The Talent Series by Anne McCaffrey (Books 6-11 /52 books in 52 Weeks)

 It always amazes me how quickly time dissappears!  It's been six weeks since I last posted and added to my read 52 books in 52 weeks challenge.  I got a little behind and then had a minor surgery which required two weeks of bed rest.  This in turn was a blessing in disguise as what is a better way of spending bed rest than reading one of your favourite authors or genres!  

I decided to reaqaint myself with Anne McCaffrey better known as the Mother of Science Fiction.  I ended up reading two serries: Talents and Tower and Hive. Damia made the New York Best Selling list. All of these books are in the top 150,000 book best sellers on Book Depository and are all still in print.

Talents Series

1. To Ride Pegasus  (1973)
   
2. Pegasus in Flight (1990)
   
3. Pegaus in Space (2000)
   

To Ride Pegasus

• Format Paperback | 288 pages 
• Dimensions 110 x 178 x 17mm | 156g 
• Publisher Transworld Publishers Ltd 
• Language English 
• ISBN10 0552162809 
• ISBN13 9780552162807  

From Book Depository: "They were people whose gifts were unique. For years - centuries - they had not even understood just what they could do with their minds. They had sometimes become astrologers, clairvoyants, or healers, but their Talents were undeveloped and untrained. Henry Darrow was the first to explore the huge wealth of psychic gifts hidden amongst mankind, and it was he who formed the first Parapsychic Centre where Talents could train and be used to revolutionise the world. But their powers set them apart, made them feared, then threatened by the un-Talented. And when dangerous freak 'wild' Talents began to wreak havoc in the outside world, it took all their combined Talented efforts to save themselves."

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed reading this prequel to the Talent Series which I had read years and years ago.   

Pegasus in Flight

• Format Paperback | 416 pages 
• Dimensions 106 x 178 x 24mm | 213g 
• Publisher Transworld Publishers Ltd 
• Language English 
•  ISBN10 0552163767 
• ISBN13 9780552163767  

From Book Depository "Earth was at bursting point, in spite of the birth restrictions of only one child to each couple. Extra children existed in a sub-cultured world or were rounded up into slavery. The only hope was the space platform -- the jumping-off point for the colonization of other worlds. But more Talents were needed to build and operate those platforms.

Rhyssa Owen was the one responsible, both for finding Talents and training them. And when she felt the first encroachment of a mind reaching out to her, she knew it was exceptional -- a fourteen-year-old boy with incredibly powerful kinetic ability. And in the seamy underworld of near-criminal children was another brilliant mind in danger from a ruthless group of child kidnappers.

Rhyssa knew she had to find the two children and train them for the survival of earth."

I need to find this book to read.  

 

Pegasus in Space

• Format Paperback | 448 pages 
• Dimensions 107 x 177 x 31mm | 227g 
• Publisher Random House USA Inc 
•  Language English Edition 
• ISBN10 0345434676
•  ISBN13 9780345434678
  

From Penguin "Peter Reidinger was the most brilliant and powerful telepath and telekinetic yet discovered on earth.He was also barely fifteen years old and a paraplegic who ‘moved’ his body through kinesis.When the telepaths of earth suspected a plot to take over Padrugoi, the newly manned space station, they realised they needed his unique gifts to foil the insane plans of Barchenka, the space construction manager, but even they didn’t realise how strong were his abilities to ‘read’ the minds of those about him and move heavy loads over vast distances.

As his career progressed, so his talents increased beyond the dreams of those trying to reach out into space.Peter Reidinger was going to be the salvation of man’s exploration of the stars.

And even as he became the most important man on earth, so his friendship with the tiny orphan girl found in the floods of Bangladesh grew and flourished.For Amariyah too had psychic gifts which no-one, at first, could define.But these ‘special’ people were constantly at risk – hated and feared by the avaricious, the evil and the ignorant, whose constant ambition was to destroy Peter Reidinger and those like him."

My thoughts: From it's opening page to the last page I could not put this book down.  I read it in one day.  I especially enjoyed understanding where the talent Primes came from as well as the faction that so heatedly resisted them.   

Tower and Hive Series

1. The Rowan (1990)
   
2. Damia (1991)
   
3. Damia's Children (1993)
   
4. Lyon's Pride  (1994)
   
5. The Tower and The Hive (1999)
   

The Rowan

• Format Paperback | 328 pages 
• Dimensions 114 x 178 x 23.11mm | 159g 
• Publisher Penguin Putnam Inc 
• Language English Edition 
• ISBN10 0441735762 
• ISBN13 9780441735761
  

 From Penguin: "The Talents were the elite of the Nine Star League. Their gifts were many and varied, ranging from the gently telepathic, to the rare and extremely valued Primes. On the Primes rested the entire economic wealth and communications systems of the civilised worlds. But Primes were scarce - only very rarely was a new one born. And now, on the planet Altair, in a small mining colony on the western mountain range, a new Prime existed, a three-year-old girl - trapped in a giant mud slide that had wiped out the rest of the Rowan mining community. Every Altarian who was even mildly talented could 'hear' the child crying for help, but no one knew where she was buried. Every resource on the planet was centred into finding 'The Rowan' - the new Prime, the first ever to be born on Altair, an exceptionally unique Prime, more talented, more powerful, more agoraphobic, more lonely, than any other Prime yet known in the Nine Star league."

From Book Depository: "The Rowan was destined to become the greatest Prime Talent in human history, facing a lonely existence of servitude. Until she receives a telepathic plea from across the stars from a Prime named Jeff Raven-and falls in love with him." 

My Thoughts - Oh my this is the book that started my love affair with science fiction books.  It was so good to re-read and become reqqainted with old friends.  Anne McCaffrey has such a fabulous way of drawing you into the Talent universe and helping you to experience the depth of the characters and the bredth of the story.

Damia

• Format Paperback | 341 pages 
•  Dimensions 114 x 166 x 24mm | 172g 
• Publication date 28 Feb 2012 
• Publisher Penguin Putnam Inc 
• Language English Edition 
•  ISBN10 0441135560 
• ISBN13 9780441135561 
  

From Book Depository - "Damia is the daughter of Prime Talents The Rowan and Jeff Raven. Her own telepathic and telekinetic abilities manifested at an early age, unimaginable powers even greater than her parents', challenging to wield much less control. As willful as her mother ever was, Damia defies her family's attempts to tame and train her--only to bond with Afra Lyon, a Talent who serves The Rowan, and who becomes the object of her affection. When she comes of age, Damia learns that a Prime of her capabilities and temperament has no time for love. Assigned to serve the farthest human colonized world from Earth, Damia leads a lonely existence until she telepathically connects with an alien presence in another galaxy--a potential threat not only to Damia, but to the love Afra wants to share with her..."

 From Penguin - "Of all the Rowan's children, Damia was the most brilliant, the most difficult, the loneliest, and the one who had inherited the greatest Talent. It was obvious from childhood that she was going to be a Prime, with all the honours, burdens and strains of that elite class. Her one friend was Afra -- older, wiser, Talented in his own way, but 'belonging' almost exclusively to the Rowan and the workings of Callisto Station.

As Damia grew up, her Talent became almost too strong to control, and the solution was separation -- from her parents, from Callisto, from her beloved Afra. Sent to the distant planet of Deneb, to her strange and gifted grandmother, Damia began the training necessary to turn her into a Prime of extraordinary gifts -- a Prime who could contact the minds of approaching aliens through space, some of whom threatened to totally destroy the worlds of the Nine Star League."

My Thoughts - This book had me sitting on the end of my chair in anticipation.  It was as good to read the second time as it had been the first time I read it nearly three decades ago.    

Damia's Children

• Format Paperback | 325 pages 
• Dimensions 107 x 173 x 29mm | 159g 
• Publication date 29 May 2012 
• Publisher Penguin Putnam Inc 
• Language English Edition S
•  ISBN10 044100007X 
• ISBN13 9780441000074
  

 From Book Depository - "They inherited their mother's legendary powers of telepathy. But Damia's children will need more than psionic Talent to face the enemy's children--an alien race more insect than human..."

From Penguin - "A classic story from one of the masters of the genre

Damia and Afra-Raven-Lyon had reared their children in a brilliant and unorthodox way. All their young had been 'paired' when six months old with the furry, one-eyed Mrdinis, the only other sentient beings in the Alliance, who could communicate with humans by their 'dream messages'. Together, Man and Mrdini worked to create prosperous worlds and guard against the terrible threat of the annihilating Hivers.

And now, in the deeps of Space, Mrdini scouts had crossed the path of three Hive ships -- ships that were giant hulks of cell units, bearing the queens and workers out into space, to breed and multiply and destroy wherever they found a viable planet.

It was the four elder children of Damia -- Laria, Thian, Rojer and Zara -- all uniquely talented in their various ways, who were to play their part, helped by their life-long Dini friends, in the conquering and investigation of the Alien threat of the Hivers."

My Thoughts - I enjoyed seeing the love story of Damia and Afra grow and see how the Mrdini influence the track of the story of the Hive invaders.  Each of the characters are powerful in their own right. They challenge themselves and those around them to go deeper and stretch beyond comfort zones.  

Lyon's Pride 

• Format Paperback | 352 pages 
• Dimensions 110 x 178 x 22mm | 189g 
• Publication date 01 May 2012 
• Publisher Transworld Publishers Ltd 
• Language English 
• ISBN10 0552167312 
• ISBN13 9780552167314  

From Book Depository- "The survival technique of the Hivers was terrifying -- and brilliant. Their huge Sphere ships, controlled by the Many Mind of ten to sixteen queens, surged out into space. When an appropriate planet was found, the Hivers destroyed any and every variety of indigenous life, the queens propagated, and when the new world was full, more ships were sent out. the colonization was repeated until no planet, no species, least of all Man and Mrdini, was safe.

The furry and courageous Mrdini had fought the Hivers for centuries, many dying bravely in an attempt to save their own worlds. Now Mrdini and Man combined to form the Alliance -- and Humankind had their own weapons to offer -- the power and might of the Talents who could not only communicate silently with each other, but could project cargoes, ships and themselves across the deeps of space.

The four children of Damia -- Laria, Thian, Rojer and Zara -- were Primes amongst the Talents, and all their skills were desperately needed, for the Hivers' terrible Sphere ships were still thrusting through space, unfathomable, impenetrable, and carrying death in their labyrinthine depths."

My Thoughts - This one had me hooked from the start. I enjoyed the journeys of Damia and Afra's children and the expansion of the story.

The Tower and the Hive

• Format Paperback | 315 pages 

  Dimensions 83 x 171 x 23.11mm | 159g 

  Publication date 25 May 2000 

  Publisher Penguin Putnam Inc 

  Language English 

  ISBN10 0441007201 

  ISBN13 9780441007202

From Penguin - Concluding her magnificent five-book sequence begun in The Rowan. In this, the fifth book in the Tower and the Hive series, the children of Damia and Afra Lyon take up new and demanding responsibilities - trying to discover the whereabouts of all the Hiver-occupied worlds. For the Hivers are still a terrible threat and can bring total annihilation to both humans and their furry allies the Mrdini unless the remaining Hiver Queens can be prevented from further colonization. And a startling additional problem has arisen with the Mrdini. No longer dying as drastically as they once had in their ceaseless struggle against the Hivers, they face a serious population explosion and need the help of the Medical Prime Zara Lyon.  

Whew if you made it to the end of that list I'm impressed.  Thank you for your patience in letting me share my binge read recently.  I'm quite happy now that I've caught up and can continue my 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge.

What's on your reading pile ?

 

False Impression by Jeffrey Archer (5/52 Books in 52 Weeks)

 Week 5 of 52 Books in 52 Weeks. I almost missed the deadline to share my latest read with you.  Jeffrey Archer is one of those authors not to miss.  The very first book I read from this author was Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less.  A brilliant tale.

This week I have chosen to revist another favourite from his pen: False Impression.  I had forgotten just how much every little detail is important when reading his stories.

False Impression

• Format Paperback | 538 pages 
• Dimensions 104 x 191 x 36mm | 295g 
• Publisher St Martin's Press 
• Language English 
• ISBN10 0312939779 
• ISBN13 9780312939779 

From Book Depository: "Why was an elegant lady BRUTALLY MURDERED the night before 9/11? Why was a successful New York banker not surprised to receive A WOMAN'S LEFT EAR in the mail? Why did a young woman with a brilliant career steal an IMPRESSIONIST PAINTING? Why was an honors graduate working as a temporary secretary after INHERITING A FORTUNE? Why was a SENIOR FBI AGENT trying to work out the connection between these four apparently innocent individuals? A breathtaking journey of twists and turns from New York to London, from Bucharest and on to Tokyo ends up in a sleepy English village where the mystery surrounding Van Gogh's last painting will finally be resolved."

This book is a sit on the edge of your seat masterpiece.  A fully engrossing tale of the missing masterpiece Van Gogh's Self Portrait with a Bandaged Ear.  Each twist and turn is full of heart stopping close calls and threads of complexity to rival the best. False Impressin will have you dashing accross the world from New York to London, Hong Kong to Bucharest and back again. Join FBI agent Jack as he tries to unravel the mystery before him.

 

The Girl from the Train by Irma Joubert (4/52 Books in 52 Weeks)

It's week four of 52 Books in 52 Weeks. This weeks reading adventure took me back to the land of my birth South Africa although the story begins in Europe.  I spent a delightful few days immersed in World War II in Germany, Poland and South Africa reading The Girl From the Train (not to be confused with the popular mainstream novel The Girl on the Train)

The Girl From the Train

• Format Paperback | 384 pages 
• Dimensions 138 x 214 x 22mm | 362g 
• Publisher Thomas Nelson Publishers 
• Language English 
• ISBN10: 0529102374 
• ISBN13: 9780529102379 
• Available as a paperback and audio book.
  

The Girl From the Train was originally published in Afrikaans under the title Tussen Stasies (I really wish they had kept the direct translation for the title - Between Stations.) 

Irma takes us on a journey of discovery, illustrating the effects of the war in the lives of children. The story is a beutiful illustration of how unconditional love can impact and redeem the sadest of experiences and change lives for the better.

The story opens near the end of World War II in southern Poland in April 1944 with a family desperate to save their children from the horrors of Aushwitz.  We meet Gretl Schmidt on a train bound for Aushwitz..., and Jakob Kowalski who is fighting witht the Polish resistance and is planting a bomb on the tracks.

Gretl escapes the train and by a series of events meets Jakob who takes her to his family farm to be cared for and thius begins the journey of two lives that become entertwined, spanning 15 years and two continents.  

Gretl is adopted by a family in South Africa where she lives with her secrets and grows up with a family who loves her deeply as thought she were born into their arms.  

Jakob stays in Poland.  Through the years they each are followed by the echo of the other clinging to the momories until due to circumstances the improbable happens. 

From Book Depositiory: "Six-year-old Gretl Schmidt is on a train bound for Aushwitz. Jakob Kowalski is planting a bomb on the tracks.

As World War II draws to a close, Jakob fights with the Polish resistance against the crushing forces of Germany and Russia. They intend to destroy a German troop transport, but Gretl's unscheduled train reaches the bomb first.

Gretl is the only survivor. Though spared from the concentration camp, the orphaned German Jew finds herself lost in a country hostile to her people. When Jakob discovers her, guilt and fatherly compassion prompt him to take her in. For three years, the young man and little girl form a bond over the secrets they must hide from his Catholic family.

But she can't stay with him forever. Jakob sends Gretl to South Africa, where German war orphans are promised bright futures with adoptive Protestant families-so long as Gretl's Jewish roots, Catholic education, and connections to communist Poland are never discovered.

Separated by continents, politics, religion, language, and years, Jakob and Gretl will likely never see each other again. But the events they have both survived and their belief that the human spirit can triumph over the ravages of war have formed a bond of love that no circumstances can overcome. "

 The Author - Irma Jouber

•  International bestselling author
• She was a history teacher for 35 years before she began her writing career.
• Writes in her native language of Afrikaans.
• The Girl from the Train is her first novel to be translated into english.
• She won the 2010 ATKV Prize for Romance Novels.
• Connect with her on Facebook here.

I discovered that  The Girl From the Train is book two in the first trilogy from this author.  I am keen to read the other two books. It seems I may need to brush up on my Afrikaans reading in order to read them.

Books by this author

• 1. Veilige hawe
• 2. Tuiskoms (a collection of short stories)
• 3. Verbode Drif (a historical novel, spanning 1903–1910)

First trilogy:

• 4. Ver wink die Suiderkruis (set in 1932–1933)
• 5. Tussen stasies (The Girl From the Train )(spanning World War II to 1958)
• 6. Tolbos (set in 1976–1989)

Second trilogy:

• 7. Anderkant Pontenilo (historical novel spanning 1938 - 1945)
• 8. Pérsomi, kind van die brakrant  (Child of the River) (1938–1968)
• 9. Kronkelpad (The Crooked Path) (1938–1983)

Third trilogy (in progress):

• 10. Immer wes (a historical novel spanning 1905–1947)
• 11. Mentje - Kind van die Pas-Opkamp (a historical novel)

Who are some of your favourite historical authors?

The Good Master by Kate Seredy (3/52 Books in 52 Weeks)

 One of the reasons I enjoy home educating using Sonlight is their selection of twaddle free books.  This year Nathaniel has 12 weeks left of World History Year 2 of 2. I had a lot of good intentions to read with Nathaniel during 2020 but alas life happened and I did not keep up.  I decided the best way to catch up was to add some of his books to my 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge for 2021. This week I chose to read The Good Master by Kate Seredy.  

The Good Master

• Format Paperback | 192 pages 
• Dimensions 130 x 198 x 14mm | 162g 
• Publisher Penguin Books Australia 
• Language English Edition 
• ISBN10 - 014030133X 
• ISBN13 - 9780140301335 
• Puffin Newberry Library
  

From Book Depositiory: "No child should miss out on the adventures of headstrong Kate, a girl from Budapest who spends summers with her cousin Jancsi on his father's ranch in Hungary. Horseback races across the plains, country fairs and festivals, a dangerous run-in with gypsies, and the chores and the joys -- and the colorful cultural trappings -- of daily life in pre-war Europe create a vivid, unforgettable world."

I was surprised by how much I really enjoyed this historical novel.  Headstrong Kate (Seredy herself) is not at all what Jancsi or his family expected. She is sent to live with her cousin Jancsi and Uncle Nagy on their family farm on the Hungarian plains. Uncle Nagy is known by all as "The Good Master" for his wise and gentle ways.  Kate is soon caught up in the daily life of the farm and soon opens the eyes of those around her to the wonders all around them that they take for granted. She soon calms down and develops a sounder set of values.

This books captures you with is vividly detailed scenes and beautiful illustrations by the author.   You will read about the history and stories of the people of Hungary through the people who touch their lives.

The sequel is The Singing Tree which takes Kate and the family through World War I, when Jancsi's father must join the army and he is left in charge of the ranch, which becomes a refuge for family, neightbors and war orphans.

 Author - Kate Seredy

• 10 November 1899 to 7 March 1975
• Born in Budapest Hungry
• Immigrated to the USA 1922
• Study at Academy of Art in Budapest for six years.
• Earned a living illustrating lampshades, greeting cards and sheet music.
• Illustrated for other authors including Caddie Woodlawn 
• Illustrated her own books.
• The Good Master is her first and most popular book.
• She wrote several books which are still in print and available for purchase on Book Depository.
  

Do you have any historical novels you enjoy?

Linking with BW3 on Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.

Joseph Dreamer of Dreams by E. Traylor (2/52 Books in 52 Weeks)

Welcome to week two of 52 Books in 52 Weeks. This week I chose a biblical novel to enjoy.  I first encountered the author when I was in high school.  I read Samson which opened my eyes and heart to the reality of scripture and I began to realise just how real each of the people in the bible stories really were.  Years later I found a fabulous christian bookshop in Christchurch (Christian Value Books) and encountered books by Ellen Gunderson Traylor and began collecting her novels. 

Joseph Dreamer of Dreams

• Format Paperback | 247 pages 
• Publisher Harvest House Publishers 
• Language English 
• ISBN10 0890816999 
• ISBN13 9780890816998  

I really enjoyed reading this book again. JOSEPH is a story of politics, passion and a peculiar example of GOD at work in the lives of men and women.

The Author

• Ellen Gunderson Traylor is a gifted storyteller who brings characters of the bible to life.
  
• Find her on Facebook here.
• On instagram under the hashtag #ellengundersontraylor
• She has written numerous biblical fiction novels such as: Song of Abraham, John, Mary Magdalene, Noah, Ruth, Esther, Joseph, Mark, Moses, Joshua, Jerusalem, Melchizedek and Samson.
• The Priest is her first contempory novel followed by The Oracle and The Cornerstone in the series.
• Gabriel - The War in Heaven is the first in her new series.
  

 Who are some of your favourite biblical story tellers?  I have three or four more on my shelf I am aiming to read later this year.

The Reading Life by C.S. Lewis (1/52 Books in 52 Weeks)

Welcome to week one of 52 Books in 52 Weeks. To launch my year of reading I chose The Reading Life by C.S. Lewis. I spent many years avoiding CS Lewis books and a few years back as a family we listened to and read aloud the Narnia series by Mr Lewis and really enjoyed his writing.  I received this book for Christmas and the title really called to me when deciding which book to commence the challenge with and I am so pleased that I did read it.

 No Book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally (and often far more) worth reading at the age of fifty. ... The only imaginative works we ought to grow out of are those which it would have been better not to have read at all.  - C.S. Lewis The Reading Life.

The Reading Life

Details

• Format Paperback  
• 192 pages 
• Dimensions 129 x 198 x 15mm | 170g 
• Publication date 15 Oct 2020 
• Publisher HarperCollins Publishers 
• Imprint William Collins 
• Publication City/Country London, United Kingdom 
• Language English 
• ISBN10 0008307121 
• ISBN13 9780008307127 

Every age has its own outlook. It is specially good at seeing certian truths and specially liable to make certain mistakes. We all, therefore, need the books that will correct the characteristic mistakes of our own period. And that means the old books.  - C.S. Lewis The Reading Life.

Available to purchase

• Paperback
• Hardback
• CD Audio 
  

From Book Depository

•  "The revered teacher and bestselling author reflects on the power, importance, and joy of a life dedicated to reading books in this delightful collection drawn from his wide body of writings."
• "Cultivated from his many essays, articles, and letters, as well as his classic works, The Reading Life provides guidance and reflections on the love and enjoyment of books. Engaging and enlightening, this well-rounded collection includes Lewis' reflections on science fiction, why children's literature is for readers of all ages, and why we should read two old books for every new one."

 The book is divided into two parts: On the Art and Joy of Reading (15 chapters) and Short Readings on Reading (37 chapters). The appendix contains Journal Exercises for Reflecting on Your Reading Life.

[A child] does not despise real woods because he has read of enchanted woods: the reading makes all reall woods a little enchanted.  - C.S. Lewis The Reading Life.

The Author

• Clive Staples Lewis
• 29 November 1898 - 22 November 1963
• Friends with J.R.R. Tolkien
• Served on the English faculty at Oxford University
• Wrote more than 30 books.
• In 2013 was honoured with a memorial in Poets Corner in Westminster Abbey.
• Official Website: CSLewis.com
•  C.S. Lewis Timeline can be found here
• On social media here: Facebook, Twitter,  Pinterest and Instagram.
  
• Blog here
• On Wikipedia 
  

The greatest cause of verbicide is the fact that most people are obviously far more anxious to express their approval and disapproval of things than to describe them. - C.S. Lewis The Reading Life.

I'm so pleased I chose this book to commence my year of reading. It is a beautifully compiled book with thought provoking moments.  I loved the quotes which are enlarged throughout the book.  

I had two favourite chapters: Why Children's Stories are not Just for Children and How to Murder Words.  

I really enjoyed what C.S. Lewis had to say about Tolkien in  The Achievements of J.R.R. Tolkien.

This is a fabulous book and deserves a spot on any bookshelf.

What are you reading?

2021 Reading Goals {52 Books in 52 Weeks}

This past weekend the Homeschool Review Crew asked the question What are your reading goals for 2021? This is something I had been pondering since I fractured my humerus last year and realised that it's been a long time since I read for the pleasure of doing so. I have been blessed with so many beautiful books and have decided this is the year I want to embark on reading the books I've been wanting to read or re-read.

 Back in 2012 I signed up to Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks and wondered if it was still being hosted online.  Much to my delight I descovered that it is still alive and well. I've signed up for the 2021 challenge and would like to invite you to join me.

 

To help me keep my lists handy and keep me accountable I have decided to build two lists below. I will be updating this list upon completing my challenge for each week and if I find a book I would like to add.

My Completed Reading list for 2021

1. The Reading Life by C.S. Lewis
2. Joseph Dreamer of Dreams by E. Traylor
3. The Good Master by Kate Seredy
4. The Girl from the Train by Irma Joubert 
5. False Impression by Jeffrey Archer
6. To Ride Pegasus by Anne McCaffrey
7. Pegasus in Space by Anne McCaffrey
8. The Rowan by Anne McCaffrey
9. Damia by Anne McCaffrey
10. Damia's Children by Anne McCaffrey
11. Lyon's Pride & The Tower and the Hive  by Anne McCaffrey
12. Seizure by Robin Cook 
13. Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary
14. 
    

Books I would like to read this year

1. The Reading Life : The Joy of Seeing New Worlds Through Others' Eyes by C.S. Lewis COMPLETED - Week 1
   
2. Silver Boxes by Florence Littauer 
3. What's so Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancey
4. Moses The Deliverer by Ellen Gunderson Traylor
5. Joshua - God's Warrior by Ellen Gunderson Traylor
6. Disappointment with God - Philip Yancey
7. Prayer of Jabez -
8. Ten Fingers for God - the life and work of Dr Paul Brand
9. False Impression by Jeffrey Archer COMPLETED - Week 5
   
10. Teaching From Rest - 
11. Sherlock Holmes
12. An Agatha Christie Book - which do you recommend?
13. Pegasus in Flight by Anne McCaffrey
14. 
    

The guidelines/rules

1. The challenge will run from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.
2.  Book weeks begin on Sunday
3. Week one begins on Friday, January 1st and runs through January 9th.
   
4.  Participants may join at any time
5.  All books are acceptable except children books **
6.  All forms of books are acceptable including e-books, audio books, etc
7.  Re-reads are acceptable as long as they are read after January 1, 2021
8.  Books may overlap other challenges
9.  Create an entry post linking to 52 books in 52 weeks
10.  Sign up with Mr. Linky in the "I'm participating in 2021 post" .
11. You don't have a blog or social media account to participate.  Post your weekly book in the comments section of each weekly post.   
12. The link widget will be added to the bottom of the weekly post for you to link to reviews of your most current reads, and will close at the end of each book week
    

**in reference to children books. If it is a child whose reading it and involved in the challenge, then that's okay.  If an adult is doing read aloud with kids, the book should be geared for the 9 - 12 age group and above and over 100 pages. If adult reading for own enjoyment, then a good rule of thumb to go by "is there some complexity to the story or is it too simple?"  If it's too simple, then it doesn't count.

 

Mini Challenges within 52 Books in 52 Weeks

Should you want something a little extra to participate in here are a variety of weekly, monthly and perpetual challenges including: 

• Well Educated Mind -- Continue to explore the classics in 6 categories: Fiction, Autobiography, History/Politics, Drama, Poetry and Science. 
• Agatha Christie -- read at least three of her books per year. Read the books in chronological order as listed, group by detective or collection, or randomly if you choose. 
• Brit Tripping --- A year long mystery read traveling the Roman Roads through England reading reading a book from each of the 45 counties with a few extra trips to London. 
• Plus Alphabet Soup, Dusty and Chunky, Feed Your Muse, Mind Voyages, Nobel Prize Winners, 52 weeks Bingo , Fictional Librarians, Daughters of Mnemosyne and Sounds of Silence. 
• The mini and perpetual challenges are all optional, Mix them up anyway you like or follow your own path in the quest to read. 

 

Out on the Internet

•  What I learned reading 52 books in 52 weeks over in the Canberra Times.
• The 52 Book Club - This is a structured reading challenge with a theme for each weeks reading (find the challenge for 2021 here.)
  

 

Homeschool Covid Isolation

I'm starting to grieve the lost year with my teen son.  At the start of the year I was enjoying watching his independence grow, new friendships being made and high school opportunities begining to open up.  All snatched away in what began as a four week flatten the curve exercise which has now morphed into something that words fail to describe. Here I sit six months later under what is effectively house arrest in Melbourne along with a fifth of Australia's population when...

A fellow homeschool Mom in a local homeschool group penned the following words which resonated with my heart and I would like to share with you today. (Shared with her permission.)

My heart is as heavy as yours.

 

As we joyfully see all other children returning to day care and school - enjoying their friendships and social time, and lessons as normal - but we privately mourn for our own children.

 

Because for the first time in history, group home education programs are considered socialisation. While all other children enjoy seeing their friends and learning together, our children remain in total isolation, not able to resume any of our cherished group learning programs. 

 

Homeschooled children need connection with friends too. They need normalcy too. They need their education to return to normal too. Homeschooling mothers need a break too. 

 

People may say things like “We’re in this together”. But it doesn’t feel like that right now. We feel excluded from the togetherness.

 

My gut tells me that I won’t see my children participating in their homeschool education programs until 2021. We haven’t had anything running since March, and while the past eight weeks of canceled day care and remote learning have been so hard for families... it’s been six months for us. Please think of us.

 

“All the world is my school” (George Whitman), if only it could be right now

 We are in plain sight yet forgotten.  What most families do not grasp is that this is not normal for us either.  We enjoy all the aspects of homechooling and covid schooling restrictions impact us too.  

 

How are you all coping with 'covid normal' and home educating?  

Chareen

 

Grandparents Day

 Well I did know about Mother's Day and Father's Day but Grandparents Day is a new one to me! Did you know that Grandparents day is celebrated on Sunday 25 October 2020 in Australia? 

It is traditionally held on the last Sunday in October to celebrate the role of grandparents and older people in the our society.  It's to honour all the things they have done and the things they keep doing.

It is celebrated on the first Sunday in October in the United Kingdom, in September in the United States of America and in October in Italy. Currently twenty countries in the world celebrate the role of the elderly. 

Gray hair is a crown of splendor, it is attained in the way of righteousness - Proverbs 16:31

Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children Proverbs 17:6

Ideas to celebrate

• Invite them over and cook a special meal.
• Enjoy a special tea party with them.
• Create a personalized photo gift for them.
• Meet at a park and enjoy an afternoon tea with them.
• Create a handmade card.
• Share happy stories with your children of growing up with your parents.
• Ask Grandparents to share happy memories of parening their children.
• Spending unhurried time together is the best gift.
  

On the Web

• Grandparents Day Magazine -  
• History of National Grandparents Day
• Grand parent Day Activities and Gift Ideas on Pinterest.

What do you do to celebrate the older generation in your family?

Planning / Record Keeping Ideas for Homeschooling.

Homeschool record keeping and planning can be as complex or as simple as you would like it to be.  In today's digital saturated world there are many options available out there for you to use.  Today I will share a few ideas on planning and record keeping for your homeschool.

IF your government requires keeping records be sure to research and know what type of records they are requiring.  IF it is not a state requirement you need to ask yourself why are you keeping records?

The key to successfully keeping records is consistency.

KeptMe has been optimised for accross platform performance meaning it can be used on all your devices i.e. apple, android and pc. Best of all it's FREE! It is currently being used by many different schools in variouse countries around the world (including in the USA).  I highly recommend this app for it's ease of use and the beautiful report it produces in pdf for you to download and print should you ever require one.

Why do I like KeptMe?

• I like that it is easy to use.  I simply snap a photo on my phone. Add it to KeptMe.  
• I can easily select the template  I want to report and within that template ALL the information I need is at my finger tips.
• It's a fabulous way to show friends and family who want to know what your children have been up to.
• It's easy to use with multiple children in one family
  

 You can read more about KeptMe, see different report samples and how to use it in this post: Planning & Record Keeping {Homechool Review Crew Blog Hop 2017}

I used KeptMe when I was reviewed by the Victorian Government in 2018. 

Options to keep records?

• Take photo's on your phone.  Move them to a folder for school on your phone or computer once a week.  Remember to photograph work, trips, workbooks, resource books and activities.
• Once a work book is completed remove a few sample pages and file them for future record submissions if your State requires written samples.
• Use Trello.
• Open an instagram account and use photo's each day with a short written account of what you did.  IF you don't want it to be public make sure you set your account to private. 
• Buy a diary and fill it in each day.
• Use a Hey, Mama! planner from Schoolhouse Teachers. They have a wide selection available including homeschool planners, custom schedule builders, ready made calendars, printable info charts and AppleCore Record Keeping.
• Research homeschool record keeping products on Homeschool Review Crew.
• Start a private blog and keep records online.  
• Use your digital calendar and keep records each day of what you accomplished.
  

Read More on this blog

• A Little Word on Homeschool Record Keeping.
• Homeschool Daily Schedules
• Our Ryhthm - Year Round Schooling.
• To Grade or Not to Grade  - Grading your students work as a home educator is a highly personal choice unless your state/country requires that you submit grades in which case it's a must. 
• Planning to Homeschool through High School Years -  homeschooling through the High School years is no different to home educating in the primary years.
• Can you fit it all in during the High School Years? -  keep learning together. Independence is NOT isolation.
• Tip Two - Find your Rhythm -  keep in mind you are not schooling you are tutoring and one of the majour differences is the amount of time required to accomplish the same amount of educating. 
• What about Homeschool Planning ? -  Homeschool planning is as individual as homeschool families.  There is no one perfect way to do it.
• Be True to Yourself - Unlocking FREEDOM in your homeschool.
  

 

 More on Record Keeping and Homeschool Planning from around the web

• Homeschool Planning & Record Keeping  {2020 Not Back to School Blog Hop}
• Why I Never Plan a Full Year Homeschool Schedule - Planning Two Weeks of Lessons Saves my Sanity!
• Planning Your Year Round Schooling - 
• Planning for Homeschooling High School - There are many things that come to mind when it comes to homeschooling high school and planning for it! There are many things to think about, between scheduling what classes will be when and how many credits will be needed to graduate!
• Ways to Remember {or Homeschool Record Keeping }  
• Delight-directed Learning: Keeping a Curiosity Journal.
  

IF you missed yesterday’s post on How do I teach …? here are a few posts to inspire you.

• Chareen @ Every Bed of Roses shares Help How do I teach High School at Home?.
• Yvie @ Homeschool on the Range shares Teaching Teens – Note-taking Skills .
• Annette @ A Net in Time shares Four Approaches to SchoolhouseTeachers.
• Vickie B @ Tumbleweed News shares How I taught 20+ kids at home {Blog Hop}.
• Teresa @ Teresa Brouillette shares How to Teach Homeschool.
• Dawn P @ Schoolin’ Swag shares How to Teach… What I Don’t Know.
• Laurie @ School Days shares How Do I Teach…?.
• Lori @ At Home: where life happens shares Teaching It All..

 

Help How Do I Teach High School at Home?

 One of the most frequent questions I used to be asked as my children got older was:  "Are you going to homeschool through high school?"  Yes, definately.  Followed with "How are you going to teach...?" 

Homeschooling through the highschool years is often seen as something to dread or fear.  Today I would like to encourage you to overcome the fear of homeschooling in the Highschool Years and know that you can teach anything. The most important thing as your child's tutor to remember is that you can learn a new subject or skill alongside your student.

 Looking Back is there anything I would do differently ?

DON'T CHANGE A THING - if it is not broken don't try fix it! Learning does not change, once our children know how to learn it does not change.  However IF they are not ready for independence and we push them into it then it derails their journey.

What I now realise is that the high school years are no different to the primary years.  Take a deep breath and just keep doing what's working.  You know and they know what is working.  The method needs to remain the same but the content changes and becomes deeper.  Your student will discover in themselves the best environment for them to learn in and as home educators we can cater to their growing need.  Independent learning is not isolation.  Sending them to their rooms to learn is isolation and does not foster independence. For more thoughts on this read: Nurturing Independence in High School  

 

Resources to help you teach

• Join your local Homeschool Co-op.  Remember Together Everyone Achieves More.  Some co-ops are formed specifically to teach things that can not be learned on your own and others are more informal to provide a platform of support.
  
• Build a network of homeschool mom's from all walks of life.  Ask them for advice on how they teach a certain subject.  You will be surprised with the wealth of information available to you in these circles.
• Find magazine articals written by veteran homeschoolers.  Three that I have often read are: Otherways is produced by the Home Education Network,  The Old Schoolhouse Magazine the trade magazine for homeschooling families and Keystone Magazine from the Home Education Foundation.
• Invest in good video courses.  One of our favourite companies is The 101 Series.  So far we have enjoyed their Physics 101, Biology 101 and Chemistry 101. 
• Look at investing in online teaching for the particular subject your student wants to take but you don't know how to teach.  For example: Visual Latin and Veritas Press.
• Join some homeschooling forums or Facebook groups and ask questions there.  Remember though to take any advice as ideas. Pick and choose wisely what you take on board for your family.
  

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. … Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9,10,12

 

"Can I teach high school science?

 NO

As your student gets older, 

your role changes from 

teacher to fellow learner."

Dr. Jay L. Wile

  Some posts to encourage you on teaching in high school

• Language Arts in High School
• Homeschool Record Keeping
• Science in High School
• Nurturing Independence in High School
• Writing and Composition in High School
• Help! Math is a problem. Now What? 
• How do you teach poetry?  
• Electives in the High School Years {Homeschool High School} 
  

---oOo---

 Don't forget to read some of these great posts from Day three of the blog hop where our team talked about Curriculum ...

Kristen @ A Mom’s Quest to Teach shares Top Five Homeschooling Curriculum Choices.

Annette @ A Net in Time shares Grade 10 Curriculum Choices.

Yvie @ Homeschool on the Range shares Curriculum Reveal.

Vickie B @ Tumbleweed News shares Our Favorite Curriculum {Blog Hop}.

Jessica H @ My Homeschool with a View shares Tips for Curriculum Shopping.

Yvonne @ The Life We Build shares Our Kindergarten and 4th Grade Curriculum Choices.

Dawn @ Schoolin’ Swag shares Morning Time.

Teresa B @ Teresa Brouillette shares Homeschool Curriculum .

Lori @ At Home: where life happens shares 5 Tips on How To Pick a Curriculum.

Find some more inspiration on How to Teach today with the Crew below.