Top Books of 2018
One of my goals at the beginning of 2018 was to read more – not to the children, just for myself. And I did! It turned out to be a good year for reading. I wrote down each title that I finished and by the end of December I had 69 books written down. Some were long, some were short; some deep, some frivolous; some I had read before and some were new to me. I’m thankful for each and every one – but I thought today I would share the books that stood out from my list as the most impactful & worthwhile, in case you are like me and always looking for new recommendations to read. Here’s the top ten that influenced my thinking in some way (not listed in any particular order).
* The Reason for God by Timothy Keller
I’ve read several of Keller’s books and enjoyed them all. I thought this was an excellent book on apologetics – better and more well-reasoned than others I have read.
* For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
Not the first time I have read this one, but it’s a homeschooling classic for a reason.
* Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
This one totally changed my perspective on finances! A different approach than Dave Ramsey and definitely worth reading.
* The Disappearance of Childhood by Neil Postman
Everything I’ve read by Postman is both easy to read and thought-provoking. This one (and the next) are no different.
* The End of Education by Neil Postman
He speaks to public education here but I think it has many applications for homeschooling as well.
* The Weight of Glory by C. S. Lewis
I tried reading this in high school and didn’t understand or like it. This time I thought it was fabulous!
* Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now by Jaron Lanier
Not a fan of his writing style but I believe his points are accurate. I finished it and then quit Facebook. 🙂
* Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child by Anthony Esolen
I was hooked on this when I realized it was entirely composed of sarcasm (my second language) AND he quoted both Lewis and Tolkien within the first chapter.
* When Children Love to Learn by Elaine Cooper
Another homeschooling classic for good reason.
* The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
Fascinating allegory about our perspective on money – and it’s a quick easy read to boot.
Bonus Nerdy Trivia Fact about Emily:
I have a yearly tradition of reading the Lord of the Rings every summer which I have faithfully carried on since high school. Yes, that’s approximately 17 summers. What can I say? Tolkien is an excellent writer, it’s one of my all-time favorites, and I love my yearly pilgrimage to Middle Earth.
Originally written May 14 2019
