Ten books to read in 2015

I’m excited about 2015. In the new year I’m  making more time for one of my favorite leisure pursuits…reading.

Obviously, the time I want to transfer to the reading “column” has to come from a different column.

I’m taking it from the social media column; specifically facebook.

 I’m still going to post on my blog page and my personal page  but I’m not going to fall down the facebook rabbit hole where a quick “I’m just going to check on something real quick” turns into an hour of, well, I don’t know what. All I know is I open my laptop to do that real quick check and then suddenly its 11pm.

Quality over quantity in 2015.

These are books I have not yet read that I am looking forward to reading in 2015 with regard to parenting, homeschooling, and even a few on knitting. Most of them are already here and just awaiting proper attention from me in the new year.  

Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure KidsI know…every Waldorf homeschooler has read this book, loves this book. Somehow I missed this one. Looking forward to reading what all the fuss is about.

Clutterfree with Kids: Change your thinking. Discover new habits. Free your homeIf you don’t follow the Becoming Minimalist Blog written by Joshua Becker, you should. This is the book he wrote on being clutter free with kids. Totally on my list in 2015.

Hands Free Mama: A Guide to Putting Down the Phone, Burning the To-Do List, and Letting Go of Perfection to Grasp What Really Matters!I have skimmed this book and loved what I read, but I haven’t officially read it. I’ve enjoyed Rachel Stafford’s blog since it’s beginnings and feel this is a message that would be a good reminder for myself as the new year begins.

Stress Free Kids: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Build Self-Esteem, Manage Stress, and Reduce Anxiety in ChildrenI’ve been sent this book to review; it was a topic that I was interested in learning more about; especially since I have a ballerina in my house; a 10 year old ballerina who dreams of dancing professionally and just wrapped up a Nutcracker season dancing with our state’s professional ballet company.

How Toddlers Thrive: What Parents Can Do Today for Children Ages 2-5 to Plant the Seeds of Lifelong SuccessAnother book I’ve been sent to review. My youngest is 4. I’m looking forward to reading the tips this book shares to help her thrive in this stage of her development, and I often see children in this age range in my therapy practice so I am excited to delve into this developmental stage.

Kids Beyond Limits: The Anat Baniel Method for Awakening the Brain and Transforming the Life of Your Child With Special NeedsI bought this book and Healing Stories (below) together a few months ago with the plan to read them when time allows. I went to the bookstore for some “Mom-time” after a really difficult day with one of my twin sons with special needs. This one really appealed to the speech-language pathologist in me; the science of it, but I think it would prove an interesting read for any parent or teacher of a child with special needs.  

Healing Stories for Challenging BehaviourI bought this book and Kids Beyond Limits (above) together a few months ago with the plan to read them when time allows. I went to the bookstore for some “Mom-time” after a really difficult day with one of my twin sons with special needs.

Knitting Yarns: Writers on KnittingI received this book for my birthday in September after I took my first knitting lesson. It looks like its going to be a neat read; not a knitting book per say. A book about knitting, by writers.,,knitting stories.

The Knitter’s Life List: To Do, To Know, To Explore, To MakeI’m reading this book now. It is the most fun book. For a beginner like me it has basics…all about yarn, basic stitches, etc. For experienced knitters it has all the bells and whistles of neat tricks, patterns, and specialties. What makes it fun and different is the list boxes to fill out throughout; the places to write and plan projects; it enables you to take your knitting to a new level via encouraging you to try new things and make the book truly your own. I will continue to get through this one as my knitting skills improve. Currently; I’m on chapter two.

The 5 Love Languages of ChildrenAnother oldie. I read Gary Chapman’s The 5 Love Languages a long time ago. I’m looking forward to reading this one geared towards understanding a child’s love language. As most other large family moms, I do tend to group the kids together, “the kids”. I am looking forward to reading this book as a planned time to really contemplate my kids, their temperaments, and their needs as individuals.

What books have you already read that you would recommend to others? What books are on your “reading list” for 2015?