Mother Culture and Summer Schole, My Reading List...

..."I always keep three books going--a stiff book, a moderately easy book, and a novel, and I always take up the one I feel fit for!" That is the secret; always have something "going" to grow by. If we mothers were all "growing" there would be less going astray among our boys, less separation in mind from our girls. ---The Parents' Review, Mother Culture, 1892/93

With the coming of Memorial Weekend, I thought I'd unveil my summer reading list.  I'm not sure I'll make it through the entire list, but these are books I plan to draw from this summer in my quest for Mother Culture.

Novels  

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy - After finishing our Charlotte Mason 20 Principle Study, our group wanted to continue to meet so I presented the idea of starting a Schole Sisters group for summer.  The idea was well received and it was decided we would start by reading Tolstoy's novel.  We are currently reading Part I and II and will meet for our first discussion Friday night.  I'll keep you posted :)

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck - I've chosen this book as my "Re-read a classic you read for school" in the 2016 Back to the Classics Challenge.  I first read it over twenty-five years ago for my high school English class.  Steinbeck is a favorite author of mine and I can't wait to re-read The Grapes of Wrath through adult eyes.

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens - The kids and I started this book a few months back, but unfortunately, life took over and we're only about half way through.   It's a great novel and I aim to finish it soon.

Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry - This book has been on my radar for some time, but I have yet to obtain a copy.  When Andrew Kern suggested I read it, I moved it closer to the top of my to-be-read list.  Maybe this will be the summer for completion.

Academic

The Liberal Arts Tradition by Ravi Jain and Kevin Clark - I purchased this book last year, skimmed through it, and set it aside where it continues to lay on the nightstand by my bed.  A local friend and Charlotte Mason educating mother recently told me it was on her reading list as well so we decided to read it together, having discussion by e-mail.  I'm very excited to find a study buddy.  Assembling a book study group doesn't have to be a major production.  It can be as simple as finding one like-minded friend to bounce ideas with.

Consider This by Karen Glass - Here's another book I ordered and began over a year ago, but didn't finish.  Our CM Study Group is contemplating this as our next read so I will wait until that decision is made before beginning.  Either way, I aim to finish it this year!

Home Education by Charlotte Mason - Since finishing A Philosophy of Education, I've wanted to begin another of Charlotte's volumes.  I've been trying to decide between Home Education and School Education since I have children at both levels.  I think I will go with the first because sequentially it makes sense.

Simply Charlotte Mason Presents Enjoying the Early Years - I realize this is not a book but a DVD.  However, since I'm watching it this summer to learn more about teaching our preschooler, I'm including it here.  I've skimmed the book in the past, but recently bought the DVD at the Great Homeschool Convention in Ohio.  I'm looking forward to approaching the early years in a more Charlotte Mason like way.

There are other books on my list as well including read-alouds for the kids and pre-reading for the kids' upcoming school year.  However, those books I view differently than Mother Culture so I will not include them here.

What are you reading this summer?  Please share in the comments below....