Books, Books, Books

At Martha's request, I thought I would share some of the books I have read this year.

Orthodox Books:

1. Diamonds on the Bosphorus
2. The Illustrated Life of the Theotokos for Children
3. A Trace in the Sand
4. Bright Faith: Father Artemy Vladidimorv Talks with Western Orthodox
5. Letters to Saint Lydia
6. Christ is in Our Midst: Letters from a Russian Monk 
7. Father Arseny: A Cloud of Witness

I enjoyed reading all of these books. More than likely I will reread these again in the future. The Fr. Arseny book I had already read and is one of my favorites. If I had to narrow this list down I would definitely read books 1, 3, 4, and 7 again in the near future.

Fiction Books:

1. The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency 
2. Tears of the Giraffe 
3. The Hunger Games Trilogy
4. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
5. Smoking Seventeen (Stephanie Plum Series) 
6. Explosive Eighteen (Stephanie Plum Series)
7. The Help

The most recent books I have read are the the first two books in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading these books (as suggested by Martha)  and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I also enjoyed reading The Help. As far as the others go they are really based of personal preference. I was pleasantly surprised with the Hunger Games Trilogy they were a quick read and compared to some of the other popular fiction they are mild in regards to various undertones you can find in other books. The Stephanie Plum series books I began reading with my mom when I was expecting Pic Pic. There is not much substance to the books and are rather quick reads. I continue to read them as a bonding experience with my mom. We also read James Patterson books together as well. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was a difficult read. Although I enjoyed the suspense factor it was rather risque at parts and I found myself having to skim over some chapters.

Non - Fiction
Getting Started in Homeschooling
One Thousand Gifts

Both were books I have read previously, good little reminders of things we may forget when we get caught up with our day to day tasks.

Currently I am reading Raising Them Right an expert from a Path to Salvation. Some of the Orthodox books l would like to read in the future are Elder Paisios of Mount Athos, Everyday Saints, Path to Salvation, The Other Side of the Bonfire, and the Scent of Holiness. As far as fiction is concerned I want to continue reading the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency, The Tudor Court Series by Philippa Gregory, classics. I am not much of a history person and thought that reading a historical series might peak my interest. I also have not ready many classics and thought that it might be good to read them. Does anyone have any  recommendations on which classic would be best to start with? I don't read much non fiction books but ones that I would like to read are centered around a Charlotte Mason education.