Reading Room

I am an avid reader- of all kinds of books. On this page, you’ll find out what I have recently read, am currently reading, and am planning to read. Sometimes I might even offer a brief critique of the book as time permits.

Welcome to the reading room! Feel free to recommend any good books you are reading or thoughts on books you have read on this page as well.

ETA: I will periodically update this page, removing books that have been here a long time and adding others. If the book is one I particularly enjoyed, I’ll leave it on the page.

• Dred Scott’s Revenge:  A Legal  History of Race and Freedom in America, by Judge Andrew Napolitano: I recently read this and I cannot say enough good things about it, mainly because I was surprised by the balanced an honest look the author takes at the issue. He  is a libertarian and frequent contributor on FOX News so I was expecting a bit of whitewashing of  the facts in order to highlight the bright spots of America’s history at the expense of the rest. If you want a balanced and complete historical record of the race issue in the U.S., this is it.
• Total Money Makeover,  by Dave Ramsey: Every one is familiar with Dave Ramsey by now.This is an excellent book for anyone looking to get out of debt or just in need of practical steps to getting their financial house in order.
• The Bostonians, by Henry James. I haven’t read this one yet, but it is on my list to finish before mid-year. It’s a novel that explores the relationship between a traditional and gallant young Mississippi lawyer and a  young feminist from Massachusets during the fight for women’s “emancipation.” Looking forward to reading this one.
• Family Feasts for $75 a Week, by  Mary Ostyn:  I have been trying for many months to trim my grocery budget. Many times I have wearied, resigning myself to the reality that it take a small fortune to feed my family. Well, this author’s  family is much larger than mine (12 to 0ur 7), and she spends less on average per month than we do for groceries. I bought her book, and I haven’t regretted it. It’s full of common sense, flexibility, and doable ideas for keeping a lid on the food budget. Not to mention the recipes!.
• Inside American Education by Thomas Sowell: A thoughtful and researched analysis on the state of America’s educational institutions, from kindergarten to college. An eye-opening book, to be sure, and at this writing I’m only 25 pages in!

• Created to Be His Helpmeet by Debi Pearl. I have read so much about this book, that I think I need to read it and judge for myself. My reviews of this book can be found here and here.
• The Well Trained Mind, by Susan Wise Bauer
• Mere Christianity, by C. S. Lewis. I’ve read this modern Christian classic before, but I want to read it again. So I will.
• An in-depth study of Galatians, complete with Greek translations at my side. I need to do this for many reasons, some I’m sure I will share as time goes by.
• The Great Divorce, by C. S. Lewis. I read this recently and found it an engaging and compelling read.
• 1,000 Gifts, A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, by Ann Voskamp. I’ve read this book, and my thoughts are mixed. A review is forthcoming. Great for those of us who struggle to remember to be grateful. Terrible for those of us who lumber through flowery language and extensive use of literary device.
• Sleeping Dogs Don’t Lie, by Richard Lederer. An entertaining book on the proper use of the English language, both written and spoken.
• Radical Homemakers: Reclaiming Domesticity from a Consumer Culture, by Shannon Hayes. I’m reading this one right now, and might post a review later. Alte recently offered a review here.
• Being the Body, by Chuck Colson. I read this book several years ago, and it blessed me tremendously. Given the state of current world events both politically and economically, I have grown rather weary of the fractured state of the American church. Our divisions seem petty and often have nothing to do with the principles of salvation.This book reminded me that we are supposed to be one, united in Christ.
• For The Children’s  Sake, by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay. Found this one for $3 at a used bookstore today. I’ve heard a lot of good things about it so I grabbed it. Hopefully I’ll have time to review it.
• Contra Feminism by Joseph Keysor