Reading List for 2014: Classics & New Reads for Intentional Living
I'm a voracious reader, though as a mama of little ones, my reading moments occur in brief snippets at late hours. Because of these time limits, here are the books that I want to prioritize this year:
Walden by Henry David Thoreau.
I majored in English and taught American literature to high school students, yet I have only read excerpts of this nature-lover's treatise. Now that I've made nature a parenting priority, it's time I delve into this in its entirety. The Kindle edition is free on Amazon at the time of this post!
Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beacher Stowe.
I've been told this classic fiction work on slavery is surprisingly interesting and accessible for modern readers, so I look forward to reading it. The Kindle edition of this is currently free on Amazon as well!
A memoir and family travelogue, this book was written by an American who raised her family all over the world. I'd love to learn vicariously from her experiences. Recommended by Gabrielle Blair at Design Mom.
Restless: Because You Were Made for More by Jennie Allen.
I love the historic story of Joseph (and the modern musical) and I'm excited to see how Jennie applies his story to my own longings. Recommended by Tsh Oxenreider at The Art of Simple (and I noticed her reading list shares my ambition for reading Walden and Uncle Tom's Cabin this year!).
A Million Little Ways: Uncovering the Art You Were Made to Live by Emily P. Freeman.
I shared Emily's heartfelt video as a weekend link earlier this month and I'm looking forward to seeing how she applies our desire for beauty and creativity in daily living.
Isaiah, in the Bible.
This book is a significant work of prophecy and hope, but it's been years since I've read it through. I look forward to reading Isaiah's many prophecies about the Messiah, most of which were fulfilled through Jesus and some of which are still to come. This will help me remember the context of our time in history.
The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament Era by James Jeffers. Lately I've been curious about parenting and family life during Jesus' lifetime. Did parents co-sleep with their children? Were children taught in small groups by tutors? I think so, but I'm sure this book will give me a better grasp of daily life and culture in the first century A.D.
The Anthropology of Learning in Childhood by David Lancy.
Okay, so this is a textbook. But I'm fascinated by how children learn in cultures that don't use a traditional schooling model. I think reading this will positively impact how I raise and educate my children.
This list doesn't reflect as much fiction as I usually read because I participate in two book clubs that typically select fiction on a monthly basis.
What books do you most want to read this year?
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