What I Read and Our Homeschool Read Alouds ll August 2026

 Fiction:

Emma by Jane Austen

Emma is the classic matchmaker.  She's always on the lookout for the next couple she will bring together.  And it doesn't help that several of the couples she has introduced end up getting married.  But she insists that she will never marry herself.  Along the way, she befriends Harriet, a child of unknown parentage, that Emma is determined to introduce into high society.  Along the way, Harriet passes in and out of love with not only one, but several gentleman, including Mr. Knightley.  This match produces some dire consequences as Emma soon comes to realize that she carries for Mr. Knightley herself.  Whitty, clever, touching on the themes of class, propriety, and friendship, this book is classic Jane Austen as she balances a whole cast of interesting characters, bringing each one to life.

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

This book follows the Dashwood family: Mrs. Dashwood ruled by her fervent desire to see her daughter's married, Marianne who's heart always lead the way, and Elinor who rather chooses to take things slowly and cautiously.  When the family finds themselves living in Barton, they meet a handful of eligible suitors: Willoughby with his dashing good looks, Col Brandon with his steadfast nature, and a returning beau, Edward, though quiet, proves himself to be a true gentleman.  Over time, they all learn what it means to be ruled by one's emotions and whether or not a little reserve is more advantageous.

This is one of Jane Austen's books that I've read previously and prior to reading Mansfield Park, I would have said this is my favorite.  If you're looking to start reading Austen's novels, this is the one I would begin with.

Nonfiction:

Making Peace With What I Can't Control by Lysa Terkeurst

See my full review here.

Read Alouds:

Building 903 by Lois Lowry

See my full review here.

The School of Obedience by Andrew Murray

Does this title look familiar?  I read it for myself in June to see if I wanted to share it with my sophomore son.  The beginning is a little slow and the text is complex.  So I put it into our read aloud list so we could discuss it together.  Here's my review from June:

As we see from Scripture, Christ was our example of full obedience to God.  He followed God's plan of redemption even to death on the cross.  In The School of Obedience, Murray lays out Christ's total surrender and how we as Christians are to follow in His steps.  This book is small, but mighty.  It's dense, thorough, and thoughtful.  Rather than presenting obedience as legalism, Murray shows the true freedom that comes from obedience and how it draws us into the fullness of Christ.

What are you reading?