Ah...the monthly round-up of what we've been reading.  It's known as What's on Your Nightstand.  Be sure to visit to get some other book recommendations.

Non-Fiction Book
Guiltless Living, by Ginger Hubbard.  This short book spoke to me in big ways.  I found myself relating to
Ginger's easy writing style.  Though a serious subject-our sin- she writes in a conversational tone without being flippant.  I'll share just one quote from chapter one regarding critical behavior.

"...Critical thinking begins with a heart that lacks thankfulness for the goodness of God.  God is good all the time, no matter what evils are happening around us or what circumstances we are facing.  When we dwell on God's goodness during tough situations, it changes the way we view those situations and the way we handle them."

Ginger also wrote Don't Make Me Count to Three and the wonderful Wise Words for Mom resource. (Linked to my reviews.)  Just as I recommend those, I also recommend Guiltless Living. This book showed up unannounced from Shepherd Press. I thank them for providing this copy for review purposes.  All opinions are my own.

Children's Books
The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly, by Sun-Mi Hwang.  This modern Korean fable was an interesting story about an old hen named Sprout.  She adopts an egg, but is not wanted in the barn.  She learns to live on her own, despite the weasel. I'm rather surprised that Amazon states, "The 2-million-copy bestselling modern fable from Korea that is winning hearts around the world."  It's a simple story, and I enjoyed it.  I won it from Carrie who had lots more to say about it.  (Go visit!)


So Not Okay, by Nancy Rue.  This book about bullying was fabulous.  I thought it may be a bit preachy, but it was well-written and captivating.  I stayed up past bedtime enjoying it!  In my full review, I also shared a few practical tips on how to stop a bully which I learned from the book. Please enter the GIVEAWAY for this book if it interests you.  It's definitely recommended reading.

The One Hundred Dresses, by Eleanor Estes.  Another book focus on bullying.  It's not a concern, right now, for my family, but it is a great concern for one in four children.  In some ways I found this to be rather sad.  Written seventy years ago, the topic does not go out of style.  Quiet Wanda attends school mostly ignored until she tells her classmates she has one hundred dresses in her closet at home.  Peggie teases Wanda about the dresses until eventually she stops coming to school.  We learn a changed heart cannot always find a way to reconcile.

Audio Books
Giants of Science: Leonardo Da Vinci, by Kathleen Krull  What an incredible and interesting life Leonardo led.  A brilliant artist and scientist who overcame the challenge of having an unwed mother in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries was no easy task.  I learned a great deal about the scientist and artist in this book.   Though a children's book, it mentioned castration (maybe twice) and discussed that many think he was gay and later stated as fact he was homosexual.  The way it was presented took me by surprise, so I thought I should mention it here.

What are you reading and recommending this month?  Any recommendations?

Return in June to find out more about the Summer Reading Challenge.  I hope you'll participate!

~ Annette W. {This Simple Mom}
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. By purchasing an item through a link, I will earn a small percentage. Thank you!

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner