Bonds that Make Us Free, C. Terry Warner

Given to us by a friend of Russell, this book really is a “selfless help book”. It’s all about moving outside of oneself and becoming more aware of treating other people as people rather than as objects of our own invention. I know I’m not doing the book justice by writing this; it truly needs to be read. I wish I could say it changed my life; it did change my perspective and I’m working on the life-change. A very powerful book.



Reading Magic, Mem Fox

This book reaffirmed my love of reading to my kids (and my love of children’s books) and helped me see what I’m doing right (reading lots to them) and wrong (I would sit with Megan and make her sound out words rather than allowing her to catch the “spirit” of reading) in teaching my children to read. Not a hard book to read, but an important one.

Mommy, I’m Scared, Joanne Cantor

I got this book because I thought it would give me some tips on how to deal with Megan’s fear of movies. Instead, it gave me insights as to why she’s scared. The tips? Essentially, let your children avoid anything scary until they get older. Good enough.

$100 Holiday, Bill McKibbon

An idealist’s look at Christmas and how to make it simpler and more meaningful. An interesting history of Christmas and an interesting case for making Christmas less commercial and more spiritual, more family/friend/community-oriented and more fun and relaxed. Worth reading.



Unplug the Christmas Machine, Jo Robinson and Jean Coppoch Staeheli

Good, practical book for Christmas organization.