Nothing Read off the List Yet:/

Well, I haven't read a thing off of this list yet! Geesh! What am I doing with my time? I did actually start a few pages of The Door in the Wall and was starting to enjoy it, but had to give it back to the girl so she could read it (school work, you know). And then a couple of weeks ago my sister and I went to Goodwill and I picked up an old library copy of Thimble Summer by Elizabeth Enright. I wasn't really sure if it was on our Ambleside list but I knew the author was so I thought it was worth the risk of picking it up and checking it out. Am I glad I did!

First of all, I haven't read any of Ms. Enright's books and didn't know much about her (I knew a few of the titles that were on our list next year and that's about it). Anyways, Thimble Summer is on the list for yr4 but I'm beginning to think that all the "additional reading" books that I have will sit on the shelf together for my daughter to pick from-even if she's not in the right year of Ambleside for them. I'm thinking that will make the selection process more relaxing for her (more choices) and for me (less stress to get all of this year's books in the next few weeks).

Second of all, it's a great book! I love the author's way of drawing the reader in! I would totally add this book to our reading list if it wasn't already on there! I also looked up Elizabeth Enright (I will admit it was only on Wikipedia) and she is totally the niece of Frank Lloyd Wright-how interesting is that? I love seeing the connectedness of life:)

So, I haven't read anything on the list for this year, but I've almost finished Thimble Summer. Apparently this is how I work-going off list all the time:) oh well, at least I'm reading something.

Spring 2011 Reading List

Hmm, what to read...I'd love to say that I'm reading some awesome mind-growing books. You know, books off the 100 Great Books list (or even the 1000 Good Books list) but its probably not happening. Right now my goals for the Spring are to keep up with my 8-year-old's school reading. Basically, I'd like a second grade education by the end of June:) We are using Ambleside Online for our schooling and the girl is working through Year2 so here is the list of what I hope to accomplish over the next few months:

• The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (own-unabridged)
• Robin Hood by Howard Pyle (own-unabridged)
• Heidi by Joanna Spyri (own-think unabridged)
  
• A Wonder Book by Nathaniel Hawthorne (own-abridged?)
• Tanglewood Tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne (own-abridged?)
• Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney (own)
• Hans Christian Anderson fairy tales (own-very abridged, maybe 4 tales)
• Pied Piper of Hamlin by Robert Browning (own-unabridged, not illustrated)
• Abraham Lincoln by Ingri D'Aulaire
• Five Children and It by Edith Nesbit
• The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting (own-abridged, i think)
• Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers
• Brighty of the Grand Canyon by Marguerite Henry
• Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater (own-unabridged, the girl has finished it)
• Otto of the Silver Hand by Howard Pyle
• Chanticleer and the Fox -not sure which version
• Along Came A Dog by Meindert De Jong
• The Door in the Wall by Marguerite De Angeli (borrowed from my sister)
  

Honestly, I haven't read any of these. What was I reading in elementary school?? I know most of these are technically above second grade reading level, but most never crossed my path. And I'll totally admit that I didn't know Mary Poppins was a book before last year. Oh well, at least I'm getting a literary education along with my kids:) 

it's all a lie

Okay, Dread Pirate Roberts didn't say it. At least I don't think he did. My husband said that when I was trying to think up some cute, witty title and I thought it was funny:) This is really just a place for me to keep my thoughts and lists organized (since apparently they aren't all staying in order in my brain anymore).