Below are some of the books I’ve been reading this month; note that the following may contain spoilers:

Little House in the Big Woods, by Laura Ingalls Wilder – The first book in the Little House series is charming and goes through a full year from the perspective of a very young child. I tried to read this book last January but only made it through the first chapter. When I began reading it again this year it was as though I was reading a completely different book – which was a very strange experience for me! Because the chapters read more like snapshots of memories rather than the typical novel story arc it may be difficult to get through, but that difficulty may also be the timing. Some books just aren’t enjoyable at certain times in life and a year may make a difference in the reading experience, so it’s okay to put down a book and come back to it at a later time; chances are, it will be much more enjoyable the second time around! This is a great read aloud.

Out of the Silent Planet, by C. S. Lewis – No one expected me to not start off the year with at least one Lewis book, right? The first in The Space Trilogy follows the story of Ransom, a philologist who is kidnapped and taken to a planet called Malacandra. It’s been so long since I last read this book that it’s as though I’m reading it for the first time.

The Book of Virtues: A Treasury of Great Moral Stories, by William J. Bennett (Editor) – This is a wonderful resource! Full of short stories, fairy tales, poetry, and more from the world over, this book helps teach children the value of virtues such as self-discipline, courage, honesty, and faith. It’s a book to read slowly and savour and that’s what I’ll be doing this year. This is a great read aloud.

The Magician’s Nephew, by C. S. Lewis – The first in chronological order but the sixth in publication order of The Chronicles of Narnia follows the adventures of Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer. I’m reading The Chronicles of Narnia in publication order this year with a friend who has never read them. Even though I personally enjoy reading a book series in publication order, it is also fun to read them through chronologically because a different perspective is gained. This is a great read aloud.