So this is what I have been into lately.
A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle
This is the story of a couple who spend a year in France begins with the new year celebration. The book is arranged by months and details their life in an unfamiliar country while fulfilling a dream.
I happened upon this book by chance. I was going through a box of books in my garage and found it, thought it looked intriguing and decided to give it a chance. I am not very far, but it looks promising.
Gifted Hands by Benjamin Carson
I actually just finished this and returned it to the library, thus no picture. In this autobiography Dr. Carson shares what is was liking growing up with a single mother who was determined her sons would make something of themselves and how she encouraged them to learn and excel. He continues telling how he made it in to college and the struggles he faced there are in medical school. But it doesn't end there, he shares a lot about his years of practicing medicine and the challenges he continued to work through.
Dr Carson clearly shows the reader how through his hard work, diligence, and attitude he was able to use the talents he was given to achieve what he has. He did not wait to have something handed to him, but studied hard, worked hard and continued in his pursuits to make his dream a reality.
I really enjoyed this book, in places it is hard to put down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I plan to have my 13 year old daughter read this soon as I believe she can benefit from learning how someone went from humble beginnings to gifted surgeon due to their hard work and unwillingness to give up.
The Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer
I have read The Well Trained Mind before, I review the grade specific sections each year as I plan the next year. Some years I read the additional chapters dealing with the benefits of a Classical education and the ideas for implementation. This summer was one of those times where I have read more. I am looking ahead to high school for my oldest and trying to schedule a rough plan for the coming years. I have found some ideas and thoughts to mull over as I work on my outline.
While I've been studying The Well Train ed Mind I've also found my self trying to determine what is fluff and true substance in education. How do I give my children a broad, quality, education to adequately prepare them and at the same time make it engaging so that they don't come to see learning as drudgery and something they have to do rather than something they enjoy.
What have you read lately?
I am linking up with my friend Heidi at Heidi's Head for Three Things Thursday.
