More Books We Are Enjoying

I just finished
An American Life by Ronald Reagan and plan to pass it onto my boys. I really enjoyed the audio version because Mr. Reagan read it himself. His voice still has a way of comforting me, I think. I love it when he begins his sentences with the famous, "Well..."

The audio version is abridged and unfortunately, I could feel it. But, this was a very nice little read after trudging through Dutch, a biography of Reagan by Edmund Morris. Morris' book did a wonderful job with detail, but the author got a bit wacky at the end and was very disrespectful to the aging president, making fun of his frailty- something that should be done to no man regardless of political party.

So, hearing Reagan speak about his life, even in simple terms was nice. He recorded this shortly before he began his battle with Alzheimers. I think the boys will enjoy hearing his version of SDI (Star Wars) which has been much discussed in our house, and also Reagan's take on the soviet talks and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

I don't like everything about Ronald Reagan (notably the way his children were often shut out of his life), but he was a man with a stong vision for America. What you saw is what you got. That is essential for leaders and this should be a good read for the kids.




I have just about finished up The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. I have heard about this book for years and am so thrilled to finally read it. I think this will be a favorite with the boys.

She does a beutiful job describing her home in Holland, the openness of her family, the warmth, the faith. Her father gave her such wonderful advice that that I wanted to write down all of his gems!

For example, when she was asking him about a reference to sex education she had heard in school (she knew nothing as children in those days never did), he at first said nothing. The train they were on stopped and he asked her to carry his very heavy watchmaker's suitcase. She tried, but it was too heavy.

Her father nodded and told her to set it down. He said that there is some knowledge that, like the case, is too heavy for a child to bear. The time will come when she can carry it, but for now to let him carry the burden for her.

This explanation completely satisfied her and she was content to wait to learn. I thought that was beautiful.

You may know the story, but Corrie and her family end up running an underground to rescue Jews during the Nazi occupation of Holland. Beautiful book.



I think that Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt may be my favorite all time historical fiction books. Thanks to my friend Joy for the recommendation! I was enthralled with it and thought often how C.S. Lewis remarked that a good child's book will be enjoyed by adults as well. I think this is probably written for young adults, but unlike many historical fiction books it was not stilted and I did not get that impression I was being tricked into learning history with a story built around facts.

This book had a wonderful real story and I learned so much about the Civil War and the people of the time. It was really a social book, and made the war real in terms of how it affected one family and in particular one young boy. My youngest son is finishing it now and enjoying it greatly