December, by Richard Paul Evans, AUDIO, 7/10
It has the Richard Paul Evans flavor for sure, but that's what I expected, so I liked it.

58. A Dog Named Christmas, by Greg Kincaid, AUDIO, 8/10
I don't love dogs, but I loved this book.

59. The 13th Day of Christmas, by Jason F. Wright, 7/10
Everything you would expect out of a Christmas story: heartwarming, tear-jerking, happy.

60. The Mansion, by Henry van Dyke, 9/10
Very metaphorical and thought-provoking. 

And that's it! Thanks, 2012! You've been a great year!

Reading with the Seasons: Christmas Wrap-up

People didn't come forward with as many ideas for Christmas books as I was expecting, but I'll share the few that I received or collected on my own.

At Silver Shoes & Rabbit Holes, Danzel recommended The Twenty-Four Days Before Christmas, part of the Austin Family series by Madeleine L'Engle. (I didn't even know that Madeleine L'Engle had written these!)

My good friend, Amy, recommended Christmas By the Book by Beverly King and also The Christ Commission by Og Mandino.

My other good friend, Amy, gave me The 13th Day of Christmas by Jason F. Wright. I read it on the drive to Colorado and enjoyed it.

Samantha @ The Musical Feast recommended Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge. I think I read this one when I was younger, but I don't remember anything about it. It seems like it would be great for January, too. Samantha reviewed it recently and said it didn't quite meet her expectations.

And as for the other books I was planning to read, I loved The Mansion, Lost December, and A Dog Named Christmas. I gave up on The Christmas Train (there were parts I liked but there were a couple of red flags I was nervous about). And I sadly never got to Jacob T. Marley. Next year!

Book Haul, Christmas 2012

We are in Colorado enjoying some post-Christmas festivities with my family. We are also enjoying our Christmas presents, some of which were, of course, books. I love choosing books for each of my boys, deciding which ones they will like best and also which ones are worth making permanent residents of our collection.

This year:

Bradley: Yawn by Sally Symes and Nick Sharratt  

Bradley: Who Said Moo? by Harriet Ziefert and Simms Taback (I really wanted to get Chomp! by Heather Brown, but it wasn't in stock at our local bookstore, but this was a good runner-up.)

Bradley: At the Farm, a Read & Sing Along book
(This was a gift from Uncle Ben and Aunt Meagan who know that Bradley loves both animals and books.)

Maxwell: We Are in a Book! and Let's Go For a Drive!, both by Mo Willems
(Someday soon I will devote an entire post to Elephant & Piggie and our undying devotion to Mo Willems.)

Max's expression when he unwrapped the books. His joy is clearly visible. Love that boy and his book obsession.

Aaron: Mercy Watson to the Rescue and Mercy Watson Fights Crime, both by Kate DiCamillo, illus. Chris Van Dusen
(Mercy Watson Fights Crime introduces the infamous Leroy Ninker, a hopeful cowboy turned thief, one of my all-time favorite characters.)

Me: Wonder by R.J. Palacio
You probably know by now that I'm fairly selective with which books I allow to stay forever in my home. So Christmas and birthdays always present such an internal struggle because I love getting new books, but the debate is always: Should I ask for something I haven't yet read and run the risk of it being a book I don't actually want to keep? or Should I ask for something I've read and know I want to own but miss out on the excitement of having something new to read? This time, the tried and true won out, and Santa brought me Wonder, one of my favorite books of the year, and one that I am thrilled to display on my bookshelf because I know I will reread it..

Me: The Christmas Wish by Richard Siddoway
My mom gave me this one. My whole family loves the movie that's based on this book, but I've never read the book. Given my great love for Christmas stories, it's time I changed that.

My dad: The Candy Bombers by Andrei Cherny
Earlier this month, my dad and I went on a daddy/daughter date to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert. It was fantastic, and the crowning moment was when Tom Brokaw (the guest narrator) told the story of Hal Halvorsen who dropped candy to children in West Berlin following World War II, and then 92-year-old Hal appeared himself. Anyway, my dad enjoyed the story so much, and Mike loved this book when he read it a couple of years ago, so we got it for him.

 At the concert

Did you get any books for Christmas? Please share!

The Mansion by Henry van Dyke

Merry Christmas! For the last several weeks, Max has been asking every day whether or not it is a holiday. He asked again this morning (after he had already opened all of his presents), and he was thrilled to hear that, yes, it finally was an official holiday. I hope all of you are enjoying some wonderful, relaxing time with family and friends.

While Mike and the boys are out playing in the fresh, new snow that came last night (how perfect is that?!), I thought I'd take a minute to write about a wonderful story I just finished.

I mentioned at the beginning of the month that I had been wanting to read Henry van Dyke’s, The Mansion. When I was growing up, I was very familiar with The Gift of the Magi. My dad read it aloud to us many times, and we also had the made-for-TV movie starring Marie Osmond (a true treasure if ever there was one). But I had never heard of The Mansion until a couple years ago when President Monson mentioned it in the annual First Presidency Christmas Devotional. He said that it is a tradition of his to read The Mansion, along with A Christmas Carol and the Christmas Story as recorded in Luke 2 every Christmas. Ever since then, I have been meaning to read it. I finally did last week and found it filled with gems of wisdom and insight.

The story is about John Weightman, an important man with substantial influence and power. Among other things, he has funded the building of one school, three small churches, and a wing of the hospital. He is proud of the recognition and respect he has attained through his many good works. One night, he has an argument with his adult son, who would like to give some money to a friend with a life-threatening lung condition. John Weightman thinks it a poor investment since there is no guarantee the young man will live, and even if he does, he may or may not amount to anything which will further the reach of John Weightman’s good name. After the argument, John falls into a troubled sleep where he finds himself traveling on a road with a large group of people who are being taken to the mansions that have been prepared for them. John is the last one to reach his, which turns out to be a humble shack in a desolate field. He is indignant since he has lived such an honorable life. But he learns that it is not just his actions but his motivations for those actions that count in the grand scope of eternity.

I couldn’t help but compare this story to A Christmas Carol (especially knowing that President Monson always reads these two texts back to back). Ebenezer Scrooge is a very different character than John Weightman. He is miserly, selfish, unfeeling, and, at times, even cruel. He never gives a penny to anyone, and so he is visited by three ghosts to show him how his actions have negatively affected his past, present, and possible future. John Weightman, on the other hand, has filled his life with noble works but only the kind that will be recognized by a large number of people; none of that anonymous donor junk for him.

When he sees his pitiful “mansion,” he has an interesting discussion with the Keeper of the Gate. The Keeper never discounts the good that John Weightman accomplished during his life. In fact, he acknowledges and respects it, but he says, “Were not all these carefully recorded on earth where they would add to your credit? They were not foolishly done. Verily, you have had your reward for them. Would you be paid twice?”

That phrase, Would you be paid twice?, has stuck with me. In life, John Weightman was solely concerned with how his actions would move him toward his far-reaching, worldly goals.  But then, once he was in heaven, all of a sudden he wanted all of his actions to be rewarded there as well.  It is very reminiscent of the story of the Pharisees in the New Testament who prayed in public places and made themselves appear to be fasting “to be seen of men.” But then Jesus reminds them, “they have their reward.” 

When John Weightman first sees his shack, my first thought was that it was a punishment for his hypocritical actions. But when John demands, “Why have you not built it large and fair, like the others?” the Keeper of the Gate says, “That is all the material you sent us.” This placed the responsibilities and consequences squarely on John Weightman’s shoulders. I loved this angle because I truly believe we are in charge of our own destinies. John invested his time and energy in the things that were important to him, just as every day I choose how to divide myself among the many duties, wants, and necessities I find myself faced with. John chose to spend all of his energy building an earthly mansion and so there wasn’t much wherewith to build his heavenly mansion. But the important thing to remember is that it was his choice. Heavenly Father would have loved to bless him with more. In fact, when the shack is being described, it says that it was “put together with cares and pains, by some one who had tried to make the most of cast-off material.” Heavenly Father always blesses us with the very best He can, and it is always more than we deserve.

In this way, this can be seen as a perfect New Year’s story, even more than Christmas. It talks about kindness and goodwill, which are definitely Christmas themes, but it also causes a lot of introspection: Does the person who people see on the outside match who I really am on the inside? Why am I doing what I do? Who am I trying to please? These types of questions inspire great changes for the new year.

The edition I have pictured above is not the one I read. This new one was published last year, and I am in love with it. The story is simplified and abridged and accompanied by beautiful illustrations. But the complete and unabridged text is also included at the end of the book. I almost bought this edition a few days ago. I was this close. In fact, I walked around the store for probably a good fifteen minutes, clutching it possessively, until I regretfully put it back. But next year…next year, I will get it. Instead, I read this edition from the library, which, while not nearly as pretty, is every bit as authentic

.

This story is short and could easily be read in a single afternoon. The beginning is a little slow (I tried to read it aloud to Mike when he was driving, but it was putting him to sleep), and the ending is a little abrupt, but all in all, it is a wonderful story that will fill your soul with Christmas goodwill and propel you to make positive choices for the New Year.  Merry, merry Christmas!

Read Your Way to Christmas

For the last few months, I have been on the lookout for Christmas books whenever I visit my local thrift store. Along with my other advent calendar, I really wanted to count down the days to Christmas with books. The night before December 1st, my friend and I had a book wrapping party, and much to my horror, I discovered I was a couple books shy of 24. This, of course, wasn't the end of the world; I had about a million Christmas books from the library that I could have wrapped up, but instead I decided to splurge and buy a book I was desperately longing for. (More on that at the end of the post...)

Aaron and Max took turns selecting and unwrapping a book each morning. (On the off days, the other one got to hang up the picture on the other  advent calendar.) This was definitely one of the highlights of the month. It brought a little excitement to every day.

And now, starting in the top left hand corner and working your way down, moving left to right (like you're reading a book), here are our 24 books to Christmas:

1. *Room For a Little One, Martin Waddell, illus. Jason Cockcroft
I love the soft illustrations and quiet text. One of my favorite picture books about the nativity.

2. Country Angel Christmas, Tomie dePaola
A sweet story about finding your own place and way to help, no matter how small you are.

3. Drummer Boy, Loren Long
I love the gentle rhythm of the drummer boy's song.

4. *Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree, Robert E. Barry
I love this book! I may or may not have pushed for this to be opened at the beginning of December so we could spend the whole month enjoying it. A cute story about a tree that is perpetually too tall, and the top continues to be cut off and handed down to someone smaller.

5. Three Snow Bears, Jan Brett
While it doesn't have anything to do with Christmas, this retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears features plenty of snow to make it worthy of the season.

6. The Night Before Christmas
I still own my copy of this book, which I received for my very first Christmas in 1985.

7. *Bear Stays Up For Christmas, Karma Wilson, illus. Jane Chapman
If you're acquainted with the other Bear books, you will not want to miss this Christmas story where Bear fights off hibernation so he can spend Christmas with his friends.

8. The Stable Where Jesus Was Born, Rhonda Gowler Greene, illus. Susan Gaber
A nice rhyme to go with the nativity story.

9. The Christmas Story, Carol Heyer
Beautiful illustrations.

10. Henry and Mudge and a Very Merry Christmas, Cynthia Rylant
We love Henry and Mudge, so adding Christmas only makes them better.

11. The Littlest Christmas Elf, Nancy Buss, illus. Terri Super
I received this when I was four years old in a preschool gift exchange, but then it was tragically lost. I liked it so much that my mom bought a replacement copy and re-inscribed the name of the little boy who gave it to me.

12. Max's Christmas, Rosemary Wells
I love Max and Ruby, but I'll be completely honest: I will replace this one as soon as possible. It's kind of dumb.

13. *Gingerbread Baby, Jan Brett
The gingerbread baby gets chased all over the village until he finds a gingerbread house just perfect for him. You can't go wrong with Jan Brett's illustrations. Love her.

14. *Snowmen at Christmas, Caralyn Buehner, illus. Mark Buehner
Imaginative and creative and easily puts you in a holiday mood.

15. *Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear!, Don and Audrey Wood
If you love The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear, then I think you'll love this one just as much. Instead of the sly, manipulative ending of the first, this one has a very sweet ending.

16. Christmas Mouse, Vivian French and Ernest's Special Christmas, Laura T. Barnes
Both of these are kind of lame. I was hoping by wrapping them up together, they would add up to something not as lame. I don't think it worked.

17. *The Christmas Train, Thomas S. Monson, illus. Dan Burr
My one splurge this year. See the end of the list for more of my thoughts.

18. The Bears' Christmas, Stan and Jan Berenstain
Oh, Papa Bear! This book is just full of silly and ridiculous moments and is sure to get a few laughs. (And bonus: it's a great one if you have an early reader in your house.)
 
19. Carl's Christmas, Alexandra Day
In this book, Carl doesn't have to watch the baby, so he goes out for some fun of his own.
 
20. The Crippled Lamb, Max Lucado
A sweet Christmas story.

21. A Wish to be a Christmas Tree, Colleen Monroe
A great story about the importance of helping everyone feel loved.

22. Olive, the Other Reindeer, J. Otto Seibold
Convinced that she is a reindeer, Olive (a dog) helps Santa on Christmas Eve.

23. I Spy Little Christmas, Jean Marzollo, illus. Walter Wick
My boys love the I Spy books, and this simplified one is perfect for them at their current ages.

24. The Cheerios Christmas Play Book, Lee Wade
Not a Christmas classic, but good for entertaining small fingers nonetheless.

So The Christmas Train...I can't remember the first time I heard President Thomas S. Monson share his boyhood story of receiving a beautiful electric train for Christmas but then still being greedy when it came time to take a little windup train to a boy down the street, but I have loved it for awhile now. So when I saw that it was turned into a picture book this year, I could think of little else. I wanted it so much. When I finally had a chance to look at it, I wanted it even more. The illustrations are beautiful, and the text is simple and short. Some similar books to this one (think Christmas Oranges or A Christmas Dress For Ellen) have really lengthy texts, but this one involved no more than a few lines per page. When we read it the first time, Aaron thought that Tommy should get to take one of the cars from the neighbor boys trains because "he didn't have one like that," but then I think he caught the message of the joy of giving. I'm so glad we own a copy of it now.

If you didn't get a chance to read any of these this year, be sure to check them out next Christmas!

*indicates a favorite in the Johnson household