When I began homeschooling my seven year old son this past fall,  I quickly realized I was going to need some things to keep myself afloat.   Hoping to keep myself emotionally strong and happy enough to still have a bit to offer my other two children, I decided I needed a plan. 

One of the things I decided was to always have a book going for myself, not books that are difficult to read, or too didactic and grueling, but life-giving, inspiring, get-lost-in-it stories,  And it has been a great source of encouragement and escape away from the day to day demands of my life.  A mother’s job is never done is a true saying, but I can sure do it better when I am doing a few things to fill up my own emotional energy tank.

Here is a list of some pretty incredible stories I’ve enjoyed reading this year:

Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky  is an amazing story that takes place in German-occupied France during the second world war.  Her unfinished work, along with journals, were found and translated after being hidden for over 40 years.  She was a Jew living and working in Paris, and she was eventually killed in the Aushwitz concentration camp.  Knowing this gives the story a haunting poignancy as you read it.  The last section is better than the first, and it begins slowly and can seem a bit disjointed, but overall is a wonderful book.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers  is probably the most touching and deeply moving story I’ve read this year.  It is a retelling of the story of Hoseah and how he married a prostitute to show God’s broken-hearted and fiercely committed love for his people.  There are so many amazing parts of this story, and for me it really made the love story between the Lord and his people come to life, including my own similarities to Angel, the prostitute with a broken and self-protected heart from a past that was way too painful.  It is a beautiful picture of how God loves to redeem.  For me, it was slow getting started, but hang in there with it - it is worth it!!

My Old True Love by Sheila Kay Adams is a story retold in the old dialect of Appalachian North Carolina.  It takes place right before and during the war between the states, and it brings to life the loss and sacrifices this war caused to everyone involved, as well as the nature of how brother fought against brother in this awful conflict.  It paints a picture of simple love and tenaciously dedicated relationships.  Loved it!  This is one that is hard to put down.

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin is the telling of a heroic work of one American who has fought the war on terror in the desolate, poor region of the world we know as Pakistan in an unusual way.  He has built schools for girls and offered thousands of children a well-rounded education.  The stories he tells are fascinating and inspiring.  This is more of a documentary and a bit tedious in the details at times, but it is so worth the read.

Currently, I’m beginning The Kite Runner by Khaled Hossieni for April’s book club.  I read 1000 Splendid Suns by the same author last year, so I’m looking forward to this one.

Anybody have a book I need to read?  Let me know.