What I Read and Our Homeschool Read Alouds ll June 2025

 

Culture of Honor by Danny Silk

This was a reread for me.  I had previously read this book at least 10 years ago.  Silk sets out to realign the church with a kingdom mindset, reminding us that God's structure doesn't always look like ours.  It was really a mixed review for me.  Silk has some great takeaways.  He shares examples of restoration with the church that left the participants built up rather than shamed.  He reminds us that revival culture doesn't eliminate the consequences or temptations of sin.  There were really some great points here.  I think my biggest hesitation is Silk's belief that the gifts are hierarchical.  He lays out an argument that some gifts are more important than others.  I just don't see that in Scripture.  I found myself loving and hating this book.  I'm just not sure what to make of it.  Still mulling it over.

Speak Your Mind by Emerson Eggerichs

See my full review here.

Pocketful of Pinecones by Karen Andreola

This fictionalized story by Karen Andreola follows Carol and her children as they embark on their homeschool journey.  It's a sweet story set in the early 1900's and really gets the mother's heart for her kids.  I love how sweet and gentle this story is.  Carol is honest about her struggles, but everything is covered by her love for her husband and family.  A lot of the book centers on their pursuit of nature study.  Andreola includes the scientific names of natural items and includes thoughtful questions at the end of each section.  I return to this one often when I need to be reminded of how simple and relational homeschool can be.

Our Homeschool Read Alouds:

Half-Magic, The Knight's Castle, and Magic by the Lake

by Edward Eager

We are hooked on this series.  The first book follows four siblings as they discover a magic charm that works in unusual ways... it only grants half wishes.  Hilarity follows as the kids wish their way into some unusual adventures.  And end up reaping the consequences.  Book Two introduces a new set of four characters, while Book Three finds the two groups meeting.  Each book is funny, hilarious, and has a meaningful moral.  And my favorite part is that the siblings actually get along and are good role models for behavior.  That sort of dynamic is hard to find these days.

What are you reading?