What I Read and Our Homeschool Read Alouds ll September 2025

What I Read:

Your New Playlist by Jon Acuff

This is the first book I've ever read by Jon Acuff.  I know; he's been around for awhile.  And even now, I'm not sure I can say I've read a Jon Acuff book, as the majority of this book was written by his daughters.  It's the teen version of Acuff's earlier work, and the book's basic premise is shifting mindsets.  Learning to retrain the brain for a growth mindset and out of a fixed mindset.  The chapters are fairly short and quick to read.  My purpose in reading this one was to see if it's something I'd like my teenagers to read in the future, and I can wholeheartedly say, yes, it is. 

Habits for a Sacred Home by Jennifer Pepito

I truly desire to make my home a haven for my husband and children.  So when I saw this title, it instantly drew me in.  Serving our families and Savior by creating my space for Him to enter?  Yes, please.  Written by a mother of seven, 9 Habits for a Sacred Home sets forth some of the practices for creating peace and stability in a busy, chaotic world.  Author Jennifer Pepito includes habits such as prayer, hospitality, and more in establishing a family rhythm.  I loved that this book draws on famous women from history who lived out these ideals.  Rather than this book being wholly theoretical, Pepito shares these stories so we can see how real individuals have worked out these habits in real life.  Even as a mom of teens, I still have big takeaways from this book.

Christian Heroes: John Newton

by Janet and Geoff Benge

I really didn't like this book at first, and nearly put it down.  The first book in this series that I haven't been able to recommend wholeheartedly.  I had no idea who John Newton was when I picked up this title, and that may have been part struggle.  He was highly influential in the lives of many of England's early abolitionists.  However, before that, he was a profitable slave trader in the Middle Passage.  This book shares a lot about his time before surrendering to Christ, and it was very challenging to read.  For this title, I would recommend waiting until your child is older or reading it with them.  There are some harsh truths in Newton's life, and it was painful to read at times.  However, I do think this one would be beneficial for older teens studying that time period, as it really reveals the mindset of the traders involved.

The Christmas House by Beverly Lewis

See my full review here.

Anne of Avonlea and Anne of the Island

by L.M. Montgomery

I'm continuing to listen to the Anne of Green Gable series while I'm in the car, running here and there picking up kids.  I remember reading the entire series as a girl, but I don't know how long it's been since I read past the second book.  In Anne of Avonlea, Anne returns home to help Marilla with the twins and teach at her old school.  There are many stories and antidotes involving the people of Avonlea and the adventures of the little ones.  In Anne of the Island, Anne goes to college in Redmond and rooms with friends.  This book is all about those four years, the friends she makes, and the continued involvement of Gilbert in her life.

The Last Keeper by Kathryn Butler

For years my younger son and I have followed this series.  And now the final book has been released. All I can say is ... WOW!  The Dreamkeeper. Saga follows a younger girl named Lily who enters a dream world in search of her father.  Along the way, she discovers her family legacy, as well as a very real battle between good and evil.  This book picks up immediately where book #4 ends, and it's a breathtaking adventure from cover to cover.  Think Lord of the Rings meets Narnia... and then you just have a taste of what these books are about.  Sad to see the series go, but satisfied with the ending.  These books are marketed for ages 9-12, but my teens love them and so do I.

Our Homeschool Read Alouds:

Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan

I picked up this read aloud to complement our U.S. and Mexico study, but it was so much more.  Naomi and her little brother are being raised by their great-grandma when their mother is sent to rehab.  They live a happy life full of love and stability.  But when their mother returns and threatens to take them, the whole family heads for for Mexico in search of the children's father.  But he's gone missing, and the clock is ticking.  Will they find him in time?  Or will their mother reclaim her rights?  This book touched on so many important topics, primarily the importance of family and belonging.  Read it together and discuss to get the most out of this title.

Angel on the Square by Gloria Whelan

The first in a series, Angel on the Square follows Katya and her mother as they move into the royal palace just a few years before Tsar Nicholas' abdication of the throne.  Set during the beginning of WWI and the Russian Revolution, it's a fictionalized telling of Russia and the royal family.  We added this one in as part of our geography study and found it to be a quick read that really transported us to that time and place.

What are you reading?