This month’s nightstand is pretty disorganized because… I’m not sure exactly why. But does it really matter? Suffice to say that you’re getting photos of the books I currently have out of the library, but they’re not in any specific order. I’ve started some, browsed others, and haven’t looked at still others. I might read some of them before next month. I might not.
This month, I read:
- The Wonder Years by Tanya Remer Altmann (editor)
The American Academy of Pediatrics guide to your baby, toddler, and preschooler’s development. Overall, a fascinating book and one I greatly appreciate since I get a lot of moms asking me “is this normal?” (Of course, I only reassure if I know for sure that it is normal – and encourage them to talk to their child’s doctor if they have concerns.) On the other hand, this book could have been copy-edited much better – there were several distracting incidents of subject/verb disagreement that rather drove me nuts. Also, the section on ADHD was laughable. The author declares that there is no objective way to diagnose ADHD but then declares that “it is a biological disorder.” Really? That’s very confidence inspiring. (Not that I don’t think there isn’t any such thing as ADHD, but without some sort of objective criterion and biological mechanism, I find it hard to announce that it is biological. I suppose in some ways, it might be similar to depression, which many state is a biological disorder based on the knowledge that certain drugs can help it – but at least there’s an objective criterion my doctor uses to determine whether I’m experiencing major depression or not before he prescribes my drugs.) - Behold Williamsburg by Samuel Chamberlain
Photos and commentary on Colonial Williamsburg from the 1940s. I can’t wait to go and see how things have changed and stayed the same! - He Who Saw Everything: The Epic of Gilgamesh retold by Anita Feagles
A children’s version of the tale, published in 1966, this retelling features occasional friezes and occasional folded paper illustrations in the Sumerians style. It’s interesting how the author chooses to tell the particularly lascivious parts of the story story. Makes me wonder how I would retell the story if I ever decide to act on the idea I had to retell some myths (and have my talented sister-in-law illustrate them.) - Cousin Kate by Georgette Heyer
Another delightful Heyer title – this one with some Gothic overtones. I enjoyed the story of an independent but destitute niece gone off to live with her benevolent but secretive aunt only to discover that something is definitely amiss in the ancient household. - The Insider’s Guide to Williamsburg and Virginia’s Historic Triangle
Getting excited for this trip! - Don’t Throw that Out! A Pennywise Parent’s Guide to Creative Uses for Over 200 Household Items by Vicky Lansky
As if I needed any encouragement to not discard something potentially reusable. Honestly, there were maybe a handful of decent reuses for stuff that would otherwise be trash – most were “turn on the vacuum to get baby to sleep” kinda stuff. Meh. - What to Expect when You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff
Interminably long, generally dry, biased toward medicated birth. There are better general introductions to pregnancy, even if this is the most popular. - Parenting Magazine’s Baby Must-Haves
Another groan-inducing volume for inducing parents to buy way too much for their new baby.
Working on:
- The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoeyevsky
Reading along with the Reading to Know Classics Book Club – and definitely not going to finish anytime this month. - Grace-Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel
Almost done reading this and discussing it with my sister-in-law. Lots of thought-provoking material. - 1628 Country Shortcuts from 1628 Country People by Roy Reiman
Because I like that sort of thing.
On the docket for next month:
- The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald
I’m hosting September’s Reading to Know classics book club selection – and I’m delighted that we’ll be reading George MacDonald’s The Princess and the Goblin. After so much pregnancy reading (and while I’m working my way through the rest of Brother’s Karamazov), it’ll be nice to relax with a meaningful children’s fantasy. I hope many more of you join me this month at Reading to Know!
Don’t forget to drop by 5 Minutes 4 Books to see what others are reading this month!
I’ve not read MacDonald and I am looking forward to reading this book of his in particular.
I’ve also not read any of the grace-based parenting books but would like to at some point, even though my kids are young adults, just to see what is being promoted and whether I’d recommend it. Some of what I’ve read and heard sounds good, some had me raising my eyebrows, but that may have been due to some people’s penchant to take a concept beyond what was meant rather than the original concept.
Yeah. I won’t be finishing The Brothers this month either. Oo. You are up next month! I need a post. :)
I shudder to think what reading, “Don’t Throw That Out” would do in the hands of my in-lawed family (and husband also, to some extent). I’m a “throw it out and DON’T KEEP THE CLUTTER” sort of girl and the title of that book alone is terrifying to me. :D I think I’ll not mention it to anyone….
Who wrote the section on ADHD and how old is the book? There are definitely criterion for diagnosing ADHD just like MDD, it’s not just at the whim of the clinician. That being said…. I think we do over-medicate, but when the educational model doesn’t allow for much individualization there is little choice.