Margaret

I've paired reading this paperback edition with listening to the Audible audiobook narrated by Sissy Spacek.

I found this entire book to be fascinating as I was listening to the audio book. I did start reading with the Kindle book as well, and was even more enamored with the illustrations and pictures embedded within the text. My daughter just finished reading [b:Before Columbus: The Americas of 1491 6415223 Before Columbus The Americas of 1491 Charles C. Mann https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348956360l/6415223.SX50.jpg 89240007] and it was my start in on that to where I discovered [b:1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus 39020 1491 New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus Charles C. Mann https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1545238592l/39020.SY75.jpg 38742]. I will absolutely be following this up with [b:1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created 9862761 1493 Uncovering the New World Columbus Created Charles C. Mann https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327900945l/9862761.SX50.jpg 14754158]. One of the things I love best is that Charles C. Mann will be taking you down and avenue of common theory and then u-turn to tell you what the historical facts and science actually shows. While I don't necessarily take to every supposition, there is a lot that has opened my mind further and made me even more curious. I borrowed this book from #LibbyApp but own the oversize picture book style paperback of Before Columbus.

When I had the time to pick up this book, I read chapters at a time and was curious as to what would happen next. It wasn't a glorious read. It definitely isn't a favorite read. Many characters made me emotional, but I think it was a valuable read and I'm glad that it was in the listing for my daughter's reading this year. Most of the Puritan tales I have experienced have started on the ship or after landing on American shores. This was a Dutch hiatus that I had never given much thought toward. I cannot fully imagine the time and the trials that people had to endure because our world has changed so much, stories that incorporate the harshnesses of history almost seem on the line of fantasy. I hope people can remember history so they can strive to make the future better, but we shall see, as evil still lingers everywhere as well as God's grace.

I bought this in a set from Sonlight Curriculum. They have a referral program with rewards. “Refer a friend to Sonlight and earn $10 when they make their first purchase. They'll get $10 off their first purchase too. New customers only. $100.00 order Minimum.” Here's my link: https://www.sonlight.com/?awraf=7584E0BB61B23BC661899

My daughter is reading [b:Before Columbus: The Americas of 1491|6415223|Before Columbus The Americas of 1491|Charles C. Mann|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348956360l/6415223.SX50.jpg|89240007] as part of her American History studies this year, and while cataloging that book, I came across this one. For the most part I listened to the audiobook, but in the end I discovered when the audiobook ended there was still about 200+ pages of appendices, annotated bibliography, notes, credits and more in the after section.

I found this entire book to be fascinating as I was listening to the audio book. I did start reading with the Kindle book as well, and was even more enamored with the illustrations and pictures embedded within the text. My daughter just finished reading Before Columbus: The Americas of 1491 and it was my start in on that to where I discovered 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus. I will absolutely be following this up with 1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created. One of the things I love best is that Charles C. Mann will be taking you down and avenue of common theory and then u-turn to tell you what the historical facts and science actually shows. While I don't necessarily take to every supposition, there is a lot that has opened my mind further and made me even more curious.

I borrowed this book from #LibbyApp but own the oversize picture book style paperback of Before Columbus.

After finishing the last pages of [b:Carved in Stone|57042909|Carved in Stone (The Blackstone Legacy, #1)|Elizabeth Camden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1614215741l/57042909.SY75.jpg|89260713], I didn't wait many moments before diving into Written in the Wind. I had meant to read these books a while ago, but my to do lists got away from me and it was when I downloaded [b:Hearts of Steel|61137164|Hearts of Steel (The Blackstone Legacy, #3)|Elizabeth Camden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1663708014l/61137164.SY75.jpg|96366255] for review that I realized I had been lacking. I'm astonished that I read the book in two days, but I just couldn't put it down. While not quite five stars for review, it is pretty darn close and now I'm making a list of all the backlist of Elizabeth Camden that I may have to go and read...

Much in the way that the characters in the first book were unique, Natalia and her Russian Count are not any personalities that I have come across on the page before. If I had not started to understand a little more about history and the power of propaganda, I may have missed some details, but it was a perfect time for me to have a better understanding and surprise of the power that it held even then. While this book doesn't quite get into it, you can feel the bubbling under the surface of turmoil in Russian politics. This book has a bit of action and mystery and I really enjoyed every minute of it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers for provided a copy for review. I'm delighted to have bought a copy to have added to my collection for future reading. I'm so sorry that I didn't read it sooner, as I didn't know what I was missing. I've already started in the third novel.

I just downloaded a copy of [b:Hearts of Steel|61137164|Hearts of Steel (The Blackstone Legacy, #3)|Elizabeth Camden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1663708014l/61137164.SY75.jpg|96366255] and then I realized it was the third in a series. I set out to look, and sure enough discovered I had bought Carved in Stone as well as [b:Written on the Wind|59355501|Written on the Wind (The Blackstone Legacy, #2)|Elizabeth Camden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1642984950l/59355501.SY75.jpg|93260049] with good intentions to read them. Oops. Quickly, I downloaded the missing books and set to read them. Gwen was a unique character and I thoroughly enjoyed her story. I found myself craving to go back and find out what would happen next with her and her lawyer connection when I had a moment to read. As per usual, I have lots of books on the go, and this one called me back time and again and when I finished it, I didn't even wait a night to start into the sequel.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers for provided a copy for review. I'm delighted to have bought a copy to have added to my collection for future reading. I'm so sorry that I didn't read it sooner, as I didn't know what I was missing.

I just finished reading Ursula's story in Her Secret Song. Life and a toddler delayed me, but it was almost perfect timing, because as she was able to mentally leave her mountain and reach out to other people nearby, but not around her yet... so was I. As you may have seen when I was talking about, [b:Help, I'm Drowning: Weathering the Storms of Life with Grace and Hope 57070966 Help, I'm Drowning Weathering the Storms of Life with Grace and Hope Sally Clarkson https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1624825254l/57070966.SY75.jpg 89316791], it was the combination of those self told stories and this fiction that pushed me to come out of my cocoon, as well. Like her sisters Jo and Ilsa, Ursula had never left Hope Mountain. She knew of no one except a faint memory of her mother and father, and her paternal grandparents, and her little sisters which she practically raised. She raised them in the rural Colorado mountains, alone. Full of fear that was instilled by her grandparents and the mystery of the unknown. I went up to Hope Mountain in reading the story of Jo when I needed a reprieve from every day life. I was pulled onto a train with Ilsa when I wasn't ready to leave my post pandemic lifestyle. I have found a new church home, new groups of friends, and more people to love and cherish with similar veins of thought during Ursula's push to remove herself from some severe agoraphobia. I love reading Mary Connealy's stories. They always seem to hit my life at just the right moment and I often wonder if she could possibly be writing any of these stories for me. A great escapism from my everyday and worth every page. I started with a Netgalley eARC, continued with a copy thanks to Bethany House Publishers, and finished today while cross stitching a new adventure listening to an audiobook on Hoopla Digital.

Non-consumable, high school level, for use with Teacher's Guide and the Penguin Classics version of the text: [b:The Hound of the Baskervilles 123161885 The Hound of the Baskervilles Arthur Conan Doyle https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1677707010l/123161885.SY75.jpg 3311984].[bc:The Hound of the Baskervilles 123161885 The Hound of the Baskervilles Arthur Conan Doyle https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1677707010l/123161885.SY75.jpg 3311984]

This was a lot of information to take in that I read quickly as a deadline for book return was coming due. I think it was definitely worth reading and I learned quite a bit of where to do our research next.

Overall I enjoyed this. It was a bit of a whirlwind because I was trying to catch up with my church Bible study. I've always appreciated Louie Giglio ever since I was a teen and spent some time in the youth at the North Point Community Church. It was a safe and satisfying to listen to a pastor I trust. Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table and [b:Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table Bible Study Guide: It's Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind 56186248 Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table Bible Study Guide It's Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind Louie Giglio https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1607302899l/56186248.SY75.jpg 87129547] are valuable tools that really make you think about things that some people might just ignore as a part of life when it is so much more powerful than society would lead you to believe.After I finished reading the Kindle ebook edition, I realized there was more than an hour or two left in the audiobook. It was due back to the library, but finally in the beginning of March, I was able to borrow it again to continue what was left. The end of the audiobook included a conversation with [a:Katherine Wolf 14261566 Katherine Wolf https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1455914117p2/14261566.jpg] and her husband. It was fascinating and worth the listen. I'm not sure if I will read [b:Suffer Strong: How to Survive Anything by Redefining Everything 49942317 Suffer Strong How to Survive Anything by Redefining Everything Katherine Wolf https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1568445122l/49942317.SX50_SY75.jpg 71420157] but it is worth a consideration. There was also the sermon version of the book, now that was worth every minute.

I absolutely devoured [b:Tin Can Serenade 25990015 Tin Can Serenade Amanda Dykes https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1438002604l/25990015.SY75.jpg 45903999] but Bespoke took me a bit more time to read in the darkest of night. It is a gentle yet mysterious tale and gives enough that I want more of [a:Amanda Dykes 8627490 Amanda Dykes https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1442986095p2/8627490.jpg].

[bc:Across Five Aprils 2532867 Across Five Aprils Irene Hunt https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347780615l/2532867.SX50.jpg 2527876]

DNF. 10% in, listening to audiobook #libbyapp. Bored as hell. Not nearly entertaining or satisfying as Veronica Speedwell or Julia Grey, which I can hardly put down.

It was fun. Really cheesy. Love David Tennant as narrator.

A little girl and her grandfather retrieving sap for their syrup production. This appears to be a big production. Attractive illustrations, read through inter-library loan.

Another little girl and her grandfather collecting sap to make syrup. This one involves the entire family and is a slightly smaller production.

I didn't know about Jimmy Winkfield before reading this lovingly illustrated picture book. The parts of history that are both awe-inspiring and gaspingly alarming in one life to tell the tale. I enjoyed this biography and would add it to our shelf. I read this as an inter-library loan.

I'm finding more and more indigenous people of North America picture books to enjoy and this is one of them. With all the lists that recommend Bruchac and Tomie de Paola's stories should recommend this one as well. This would make a great unit study to follow up with taste testing syrup. I read this through inter-library loan.

I enjoyed these illustrations. I'm not sure what they remind me of, but something from my childhood. (Edit to add, it reminds me of [b:The Seven Silly Eaters 204910 The Seven Silly Eaters Mary Ann Hoberman https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388346332l/204910.SX50.jpg 198297]) I never knew Hush, Little Baby, the nursery song had been put to a picture book so this was something that I found amusing and enjoyable. I'd be glad to own this one on our shelf. I wish I knew if the board book was abridged to order a copy. We read this through inter-library loan.

I'm not sure how the title of this book came to be chosen, I'm not sure it fits, but I suppose... because he wants it more than anything else. This book is a great choice for those that are learning how to read, or maybe reluctant to learn. I read this through inter-library loan.

See my review of the Mass Market Paperback edition. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2884067-the-true-confessions-of-charlotte-doyle

I would recommend reading this book in the fullest light of day and not as a bedtime book, especially for the family or child that is not often handling creatures and might find it a little scary to think of a boy and mother handling snakes, spiders, salamanders, and more. This is an interesting little diary entry with rainy imagery about returning specimens to the wild in the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains and gaining fresh ones for the local nature center. I read this book through inter-library loan.

Some notes for my memory to follow. Decent resource book, I'd recommend it as a read. “Read, read, read, === one to ten books per month or more.”Top Ten Authors: [a:Jane Austen 1265 Jane Austen https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1651510251p2/1265.jpg], The Bible, [a:Charles Dickens 239579 Charles Dickens https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1387078070p2/239579.jpg], [a:Emily Dickinson 7440 Emily Dickinson https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1626025785p2/7440.jpg], [a:Robert Frost 7715 Robert Frost https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1605640483p2/7715.jpg], [a:C. S. Lewis 22513412 C. S. Lewis https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], [a:William Shakespeare 947 William Shakespeare https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1654446514p2/947.jpg], [a:John Steinbeck 585 John Steinbeck https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1182118389p2/585.jpg], [a:Leo Tolstoy 128382 Leo Tolstoy https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1651443031p2/128382.jpg], [a:Mark Twain 1244 Mark Twain https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1322103868p2/1244.jpg][bc:Reading Lists For College-Bound Students 4482766 Reading Lists For College-Bound Students (ARCO) Doug Estell https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1266757633l/4482766.SY75.jpg 1284759]Arithmetic, Pre-Algebra (8-9), Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry and analytic geometry, Calculus – SAXON MATH World Geography, Government and Economics, American History and the US Constitution, World History and Cultures

It's fine. I skimmed it, nothing entirely new, but good for new to homeschool people.

About that saying, “don't judge a book by it's cover...” I almost didn't borrow this one because of its appearance, but I'm so glad I did. This is an incredible resource. I'm sure I will be revisiting it again and I took copious notes reading through it!

Note: Lots of Reformation mentions in regards to biblical and church history studies.