What's Going On in My Reading Life?

Now that the busiest summer I can EVER remember having has drawn to a close, I am finally getting back to blogging on a regular basis.  While I definitely didn't do a lot of writing this summer, I did do a lot of reading - most of it during swim meets.  I have met my local library's 50 Book Challenge and am currently at 59 books for the year!

So, what did I read?  I did a lot of reading for my children's history courses this year.  We are using Sonlight for history this year and Sonlight means a lot of reading.  Thankfully, I have truly enjoyed all of the books that I've read so far, although I've liked some books even more than others.

• Stink Alley by Jamie Gilson (*****)  I REALLY liked this book. 
• A Lion to Guard Us by Clyde Robert Bulla (***)
• Amos Fortune, Free Man by Elizabeth Yates (*****)  I adored this book about a slave who buys his freedom over time but finds true freedom in Jesus Christ while he is still a slave.  While parts of the book are very sad, the story of Amos' life was incredibly inspiring.
• The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare (*****)  I LOVED this book.  For me, the book had it all - romance, suspense, strong characters, and an interesting historical setting.  My teenage daughter read it over the summer to get a jump start on her history reading and adored it as well.  
• Pocahontas and the Strangers by Clyde Robert Bulla (***)
• Vostaas White Buffalo's Story of Plains Indian Life by William White Buffalo (***)
• The Landing of the Pilgrims by James Daugherty (***)
• Squanto, Friend of the Pilgrims by Clyde Robert Bulla (***)
• Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis (*****)  I highly recommend listening to this EXCELLENT book on audio - the narrator is wonderful!
• Indian Captive:  The Storyof Mary Jemison by Lois Lenski (***)
• The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh (***)
• The Bears on Hemlock Mountain by Alice Dalgliesh (***)
• Ben Franklin of Old Philadelphia by Margaret Cousins (****)
• The Matchlock Gun by Walter D. Edmonds (***)
• A History of Us, The First Americans, Prehistory - 1600 by Joy Hakim (***)

I have been working my way through re-reading the Left Behind series this summer.  If you've never read this end-times series, I highly recommend all of the books in the main series.  I haven't read any of the prequels yet so I can't comment on them.

• Tribulation Force by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins (****)
• Nicolae by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins (****)
• Soul Harvest by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins (****)
• Apollyon by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins (****)
• Assassins by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins (****)
• The Indwelling by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins (****)
• The Mark by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins (****)
• Desecration by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins (****)

I also read several books that my daughter read or will read for her Literature course.  I'm so proud of myself to be reading so many classic books.  I wish I could say that I'm reading them again, but, sadly, I'm reading most of them for the first time.

• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (*****)
• The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle (*****)
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (*****)  Wow - this book was good, but far more profoundly sad than I had expected it to be!
• Watership Down by Richard Adams (*****) FABULOUS!!!!!  This was one of the best books that I have ever read.  This one will definitely be in my thoughts for a very long time.

Since I haven't posted about my reading list since April, I have several books that were part of our Ancient History curriculum from last school year that I read.  As well, I finished a few textbooks alongside my children and a book about homeschooling through high school.

• Reading 3A, Once Upon An Open Book - Bob Jones University Press (*****)
• Exploring Creation with Biology, 2nd Edition by Jay Wile and Marilyn Durnell (*****) - OK, this should really count for 5 or 6 books!
• Explore Ancient Rome!  Carmella Van Vleet (**)
• Gladiator by Richard Watkins (****)
• Homeschooling High School:  Planning Ahead for College Admission by Jeanne Gowen Dennis (***)

I also read a few cozy-mysteries, one of my very favorite fiction genres.

• Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris - #11 in the Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Mystery Series (****)
• English Tea Murder by Leslie Meier - #17 in the Lucy Stone Mystery Series

Lastly, of course I found time to read a few Scottish romances featuring my favorite alpha heroes in kilts!

• Highlander Untamed by Monica McCarty (***)
• Captured by the Highlander by Julianne MacLean (****)
• Mystical Warrior by Janet Chapman (***) - #3 in the Midnight Bay Series

So, have you read any great books lately?  I'd love to hear about them!

Photo courtesy of Michelle Meiklejohn at www.freedigitalphotos.net.