Photo by Arthur
I love to read. My childhood memories are defined by well-loved books, its pages worn from devouring eyes. I still love reading – but I rarely make the time for it I want.
I also love running my home. I love every part of it – the organizing, the money management, the cleaning (well… okay, not the cleaning), the hospitality, and especially the parenting and establishing a legacy with my husband.
A mom has very little time, and the spare time she does have is often spent prying her eyelids open in order to finish folding the laundry, or to have an adult conversation with her spouse after a long day of work.
We do our best to provide an environment of twaddle-free books, playtime, and learning for our kids. So why do we so often let ourselves have the scraps that fall off the floor?
Won’t we be much more productive, effective, and influential women in our homes if we take care of ourselves?
We need to keep our minds sharp. Learning what happens when we give a moose a muffin is important, to be sure – but so is learning about mutual funds. And how to maintain a compost pile. And how to parent with love and logic. We give our children mental steak. Let’s do the same thing for us moms.
Starting in January, I’m starting a little book club here on Simple Mom. We’ll tackle six books in 2009 – that’s one book every two months. I think we can manage that, don’t you?
It’s called the Sound Mind, Sound Mom Book Club. These books will be practical, full of time-tested wisdom and helpful advice we can apply in our everyday lives at home.
Fiction is great, of course, and I’m all about immersing in a great novel over a cup of joe. But I’ll venture a guess that you haven’t enjoyed a useful book in awhile – and I could wager even more that you haven’t enjoyed a conversation over a useful book with fellow women in an even longer while.
Topics covered will be what’s covered here on the blog – food and drink, green and frugal living, making your home a haven, kids and parenting, money management, organizing, productivity, and taking care of yourself.
Anyone and everyone is welcome to join the book club. It will be geared towards moms, but you don’t have to be a parent to join in the conversation. All I ask is that if you join, you get into it.
I’m still working on the details of how it’s actually going to work, but I’m thinking it’ll be some sort of forum or message board here, with a possible live chat once a month. I’ll cook up some questions based on the book of the moment, and we can take it from there. And I’ve got a few books in mind, but I’m still mulling over a few more.
And if you want to be a part, feel free to share the Book Club’s button on your blog.
Are you up for it? Do you have a book to suggest? What’s one you’ve always wanted to read? Or perhaps you have a favorite you read regularly… Please share your thoughts in the comments!
{ 151 comments… read them below or add one }
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I’m absolutely in! I learn so much from your blog! I’m really glad you are doing this. Thanks.
Sounds really refreshing. Can’t wait to hear the list of books that you come up with!
Courtney´s last blog post…The Weekend Saga
I’d love to join as well. Thanks for doing this!
Jocele´s last blog post…
I’m in!! I’ve recently started reading before bed and I love this idea.
I’m hoping many of the books will be available at our library!
I’m in! I’ve never participated in a book club and would love to!! It would be great to discuss books I’m reading with other moms reading the same thing. Great idea!! Love your site! It blesses me greatly!
Melanie Ward´s last blog post…Heaven help me!
Hey Tsh,
Great idea, and I’m sure someone has already mentioned it but what about reading Healthy Child, Healthy World. I’ve had the book for months but havent found the time to read it yet.
Stacy
http://www.kidsstuffworld.com
Stacy´s last blog post…Could you use a Pick Me Up?
when discussing homemaking, the authors i like…
bonnie mccullough- great organizer and home manager with lots of stimulating ideas
annie dillard- nothing like dillard to inspire reverence for nature
sandra felton-great home manager, The Messies books are great
amanda hesser-foodie, writer for nytimes, would love to read her book The Cook and the Gardener (Cooking for Mr. Latte was great!)
tacy´s last blog post…out to eat
I would love to participate! There are so many books on my shelf I have been hoping to get to! I’d love to see a green book out there….Serve God, Save the Planet is a great one. Thanks Tsh!
This sounds like a great idea, even though I’m not a mom! Can’t wait!
I absolutely want to join, especially as the books are useful, not fiction. I’m in the UK and would love more ideas on the topics you mentioned. count me in! I use Skype and MSN so any of those ways to join in, would be great too. Sarah
GREAT IDEA! I’m in!
Katie´s last blog post…qualifications
I’m in. Practical and useful reading is pretty much all I have time for.
patti´s last blog post…Miscellaneous Saturday!
Will def want to do this too! can’t wait to see what books you pick
shirley rempel´s last blog post…My Projects List
i love it… count me in! you’re my hero
That is an excellent idea. Count me in too. I have loved reading as long as I can remember. This will be great.
I am new to your blog but already feel an admiration for your excellent writing and a kinship with your parenting style. YES, I would like to be a part of your book club. A non-fiction book about parenting I’d like to suggest is “Connection Parenting,” by Pam Leo. In addition, I just stocked up on some travel-writing books by women authors. If anyone is interested in joining in on some armchair traveling–and/or talking about real travels–then please chime in! It could be quite therapeutic!
Count me in! Sounds great! I love your blog.
Jennifer´s last blog post…I’m so thankful for….
Me too, me too! One that I’d love to discuss with others is entitled “Living Simply With Children” by Marie Sherlock.
I’m excited just thinking about reading 6 books that would bless me, encourage me, inspire me, help me, grow me, challenge me…all of that learning will then bless my family! What a bessing you and your blog are to me! I’m IN!
The Gentle Art of Domesticity is on my Christmas Wish List.
Looking forward to your choices,
Kristyn
Kristyn´s last blog post…holidays by hand
I’m interested in joining. sounds like a great idea!
I’m in too!
One book I’ve had on my shelf for a few months to read is ‘The Five Love Languages of Children’, by Gary Chapman. I also have about fifty OTHER non-fiction titles I’ve been wanting to read.
Rachael´s last blog post…Oh So Lame
What a fantastic idea. Can’t wait to “read” more about it.
Libby
libby´s last blog post…It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Your book club sounds great! I have seen so many online book clubs, but have not joined any. 6 books in one year sounds very feasible.
The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian is helpful book that I try to read every year. Have a New Kid by Friday by Dr. Kevin Leman is a book that I am interested in reading.
Trish´s last blog post…Tuesday’s Tip Jar: Christmas Card Organization
i’m in!
xo~K
karla | looking towards heaven´s last blog post…How I Became Refined
Count me in
I could use a little me time
Chiming in late here, but after reading through the comments I had a few useful book suggestions:
The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness–Edward Hallowell (totally helpful parenting book)
The Heart of a Family: Searching America for New Traditions that Fulfill Us–Meg Cox (totally great ideas for family traditions)
Little Heathens–Mildred Armstrong Kalish (she grew up in the Depression, which could be really relevant now)
Farewell, My Subaru–Doug Fine (about making the green living leap)
Playful Parenting–Lawrence Cohen
Raising a Thinking Child–Myrna Shure
I’m totally in and can’t wait to see your reading list.
A Complaint-Free World–Will Bowen (if only)
I’m IN! I’m such a bookworm, and I’d love something new and challenging to read on my own time!
Faerylandmom´s last blog post…Christmas Giveaway!
My favorite is “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen. Great book! I could read it over and over again.
Tsh, I love it. I think it’s a wonderful idea, and I’m in.
Hiya! I think this is an awesome idea and I plan to join. I also just put the Simple Mom button on my little blog. It takes my computer a loooong time to load your site so I don’t always comment, but I’ve been very happy to discover you since meeting you at Blissdom.
Take care!
Amy @ Milk Breath & Margaritas´s last blog post…Monkeys and Bears Need Cages
What a wonderful idea! Count me in.
Suzanne´s last blog post…You could mulch your leaves…
Sounds fun! I read Cindy Salzmann’s ‘Making Your Home a Haven’ this year and thought it was excellent. On my to-read list is ‘The Excellent Wife’ by Martha Peace.
Melanie´s last blog post…Random Product Review
OOOPS…I forgot to say what we reuse….water bottles…our Zigg’s are our favorite product. No more juice boxes!! No more plastic water bottles!!
Totally wanna do it.
Count me in!
)
Two months to source and read a book doesn’t sounds like great timing for Mums and busy people alike.
Can’t wait to start on Book #1
Thanks again for yet another awesome idea!
Meegan´s last blog post…4 weeks old and 27 years old today!
I’d love to join! I always need an excuse to read something new, and I often find that Book Clubs pick books I wouldn’t normally select on my own, yet I always end up loving them. I recently read Pope Joan for a book club. AWESOME book, yet had I been selecting a book for myself I would probably have passed it by.
Sad to think I could’ve missed out on such a great read.
Claire´s last blog post…Jumping on the Private Bandwagon
Awesome! I’d love to join. Found your site through ParentHacks. I can’t wait to dig through the archives!
Guess that laundry is going to have to wait!
Sonya´s last blog post…
I have two fabulous books to suggest for health and happiness:
Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life
by Martin E. P. Seligman
and
How We Choose to be Happy
by Rick Foster and Greg Hicks
I’m telling you, everyone on the planet needs to read these books.
Rinda´s last blog post…Note to Self–
I’d love to be part of this!
MaryAnne´s last blog post…Baby Gizmo 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway
I second any votes for Eat, Love, Pray and Three Cups of Tea. Also, anything by Gene Stratton-Porter (The Harvester is my favorite book) would be excellent. Can’t wait to start!!
Jessica´s last blog post…Burn the Bride!
Looking forward to it! Please keep me posted…
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