I'm going to try to share the books I have read in November and December since I didn't share last month for What's on Your Nightstand?  Unfortunately, there is not a wide range in genres.

Non-Fiction
Understanding World Religions in 15 Minutes a Day (linked to my review).  It provided a brief overview of a good variety of religions.  It was informative, not so much evaluative which I also liked.
The Girl's Still Got It: Take a Walk with Ruth and the God Who Rocked Her World     (linked to my review)  LOVED this as a type of Bible study of the book of Ruth.  Liz Curtis Higgs lets her personality shine through while teaching the reader from the Bible, verse by verse and phrase by phrase.  My favorite non-fiction book of these two months!

Fiction
Jewel of Persia (linked to my review) This was my choice for book club.  I did really like it and definitely recommend it.  If you don't like typical fluffy Christian fiction, you might want to take a look at this history-filled book that takes place during the time of Queen Esther.  (Queen Esther is a secondary character, which I really liked.)
Harvest of Rubies (linked to my review)  Considered biblical fiction, I appreciate how Tessa creates fictional characters who almost live and breathe in the daily lives of known history and historical figures.  She doesn't rewrite the Bible, but creates believable characters on their own faith journey.
A Wreath of Snow (linked to my review) This was another book by Liz Curtis Higgs.  It takes place in Victorian Scotland at Christmas.  It is a quick read, and very enjoyable.  It might be my favorite fiction book of the month!
A Christmas Carol This was also for book club.  It was my first time reading Dickens by choice, and my first time reading this book, though I knew the premise...as do most people.
How to Train Your Dragon, by Cressida Cowell.  I just learned that this was a book (and series) when I investigated purchasing the DVD for my family.  (We did buy it, though we have not watched it yet.  Plugged In movie reviews had much good to say about it, though it is rated PG.)  The book was great, geared for 3rd grade+.  It is definitely a series that I would recommend for boys as long as you see what I write below and are okay with it.  It has lots of bravery and good choices made the viking outcast, Hiccup.  I will say that I was deeply disappointed that Cowell included turning the bra of Hiccup's mother into a slingshot.  In a book geared for young boys, I think that is unneeded.  (That incident was written and illustrated in a lighthearted way, but I think it is highly inappropriate for young boys to focus on bras, in any manner.  Please feel free to leave a comment telling me the advantages if you disagree.)
Other parental notes: Throughout the book there are a handful of references to the gods and Thor.  It also has some words like "stupid" and other name calling.  Actually, the boys treat one another in an awful way... The names of the characters are very boy-friendly like Snotlout and Old Gobber.  And yet, I still recommend it, as long as parents use caution.  Boys need boy-friendly books and there aren't a ton of them out there for this reading level.

With the Kids:
Pippi in the South Seas and Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill.  Any recommendations for a 4 and 6 year old for our next chapter book?

Listening to:
So Long, Insecurity by Beth Moore.  It's my first Beth Moore book, and so far I do enjoy it.  (I do find cover photos of authors to be annoying.  That is my only complaint so far though.)

Next Up:
A Woman's Wisdom: How the Book of Proverbs Speaks to Everything, by Lydia Brownback.  It really is full of wise words.  I am thoroughly enjoying it.  
Keeping House: The Litany of Everyday Life, by Margaret Kim Peterson.  
Something Lucy Maud Montgomery for the LMM Reading Challenge.  Possibly Pat of Silver Bush.
I also want to read Unbroken soon.  It's been on my reading list for over a year, but I doubt I will get to it in January.

~ Annette {This Simple Mom}