School has started, we are finding our new groove (because no year is ever exactly the same!) And thank goodness. My reading challenge really took a beating in July and August between school planning and getting that first month under our belt.

Yet, here we are and life goes on. I’ve dusted off ye old reading challenge and think I may still make it with a little extra careful dedication in this last quarter of the year.

In the month of September I finished 11 books, several of which were fairly hefty reads that are part of my challenge. Educational philosophy, practice, a little health and memoir, and of course, a couple of fun fiction reads! 😉

The Books of September

1. The Forest Of Vanishing Stars by Kristen Harmel

This wwii novel tells the tale of a mysterious woman who is stolen from her wealthy German parents as an infant and raised in the woods. When she is grown, she finds herself in a position to save many Jews with her knowledge in the forest. There were some twisty turns in the story that really surprised me. Overall, very well written, intriguing novel. Highly recommend.

2. Trim Healthy Future by Rashida Simpson

I don’t really follow any particular diet, but THM follows my ideals pretty closely. Lots of veggies, protein, and unique ingredients with an emphasis on keeping stable blood sugar. I really enjoy their cookbooks. If you’re looking for something a little different with options for low carb AND moderate, complex carb options, highly recommend looking up this series of cookbooks.

3. The Caregiver’s Guide to Diabetes: Practical Advice for Caring for You and Your Loved One by Amanda Ciprich

I expected this to be more focused on Type 1 Diabetes, and possibly with an emphasis on caring for children, especially because I follow the author on instagram and know that she is also Type 1. It ended up being more of a general care guidelines book, including all the other types of diabetes. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t what I was expecting or looking for. I imagine it could be more helpful to the very newly diagnosed, with any type of diabetes.

4. The Bright Hour: A Memoir of Living and Dying by Nina Riggs

This was definitely outside of my normal reading comfort zone (I wonder if that means I can fit it into my reading challenge somewhere?) but it was very good, thought provoking, and very emotional. I’ve found that when you are personally overwhelmed and at risk of feeling sorry for yourself, the best thing to do is to read about a harder experience. This definitely qualified. It wasn’t a religious memoir, but I finished it with such a sense of relief and gratititude for life and faith and my hope in Christ.

5. Come Ye Children: Obtaining Our Lord’s Heart for Loving and Teaching and Children by Charles Spurgeon

This book is such a treasure. I loved Spurgeon’s biblical and always eloquent teaching on how and why we ought to train up our children and teach them diligently, always keeping foremost the knowledge that salvation is of the Lord.

6. An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris. (Gunnie Rose #1)

This is a gritty adventure? mystery? series set in an alternate history of the US. Very entertaining and engaging. I put the second book on hold from the library as soon as I finished this one.

7. The Plutarch Primer: Publicola by Anne White

We are venturing into our studies of plutarch and this set by Anne White is wonderfully helpful. Each “lesson” is an original chapter from Plutarch’s Lives, with a short introduction and vocabulary provided by White. It has been very helpful to Sophia to have that context and it helps me to have that portion of the work already done. I am loving our Plutarch studies!

8. The Living Page: Keeping Notebooks With Charlotte Mason by Laurie Bestvater

This book delves deeply into the plethora of “keeping” notebooks referenced by Charlotte Mason in her epic volumes. It was very helpful to have a description and visualization. I came away from this book with inspiration and practical help for our “keeping” practices. It will definitely be one that I continue to reference through the school years.

9. The Miracle Morning: The Not-so-obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life Before 8 AM by Hal Elrod.

Do you notice how some days you can accomplish a mountain and other days it can be a struggle just to do basic tasks? Me too. The thing most good days tend to have in common is a productive morning. An object in motion stays in motion, etc. Elrod presents a specific routine which he guarantees willI set you up for some of your most productive days, and I have no reason to doubt this. It motivated me to take my mornings more seriously and work towards establishing a routine that will incorporate more of the elements he recommends.

10. Consider This: Charlotte Mason and the Classical Tradition by Karen Glass

Another excellent read by Karen Glass. She discusses how Charlotte Mason arrived at her practical methods of education after extensive study on the educational ideals achieved by ancient Greece and Rome. This book provides excellent answers to the whys and wherefores of education, and gives clear vision for why the ancient educators focused on character development most of all.

11. An Unexpected Peril by Deanna Raybourn (Veronical Speedwell #6)

Wrapping up this month with the latest in the Veronica Speedwell series. This is one of my favorite mystery series right now. A gutsy, independent heroine, her darkly handsome sidekick and romantic interest, and perilous adventures in Victorian England. I mean, how could you say no?

There you have it!

Hope you’ve enjoyed this foray into my reading life! Here’s to a new month, new books and plowing through some more of that reading challenge! What were your favorite reads of September?