I found Sheila at The Deliberate Reader when I was roaming the web for suggestions for our MNO Book Club. On one of my many Google searches she appeared as a Top Ten Blog for Book Lovers. Her book reviews are personal, succinct, and to the point. She doesn’t exhibit “star inflation” where everything she reviews is 5 stars, but rather reserves top marks to those novels that she feels most deserving. Her book selection is eclectic and almost exclusively motivated by choice, rather than free reviews. Most of her books actually come from the library. Imagine my delight, when I recognized her blog title listed on the Seven Quick Takes Friday (SQT) link up. She also home schools. So there you have it – an avid book lover (gotta love librarians), Catholic (or not, lol, see comments), and homeschooling Mom – sold!
Sheila has a new link-up that promises to be a lot of fun. The New On the Stack Link up is an opportunity to share about any books that you have added to your bookshelf over the past month. These books can be newly purchased, picked up for review, downloaded, checked out from the library, added to your mp3 player, etc. They just have to be new to you. In an effort to make the link up super easy, Sheila is also allowing Instagram pics to be linked as well as blog posts.
So, without further ado, in the style of The Deliberate Reader, here is my first contribution to New On the Stack!
How did I get it: I bought this book from amazon based on a recommendation.
Why did I get it: I have a very active two year old who is spending too much time inside during these cold months and I thought we might have some fun trying out some of these poses and ideas. Truthfully, I thought it would be as simple as opening the book and striking a pose, but the first three chapters actually have a ton of words and words I find really helpful and actually want to read!
The American Catholic Almanac: A Daily Reader of Patriots, Saints, Rogues, and Ordinary People Who Changed the United States
How did I get it: I selected this book for review.
Why did I get it: I loved the idea of learning more about historical Catholic figures in a one a day format.
The True Story of Fatima: A Complete Account of The Fatima Apparitions
How did I get it: I found this booklet in the “free reading” section of our activity center at the church and couldn’t put it down.
Why did I get it: I really wanted to know more about the apparitions and the story behind Fatima. I wanted to see if faced with the facts of the story I believed that the children really did see Our Lady.
The Brainy Bunch: The Harding Family’s Method to College Ready by Age Twelve
How did I get it: I found this one at our awesome used book store!
Why did I get it: One of my favorite ladies in my bible study group home schools her three children and was interested in this book, so I really got it for her, but no book stays unread in my hands for long. Don’t worry – she’ll still get the book!
The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II
How did I get it: I purchased this one on Kindle.
Why did I get it: This is the MNO Book Club Selection for the month of February.
The Catholic Family Connections Bible-NAB-paperback
How did I get it: I purchased this from our local Catholic Book Store.
Why did I get it: I was looking for a family friendly bible that I could use for my New Year’s Resolution of reading the entire bible in a year. I have read bits and parts and know many stories, but have never read the entire bible. This is my year – more on my strategy in an upcoming post.
The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic
How did I get it: The same lovely lady in my bible study that wanted to read The Brainy Bunch, lent me this book.
Why did I get it: I’m becoming a big fan of Matthew Kelly. Have you seen his Lenten Project? It’s free!
How did I get it: I received this book for review on the blog.
Why did I get it: The book was recommended by one of my favorite marriage authors, Dr. Gary Chapman and I get to give away a free copy of the book on the blog – stay tuned!
How did I get it: This was free on Amazon – BookBub pointed me to the offer.
Why did I get it: The plot is different. The woman is married, but considering an affair with an old flame. I’m already hoping she makes the right choice and I haven’t even opened the cover.
How did I get it: This book was given to the blog for review.
Why did I get it: The author of this book is Astrid Lindgren, the author of Pippi Longstocking. There was no way I was going to pass on this one even if my littles are on the young side for chapter books…..lol There will also be a giveaway for a free copy of this one on the blog in early February.
Wanna see what else the cool kids are reading??? Check out the rest of the link up at The Deliberate Reader!
Thanks for linking up, and for all the kind comments about my blog. One clarification though: I’m not Catholic. I just read a lot of Catholic blogs and some books as well.
You’ve got some great books listed – and you’re adding to my TBR list!
I’m really excited to see about your MNO book club pick for February – I *loved* the Girls of Atomic City. Such a fascinating story! I’d like to hear how well it works as a book club book. My group has got all of our picks for 2015, but I’m always looking ahead for next year. I like nonfiction so much that I often like a second opinion as to whether a particular nonfiction title will be a good fit for a group who may mostly like fiction. If that makes sense. 🙂
I hadn’t realized Lindgren had a new book out – how fun! My kids have yet to be introduced to any of her titles, but I they’re on my list to try soon. I can’t wait!
Team Us is intriguing – I hadn’t heard about it, but that recommendation definitely catches my attention! And I think I’m going to have to read the Brainy Bunch at some point, just out of curiosity if nothing else.
Sheila @ The Deliberate Reader recently posted…New on the Stack in January 2015
Ha! Well, color me red-faced! Of course you are not Catholic – that will teach me to assume based on link-up participation…lol No matter – I still love your blog and if anything applaud you for reading and enjoying blogs that write material that isn’t always identical to your own personal religious beliefs. I will fix that with a mark-through in my post!!! Thanks so much for taking the time to visit and I’m thrilled that you are interested in some of my book choices for the month! I’m almost done with Girls of Atomic City and have finished The Brainy Bunch, so I’ll have to make sure to share my thoughts on those books. I’m looking forward to discovering some blogs through the link-up.
Hooray for Astrid Lindgren! 🙂 And I’ve heard about that Harding family. I’m interested to hear your take!
Jessica @ Quirky Bookworm recently posted…New on the Stack: What I’m Looking Forward to Reading
Thanks for visiting Jessica! I’m excited to start on the Astrid Lindgren book too 🙂 Loved her Pippy Longstocking books as a kid! I’ve finished The Brainy Bunch – review coming soon 😉 She has some good points, but her point about each family needing to find their own “right way” is probably my take away message…lol