Lift Up Your Hearts!

About Lift Up Your Hearts!

I have made some changes to the philosophy of this blog over the years. I'm keeping what I wrote below not only for historical purposes but also because much of it is still true. But I have given up hope for the "spirited forum" I had once desired. Our society is now much less tolerant of differing opinions, and much less polite in their disagreement; and I have less and less desire to respond to those who want to argue. You can see some of my reasoning at Changes and More Blog Changes. The most obvious change is that I have disabled further commenting for most posts, for my own sanity and the frustration of spammers and trolls. I hope many of you still find something to enjoy here. If you want to contact us, you can do so by e-mail.

Lift Up Your Hearts! is meant to be a forum for spirited—but polite—discussion and the exchange of ideas; a source of information for family and friends; and an outlet for one who fits Thomas Mann's description of a writer: A person for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.

Why "Lift Up Your Hearts!"? It began when we made the choice to become a homeschooling family. At that time, it was considered prudent to name your school, so your children would have an answer when asked, "Where do you go to school?" We chose to be Sursum Corda Academy, because "lift up your hearts" captured the enthusiasm, joy, and purpose of our educational adventures. The phrase comes from the Sursum Corda in a liturgical Christian worship service:

• The Lord be with you.
• And also with you.
• Lift up your hearts.
• We lift them to the Lord.
• Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
• It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Homeschooling soon became so popular that we never needed to call ourselves a school, but we liked the name, so we kept it. "SursumCorda" has found its way into the title of many of our publications—on paper and online. When I turned to blogging, "SursumCorda" was a natural title, but that is the name of at least one existing blog, and I didn't want to cause confusion. Hence the translation.

Why Blog? Lift Up Your Hearts! can most charitably be called "eclectic."  Some blogs are political, some personal journals, some accumulate interesting articles and news stories, some keep far-flung families in contact, some are formed around a specific cause or issue.  I aim to be jack-of-all-trades, and if that means being master of none, I see nothing wrong with that. It depends on your audience.  Five-star restaurants require highly-trained and gifted chefs, but I'd take my mother's home cooking and the family dinner table any day.  Fine.  But why?  Why do I put so much time and effort into blogging?  What do I hope to accomplish?

I post first of all because I can't stop my mind from writing, and it's helpful to give concrete expression to the phrases, paragraphs, and essays that are constantly churning within my brain.  The blog is a particularly satisfactory way of getting my thoughts into print:  the primary audience may be small, but they're loyal readers, and occasionally people stop by from all over the world and find something useful.  I can write what I want, when I want, with no pesky editors, stockholders or advertisers to interfere.

Because I write primarily for family members and friends who actually enjoy hearing about the details of our lives, there are a number of posts that are personal and of no interest to the general public, whoever that may be.  I make no apology.  You don't like it?  Don't read it.  This is not high school English class.  There will be no homework grade and no final exam.

Then there are the random posts of odd bits of news, posts from other blogs, and anything else good or ill that has struck me as worth sharing.  There's a lot of data out there, with a very poor signal-to-noise ratio.  If I find something good, important, or thought-provoking, I want to increase its visibility.

It is obvious to me that most of the best ideas I've had, and the good decisions I've made, especially in the areas of childrearing and education, came because someone else was willing to share them.  I take some credit for implementing and expanding ideas, and for having a few of my own, but I'm keenly aware that most of what I've done right I owe to someone's book, someone's conversation, someone's example.  What's more, there have been many, many ideas about which I've thought, "Why didn't I know this years ago, before it was too late?  Why didn't someone tell me?"  For this reason I have not hesitated to pass on good ideas when I think the recipient might be receptive, or at least interested.  I love to give books that I've found helpful, though I almost always add the caveat that I don't necessarily approve of everything the author has to say.  Sometimes there's much I don't like, but always there's at least something I find so valuable I want to share it.  Do I expect everyone to appreciate what I find valuable?  Of course not.  Am I offended if they ignore what I find important?  No.  Do I direct certain books or articles at specific people because I think they "need" them?  Believe it or not, I don't.  I share what I find good, useful, enlightening, or helpful.  I want to make information available, in hopes that fewer people will look back and say, "I wish someone had told me about that before."

Blogging provides many more opportunities than giving away a few books, and that's another reason I write.  This is the one area where I think of a wider audience; someone, somewhere out there may care about what I have learned about xylitol, or epidurals, or math curricula.  Again, I don't apologize for writing what some may not find interesting; if you don't like it, skip it.  But if you find something valuable in it, and especially if you have something to add to the discussion, I greatly appreciate comments. Let them, however be polite. While I don't hesitate to publish comments I disagree with, I also don't hesitate to delete comments I deem offensive; I am the sole judge of "polite" for this blog.

One thing all my posts have in common is commentary.  You get my opinion on politics, education, and health; on books and movies; on bike trails and genealogy.  More often you get my opinion-in-progress, as writing is as much my way of forming thoughts as of expressing them.  What you won't get is something directed as a weapon against you—certain public persons excepted, although even then I prefer to challenge ideas, not people.  I write from my own accumulated knowledge and experience; whether you agree or disagree, your own experiences are more than welcome.  My best work still comes from those who are willing to share.

Disclaimers and Disclosures
I'm a grandmother, not a doctor, lawyer, certified teacher, or other expert. I offer my experiences and opinions, not professional advice. Check with your own advisors, do your own research, and use your own common sense.

My writings are intended to provoke discussion but never offense, and I ask your patience and pardon if I slip over to the wrong side of that line. Please let me know so I can clarify and/or apologize. In the words of Joseph Joubert, The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.

From time to time I will mention and possibly endorse certain organizations, companies, or products. In case it matters to you, be aware that Salem's Attic is our own company, and Lime Daley is that of our daughter and son-in-law. The latter also feeds our grandchildren, but don't let that influence you unduly. Our son-in-law is also part of the LifeType project.

Another disclosure, thanks to FTC regulations taking effect 1 December 2009: I have no idea what others should expect from anything I review or comment on. I'm one person, not a research laboratory. You may love a book I find objectionable; you may dislike the recipe I say is fabulous. Such is life. Sometimes I get books for free, from publishers, which I'll acknowledge in the review, but no small tip is going to make me say I liked a book when I didn't. I also get incalculable return from Lime Daley, but I like to think that's because of my familial relationship with the owners, not because of any endorsements I make on this blog.

Our blog is hosted by Lime Daley and Salem's Attic, and run by LifeType. The primary template is based on one designed by Jon Daley. Jon is our Chief Technical Advisor, and without him this blog would be floundering in a peat bog somewhere.

Ratings Guide: 0 to 5 ★s reflects how much I liked it (worst to best); 0 to 3 ☢s represents a content advisory (mildest to strongest).

January

1. Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual by Jocko Willink ★
2. The People of Darkness by Tony Hillerman ★★★
3. The Dark Wind by Tony Hillerman ★★★
4. The Ghostway by Tony Hillerman ★★★
5. Skinwalkers by Tony Hillerman ★★★
6. Coyote Waits by Tony Hillerman ★★★
7. Sacred Clowns by Tony Hillerman ★★★
8. Hunting Badger by Tony Hillerman ★★★

February

9. The Wailing Wind by Tony Hillerman ★★★
10. Skeleton Man by Tony Hillerman ★★★
11. The Shape Shifter by Tony Hillerman ★★★
12. Humble Pi by Matt Parker ★★★★
13. Mistborn 1: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson ★★★

March

14. Greenglass House by Kate Milford ★★★
15. Matthew Wolfe 2: The Adventures Begin by Blair Bancroft ★★★ ☢
16. A Child's History of England by Charles Dickens ★★★ ☢

April

17. Deep Work by Cal Newport ★★★★★
18. Extending the Table: A World Community Cookbook by Joetta Handrich Schlabach ★★

May

19. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown ★★★★
20. The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown ★★★★
21. Just David by Eleanor Porter ★★★★
22. Just David by Eleanor Porter (read a second time to check for differences between the original and the modern editions) ★★★★
23. Matthew Wolfe 3: Revelations by Blair Bancroft ★★★

June

24. The Bible (English Standard Version, canonical) ★★★★★
25. Mistborn 2: The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson ★★★
26. Rosefire by Carolyn Clare Givens ★★★

July

27. Mistborn 3: The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson ★★★
28. The Art of Evil by Blair Bancroft (Grace Kone) ★★★ ☢
29. Indian Captive by Lois Lenski ★★★★
30. The New Testament (King James Version, canonical) ★★★★★
31. Judy's Journey by Lois Lenski ★★★★

January

1. The Psalter (Coverdale translation) ★★★★★
2. The Four Loves by C. S. Lewis ★★★
3. Skinwalkers by Tony Hillerman ★★★
4. A Thief of Time by Tony Hillerman ★★★

February

5. Talking God by Tony Hillerman ★★★
6. The World's Last Night and other Essays (includes "Lilies that Fester" and "Screwtape Proposes a Toast") by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★
7. A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis ★★★★
8. The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney ★★
9. An Experiment in Criticism by C. S. Lewis ★★★
10. The Fallen Man by Tony Hillerman ★★★
11. The First Eagle by Tony Hillerman ★★★
12. Letters to Children by C. S. Lewis ★★★★
13. The Sinister Pig by Tony Hillerman ★★★
14. The Shape Shifter by Tony Hillerman ★★★
15. Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer by C. S. Lewis ★★★★
16. Legion by Brandon Sanderson ★★★
17. Legion: Skin Deep by Brandon Sanderson ★★★
18. Lies of the Beholder by Brandon Sanderson ★★★
19. C. S. Lewis: A Companion and Guide by Walter Hooper ★★★★

March

20. Ember Rising by S. D. Smith ★★★★★
21. Killing Kennedy by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard ★★★★
22. Ember's End by S. D. Smith ★★★★★
23. Killing Reagan by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard ★★★★
24. The Discarded Image: An Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Literature by C. S. Lewis, edited by Walter Hooper ★★★★

April

25. Of Other Worlds: Essays and Stories by C. S. Lewis ★★★
26. Killing Jesus by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard ★★★★
27. Christian Reflections by C. S. Lewis ★★★★
28. Letters to an American Lady by C. S. Lewis, edited by Clyde S. Kilby ★★★
29. Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome ★★★★★
30. Swallowdale by Arthur Ransome ★★★★★

May

31. Peter Duck by Arthur Ransome ★★★★
32. Murder and Magic by Randall Garrett ★★★★
33. The Blessing Way by Tony Hillerman ★★★
34. Dance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman ★★★
35. Too Many Magicians by Randall Garrett ★★★★
36. God in the Dock by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★

June

37. Lord Darcy Investigates by Randall Garrett ★★★★
38. Listening Woman by Tony Hillerman ★★★
39. The Heretic's Apprentice (Brother Cadfael #16) by Ellis Peters ★★★★
40. The Lost Family by Libby Copeland ★★★
41. Surprised by Laughter: The Comic World of C. S. Lewis by Terry Lindvall ★★

July

42. G. K. Chesterton and C. S. Lewis: The Riddle of Joy edited by Michael H. Macdonald and Andrew A. Tadie ★★★
43. The Quotable Lewis edited by Wayne Martindale and Jerry Root ★★★★
44. The Alto Wore Tweed by Mark Schweizer ★★★
45. The Art of Construction by Mario Salvadori ★★★★★
46. The Bible (Revised Standard Version, canonical) ★★★★★
47. Winter Holiday by Arthur Ransome ★★★★★
48. Coot Club by Arthur Ransome ★★★★★
49. The Potter's Field (Brother Cadfael #17) by Ellis Peters ★★★★
50. Pigeon Post by Arthur Ransome ★★★★★

August

51. The Summer of the Danes (Brother Cadfael #18) by Ellis Peters ★★★★
52. The Holy Thief (Brother Cadfael #19) by Ellis Peters ★★★★
53. Brother Cadfael's Penance (Brother Cadfael #20) by Ellis Peters ★★★★★
54. We Didn't Mean to Go to Sea by Arthur Ransome ★★★★★
55. The Omega Document by J. Alexander McKenzie ★★
56. Your Blue Flame: Drop the Guilt and Do What Makes You Come Alive by Jennifer Fulwiler ★★
57. The Books of the Apocrypha ★★★★
58. Secret Water by Arthur Ransome ★★★★★
59. The Big Six by Arthur Ransome ★★★★★
60. Missee Lee by Arthur Ransome ★★★★
61. The Picts and the Martyrs by Arthur Ransome ★★★★★

September

62. Great Northern? by Arthur Ransome ★★★★★
63. Coots in the North and Other Stories by Arthur Ransome ★★★★★
64. Starman Jones by Robert Heinlein ★★★★
65. Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein ★★★
66. The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity by Matthew Kelly ★★
67. Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport ★★★★
68. Gertie's Leap to Greatness by Kate Beasley ★★ ☢
69. The Child's Book of the Seasons by Arthur Ransome ★★★★

October

70. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien ★★★★★
71. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien ★★★★★
72. The New Testament (English Standard Version, chronological) ★★★★★
73. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien ★★★★★
74. Lead Yourself First by Raymond M. Kethledge and Michael S. Erwin ★★★

    November

75. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien ★★★★★
76. The Green Ember by S.D. Smith ★★★★★
77. Nineteen Eighty-Four: A Novel by George Orwell ★★ ☢☢
78. The Black Star of Kingston by S. D. Smith ★★★★★
79. The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner by S. D. Smith ★★★★★
80. The Last Archer by S. D. Smith ★★★★★
81. The First Fowler by S. D. Smith ★★★★★
82. Ember Falls by S. D. Smith ★★★★★
83. Ember Rising by S. D. Smith ★★★★★
84. Ember's End by S. D. Smith ★★★★★

December

85. Matthew Wolfe 1: The Making of Matthew Wolfe by Blair Bancroft ★★★
86. The Archer's Cup by S. D. Smith ★★★★★

January

1. Poems by C. S. Lewis ★★★★
2. The Misadventured Summer of Tumbleweed Thompson by Glenn McCarty ★★★
3. The Rocket's Shadow: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #1 by John Blaine ★★★
4. Go Wild by John Ratey and Richard Manning ★★★
5. The Lost City: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #2 by John Blaine ★★★
6. Sea Gold: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #3 by John Blaine ★★★

February

7. 100 Fathoms Under: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #4 by John Blaine ★★★
8. The Whispering Box Mystery: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #5 by John Blaine ★★★
9. The Phantom Shark: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #6 by John Blaine ★★★
10. The Weight of Glory and other Addresses by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★
11. Smugglers' Reef: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #7 by John Blaine ★★★★
12. The Caves of Fear: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #8 by John Blaine ★★★★
13. Stairway to Danger: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #9 by John Blaine ★★★
14. A Preface to "Paradise Lost" by C. S. Lewis ★★★
15. The Screwtape Letters and Screwtape Proposes a Toast by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★
16. The Golden Skull: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #10 by John Blaine ★★★
17. The Wailing Octopus: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #11 by John Blaine ★★★★
18. Perelandra (space trilogy part 2) by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★
19. The Electronic Mind Reader: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #12 by John Blaine ★★★★
20. The Scarlet Lake Mystery: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #13 by John Blaine ★★★★
21. The Abolition of Man by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★ Very important material, still applicable today; hampered a little by dated and UK-based references, plus some confusing terms.

March

22. The Pirates of Shan: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #14 by John Blaine ★★★★★
23. The Blue Ghost Mystery: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #15 by John Blaine ★★
24. The Egyptian Cat Mystery: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #16 by John Blaine ★★★
25. Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★
26. The Flaming Mountain: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #17 by John Blaine ★★★★
27. That Hideous Strength (space trilogy part 3) by C. S. Lewis ★★★★
28. The Flying Stingaree: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #18 by John Blaine ★★★★
29. The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★
30. The Ruby Ray Mystery: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #19 by John Blaine ★★★★ Much of this story is set in Switzerland.
31. The Veiled Raiders: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #20 by John Blaine ★★★★
32. Miracles by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★ Starts out pretty heavy with philosophical argument and logic, but gets easier. The last three chapters, the Epilogue, and the two appendices are especially worthwhile.

April

33. Rocket Jumper: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #21 by John Blaine ★★★
34. On Stories: And Other Essays on Literature by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★ Top notch collection of short essays/talks well worth reading.
35. The Deadly Dutchman: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #22 by John Blaine ★★★ It's not the best of the stories, but makes up for a lot by being set in the Netherlands; some of the action takes place at Madurodam and other places we visited last summer.
36. C. S. Lewis on Scripture by Michael J. Christensen ★★★
37. Past Watchful Dragons: The Narnian Chronicles of C. S. Lewis by Walter Hooper ★★★
38. Danger Below!: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #23 by John Blaine ★★★★ The girls are shown to be more competent here than in any of the other books.
39. A Book of Narnians: The Lion, the Witch and the Others by C. S. Lewis, text compiled by James Riordan, illustrated by Pauline Baynes ★★★
40. More Sex Is Safer Sex: The Unconventional Wisdom of Economics by Steven E. Landsburg ★★★
41. The Magic Talisman: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #24 by John Blaine ★★ The girls stand up for themselves and have a major role, but it's spoiled a little by the paranormal twist, and the fact that it's clearly a series-ender.
42. The Armchair Economist: Economics and Everyday Life by Steven E. Landsburg ★★★★

May

43. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★
44. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★
45. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★
46. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★
47. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Horse and His Boy by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★
48. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★
49. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★

June

50. Son of Charlemagne by Barbara Willard ★★★★★
51. Ocean-Born Mary by Lois Lenski ★★★★

July

52. The Story of Christianity, Volume 1: The Early Church To The Dawn Of The Reformation by Justo L. Gonzalez ★★★
53. A Morbid Taste for Bones (Brother Cadfael #1) by Ellis Peters ★★★★
54. One Corpse Too Many (Brother Cadfael #2) by Ellis Peters ★★★★
55. Smoke on the Mountain by Joy Davidman ★★★
56. Monk's Hood (Brother Cadfael #3) by Ellis Peters ★★★★
57. Saint Peter's Fair (Brother Cadfael #4) by Ellis Peters ★★★★
58. The Leper of Saint Giles (Brother Cadfael #5) by Ellis Peters ★★★★
59. Surprised by Joy by C. S. Lewis ★★★★
60. The Crusades Controversy: Setting the Record Straight by Thomas F. Madden ★★★★

    August

61. Decisive by Chip Heath and Dan Heath ★★★
62. The Virgin in the Ice (Brother Cadfael #6) by Ellis Peters ★★★★
63. Recasting the Past: The Middle Ages in Young Adult Literature by Rebecca Barnhouse ★★★
64. Till We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis ★★★★
65. The Business of Heaven: Daily Readings from C. S. Lewis edited by Walter Hooper ★★★
66. The Bible (The Message Version, chronological) ★★ (The Bible gets five stars, but this version is terrible.)
67. 3000 Quotations from the Writings of George MacDonald compiled by Harry Verploegh ★★★

September

October

68. The Sanctuary Sparrow (Brother Cadfael #7) by Ellis Peters ★★★
69. Lost in Math: How Beauty Leads Physics Astray by Sabine Hossenfelder ★★★
70. The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson ★★★
71. The Books of the Apocrypha ★★★★
72. Reflections on the Psalms by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★

November

73. The Devil's Novice (Brother Cadfael #8) by Ellis Peters ★★★★★
74. Studies in Words by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★
75. Dead Man's Ransom (Brother Cadfael #9) by Ellis Peters ★★★★
76. The Pilgrim of Hate (Brother Cadfael #10) by Ellis Peters ★★★★★
77. An Excellent Mystery (Brother Cadfael #11) by Ellis Peters ★★★★

December

78. The Raven in the Foregate (Brother Cadfael #12) by Ellis Peters ★★★★
79. The Rose Rent (Brother Cadfael #13) by Ellis Peters ★★★★
80. The Hermit of Eyton Forest (Brother Cadfael #14) by Ellis Peters ★★★★
81. The Story of Christianity, Volume 2: The Reformation to the Present Day by Justo L. Gonzalez ★★★
82. The Confession of Brother Haluin (Brother Cadfael #15) by Ellis Peters ★★★★
83. A Rare Benedictine: The Advent of Brother Cadfael (Brother Cadfael short stories) by Ellis Peters ★★★★
84. The Black Star of Kingston by S. D. Smith ★★★★★
85. The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner by S. D. Smith ★★★★★
86. The Green Ember by S.D. Smith ★★★★★
87. The Last Archer by S. D. Smith ★★★★★
88. Ember Falls by S. D. Smith ★★★★★
89. The First Fowler by S. D. Smith ★★★★★
90. Strange Planet by Nathan W. Pyle ★★★
91. Innovation on Tap by Eric B. Schultz ★★★★★
92. Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger ★ ☢☢☢

January

1. The Fairacre Festival by Miss Read ★★★★
2. The Lost Empress by Steve Robinson ★★★
3. The Wheel of Time Book 1: The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan ★★★

February

4. The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien edited by Humphrey Carpenter ★★★★
5. The Bible (English Standard Version, canonical) ★★★★★
6. Emily Davis by Miss Read ★★★★
7. Tyler's Row by Miss Read ★★★★

March

8. The Green Ember by S.D. Smith ★★★★★
9. The Last Archer by S. D. Smith ★★★★★
10. The Black Star of Kingston by S. D. Smith ★★★★★
11. Ember Falls by S. D. Smith ★★★★★
12. Ember Rising by S. D. Smith ★★★★★
13. The Christmas Mouse by Miss Read ★★★★
14. Farther Afield by Miss Read ★★★★
15. No Holly for Miss Quinn by Miss Read ★★★★
16. Village Affairs by Miss Read ★★★★
17. The White Robin by Miss Read ★★★
18. Village Centenary by Miss Read ★★★★
19. Summer in Fairacre by Miss Read ★★★★

April

20. Mrs. Pringle of Fairacre by Miss Read ★★★★
21. Changes at Fairacre by Miss Read ★★★★
22. Farewell to Fairacre by Miss Read ★★★★
23. A Peaceful Retirement by Miss Read ★★★★
24. The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan ★★★
25. The Big Burn by Timothy Egan ★★★
26. Shades of Gray by Carolyn Reeder ★★★
27. Moonshiner's Son by Carolyn Reeder ★★★
28. Foster's War by Carolyn Reeder ★★★ ☢

May

29. What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell ★★★
30. The Shaping of North America: From Earliest Times to 1763 by Isaac Asimov ★★★★★
31. Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder ★★★★★
32. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder ★★★★★
33. Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder ★★★★★
34. On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder ★★★★★
35. On the Way Home by Laura Ingalls Wilder and Rose Wilder Lane ★★★
36. By the Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder ★★★★
37. The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder ★★★★★
38. Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder ★★★ ☢ (insensitive but culturally appropriate minstrel show)
39. These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder ★★★
40. The First Four Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder ★★★

June

41. The Birth of the United States: 1763 - 1816 by Isaac Asimov ★★★★★
42. Our Federal Union: The United States from 1816 to 1865 by Isaac Asimov ★★★★
43. The Golden Door: The United States from 1865 to 1918 by Isaac Asimov ★★★
44. The World Encyclopedia of Christmas by Gerry Bowler ★★★★
45. The Man Who Counted: A Collection of Mathematical Adventures by Malba Tahan ★★★★

July

46. George MacDonald: 365 Readings by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★
47. Thrush Green by Miss Read ★★★★
48. Winter in Thrush Green by Miss Read ★★★★
49. News from Thrush Green by Miss Read ★★★★
50. On Stage, Please by Veronica Tennant ★★★
51. Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild ★★★★
52. Outlaws of Time #1: The Legend of Sam Miracle by N. D. Wilson ★★★★
53. Outlaws of Time #2: The Song of Glory and Ghost by N. D. Wilson ★★★★
54. Outlaws of Time #3: The Last of the Lost Boys by N. D. Wilson ★★★★
55. The Excellence Habit: How Small Changes in Our Mindset Can Make a Big Difference in Our Lives by Vlad Zachary ★

August

56. Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t: Why That Is and What You Can Do about It by Steven Pressfield ★★ ☢☢
57. Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More than We Think by Brian Wansink ★★★
58. One Beautiful Dream: The Rollicking Tale of Family Chaos, Personal Passions, and Saying Yes to Them Both by Jennifer Fulwiler ★★★★★
59. The War of Art: Reach Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield ★ ☢☢
60. Battles at Thrush Green by Miss Read ★★★★
61. Return to Thrush Green by Miss Read ★★★★
62. Gossip from Thrush Green by Miss Read ★★★★

September

63. Affairs at Thrush Green by Miss Read ★★★★
64. The Light in the Forest by Conrad Richter ★★★
65. At Home in Thrush Green by Miss Read ★★★★
66. The School at Thrush Green by Miss Read ★★★★
67. The Mindverse Chronicles by Anaya Roma (Diana Villafa�a) NR (A friend's very personal book, therefore impossible to rate. One story with sexually explicit content.)
68. Friends at Thrush Green by Miss Read ★★★★
69. Heidi by Johanna Spyri ★★★★★
70. Celebrations at Thrush Green by Miss Read ★★★★
71. White Fang by Jack London ★★ ☢
72. The Year at Thrush Green by Miss Read ★★★★
73. American Terroir by Rowan Jacobsen ★★★★ ☢
74. Sister Bernadette's Barking Dog by Kitty Burns Florey ★★ ☢☢ (an interesting book marred by one violent passage I wish I could wash out of my mind)
75. Lincoln's Last Days by Bill O'Reilly and Dwight Jon Zimmerman ★★★

October

76. Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard ★★★★
77. R & M (beta version) by MB ★★★★
78. The Market Square by Miss Read ★★★
79. The Howards of Caxley by Miss Read ★★★
80. Fresh from the Country by Miss Read ★★
81. New Worlds to Conquer by Richard Halliburton ★★★
82. Force 10 from Navarone by Alistair MacLean ★★★★
83. Highest Duty by "Sully" Sullenberger ★★★
84. Country Bunch by Miss Read ★★
85. Time Remembered by Miss Read ★★
86. Leave Me Alone, I'm Reading by Maureen Corrigan ★
87. C. S. Lewis: Images of His World by Douglas Gilbert and Clyde S. Kilby ★★★
88. C. S. Lewis: A Biography by Roger Lancelyn Green and Walter Hooper ★★★
89. Momo by Michael Ende ★★★★★

November

90. Night Without End by Alistair MacLean ★★★
91. Invitation to Number Theory by Oystein Ore ★★
92. From a Northern Window: A Personal Reminiscence of George MacDonald by His Son by Ronald MacDonald (Masterline Series, edited by Michael Phillips, Volume 1) ★★
93. The Harmony Within: The Spiritual Vision of George MacDonald by Rolland Hein (Masterline Series, edited by Michael Phillips, Volume 2) ★
94. George MacDonald's Fiction: A Twentieth-Century View by Richard Reis (Masterline Series, edited by Michael Phillips, Volume 3) ★
95. Spirits in Bondage by C. S. Lewis ★★
96. Life Essential: The Hope of the Gospel by George MacDonald, edited by Rolland Hein ★★★★
An edited version; good but I prefer the original
97. The Pilgrim's Regress by C. S. Lewis ★★★ Interesting and informative but expects a very high level of education and uses some innocent symbolism that would today be considered racist by some.
98. The White People by Frances Hodgson Burnett ★★ It starts out beautiful, like a George MacDonald novel, but without the Christian worldview veers into a form of spiritualism, not uncommon for the author's time.
99. Toby Tyler; or, Ten Weeks with a Circus by James Otis ★

December

100. Theatre Shoes by Noel Streatfeild ★★★★★
101. Dancing Shoes by Noel Streatfeild ★★★
102. Planet Narnia by Michael Ward ★★★★★
103. The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner by S. D. Smith ★★★★★
104. Proving the Unseen by George MacDonald ★★★★
105. Out of the Silent Planet (space trilogy part 1) by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★
106. The Dark Tower and Other Stories by C. S. Lewis, edited by Walter Hooper ★★ ☢
107. The Wind from the Stars by George MacDonald, edited by Gordon Reid ★★★★★
108. The Problem of Pain by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★

January

1. The Stranger in My Genes by Bill Griffeth ★★★★
2. Citizen of the Galaxy by Robert Heinlein ★★★
3. Rocket Ship Galileo by Robert Heinlein ★★
4. Have Space Suit—Will Travel by Robert Heinlein ★★★

February

5. Red Planet by Robert Heinlein ★★
6. Hold On to Your Kids by Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Mat� ★★★★★
7. Pilgrimage: The Book of the People by Zenna Henderson ★★★★★
8. The People: No Different Flesh by Zenna Henderson ★★★★★

March

9. Ingathering by Zenna Henderson ★★★★★
10. The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club by Dorothy Sayers ★★★★★
11. Strong Poison by Dorothy Sayers ★★★★★
12. Five Red Herrings by Dorothy Sayers ★★★★
13. Have His Carcase by Dorothy Sayers ★★★★★
14. Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy Sayers ★★★★★

April

15. The Nine Tailors by Dorothy Sayers ★★★★★
16. Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers ★★★★★
17. Daring Greatly by Bren� Brown ★★★★
18. Busman's Honeymoon by Dorothy Sayers ★★★★★
19. Lord Peter: The Complete Lord Peter Wimsey Stories by Dorothy Sayers ★★★★★
20. Hangman's Holiday by Dorothy Sayers ★★★★

May

21. Deep Undercover by Jack Barsky ★★★★
22. In the Teeth of the Evidence by Dorothy Sayers ★★★
23. The Documents in the Case by Dorothy Sayers with Robert Eustace ★★★
24. The Gifts of Imperfection by Bren� Brown ★★★★
25. The Whimsical Christian by Dorothy Sayers ★★★★★
26. Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton ★★★★★
27. The Master of Disguise by Antonio J. Mendez ★★★★★ ☢

June

28. Jim Bridger: Mountain Man by Stanley Vestal ★★★
29. The Shadow of Robbers' Roost by Helen Rushmore ★★★
30. The Royal Road to Romance by Richard Halliburton ★★★
31. The Glorious Adventure by Richard Halliburton ★★★
32. Dorothy L. Sayers: A Careless Rage for Life by David Coomes ★★★★
33. Designed to Move by Joan Vernikos ★★★
34. Rising Strong by Bren� Brown ★★★ ☢
35. How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming by Mike Brown ★★★★ ☢
36. In the Blood by Steve Robinson ★★★ ☢
37. I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn't) by Bren� Brown ★★★ ☢

July

38. To the Grave by Steve Robinson ★★★
39. The Last Queen of England by Steve Robinson ★★★
40. Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan ★★★ ☢
41. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien ★★★★★
42. The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien ★★★★

August

43. Shadowed Paradise by Blair Bancroft (Grace Kone) ★★ ☢☢☢
44. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien ★★★★★

    September

45. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien ★★★★★
46. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien ★★★★★
47. Tangled Strands by Esther Moneysmith Gross ★★

October

48. The Tolkien Reader by J.R.R. Tolkien ★★★★
49. Village Christmas by Miss Read ★★★★★
50. The Christmas Mouse by Miss Read ★★★★★
51. No Holly for Miss Quinn by Miss Read ★★★★★

November

52. The Fall of Heaven by Andrew Scott Cooper ★★★★★
53. Village School by Miss Read ★★★★★
54. Village Diary by Miss Read ★★★★★
55. Storm in the Village by Miss Read ★★★★★

December

56. Miss Clare Remembers by Miss Read ★★★★★
57. Leepike Ridge by N. D. Wilson ★★★
58. Over the Gate by Miss Read ★★★★★
59. Village Christmas by Miss Read ★★★★★
60. Like Living Among Scorpions by Jennifer Fulwiler ★★★
61. The Last Archer by S. D. Smith ★★★★★
62. 100 Cupboards by N. D. Wilson ★★★
63. Outlaws of Time: The Legend of Sam Miracle by N. D. Wilson ★★★★
64. Boys of Blur by N. D. Wilson ★★★★

January

1. The Road to Character by David Brooks ★★ ☢☢☢
2. Sidney Chambers and the Perils of the Night by James Runcie ★★★

February

3. The Village on the Edge of the World by A.T. Oram ★★★
4. The Fatal Tree by Stephen Lawhead ★★★
5. Whose Body? by Dorothy Sayers ★★★★★
6. Clouds of Witness by Dorothy Sayers ★★★★★
7. Unnatural Death by Dorothy Sayers ★★★★

March

8. Cure by Jo Marchant ★★★
9. Sidney Chambers and the Problem of Evil by James Runcie ★★★
10. Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death by James Runcie ★★★
11. The Lion of St. Mark by G. A. Henty ★★★★

April

12. Sidney Chambers and the Forgiveness of Sins by James Runcie ★★★

May

13. The Lion of St. Mark by G. A. Henty (re-read after visiting Venice) ★★★★
14. Old Granny Fox by Thornton W. Burgess ★★★
15. Guild Court by George MacDonald ★★★★★

June

16. Weighed and Wanting by George MacDonald ★★★★
17. They're Your Kids by Sam Sorbo ★★
18. Wild Animals I have Known by Ernest Thompson Seton ★★★★ ☢ (because the stories are sad)
19. What's Wrong with the World by G. K. Chesterton ★★★

July

20. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg ★★★
21. The History of the Renaissance World by Susan Wise Bauer ★★★★★
22. Hidden Secrets Revealed by Wallace M. Campbell NR (How does one rate a friend's book, fascinating in its history and precious in its memories but not relevant to most other people?)
23. Donal Grant by George MacDonald ★★★
24. Daughter of Liberty by Edna Boutwell ★★★
25. Will Rogers (Hallmark) ★★★
26. Stephen Archer and Other Tales by George MacDonald ★★★
27. Dere Mable by E. Streeter ★★
28. Men of Science, Men of God by Henry M. Morris ★★
29. The Princess and Curdie by George MacDonald ★★★★★
30. Unspoken Sermons Series II by George MacDonald ★★★★★
31. What's Mine's Mine by George MacDonald ★★★

August

32. Home Again by George MacDonald ★★★★ (especially of interest to me because of his comments on the nature and craft of writing)
33. The Elect Lady by George MacDonald ★★★★
34. The Tragedie of Hamlet by William Shakespeare, a study by George MacDonald ★★★★★
35. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn ★★★★★ ☢
36. Unspoken Sermons Series III by George MacDonald ★★★★★
37. Mark and Livy by Resa Willis ★★★
38. The Light Princess and other Fairy Stories by George MacDonald ★★★★★
39. The Tragedy of Coriolanus by William Shakespeare ★★★
40. A Rough Shaking by George MacDonald ★★★★★
41. Hiroshima Diary by Dr. Michihoko Hachiya ★★★★★
42. The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare ★★★
43. The Flight of the Shadow by George MacDonald ★★★★
44. Hiroshima by John Hersey ★★★★

September

45. There and Back by George MacDonald ★★★★
46. The Hope of the Gospel by George MacDonald ★★★★★
47. The Bible (Holman Christian Standard Bible version, chronological) ★★★★★
48. Poetical Works, Volume 1 by George MacDonald ★★★
49. The Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel ★★★
50. A Dish of Orts by George MacDonald ★★★
51. The Black Star of Kingston by S.D. Smith ★★★★★
52. The Green Ember by S.D. Smith ★★★★★
53. Ember Falls by S.D. Smith ★★★★★
54. Heather and Snow by George MacDonald (much Scottish dialect, strong female character) ★★★★★

October

55. My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George ★★★★★
56. Poetical Works, Volume 2 by George MacDonald ★★★
57. Lilith by George MacDonald ★★★★★
58. Lilith A (first draft of Lilith) by George MacDonald ★★★★
59. Salted with Fire by George MacDonald (much Scottish dialect, strong female character) ★★★★★
60. Far Above Rubies by George MacDonald ★★★★
61. George MacDonald: 365 Readings by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★

November

62. Early Tales of the Atomic Age by Daniel Lang ★★★★
63. Into the Atomic Age edited by Sholto Watt ★★★
64. The New Testament (King James Version, canonical) ★★★★★
65. King Ron of the Triceratops by S.S. Paulson ★★★

December

66. Main-Travelled Roads by Hamlin Garland ★★★

January

1. The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson ★★★
2. Legally Kidnapped by Carlos Morales ★★
3. The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald ★★★★★
4. The Princess and Curdie by George MacDonald ★★★★★

February

5. Wilfred Cumbermede by George MacDonald ★★★★
6. Life of Fred: Goldfish by Stanley F. Schmidt ★★★★
7. Life of Fred: Honey by Stanley F. Schmidt ★★★★
8. Life of Fred: Ice Cream by Stanley F. Schmidt ★★★★
9. Life of Fred: Jelly Beans by Stanley F. Schmidt ★★★★
10. Life of Fred: Kidneys by Stanley F. Schmidt ★★★★
11. Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story by Ben Carson with Cecil Murphey ★★★★★
12. Life of Fred: Liver by Stanley F. Schmidt ★★★★
13. Life of Fred: Mineshaft by Stanley F. Schmidt ★★★★
14. Life of Fred: Pre-Algebra with Biology by Stanley F. Schmidt ★★★★

March

15. Artemis Fowl (Book 1) by Eoin Colfer ★★★
16. Artemis Fowl (Book 2): The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer ★★★
17. Artemis Fowl (Book 3): The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer ★★
18. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee ★★★★★
19. Gutta-Percha Willie by George MacDonald ★★★★★
20. Artemis Fowl (Book 4): The Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer ★★
21. The Winged Watchman by Hilda van Stockum ★★★★★
22. Forty Ways to Look at Winston Churchill by Gretchen Rubin ★★★★

April

23. England's Antiphon by George MacDonald ★★★
24. The Wise Woman by George MacDonald ★★★★★
25. The Qur'an translation by M. A. S. Abdel Haleem ★★★
26. Better than Before by Gretchen Rubin ★★★
27. Pioneer Days by Laura Ingalls Wilder, annotations by Pamela Smith Hill ★★★
28. Malcolm by George MacDonald (much Scottish dialect) ★★★★

May

29. Thomas Wingfold, Curate by George MacDonald ★★
30. St. George and St. Michael by George MacDonald ★★★★★
31. The SHARP Solution by Heidi Hanna ★★★
32. The Marquis of Lossie by George MacDonald (some Scottish dialect) ★★★★★
33. The Six Fingers of Time and Other Stores from Galaxy Magazine ★★★

June

34. Paul Faber, Surgeon by George MacDonald ★★
35. Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey ★★★★

July

36. Sir Gibbie by George MacDonald ★★★★★
37. Exotics by George MacDonald ★★
38. The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall ★★★★
39. The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall ★★★★★
40. The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall ★★★★★
41. Tremendous Trifles by G. K. Chesterton ★★★★
42. A Book of Strife, in the Form of the Diary of an Old Soul by George MacDonald ★★
43. Weathermakers to the World by Eric B. Schultz ★★★★
44. The Penderwicks in Spring by Jeanne Birdsall ★★★★
45. Mary Marston by George MacDonald ★★★
46. The Bible (English Standard Version, chronological) ★★★★★

August

47. Warlock o' Glenwarlock by George MacDonald ★★★★★
48. The Mind's Eye by Oliver Sacks ★★★

September

49. The Upside of Stress by Kelly McGonigal ★★★★
50. A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson ★★★
51. The Green Ember by S.D. Smith ★★★★★
52. The Black Star of Kingston by S.D. Smith ★★★★★
53. Food Foolish by John M. Mandyck and Eric B. Schultz ★★★★
54. Malestrom by Carolyn Custis James ★★★★

October

55. The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling ★★★★★
56. The Second Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling ★★★★★
57. Love Does by Bob Goff ★★★
58. The Village on the Edge of the World by A.T. Oram ★★★
59. Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death by James Runcie ★★★
60. The Kids from Nowhere by George Guthridge ★★★★ ☢
61. The Gambia in Depth by the Peace Corps ★★
62. Stiff by Mary Roach ★★★

November

63. 1066 and All That by W. C. Sellar and R. J. Yeatman ★★
64. It All Started with Columbus by Richard Armour ★★★
65. Old Peter's Russian Tales by Arthur Ransome ★★★★★
66. The New Testament ★★★★★
67. West Africa Is My Back Yard: Ex-Pat Life in The Gambia and Beyond (Part I: Where on Earth is The Gambia Anyway?) by Mark Williams ★★
68. The Call of the Wild by Jack London ★★
69. The Story of Western Science by Susan Wise Bauer ★★★★★

December

70. The Billion Dollar Spy by David E. Hoffman ★★★★
71. The Martian by Andy Weir ★★★★★
72. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens ★★★★★
73. Manjiro by Hisakazu Kaneko ★★★★

January

1. Station X: Decoding Nazi Secrets by Michael Smith ★★★★
2. The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald ★★★★★

February

3. Half the Church by Carolyn Custis James ★★★★★
4. The Princess and Curdie by George MacDonald ★★★★★
5. The Shadow Lamp by Stephen R. Lawhead ★★★
6. At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald ★★★★★

March

7. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien ★★★★★
8. The Wailing Octopus: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #11 by John Blaine ★★★
9. Smuggler's Reef: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #7 by John Blaine ★★★
10. The Caves of Fear: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #8 by John Blaine ★★★
11. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand ★★★★ ☢☢ ☢
12. The Golden Skull: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #10 by John Blaine ★★★
13. The Scarlet Lake Mystery: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #13 by John Blaine ★★★
14. The Pirates of Shan: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #14 by John Blaine ★★★
15. The Blue Ghost Mystery: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #15 by John Blaine ★★
16. The Egyptian Cat Mystery: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #16 by John Blaine ★★★
17. The Flaming Mountain: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #17 by John Blaine ★★★
18. The Flying Stingaree: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #18 by John Blaine ★★★

April

19. Phantastes by George MacDonald ★★★★★

May

20. David Elginbrod by George MacDonald ★★★★★
21. The Silent Swan by Lex Keating ★★★★
22. The Locust Effect by Gary A. Huagen and Victor Boutros ★★★★★ (five stars for very important content; less for the writing)

June

23. Alec Forbes of Howglen by George MacDonald ★★★★★

July

24. Robert Falconer by George MacDonald ★★★★★
25. Not Exactly Normal by Devin Brown ★★★★

August

26. Melancholy Elephants by Spider Robinson ★★★
27. The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann ★★★★
28. Adela Cathcart by George MacDonald ★★★★
29. The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie ★★★
30. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie ★★★
31. The Portent and Other Stories by George MacDonald ★★★
32. The Life of Our Lord by Charles Dickens ★★★
33. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair ★★★

September

34. Sometimes God Has a Kid's Face by Sister Mary Rose McGeady ★★ ☢
35. The Brainy Bunch by Kip and Mona Lisa Harding ★★★★
36. Your Life Calling by Jane Pauley ★★★
37. Annals of a Quiet Neighborhood by George MacDonald ★★★★

October

38. Something Other than God by Jennifer Fulwiler ★★★★★
39. Wool Omnibus (Wool 1 - Wool 5) by Hugh Howey ★★ ☢
40. The Seaboard Parish by George MacDonald ★★★★

November

41. The Vicar's Daughter by George MacDonald ★★★★★
42. Unspoken Sermons Series I by George MacDonald ★★★★★
43. 2BR02B by Kurt Vonnegut ★★★
44. Guild Court by George MacDonald ★★★★★
45. Life of Fred: Australia by Stanley F. Schmidt ★★★★

December

46. The Miracles of Our Lord by George MacDonald ★★★★★
47. At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald (2nd time this year, but in April I started reading George MacDonald's works in the order they were written) ★★★★★
48. Ranald Bannerman's Boyhood by George MacDonald ★★★★★
49. Handel's Messiah: Comfort for God's People by Calvin R. Stapert, audio book read by James Adams ★★★★
50. Life of Fred: Cats by Stanley F. Schmidt ★★★★
51. Life of Fred: Dogs by Stanley F. Schmidt ★★★★
52. Life of Fred: Edgewood by Stanley F. Schmidt ★★★★
53. Life of Fred: Farming by Stanley F. Schmidt ★★★★

January

1. A Year with G. K. Chesterton edited by Kevin Belmonte ★★★★★
2. Kluge by Gary Marcus ★★★
3. Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne ★★★★★
4. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien ★★★★★
5. Meet Christopher Columbus by James T. de Kay (young Landmark) ★★★

February

6. Guitar Zero by Gary Marcus ★★★★
7. The Spirit Well by Stephen R. Lawhead ★★★★★
8. The History of the Medieval World by Susan Wise Bauer ★★★★
9. Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry, narrated by Susan Denaker (audio book) ★★★★
10. Animorphs #1: The Invasion by K. A. Applegate ★★
11. The Sisters Grimm by Michael Buckley ★★
12. The Keys to the Kingdom #1: Mister Monday by Garth Nix ★★
13. Animorphs #2: The Visitor by K. A. Applegate ★★
14. Animorphs #3: The Encounter by K. A. Applegate ★★
15. The Keys to the Kingdom #2: Grim Tuesday by Garth Nix ★★
16. Indian Captive by Lois Lenski ★★★★
17. Animorphs #4: The Message by K. A. Applegate ★★
18. Animorphs #6: The Capture by K. A. Applegate ★★
19. Animorphs #7: The Stranger by K. A. Applegate ★★
20. Animorphs #8: The Alien by K. A. Applegate ★★

March

21. The Keys to the Kingdom #3: Drowned Wednesday by Garth Nix ★★
22. The Keys to the Kingdom #4: Sir Thursday by Garth Nix ★★
23. The Keys to the Kingdom #5: Lady Friday by Garth Nix ★★
24. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell ★★★
25. The Man Who Was Thursday by G. K. Chesterton ★★★★★
26. The Keys to the Kingdom #6: Superior Saturday by Garth Nix ★★
27. The Keys to the Kingdom #7: Lord Sunday by Garth Nix ★★
28. The Hork-Bajir Chronicles by K. A. Applegate ★★

April

29. Lost Women of the Bible by Carolyn Custis James ★★★★★
30. The Gospel of Ruth by Carolyn Custis James ★★★★★
31. The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald ★★★★★
32. The Princess and Curdie by George MacDonald ★★★★★

May

33. Life of Fred: Apples by Stanley F. Schmidt ★★★★
34. Life of Fred: Butterflies by Stanley F. Schmidt ★★★★
35. Life of Fred: Kidneys by Stanley F. Schmidt ★★★★
36. Life of Fred: Liver by Stanley F. Schmidt ★★★★
37. Life of Fred: Mineshaft by Stanley F. Schmidt ★★★★
38. Getting Organized in the Google Era by James A. Martin ★★★
39. Make the Bread, Buy the Butter by Jennifer Reese ★★★★
40. Cooked by Michael Pollan ★★★★★ ☢

June

41. Difficult Personalities by Helen McGrath and Hazel Edwards ★★
42. Landmark 2: The Landing of the Pilgrims by James Daugherty ★★★★
43. Landmark 9: The Building of the First Transcontinental Railroad by Adele Nathan ★★★★
44. The Second Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling ★★★
45. When Life and Beliefs Collide by Carolyn Custis James ★★★★

July

46. The Story of the Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke ★★★
47. What I Saw in America by G. K. Chesterton ★★★★
48. God Is Red by Liao Yiwu ★★★★★
49. The Myth of the Garage by Chip Heath and Dan Heath ★★★
50. Lilith by George MacDonald ★★★★★
51. 3 Theories of Everything by Ellis Potter ★★★

    August

52. Project-Based Homeschooling by Lori Pickert ★★★★★

    September

53. Better than School by Nancy Wallace ★★★★★
54. Child's Work by Nancy Wallace ★★★★★

    October

55. The Idle Parent by Tom Hodgkinson ★★★☢

November

December

56. How to Be Idle by Tom Hodgkinson ★★☢☢
57. Deer Hunting with Jesus by Joe Bageant ★★☢☢

January

1. Summer at Fairacre by Miss Read ★★★★★
2. A Boy's War by David Michell ★★★★

March

3. Everybody's Normal Till You Get to Know Them by John Ortberg ★★★
4. The Skin Map by Stephen Lawhead (audio book) ★★★★
5. Life Is So Good by George Dawson and Richard Glaubman ★★★★★
6. The Introvert Advantage by Marti Olsen Laney ★★★
7. Let the Baby Drive by Lu Hanessian ★★★★★
8. The Bone House by Stephen Lawhead ★★★★★

April

9. The Stories of Emmy by Doris Smith Naundorf ★★★★
10. Wonderful Fool by Shusaku Endo ★★★★
11. Mark's Story by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins ★★★

May

12. No, We Can't by Robert Stearns ★★
13. Luke's Story by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins ★★★
14. Quiet by Susan Cain ★★★★★
15. In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen ★★★
16. The American Adventure #8: Smallpox Strikes by Norma Jean Lutz ★★
17. The American Adventure #9: Maggie's Choice by Norma Jean Lutz ★★

June

18. The American Adventure #14: Earthquake in Cincinnati by Bonnie Hinman ★★
19. The American Adventure #16: Escape from Slavery by Norma Jean Lutz ★★★
20. The American Adventure #17: Cincinnati Epidemic by Veda Boyd Jones ★★
21. The American Adventure #37: The Flu Epidemic by JoAnn A. Grote ★★
22. The American Adventure #38: Women Win the Vote by JoAnn A. Grote ★★
23. Spiritual Formation by Henri Nouwen ★★
24. Switch by Chip Heath and Dan Heath ★★★★★

July

25. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot ★★★★★
26. Hoi: Your Swiss German Survival Guide by Sergio J. Lievano and Nocole Egger ★★★ I'm not sure how to rate this, actually; I need more experience with Swiss German first.
27. Sink Reflections by Marla Cilley ★★★
28. From Pearl Harbor to Calvary by Mitsuo Fuchida (audio book) ★★★
29. How to Have a 48-Hour Day by Don Aslett ★★★★★

August

30. Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath ★★★★★
31. Manalive by G. K. Chesterton ★★★★★
32. Miracles by Tim Stafford ★★★★

September

33. The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney ★★ I remember enjoying it as a child, and even at a later re-reading, but this time found it cloying and not well written.
34. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin ★★★★★
35. Except the Dying by Maureen Jennings ★★★ ☢☢☢

October

36. Scaling Down byJudi Culbertson and Marj Decker ★★★★
37. Earthen Vessels by Matthew Lee Anderson ★★
38. Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin ★★★★★
39. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller ★★★
40. Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn ★★★★

November

41. When to Speak Up and When to Shut Up by Michael D. Sedler ★★

December

42. Drive by Daniel H. Pink ★★★★★
43. Leaving Microsoft to Change the World by John Wood ★★★★★
44. The Xenophobe's Guide to the Americans by Stephanie Faul ★★★
45. The Xenophobe's Guide to the Swiss by Paul Bilton ★★★
46. The Xenophobe's Guide to the Canadians by Vaughn Roste ★★★
47. Haiku, Origami, and More: Worship and Study Resources from Japan by Judith May Newton and Mayumi Tabuchi ★★★
48. Favorite Celtic Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs ★★★★
49. The Xenophobe's Guide to the Japanese by Sahoko Kaji, Noriki Hama, and Jonathan Rice ★★★
50. Irish Fairy Tales by Philip Smith ★★★
51. Scottish Fairy Tales by Donald A. Mackenzie ★★★
52. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving ★★★

January

1. The Vintage Bradbury: Ray Bradbury's Own Selection of His Best Stories by Ray Bradbury ★★ ☢
2. Confessions and Reflections of a Traveler by Brett R. McLean ★★ ☢
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien ★★★★★

February

4. Bad Science: Quacks, Hacks, and Big Pharma Flacks by Ben Goldacre ★★★ ☢

March

5. Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card ★★★ ☢
6. How to Be a High School Superstar by Cal Newport ★★★★★

April

7. The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson ★★★★ ☢
8. Troublesome Words by Bill Bryson ★★★★
9. Sabbath by Dan B. Allender ★★

May

10. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell ★★★ ☢
11. The Raw Milk Revolution by David E. Gumpert ★★★★
12. Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss ★★★★
13. North to Freedom by Anne Holm ★★★

June

14. The Longevity Project by Howard S. Friedman and Leslie R. Martin ★★★

July

15. At Home by Franz Hohler ★★★

August

16. Introverts in the Church by Adam S. McHugh ★★★★
17. Shakespeare by Bill Bryson ★★★★
18. The Rocket's Shadow: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #1 by John Blaine ★★★
    (This link is for the review of all the Rick Brant books, plus Tom Swift and Tom Quest.)
19. Sea Gold: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #3 by John Blaine ★★★
20. The Caves of Fear: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #8 by John Blaine ★★★

September

21. The Electronic Mind Reader: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #12 by John Blaine ★★★
22. The Scarlet Lake Mystery: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #13 by John Blaine ★★★
23. The Pirates of Shan: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #14 by John Blaine ★★★
24. The Flaming Mountain: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #17 by John Blaine ★★★
25. The Flying Stingaree: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story #18 by John Blaine ★★★
26. Tom Swift and the Visitor from Planet X by Victor Appleton II ★
27. The Mystery of the Timber Giant: A Tom Quest Adventure by Fran Striker ★★

October

28. Secret Water by Arthur Ransome ★★★★★
29. The Crime of the Century by Kingsley Amis ★★

    November

    Did I really complete no books in November? Seems unbelievable, but then again, it was a busy month.

    December

30. The Corpse Walker by Liao Yiwu ★★★ ☢☢
31. The Zen of Fish by Trevor Corson ★★★ ☢☢
32. Christmas at Fairacre by Miss Read ★★★★★
33. Village Affairs by Miss Read ★★★★★

January

1. Born to Run by Christopher McDougall ★★ ☢☢
2. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon ★ ☢☢☢
3. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett ★★★★
4. It Happened in Italy by Elizabeth Bettina ★★★
5. Eugenics and Other Evils by G. K. Chesterton ★★★★★

February

6. Theatre Shoes by Noel Streatfeild ★★★★★
7. Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick ★★★★
8. The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan ★★★★★
9. The Selfless Gene by Charles Foster ★★★
10. Weapons of Mass Instruction by John Taylor Gatto ★★★★★
11. Just Courage (audio book) by Gary Haugen ★★★
12. A Journal of the Plague Year by Daniel Defoe ★★

March

13. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin ★★★★★
14. Saint Patrick by Jonathan Rogers ★★★★
15. Homeschooling for the Rest of Us by Sonya Haskins ★★★★
16. The Brothers Karamazov (audio book, abridged) by Fyodor Dostoevsky ★★★ ☢
17. In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan ★★★★★
18. Between Heaven and Hell by Peter Kreeft ★★★★
19. The Philosophy of Tolkien by Peter Kreeft ★★★★
20. Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson ★★★★ Unrealistic, but a delightful vision and a fun book.
21. The Abernathy Boys by L. J. Hunt ★★★★ Hard to believe this was published in 2004—no cussing worse than "Aunt Annie's fanny!" A little hard on the girls, but the author does his best while being true to the times. A book for Free Range Kids.

April

22. The Gobblestone School by Jacob Schriftman ★★
23. Stones into Schools by Greg Mortenson ★★★★★
24. The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doidge ★★★★ ☢☢

May

25. In Tune with the World by Josef Pieper ★★★★★
26. Food Rules by Michael Pollan ★★★ If this is the only one of Pollan's food books you read, it rates five stars. I give it three because In Defense of Food is better.

June

27. Gold: The Final Science Fiction Collection by Isaac Asimov ★★★

July

28. Stained Glass Elegies by Shusaku Endo ★★★
29. Magic: The Final Fantasy Collection by Isaac Asimov ★★★
30. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card ★★★ ☢
31. Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card ★★
32. Covenant and Communion: The Biblical Theology of Pope Benedict XVI by Scott W. Hahn ★★★
33. Common Sense 101: Lessons from G. K. Chesterton by Dale Ahlquist ★★★

August

34. Getting Things Done by David Allen ★★ The content rates three stars, or maybe more; I won't know till I've worked with his ideas. The book itself only rates two, however.
35. The History of the Ancient World: From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome by Susan Wise Bauer ★★★★

September

36. Everything I Want to Do Is Illegal by Joel Salatin ★★★★
37. The Chronological Guide to the Bible ★★★★
38. Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy Sayers ★★★★★
39. The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright ★★★★★
40. The Four-Story Mistake by Elizabeth Enright ★★★★★
41. Then There Were Five by Elizabeth Enright ★★★★★
42. Spiderweb for Two: A Melendy Maze by Elizabeth Enright ★★★★★
43. Christians Are Hate-Filled Hypocrites ...and Other Lies You've Been Told by Bradley R. E. Wright ★★★★
44. Fruitless Fall: The Collapse of the Honey Bee and the Coming Agricultural Crisis by Rowan Jacobsen ★★★★★ ☢

October

45. Free-Range Kids: How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts with Worry) by Lenore Skenazy ★★★★★
46. Non Campus Mentis by Anders Henricksson ★★★
47. Ready for Anything by David Allen ★★★★
48. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien ★★★★★ Some books are worth reading annually, for inspiration and refreshment of the spirit. This is one of them.
49. Healing Through Exercise by J�rg Blech ★★★★★ Extremely important book, though short on practical exercises.
50. Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit (audio book) by Francis Chan ★★ This might have been just what I was looking for, but it wasn't.
51. No More Christian Nice Girl by Paul Coughlin and Jennifer D. Degler ★★
52. Martin Luther: In His Own Words (audio book, includes The Small Catechism, 95 Theses, On Faith and Coming to Christ, On Confession and the Lord's Supper, Of the Office of Preaching, Excerpt from Luther's Tower Experience, and The Last Written Words of Luther) ★★★ It's much more interesting to read what Luther said than to read about what Luther said.
53. Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation by Martin Laird ★★★ That three stars only means I actually have no idea how to rate this.

November

54. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Jove) by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★ Like The Hobbit, a book worth reading annually. This time I read a more recent edition and the changes, e.g. Maugrim for Fenris Ulf, and stones instead of the World Ash Tree, were jarring.
55. Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism by Temple Grandin ★★★★
56. The Pursuit of God (audio book) by A. W. Tozer ★★★
57. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (Mars) by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★
58. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Sol) by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★
59. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair (Luna) by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★
60. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Horse and His Boy (Mercury) by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★
61. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew (Venus) by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★

December

62. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Last Battle (Saturn) by C. S. Lewis ★★★★★ I've always loved these books, but re-reading them after having read Planet Narnia is an even richer experience.
63. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien ★★★★★ 'Tis the season for re-reading the best-of-the-best. I need uplifting literature to calm my fevered brain, especially at bedtime, and don't have time to take a chance on something new.
64. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien ★★★★★
65. Inconstant Moon by Larry Niven ★★ ☢

2017

1. The World's Greatest Geological Wonders: 36 Spectacular Sites (in progress)
2. Great World Religions: Islam
3. The Power of Mathematical Visualization
4. Geometry: An Interactive Journey to Mastery (in progress)
5. Life Lessons from the Great Books (in progress)

2016

1. The Guide to Essential Italy
2. The Great Tours: Experiencing Medieval Europe
3. Experiencing America: A Smithsonian Tour Through History

2015

1. Churchill
2. Optimizing Brain Fitness
3. A History of European Art
4. Quantum Mechanics: The Physics of the Microscopic World

I have suspended this, at least for now, as keeping track has become annoying and I find it's not that important to me.

Ratings Guide: 0 to 5 ★s reflects how much I liked it (worst to best); 0 to 3 ☢s represents a content advisory (mildest to strongest).

January

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring ★★★

January

1. Reilly: The Ace of Spies ★★★ ☢☢☢ Deserves a review; I hope to get to it later.
2. Food, Inc. ★★★★
3. Rick Steves: Germany, Benelux and More 2000-2009 ★★★★★ I love Rick Steves' travel programs.
4. Rick Steves: Austria and the Alps 2000-2009 ★★★★★
5. Hercule Poirot's Christmas ★★★ Just for fun.
6. Munyurangabo ★★ Rwanda post-genocide, but too slow, confusing, and artsy for me.
7. The Merchant of Venice ★★★★★ ☢
8. Les Triplettes de Belleville ★★★ ☢
9. Rick Steves: Italy's Countryside 2000-2009 ★★★★★

February

10. Rick Steves: Italy's Cities 2000-2009 ★★★★★
11. Jamie Oliver Eat to Save Your Life ★★ ☢ Eight parts, less than 10 min. each. The link is to Part 1; you can find the rest from there. Mild language warning. Stripped of the reality TV show trappings, it has about 20 minutes of really good stuff. It would be easy to spend too much time on his videos; there are many.
12. Jamie's Fowl Dinners ★★★ ☢ Nine parts, oddly numbered 1-7, 9-10, between 2 and 10 min. each. The link is to Part 1. Factory farmed vs. free-range chickens in the UK. Mild language warning.
13. Coriolanus ★★★ Hard to rate, since this BBC production of Shakespeare's final tragedy is the only one I've seen, but the acting could have been better.
14. NOVA: Lord of the Ants ★★★★ Naturalist E. O. Wilson. Excellent show, and I'm even more struck by his resemblance, in appearance, speech, and manners to my father, and even more to my grandfather.
15. National Treasure ★★★

March

16. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl ★★★★ It's PG-13, mostly I think for violence, but I wouldn't rate it worse than PG myself.
17. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest ★★★★ Also PG-13, more deservedly so, as it's a bit more intense and scary. Still a lot of fun, however.
18. Who Do You Think You Are? Episode 1 ★★★
19. Ken Burns' America: The Statue of Liberty ★★★★ I've yet to be disappointed by either Ken Burns or David McCullough, and this features both.
20. Who Do You Think You Are? Episode 2 ★★★★
21. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End ★★ Definitely PG-13 now, and the least interesting of the three. Still funny, but the only reason it's worth watching is if you've already come to like the characters through the first two. The first is clearly the best.
22. Who Do You Think You Are? Episode 3 ★★★★
23. Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution Episode 1 ★★★★ ☢ (language)
24. Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution Episode 2 ★★★★ ☢ (language) Elementary school students who don't know how to use a knife and fork? And school officials who think it's reasonable that they don't?
25. Who Do You Think You Are? Episode 4 ★★★★ My favorite so far.

April

26. Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution Episode 3 ★★★★ ☢ (language) Best so far; we SO underestimate our kids.
27. Who Do You Think You Are? Episode 5 ★★★★ Got to see Gary Boyd Roberts briefly in this one.
28. Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution Episode 4 ★★★★ ☢ (language) I'm learning to appreciate his style and see the value of his crazy stunt. I wish healthy eating gave everyone his energy!
29. Passport to Europe: Germany, Switzerland, and Austria ★★ We watched the parts about Switzerland (Zurich, Interlake, and St. Moritz), plus Salzburg. Interesting, but not nearly as good as Rick Steves. She spends too much time shopping and in fancy hotels.
30. Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution Episode 5 ★★★ ☢ (language) Not bad, but less interesting than previous episodes.

May

31. The Inn of the Sixth Happiness ★★★
32. Monk The television show, all eight seasons, completed in May. ★★★★ ☢ mild language and violence—it's a murder mystery show.
33. Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution Episode 6 ★★ ☢ (language) The wrap-up. Unfortunately, Jamie nearly lost me on this one. It's one thing to change the food served by the schools, but his idea that all children should eat the school's lunch, and that the school should regulate any meal brought from home, is offensive.
34. Shakespeare: The Winter's Tale This 1981 BBC production started mediocre but ended better. ★★★
35. Who Do You Think You Are? Episode 6 ★★★★★
36. Super Size Me ★★ ☢☢☢
37. Shakespeare: The Tempest Another BBC production, not stunning but it was good to see; I'd only seen snippets before. ★★★
38. Who Do You Think You Are? Episode 7 ★★★★★ They get better and better. I'm looking forward to next season.
39. Ken Burns' America: The Empire of the Air ★★★★ No, it's not a war film, but the fascinating story of the early days of radio and television.
40. Shakespeare: Cymbeline I'm not really impressed with the BBC series, but this was better. It's a play I knew nothing about until our Teaching Company Shakespeare course. There are recycled plot elements, but it was still enjoyable. ★★★★
41. The Dark Ages (The History Channel) ★★★
42. In the Realms of the Unreal ★★★ We have absolutely no idea how this one got in our Netflix queue. Neither of us remembers putting it there. A little odd, but effectively told documentary about reclusive folk artist Henry Darger.
43. Get Smart ★★★ ☢ ☢ It's a funny movie, but I'd rate it worse than its PG-13 for language and sexual content.
44. Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In ("best of") ★★ and
45. The Smothers Brother's Comedy Hour ("best of") ★★★ Two comedy shows from 40 years ago; much of it is as funny as ever, but some is sad, in light of future trends.

June/July

46. Various odds and ends on two transatlantic flights. Nothing worth mentioning, except that I no longer feel that I'm missing something important by not getting the Discovery Channel. The two episodes I watched had a dismal content/fluff ratio.

August

47. Goodbye, Mr. Chips ★★★★ Very enjoyable, and not at all what I was expecting, having gotten it mixed up with Dead Poets Society in my mind.
48. The Soloist ★★★ ☢ Based on the true story of Nathaniel Ayers, a former Julliard cellist, now schizophrenic and homeless, and his encounters with Steve Lopez, a newspaper reporter. Moving, and sensitively written.
49. Hollywood's Classic Comedy Teams: Amos & Andy (Check and Double Check) and Wheeler & Woolsey (Half Shot at Sunrise) ★★ I have no problem with political incorrectness in historical context, e.g. white actors in blackface, and racial stereotyping. But what I don't get is why anyone ever thought these movies funny
50. Various episodes and short clips from Nineteen Kids and Counting on Hulu. ★★★★ I may not agree with them on several issues, but I can't help liking the Duggars.
51. Agatha Christie's The Mirror Crack'd ★★ ☢ Not the best Miss Marple movie, by far. But the story gets points for being based on a true, tragic event.
52. Hollywood's Classic Comedy Teams: The Marx Brothers, Olsen & Johnson ★★★ I love the Marx Brothers; the short did not show them at their best, but the brief documentary of the team was worth the whole disk. Otherwise, I'm not finding these old shows very funny.
53. Hollywood's Classic Comedy Teams: The Ritz Brothers, Clark & McCullough and The Three Stooges. ★★ The Three Stooges were funny, although clearly their best work was not featured here. How the "Niagara Falls" scene was not included is beyond me. As for the rest—I'm still wondering how these could have been called comedies.
54. Funniest Moments in Comedy: Favorite Moments of the Stars, and Slapstick. ★★★ Historically interesting, and in a few places I did laugh out loud. Better than the other comedy series we've been watching from Netflix.
55. Hollywood's Classic Comedy Teams: Abbott & Costello and Martin & Lewis. ★★ I've concluded that the only films the producers of this series could get rights to were far from the best. I know Aboott & Costello, and Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis, can be very funny. Just not here.
56. The Shop Around the Corner ★★★ Like most Jimmy Stewart movies I've seen (not that I've seen many), I found this delightful, gentle, and in some ways funnier than the comedies we've been seeing lately.

September

57. Agatha Christie's Evil Under the Sun ★★★
58. Toy Story 2 ★★★★ Finally saw this one; can't wait for the next, at least if I have grandkids to watch it with. I doubled over for the "Dont' touch my mustache" line. I also enjoyed the special feature about how someone executed an rm* on the drive with most of the movie on it, and all the backups had failed for a month, but the story was saved because a new mother had made a copy on her home machine so she could work from home and spend time with her baby.
59. Veggie Tales: Larry Boy and the Fib from Outer Space ★★★ It's been a long time since I saw a Veggie Tales story, and the grandkids are a great age to watch them with.

October

60. Numb3rs The television show, of which finally finished all six seasons. ★★★★ ☢ ☢ Review to come; it's both fantastic and awful.
61. Father Brown: Set 1, Disk 1 I love G.K. Chesterton's Father Brown detective stories, and so far this series seems reasonably true to the books. ★★★
62. Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile (1978 version) ★★ It was okay, but I'll have to re-read the book to see if it is really as lame as the movie makes it out to be.
63. Dr. Bell and Mr. Doyle (2000) ★★★ ☢ Much better than we were expecting—neither of us remembered putting it into the queue!. A good mystery, inspired by the life of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his Sherlock Holmes-like mentor. A bit gruesome.
64. Babies ★★★ A visual story of four babies growing up in four cultures: Namibia, Mongolia, Tokyo, and San Francisco. Fun and cute, but it would have had more stars from me if it had had verbal commentary as well.
65. Temple Grandin ★★★★★ Must see! Review to come.
66. Born into Brothels ★★★★ Hope, heartbreak, and stunning photographs produced by children from Calcutta's red light district.

December

67. Toy Story 3 ★★★★

I have suspended this, at least for now, as keeping track has become annoying and I find it's not that important to me.

Ratings Guide: 0 to 5 ★s reflects how much I liked it (worst to best); 0 to 3 ☢s represents a content advisory (mildest to strongest).

February

1. The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Focus Series: Concertante ★★★★ J.S. Bach: Brandenburg No. 3; Igor Stravinsky: Dumbarton Oaks; Richard Strauss: Duett-Concertino for Clarinet and Bassoon; Mozart: Sinfonia concertante for Violin and Viola

January

1. The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra: Itzhak Perlman ★★★
2. Leu Gardens Camellia show ★★★ Lots of freeze damage, but a surprising number of brave blooms.
3. Charles Leadbeater on innovation (TED) ★★★ 19 min. The power of Professional Amateurs and collaborative work.
4. Kartick Satyanarayan: How we rescued the "dancing" bears (TED) ★★★★ 4 min. Win-win environmental activism reminiscent of the Nature Conservancy's work.
5. John Gerzema: The post-crisis consumer (TED) ★★★ 16.5 min. Finally, someone who thinks more saving and less spending is a positive sign for the economy. True consumer power!
6. Gever Tulley teaches life lessons through tinkering (TED) ★★★★ 4 min. A workshop for kids that will make you wish you were 7 again.
7. Robert Sapolsky: The uniqueness of humans (TED) ★★★ ☢ (Nothing objectionable, but some sexual references.) 37.5 min. What we share—and don't—with animals; you'll be surprised.
8. Mars Hill Audio Journal Vol. 75 ★★★ Ken Myers' interviews are always interesting; click link for contents listing.
9. Orlando Baroque Orchestra: Da Capo ★★★
10. Mars Hill Audio Journal Vol. 99 ★★★★
11. Pranav Mistry: The thrilling potential of SixthSense technology (TED) ★★★★ 14 min. The world is your computer.
12. Shakespeare: The Word and the Action (The Teaching Company) ★★★★★

    February

13. Mars Hill Audio Journal Vol. 100 ★★★
14. Michael Pollan on Food Rules: An Eater's Manual (FORA.tv) ★★★
15. Leu Gardens ★★ Leu Gardens is always enjoyable, and we had great company on our walk; the low rating is because there was so much freeze damage, made all the more obvious because it has now been cleaned up—there are many open places where plants used to be.
16. The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art ★★★★★ One of my favorite museums: small, local, but with the best collection in the world of the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany.
17. Jamie Oliver's TED Prize wish: Teach every child about food (TED) ★★★ ☢ 22 min. Not a great speaker, and a little too inclined to look into non-personal (i.e. government and business) solutions, but an important message nonetheless. Worth it for the clip at 11:16 where he asks schoolchildren to identify foods in their natural state. Mild language warning.
18. E.O. Wilson on saving life on Earth (TED) ★★★ 22.5 min. He reminds me so much of my father and grandfather!

March

19. Daniel Kahneman: The riddle of experience vs. memory (TED) ★★★ 20 min.
20. Temple Grandin: The world needs all kinds of minds (TED) ★★★★ 20 min. My favorite quote: "Where's the younger version of those [Asperger's/ASD] kids going today? They're not ending up in Silicon Valley where they belong."
21. The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra: Hal France Returns ★★★
22. The Building of St. Peter's Basilica by Kenneth R. Bartlett (Teaching Company) ★★★★
23. Christmas in Victorian Britain by Patrick N. Allitt (Teaching Company) ★★★★
24. The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival ★★★ Art, music, food. Always a fun time.
25. What Killed the Dinosaurs? by Peter Ward (Teaching Company) ★★★
26. Duke Ellington—The Jazz Man by Patrick N. Allitt (Teaching Company) ★★★
27. Great Leaders—Winston Churchill by J. Rufus Fears (Teaching Company) ★★★★
28. Great Leaders—Abraham Lincoln by Allen C. Guelzo (Teaching Company) ★★★
29. Masterpieces of Classical Holiday Music by Robert Greenberg (Teaching Company) ★★★★★
30. What the Declaration of Independence Says by J. Rufus Fears (Teaching Company) ★★★★
31. Gentlemen in the Wilderness—Jamestown 400th Anniversary by Allen C. Guelzo (Teaching Company) ★★★
32. Eisenhower and Operation Overlord by Thomas Childers (Teaching Company) ★★★★
33. Martin Luther King, Jr.—Stride Toward Freedom by Dennis Dalton (Teaching Company) ★★

April

34. The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra: Rehearsal for A Tribute to Lenny ★★ ☢ This was a special event for donors, and I enjoyed seeing behind the scenes. It would have been more fun if we could have heard more of what the conductor was saying, though. We left during intermission, not wanting to stay out too late, and in any case we had been reminded of why we subscribe to the classics series and not the pop series. Too loud, too much vocal music. Sure loved the Overture to "Candide," however! (The one ☢ is due to one profanity in a video clip. Not what I expected in an orchestral concert.)
35. Christmas in 19th Century America by Patrick N. Allitt (Teaching Company) ★★★★ American Christmas traditions through history. Makes one a little more sympathetic to the Puritan desire to forgo the celebration altogether.
36. Nutrition Made Clear: It's All about the Calories by Roberta H. Anding (Teaching Company) ★★★
37. The Symphony: Mozart by Robert Greenberg (Teaching Company) ★★★★★
I can't get enough of Bob Greenberg's music lectures!
38. American Identity: Lewis and Clark, the Explorers by Patrick N. Allitt (Teaching Company) ★★★★ ☢
39. St. Patrick by William R. Cook (Teaching Company) ★★★★
40. Winter Park Farmer's Market ★★★★ I wish it were more of a farmer's market than it is, but there are a few gems that make it very much worthwhile.
41. Mars Hill Audio Journal Vol. 101 ★★ Not bad, just not as interesting as usual.

August

42. How to Listen to and Understand Great Music by Robert Greenberg (Teaching Company) ★★★★★
43. Itay Talgam: Lead like the great conductors (TED) ★★★ 21 min. Haven't heard a TED lecture in a while. Fascinating look at different conducting leadership styles.

September

44. The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra: Resurrection Symphony ★★★

October

45. The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra: Myth & Poetry ★★★★