Reading to stay sane at home doesn't always work

Of the several things I do to stay sane as a parent at home, I do have one favorite: reading. This year, I joined a book group through the homeschool community we're a part of. The group is focused on books recommended by Susan Bauer, author of The Well-Educated Mind: A Guide to the Classical Education You Never Had Each woman in the group was to select 1 work of fiction and we would read them in chronological order, discussing them once a month.

I selected Uncle Tom's Cabin: or, Life among the Lowly (Modern Library Classics), a book I've always wanted to read, but never bothered to pick up and read. Ironically enough, we're reading it in February - which is Black History Month. Compared to the other books we've read so far this year, Uncle Tom's Cabin is fairy easy to read with regards to the language. But I must be completely honest. I'm having a very hard time reading it because I know that they way slaves in the south were treated (and bought and sold) is real and in no way embellished in this book. And I'm sickened by it.

I'm only about 200 pages into the book, and I must finish it - because I'm leading the discussion in 2 weeks. But the emotions the author is invoking in me are strong and make me want to cry - not to mention jump through the pages and punch a handful of the characters.

With the emotional roller coaster ride that this book has started me on, it's clear to me why this book is a classic and a must read for everyone. If for no other reason that sometimes a book helps you understand where we've been, appreciate where we are, and look forward to what we will become.

Pre-order a great book by a new author

In November, I had the pleasure of reading a book written by a friend of mine. It is her first novel, and when I got to the end, I was wondering when the next volume in the series would come out. This book is now available for pre-order through Amazon - and I highly recommend it for people of all ages - teens through adult.

It's got adventure, excitement, and will leave you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next.

Because I know the author, I can probably even get your book autographed :)

Just follow this link to place your order.