Each week I share books I’m reading for my 2016 Reading Challenge, as well as podcasts I’m listening to and links I love from around the blogosphere. I love to get recommendations, so please let me know what you are reading!
What I’m Reading
A Long Fatal Love Chase by Louisa May Alcott
I had not heard of this Louisa May Alcott book until a few months ago. I have loved all of her children’s/ young adult novels (Little Men and An Old Fashioned Girl being my favorites), but I didn’t realize that she had an unpublished adult novel. The book centers around the relationship between Rose and Tempest–symbolically named. Rose is a fair, innocent young woman who is so bored with her isolated life that she eagerly and willingly marries the first man who comes along (literally). Tempest is a man with a past, and he proves the ruin of Rose’s life. Overall, I still prefer the other Alcott books. However, it was fun to read something she wrote in a different genre.
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
This is the only Jane Austen book that I have not read. So I knew that I needed to remedy that dreadful mistake soon! I am just getting started, however, I already am enjoying the book. There is something, for me at least, about Jane Austen books that always makes me feel at home. Perhaps it is the Anglophile in me, or perhaps I read too many Victorian love stories as a teen. Whatever it is, I am excited to finish!
Links I Love
Faith
Lenten Memory Verse Tree from Many Mercies
I love this Lenten project! Kids make a tree with memory verses for the “leaves.” Each memory verse corresponds with a particular Sunday of the Lenten Triodion and Great Lent. For example, the memory verse for the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee is “Lord have mercy on me, a sinner.” What a great family (or church school) project!
Family
9 Practical Ways to Yell Less and Love More from Money Saving Mom
I have been convicted recently (through spiritual reading and through the wise counsel of my husband) that I yell too much at my children. I have been researching ways to help change this horrible habit, so I really appreciated this article.
Frugal Living
10 Frugal Uses for Baking Soda from Frugally Blonde
A must read for the DIY fans and frugalistas out there!
What are you reading this week?
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I love the Lenten Memory Verse Tree idea! My daughter loves projects like that (but I’m not naturally a project-y Mom) so it’s great to find an idea to help us! : )
I completely agree, Anna! I am not at all a naturally crafty or project person. There’s a reason that I teach middle school instead of elementary. 🙂 But, it looks like a great project. I’m actually going to use those memory verses for my Church school class of first graders.
Madison: A Biography by Ralph Ketcham — Why, oh why, do pick such loooong books??
SPQR by Mary Beard — This is our current read aloud to each other book.
The Gilded Hour by Sara Donati — Just started, but so far, very good.
I finished Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner and loved it.
I just looked up Secrete of a Charmed Life. It looks great! I’m adding it to my TBR list on my library’s website. Thanks!
I have Northanger Abbey on my spring reading list. I haven’t read it yet either.
I’d love to hear what you think! Do you have a Jane Austen favorite? I really enjoyed Persuasion.