A Book List to accomplish my reading goals or resolution for January 2009.

I love books. Until my children came along I devoured books on a regular basis. Unfortunately, as the number of children in my home has increased my reading has decreased.

I realized recently that I miss reading.

Oh, don't misunderstand! I still read. I read blogs. I read children's books. And I read emails. But I rarely read a book just for me. I've decided that must change.

So, I signed up to review books for Thomas Nelson. If you have a blog you can do this, too. Just fill out their form. They'll review your blog and email you. Then you pick out the book you want from their list. I'm currently reading my first book which I hope to review soon.

As excited as I am to review books for Thomas Nelson Publishing, I think most of what I request from them will probably be children's books. Which doesn't really solve the lack of reading books that interest me.

So, I'm participating in Simple Mom's Book Club. Click on the button below or in the sidebar to visit her post describing the Club and the books she's chosen. I've previously read one of the books but the rest are new to me and not necessarily what I would normally choose to read. I think this is a good thing.



Another way I hope to increase my grown up reading is by participating in the Classics Book Club at 5 Minutes for Books. Each month you read the chosen classic and then post a review on the first Tuesday of the month. Participants will be posting about Hamlet on January 6.

No way could I have read Hamlet this month but I do plan to read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou for February. I've already requested it from the library. Wish me luck!



Last, but certainly not least, I will be participating in the L.M. Montgomery Reading Challenge hosted by Carrie at Reading to Know. In case you don't recognize the name I'll give you a hint. Ann-with-an-E. Now do you recognize the author?

I have read all the Anne books and watched all the movies. I'm looking forward to the day I can introduce Ellie to that imaginative red head. For this Challenge I'm planning to read a non-Anne book that Montgomery wrote.



Does that sound like a lot of reading to you? It sure does to me! If I'm not around here much for January it's because I'm busy reading one of these books:

* For The Tough Times: Reaching Toward Heaven for Hope by Max Lucado (for Thomas Nelson);
* Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin (for SimpleMom);
* I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou (for 5MFB);
* The Doctor's Sweetheart and Other Stories by L.M. Montgomery (for Reading to Know).

Do you have a hard time reading books for yourself? Are you participating in a book club in 2009? Do you have a to-read book list? If so, tell us about it!

Christmas Card Bloopers Carnival

Sara at Real Life is hosting a Christmas Card Bloopers Carnival today.

I had a really hard time choosing the picture for this post. I have plenty of material to pick from, including several "blackmail" pictures of the boys {insert evil laugh}.

I settled on this picture because it really shows the personalities of my guys. It didn't make our Christmas card this year (only used the sweet angelic pictures for that one) but it did make the blog earlier in the year. You can go here to read the story behind the picture.

Do you have any pictures that didn't make this year's Christmas card? I'd love to see them or about them!

For more Christmas Card Blooper Pictures go visit Sarah at Real Life.

Book Review: Boomtown by Nowen N. Particular

Boomtown by Nowen N. Particular
Published by Thomas Nelson, 2008.
ISBN 978-1-4003-1345-7
Reading Level ages 9-12

Boomtown tells the story of Reverend Arthur Button and his family as they settle into life in Boomtown, Washington. A life that Rev. Button was NOT prepared for! But one he's determined to keep after hearing that all 24 of his predecessors at Boomtown Church have died in bizarre mishaps.

I read this book aloud with my 5 year old son expecting lots or word play, puns, adventures and wacky characters. Our expectations were not disappointed. Only in Boomtown will you find a sheriff named Burton Ernie, fireworks at every holiday, and townspeople filled with grace and forgiveness.

My son has thoroughly enjoyed the adventures of Rev. Button and his family. I think boys of all ages, especially tweens, will enjoy the fun spirit of Boomtown's residents.

[Spoiler Alert] Before handing this book to your tween son you should be aware that one chapter deals with a baby, born to young unmarried parents, who is left on the Buttons' doorstep. I was unprepared for this subplot in a book about exploding hen grenades and rocket Santas. The author handles the topic with grace but the resulting conversation I had with my son about adoption was not one I had expected when I started the book. Also, the baby's parents are of different races (in a book set in 1950 when such a thing was a big deal) which went unnoticed by my five year old but could raise questions with a tween.

Overall Boomtown is a fun and interesting story best read as a family with an awareness of potential for deeper parent-child discussions.

*** For more Boomtown reviews visit Stephanie at Olive Tree and Alicia at Experiencing Each Moment.