My Glasgow Granny would often say 'Stop yer bletherin,' if we were babbling on about something, but I'm using the word here in the more positive sense of 'a lengthy chat between friends.' 🙂 This is a look back at the month that's been that will include books (of course!) but also other topics of … Continue reading January Blether
Autobiography/Biography
Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature by Linda Lear
This biography of Beatrix Potter by Linda Lear was published in 2007. It is a very comprehensive 584-page account of an extraordinary woman. Although Beatrix Potter is mostly known for her iconic Peter Rabbit and friends children’s books, these books only represent one aspect of her life over a ten-year period. Besides being a gifted … Continue reading Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature by Linda Lear
In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park
In Order to Live is an astonishing story of endurance, courage, and love. Yeonmi Park was thirteen years old when she and her mother escaped from North Korea. In Order to Live tells their incredible story of survival, suffering, and eventual freedom. I’ve always had a fascination with the Cold War and Communism in general, … Continue reading In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park
Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)
Nelson Mandela started writing his autobiography while serving a life sentence in prison for plotting to overthrow the apartheid government of South Africa. The book was written secretly and a copy was discovered by prison authorities & confiscated. The original, however, was kept by two of his friends who were able to keep it safe … Continue reading Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)
Ambleside Online Year 10: an Australian Biography – Flynn of the Inland by Ion L. Idriess (1932)
Flynn of the Inland by Ion (Jack) Idriess is a book I've used in the past for high school. I'll be using it again next year as an Australian Biography substitute in Ambleside Online Year 10. This book reflects views on race that were acceptable for the time in which it was written but … Continue reading Ambleside Online Year 10: an Australian Biography – Flynn of the Inland by Ion L. Idriess (1932)
Announcing the '2019 Christian Greats Challenge: Past & Present '
  The Purpose of the Challenge There are a few reasons I decided to run this challenge: * I enjoy the community aspect of blogging about books & thought it would be fun to host a challenge with a link-up & get to visit & comment on other blogs. * I have a number … Continue reading Announcing the '2019 Christian Greats Challenge: Past & Present '
Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis (1955)
 C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) has been called one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century as well as the most influential writer of his time. He wrote over thirty books including the beloved children’s classic, The Chronicles of Narnia, which was my first introduction to his writing when I was about twelve years of … Continue reading Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis (1955)
An Australian Classic & a Living Book – My Love Must Wait: The Story of Matthew Flinders by Ernestine Hill (1941)
'If the plan of a voyage of discovery were to be read over my grave, I would rise up, awakened from the dead.'  Matthew Flinders (1774-1814)  My Love Must Wait is a book I've known about for years and if it had been published under a more auspicious title I might have read … Continue reading An Australian Classic & a Living Book – My Love Must Wait: The Story of Matthew Flinders by Ernestine Hill (1941)
The Small Woman by Alan Burgess (1957)
  The Small Woman by Alan Burgess is an inspiring and very well-written biography of Gladys Aylward, missionary to China for twenty years. In her mid-twenties she went through a probationary period at the China Inland Mission in London but was rejected on account of her lack of qualifications and the belief that at … Continue reading The Small Woman by Alan Burgess (1957)
Living Books for Maths
This post is an updated version/redo of one that I did when I first started this blog. I've added more books and some links that have been inspiring and helpful to us in teaching our children. Living - producing action, animation and vigor; quickening; flowing, opposed to stagnant. Anno’s Counting Book is a wordless … Continue reading Living Books for Maths
journey & destination 