
I had a lot of fun this year getting a reading list ready for all your little astronauts out there who are racing across space. But then we thought about you. Wouldn’t you like to race across space too?
So Pam and I got together with another friend, Julia (we can’t lie — we were sitting by the pool), and we brainstormed some ideas for YOU, the mom, to race across space!
I have not read all of these books. Either one of us have read them or they come highly recommended for adults.
S
Science
The Story of Western Science: From the Writings of Aristotle to the Big Bang Theory by – I put this book on my summer reading list as a way to become more familiar with my favorite subject. It is more of a guide to the great science thinkers than a history.
Series
Child of the Mist, These Highland Hills by Kathleen Morgan – Recommended by Julia; enjoy some Scottish intrigue this summer!
Silent
New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton – Not a wordless book, but a book full of words to contemplate quietly. Recommended by Susan Wise Bauer in The Homeschool Snapshots Podcast episode 23.
Shakespeare
Shakespeare: The World as Stage by
Space
The Astronaut Wives Club: A True Story by Lily Koppel – Life in the limelight is never what one thinks it might be. Thankfully, these ladies had each other.
The Story of Western Science: From the Writings of Aristotle to the Big Bang TheoryChild of the Mist (These Highland Hills, Book 1)
New Seeds of Contemplation
Shakespeare: The World as Stage (Eminent Lives)
The Astronaut Wives Club: A True Story
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P
Poetry
Gerard Manley Hopkins: The Major Works by Gerard Manley Hopkins – Recommended by Nicolas Ireland in episode 8 of the Your Morning Basket Podcast.
Person
Abigail and John: Portrait of a Marriage by Edith Gelles – I have seen the HBO series, now I need to read the book. John and Abigail Adams are one of America’s great couples. Their story is both interesting and encouraging.
Playful
The Best of Ogden Nash by Ogden Nash – One of my very favorite poets, Ogden Nash can almost always make me smile. A pair of poems in this book describe the author’s aversion to boys, as future thieves of his happiness, when his daughters are born and then, many years later, his glad acceptance of another male to join the family party.
Place
Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times by Jennifer Worth – A touching, emotional book about London’s poor in the East End post WWII. If you liked the BBC series, you will enjoy the book. Caution: There is an explicit scene on the pages either side of the pictures.
Picked by Mom
Consider this a free space! Let us know in the comments what you picked!
Delphi Complete Works of Gerard Manley Hopkins (Illustrated) (Delphi Poets Series Book 31)Abigail and John: Portrait of a Marriage
The Best of Ogden Nash
Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times
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A
Adventure
Mrs. Mike by – One of my very favorite adventure love stories of all time. Kathy comes to Canada to visit an uncle, falls in love, and begins a life of discovery and adventure. Based on a true story of early 1900’s Canada.
Arithmetic
Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by – Can you trust those statistics? Probably not.
Archaeological
The Daughter of Time by – Who really killed the princes in the tower? Was it Richard III? Was it a story all made up by the next king? This is a work of fiction, but certainly has interesting historical questions attached to it.
Animal
Trusting Calvin: How A Dog Helped Heal A Holocaust Survivor’s Heart by – I just put this one on my list. I am sure I will need a box of tissues to get through this emotional and touching story about a guide dog and his owner.
Art
Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by – There is nothing new under the sun, so gather, collect and remake to your own liking. Even you can be creative.
Mrs. MikeFreakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
The Daughter of Time
Trusting Calvin: How A Dog Helped Heal A Holocaust Survivor’S Heart
Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative
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C
Cooking
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by – Pam enjoyed reading about one family’s journey to eat only local food for one year.
Crafts
Creative Haven Owls Coloring Book by – Give yourself a break, pull out the markers or colored pencils, and enjoy some coloring while watching the kids play in the sprinkler.
Country
Conundrum
A Morbid Taste for Bones, Brother Cadfael Chronicles by – Over the past couple of years I have enjoyed this mystery series about a Benedictine monk solving murder mysteries around the year 1100. I love the way Peters weaves historical events into the mystery in such a way that the murders and intrigue actually seem to affect the outcome of the real events.
Computers
The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brain by – A scientific look at what the internet is doing inside our actual brains, affecting the way we think and see life. If nothing else, this would be a huge encouragement to read more and run to the computer less.
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food LifeCreative Haven Owls Coloring Book (Adult Coloring)
Notes from a Small Island
A Morbid Taste for Bones (Brother Cadfael Chronicles)
The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains
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E
Exciting
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by – Survival stories are almost always exciting and this one recommended by friends looks to be one of the most exciting yet! On my list for sure.
Enchanting
The Time of My Life: A Novel by – What would it be like to meet your life? Julia enjoyed this interesting and enchanting novel about a young woman who does just that.
Earth
Entertainment
Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by – This one has been out for awhile, but it is still a good read. Recommended by Pam.
Epic
Kristin Lavransdatter I: The Wreath by – Recommended by podcast manager Mary Reiter, this trilogy promises to be one you get lost in. I love historical stories written by those who are immersed in their material, bringing in a rich background to the work.
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and RedemptionTime of My Life: A Novel
Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps That Explain Everything About the World
Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business
Kristin Lavransdatter I: The Wreath (Penguin Classics)
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If you haven’t downloaded your summer reading materials for either you or your kids there is plenty of summer left to inspire a love of reading. Don’t forget we have a great list of books to help the kids complete their Race Across Space as well!
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