I love peeking into other people’s reading lists, especially the ones where the reader and I share common interests. I’ve gleaned several wonderful book recommendations from studying other people’s lists including Where Life and Beliefs Collide by Carolyn Custis James, The Well-Trained Mind by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer, and Heartfelt Discipline by Clay Clarkson.
Several of my favorite bloggers (be they thought-provoking, challenging, irritating or entertaining) have posted updates to their readings lists. And I’ve discovered a startled and disheartening trend. The vast majority of the books these ladies are reading are all homemaker/mothering/healthy eating/child discipline books. I mean, seriously, there is not a theological or fiction book to be found! Anywhere! And I have to wonder- how do they sort through all this information about the same subject?? You’d think they could write a book themselves from gathering all this knowledge.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve read plenty and I mean plenty of homemaker/mothering/healthy eating/child discipline books. I think that’s why I’m so confused. Well, I’m not exactly confused, but I certainly think that my thinking is more muddled than if I had just tried to figure it all out by myself by gathering information from the people who I know have been successful at the endeavors in which I find myself.
Do we seriously need to read four books each on these subjects in one year? Do I really need to read To Train Up a Child AND Shepherding a Child’s Heart and How To Raise Your Children For Christ and Successful Christian Parenting to discover “God’s way” of child training? (Yes, that is from one book list). I know I’m being picky… I just wish that we Christian women would expand our intellectual horizons just a bit!
For the record, here is a list of the books I am currently reading:
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
The Trinity and Subordinationism by Kevin Giles
Creative Correction by Lisa Welchel
Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges
Through Western Eyes, Eastern Orthodoxy: A Reformed Perspective by a guy who’s name escapes me at the moment.
Well…in the interest of full disclosure, here’s my list! (I’ll put it up on my blog tomorrow. I’m pooped thanks to an almost 12 month old – on Saturday!- who is getting his molars. YUCK.)
A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber
House of Wits by some dude (about the James family)
The Bronte Myth by Lucasta Miller
Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping book (we bought our first condo, close next Wednesday, and I want to clean the new place like I’ve never cleaned before, and never will again. hehehe)
Sense and Sensibility (always read it before classes start up again)
Leap of Faith (it is about the Revolutionary War)
and finally…
A book by Piper about being thankful for blessings and Christian ‘Hedonism’ – the title escapes me, and it is in my bedroom. I’m too lazy to get up and go look. But it is good, I promise!
Here’s the list of the last five books I’ve read or at least cracked open.
Witch of Blackbird Pond — fiction — Author?
10 lies the Church tells Women — Lee Grady
Boundaries in Marriage — Cloud & Townsend
Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D.? Gina Pera
Singer — Fiction — author?
It was actually the last book, “Singer” that I found to be the most disturbing.
I picked it up from the library at the same time I picked up “Witch of Blackbird Pond”. It had an interesting cover and was set in the middle ages so it caught my eye.
It was just children’s fiction. But it was a slap in the face, a reminder of how acceptance of the ‘goddess’ is making it’s way into children’s literature.
I also firmly believe the writer of “Singer” read “Women Who Run With Wolves.”
Anyone hear of that book?
I’ve never read it, just read where someone felt positivily influenced by it on a secular site. So I looked it up. It wasn’t what I thought it was.
But I guess it was a very popular secular book geared toward empowering women.
I wonder how Martha Stewart’s book compares to Home Comforts by Cheryl Mendelson…
Yeah! Another reader of mixed bags. I’m hooked on Jodi Picoult now. I love fiction and I can only read Christian fiction if the writer actually knows how to write! I love Francine Rivers and Dee Henderson.
I also have read The Augsberg Confessions and Luther’s Large Catechism and want to order the Book of Concord when I get back.
I also like to read books about parenting/ caring for the home/ marriage, etc. but like to switch off with fiction so I don’t get bored.
BTW, I love Creative Correction.
Hi,
I’ve been a sort of long time lurker here and decided to go ahead and show my “face”.
I read a mixed bag of books..I have to have the deep with the not so deep to keep a grasp on it all.
Currently on my list:
Breaking Dawn (the 4th book in Twilight Series)- Stephenie Meyer
Jesus, Peter and the Keys
The Complete Works of Jane Austen
Mother Teresa:Come Be my Light
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
I’m also interested in how the Martha Stewart book is. I have thumbed through it; it looks pretty thorough and something I would enjoy.
As for the blog subject, I completely agree. I like to read so many things; everything from the Harry Potter series to Redbook to works by Jonathan Edwards. Although I do enjoy reading homemaking books and child-rearing books (to prepare myself for motherhood…as much as one can be…), I have a wide variety of interests. I believe that a person can become a little too one-note if they spend ALL of their time reading about the same thing.
Think about if a professional did that. (And some do!) If I knew a lawyer and all he/she read were legal journals, trial verdicts, etc., that was all they talked about, all they blogged about, I would get a little bored around that person. Because all they are is a lawyer. The same goes for homemaking. I am a homemaker, yes. But I am JOHANNA, first and foremost. Homemaker just happens to be what I do. My whole life and personality isn’t wrapped up in that. Yes, I do consider it my calling but that doesn’t mean that I can’t have other interests.
I’d like to add, when it comes to subjects such as parenting or other spiritual things, that it’s all too easy to turn to every book out there INSTEAD of the Bible. I see a lot of people do that; I’ve done it in the past, myself.
A Guy Who’s Name Escapes Me is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read quite a few of his books and have enjoyed many of them. 🙂
Don’t stone me but I am currently readingFamily Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham.
My other current reads include:
Solomon Among the Postmoderns, Peter J. Leithart
Total Truth, Nancy Pearcey
Chorol Directing, Wilhelm Ehmann
Teaching to Change Lives, Howard G. Hendricks
The Hidden Smile of God, John Piper
Windows on the World Complete Wine Course, Kevin Zraly
The Life and Campaigns of General T.J. (Stonewall) Jackson, R.L. Dabney
My most committed current reading is being done in the Voddie Baucham and Peter Leithart books. The others are casual reading for fun.
I also need to echo JohannaS’s love of Harry Potter books. I think they are tremendously well-written and simply spin a fantastic tale.
I’m really looking foward to the new book recently translated by Hermoine Grainger from the ancient runes in which the book was originally written by Beedle the Bard. I’m particularly interested in what has been described as “extensive commentary by J.K. Rowling.”
Oh … and that would be “Choral Directing” not “Chorol Directing.”
Deep in the Heart of Trouble by Deeanne Gist. And the heroine is an early prototype-version WWF. A bicycle riding, bloomer wearing single woman in her mid thirties who runs her dad’s business – not a helpmeet but actually being deferred to by her father regarding many business decisions. In the early part of the book, an early prototype-version VF man disrupts a ceremony where she has won first place for her bicycle costume, denouncing her “ungodly” and “unwomanly” behavior and clothing.
Just finished Meyer’s Breaking Dawn, so I’ve read the entire Twilight series now.
Not sure what I’ll read next – I’ve got a big TBR file of fiction, theology, technical books, etc.
I have always tended to steer away from homemaker/mothering/healthy eating/child discipline/self-help books.
For homemaking books I tend to look at magzines where I like the styles (e.g., Ethan Allen, Pennsylvania House, historical magazines).
Due to my educational background, I tend to totally stay away from someone that claims to be an expert on how to parent.
For healthy eating, I talk to our female doctor, our female pharmacist, family members/friends that are in the medical field, friends, etc.
Again, due to my educational background & years of experience, I tend to totally stay away from child discipline books.
Rightly or wrongly, self-discipline books tend to really, really, really annoy me.
I’m reading …
• Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden … this is the case study of the experience of one geisha in the secret world of geisha … interestingly enough, I find a great many correlations between this case study of geisha life and patriocentricity
• God’s Englishman Oliver Cromwell and the English Revolution by Christopher Hill … fascinating … the author is a communist, but he has his historical facts down pat (well done book)
• What Went Wrong: Western Impact and Middle Eastern Response by Bernard W Lewis … very interesting book on the collide of these two cultures
• The Crisis of Islam by Bernard W Lewis … this book, too, has many fascinating correlations between Islam and patriocentricity
[Note: Bernard Lewis is a British-American historian. Presently, he is the Cleveland E. Dodge Professor Emeritus of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University.]
• Queen Isabella: Treachery, Adultery, and Murder in Medieval England by Alison Weir
I just finished reading the Spiderwick Chronicles. They are well written & well done. I enjoyed the series a great deal.
Oooo, now I get to sound pretentious!
I just finished reading Tolstoy’s War and Peace. Over the past 9 months since our twins were born, I’ve been reading it about 30 pages at a time when I go out with my husband to a coffee shop once a week.
And I read Of Mice and Men while holding a teething baby who would not sleep. Yes, it took that long for her to settle down, LOL!
Another lurker here.
I’m currently reading Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer, and it is fascinating and disturbing at the same time! I’ve learned a lot about the FLDS as well as the general history of the Mormon church and various sects, of which I was woefully ignorant. I tend to read mostly non-fiction, especially history.
I found Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping to be both less exhaustive on the subject and a much more “friendly” read than Cheryl Mendelson’s Home Comforts. I have both and Martha’s is more of something to read, while Cheryl’s is more of a reference book. At least for me, YMMV.
Speaking of which…
Homekeeping by Martha Stewart
Alibon’s Seed by David Hackett Fisher
The Unthinkable by Amanda Ripley
Anne of Avonlea by LM Montgomery
At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon
Knitting in the Old Way by Priscilla Gibson-Roberts
The Norton Anthology of English Literature, Volume 1
The Mabinogi
Post Captain by Patrick O’Brian (audiobook)
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (audiobook)
Speaking of audiobiooks, I have to list some of my favorite podcasts. It’s not reading, but I think it’s related way of getting information/entertainment:
The News From Lake Woebegone by Garrison Keilor
What Really Matters by Vicki & Jen
Organization Station by Monica Ricci
History 131 – US history to 1865 from the University of Alaska
Global News from the BBC
And has anyone else found librivox.org? If not, you *must* go have a look.
Mara,
Elizabeth George Speare is the author of “Blackbird Pond”. Just so you know 🙂
“Women Who Run With Wolves”
That sounds awesome to me, I must say.
Richard, I love Harry Potter too!! He’s my sweetest baby, as a character, and I’m totally nuts over the books.
Lordy, there’s a new one by Hermoine Granger?? Beedle the Bard’s on my Christmas list.
This thread is killing me..I’m surrounded by book titles like a kid in a discussion about good candy stores..
Annie – how well I remember the Norton Anthology of English Lit – that was one of my text books in college. I enjoyed some of it and really hated some of it. I probably ought to pull that one out again and give it another read.
Waffle wrote:
“I’m currently reading Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer, and it is fascinating and disturbing at the same time! I’ve learned a lot about the FLDS as well as the general history of the Mormon church and various sects, of which I was woefully ignorant. I tend to read mostly non-fiction, especially history.”
I’ve read this one too, before the FDLS blowout in Texas. And as OWHBB mentioned about the Memoirs of a Geisha UtBoH is also quite a case study of the patriarchy attituded. It shows us the natural conclusion of unbalanced power where women are stripped of all authority even over their own lives and bodies and that authority is handed unchecked to men. Chilling what happens to the minds of some men in these circumstances.
Have you read “Escape” by Carolyn Jessop? Or “When Men Become Gods”? Also on the same subject?
I’ve read Escape, but not WMBG yet.
A great post to de-lurk upon!
Grace (Eventually) by Anne Lamott
Founding Brothers by Joseph J. Ellis
America’s Women by Gail Collins
Solovyovo by Margaret Paxson
Love Busters by Willard Harley
Axiom by Bill Hybels
The Doctrines of Grace by Boice and Ryken
Praying God’s Word by Beth Moore
Captivating by Stasi Eldredge
All of these are in process or will be started in the next month.
Love to see what everyone else is reading!
Jennifer,
Thanks for supplying the name of “Witch of Blackbird Pond.”
I do recommend it.
It is a look at the contrast between legalist Puritanism and the more grace led Quaker mindset in our early American history. (See folks, they struggled with the same things back then that we do now.)
I, however, was not recommending, “Women Who Run With Wolves.” I haven’t read it, so can’t make the recommendation. It is one I would be cautious of because it leans toward the new age or neo paganism (I think… Anyone who knows better, who HAS read it, please feel free to correct me).
I mentioned the book because I see that it has influenced women in the secular sphere and what I perceived as it’s influence in a children’s book I randomly picked up in the library.
But I didn’t want to come across as either recommending it or shunning it. I’m only acknowledging it as a force within our post modern culture.
OWHBB wrote:
“Rightly or wrongly, self-discipline books tend to really, really, really annoy me.”
Does that include “The Purpose Driven Life.”
(Disclaimer: If Purpose helped you, I’m glad and don’t want to take that away from you. It seems to have helped many and I think that’s wonderful.”
I avoided Purpose a long time because I couldn’t stand the title. Not the purpose or life part. But I couldn’t stand the word “Driven”. So much of my life had already been driven by things I have no time to mention.
Finally when I did pick it up, the first chapter made me want to throw it against the wall.
The first chapter was along the lines of “It’s not about you.”
To which my spirit sceamed, “No freaking kidding! When has it EVER been about me?!”
Sorry, but such a reaction came because God was trying to get me to unbury my talents and to start realizing that part of it really was about me. No, it’s not ALL about me. But neither is it all about those people around me who wanted to make it all about them and who tried to force me into the box they had for me. It’s all about God and what He wants to do inside of me (and others) and through me (and others).
Yep. As I mentioned above, if Purpose helped you, I’m grateful to God for using it in your life and don’t want to diminish it or takin any part of it away from you.
But boy, was it the wrong book for the wrong season in my life.
Just goes to show, one size doesn’t fit all.
Mara, I truly cannot stand self-help books; however, with respect to The Purpose Driven Life, I went through it with my offspring because they had already studied …
• the shorter catechism study guides by G.I. Williamson,
• the Westminster Confession of Faith Study guide by G.I. Williamson,
• the Heidelberg Catechism Study Guide by G.I. Williamson, and
• several pieces by Martin Luther
My children were older and because they had the background that they did they were able to circumvent the much publicized problems with the book.
I also cannot seemingly get through Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan because it is just too pietistic for my tastes. I can get through a couple of pages and, then, I simply have to put it down …. ewwwwwwwwwww … being the “mean” parent that I am, I made my children read it. They did not know my impression of the book cuz I kept that well hidden. I found it quite telling that they did not care for it either.
AMEN to Christians expanding their intellectual horizons!!!!!! Thank you for saying that!!! Since when, do we as Christians, ONLY read Christian literature? And I won’t get started on my soapbox about poorly written Christian fiction. What happened to being well read and having critical thinking skills with a Christian perspective?
Right now, I’m less than a week from school and am reading…
Odd Hours by Dean Koontz (have read the other three, good mindless reading.)
The Audacity of Hope by Barak Obama (because I should know a thing or two about his thinking process 🙂
And the Examcrackers MCAT study guide. (because if I get a 30+ I will be thrilled.)
I am not interested in how to raise a perfect Stepford child
My husband it a meat and potatoes man.
I couldn’t care less about the cleanliness of my house.
So I don’t read parenting, cooking, or homemaking books.
Cally, others…
Homekeeping by Martha is not nearly as exhaustive as Home Comforts. That book, I swear, is the end all, be all for anything homekeeping related. However, I thought I’d give MS’s book a go as reallly, I’m not SO compulsive yet, that I have to have things PERFECT. Home Comforts is a GREAT reference, don’t get me wrong. But honestly, I’m not that big of a perfectionist. 😉
I’ve also got a couple of books on my shelf about choosing library texts, library ethics, etc. As a librarian, it is my duty, whether I agree with a books subject matter or not, to put it on my shelf if it has been deemed to have ‘intrinisic value.’ When I was in the workforce, parents occasionally would lecture me about how ‘evil’ certain books were b/c of the subject matter (Witch of Blackbird Pond, Harry Potter books, Eragon series), and how we needed to take them off the shelves. I’d often respond by telling them that I was unable to legislate morality, and that if they found a book objectionable, they were welcome to come to a library board meeting, express their concerns and let us know how they felt. I also suggested that they continue on doing a great job of raising their OWN children with the convictions, values, and beliefs their family shared, but I was unable to legally extend my own Christian beliefs into a PUBLICLY funded system.
That’s my two cents, as the librarian.
And that reminds me…I need to get cracking and read Harry Potter to see what all the fuss is about.
I’m also reading The Book Thief, and working my way slowly through my Norton’s of Am Lit for a class I’m teaching next semester. Whee!
Mara, I’m sorry you had that experience! I loved at least the gift book version of “Purpose”, but sometimes we do need some extra comfort reading. The ironic thing is, not only is most of “Purpose” comforting, but many have criticized it for being too “soft” and coddling, instead of offering spiritual discipline. Frankly, I can’t stand those kinds of people. When are they going to learn that not everything has to be about discipline?? We need BOTH in our lives!! This is why I always keep a steady diet of books that deal with tough stuff and books that offer comfort and dwell on God’s love; both Joel Osteen and Martha Peace are in my library, and that’s not even to say that Osteen’s limited to comfort reading and Peace is limited to tough love. I enjoy having different authors and different kinds of books.
At the moment, I’m thoroughly enjoying art calendars with lovely haiku poetry. In a couple of days, I’ll finally be finishing “Widdershins”, a stunning urban fantasy novel that I should have finished long ago (my reading has been woefully slow lately, at least of novels). I’ve been saving the powerful ending for a time when I am totally unoccupied 🙂
One of the things I’m most grateful to God for is my myriad taste in books. Aside from novels, I also love anything from Christian books (though NOT self-discipline) to nature, to Christian children’s books, to horror, to recipes. I also love art, from fantasy to Victorian. Maybe this is one of the reasons I think womanhood is so unlimited and unhindered: if I see a picture of a woman, whether she’s dressed in exotic warrior garb or gentle Victorian lace, I’ll find her equally beautiful. It’s harder to lose your femininity than the VF thinks.
Andrea, I LOVE your library ethics 🙂
Shows those parents’ ignorance on the matter; “Witch of Blackbird Pond” isn’t even about witchcraft! It’s about Puritan hypocrisy, fear, and prejudice. Then again, maybe that’s why those parents don’t like it..
Ooohhh… Reading lists. Yummy.
I echo Harry Potter and also Jodi Picoult (read everything she has written and always eager for the next book). I also adore Sherri Reynolds (Rapture of Caanan).
Currently am reading:
The Shack by William Young
Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (again, is one of my favorites)
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (again)
Breaking Free by Beth Moore
Awakening by Melissa Etheridge
Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage by Jenny Block
Have read Under the Banner of Heaven (loved it and was very interesting) and have read Escape by Carolyn Jessop (liked it). I tend to be a mix of fiction and nonfiction depending on my mood.
Looking forward to Still Growing by Kirk Cameron, The Call of the Elijah Revolution by James Goll, The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne, How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler, Love in the House by the Jeub family, and 1000 Places to See in the US and Canada Before You Die
I read all sorts of topics, anything really that sounds interesting or I want to learn more about. I read very few marriage/parenting/nutrition type books. The best marriage book I ever did read though was Intimate Issues by Linda Dillow and the best “parenting” book was The Birth Order Book by ?I think Kevin Lehman…need to go find it.
Ahh…books, what a lovely topic.
Rebecca Campos
Rebecca, great taste! My mom loved The Shack and Poisonwood Bible, while Handmaid’s Tale is one of my favorites!
Who’s the author of Singer? Every time I type the darn title in Amazon’s search engine, they just give me authors with that name.
Mara, I haven’t read Escape or When Men Become Gods, but they are on my list!
I have read over half of the books on the aforementioned lists. Some of them are good friends. I loved The Witch of Blackbird Pond as a child, it was one of my first real books.
Oh, there are just far too many to mention. I have a book thing. Like some women have the shoe thing going on, I cannot read too many books.
OWHBB, you and your theologically well-educated kids intimidate me with your knowledge. 😉
I haven’t read any of those catechism guides.
I can’t even spell catechism without looking.
What was it about them that made you want or feel the need to know/teach their contents? Just curious. If you talk them up enough I may have to take a gander at them sometime.
Jennifer, as far as Purpose goes, my reaction was out there, I know it. And I’m sure if I had given it time Purpose probably could have helped me. But the one, two punch of my dislike for the title and the first chapter going the opposite way God was leading me at the time… all that just did it in. I’m not up on any of the criticism floating around out there so can’t compare it to my own situation.
I just tried to read it at a time when God was trying to bring me out of some of my own little mental burkas. He was calling me out, telling me to stop making myself small and invisible. He was showing me that I had been wrongly impressed by a few false teachers that this was what He wanted. Small and invisible does not equal humility.
As far as Singer goes, I’ll have to go back to my library and find it before I can tell you the author.
I liked parts of the book. Other parts, including the ending, left me empty.
Waffle, glad you came out of lurkdom for a bit. Hope to see more of you and the others who stepped out on this thread.
I’m reading Breaking Dawn at the moment, by Stephanie Meyer. It’s the fourth in the Twilight series and I’m totally hooked.
In fact…off to read!
Debrabaker –
I agree with you! I remember getting a copy of Matilda and a copy of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn for wedding gifts from a friend – she said that we needed new copies for a new household because I had “loved my other two to death.” My mom always teased me and said I was a combination of Francie and Matilda…
Which reminds me, in a convoluted way…there’s a blog out there by a lady who really doesn’t like clutter. She’s talked about having 5-6 outfits per person, not a ton of toys for the kiddos, etc…She’s a friend, even if we agree to disagree on certain theological issues. However, (and I still need to tease her about this) she crossed the line when she said that she doesn’t like having a lot of books around, that they only clutter things up and she was only going to use the library or Paperback swap from now on. AUGH! My heart bled!
BTW, ladies and gents…if you like to read, Paperbackswap.com is a great site to trade books on. Tell ’em Deedle21 sent ya. 😉
Mara wrote: “What was it about them [the catechisms] that made you want or feel the need to know/teach their contents?”
Mara, first off … there’s no need to feel intimidated!
=)
The reasons for taking my children through these guides are numerous … too much to go into here.
Rightly or wrongly, I like how G.I. Williamson presents stuff.
I like, for example, the whole idea that he presents the three millenial viewpoints without having the “need” to say one is heretical and another is not.
We took the catechisms s-l-o-w-l-y.
When going through the G.I. Williamson study guides it kinda felt like he was at the table with us presenting this stuff in a realistic manner. In fact, as a result of how G.I. Williamson did these guides, my girls are both hooked on catechisms! LOL!
It was my way of protecting my children from the likes of patriarchy groups which I consider VERY humanistic and other humanistic groups that are similar (e.g., Pearls, Ezzos, etc.). Sometimes in life it is hard to distinguish what is humanistic and what is Christian ESPECIALLY if a group uses Christian-ese to hook in the unsuspecting. I think how G.I. Williamson presented stuff in the catechism study guides have gone a long way in protecting my children from those that would deceive them.
One, you mentioned the Pearls and the Ezzos as patriarchal groups. Who are the Ezzos?? Please, do tell.
Sorry for the confusion … the Ezzos are folks that present themselves as parenting “experts” and have caused a great deal of damage to many individuals, marital couples, families, etc.
http://www.ezzo.info/
basically, I would place them in a camp that entices others to think they have the “perfect” solution to parenting troubles … if you will just follow their cookie cutter method, all will be well …
the American Academy of Pediatrics, many Christian/Church leaders, and other professionals have been warning others of the dangers of following their “advise” … this group, like the patriarchists also tend to divide churches
check out the link above for some of the controversies
does this help?
Sorry for the confusion … the Ezzos are folks that present themselves as parenting “experts” and have caused a great deal of damage to many individuals, marital couples, families, etc.
basically, I would place them in a camp that entices others to think the Ezzos have the “perfect” solution to parenting troubles … if you will just follow their cookie cutter method, all will be well …
the American Academy of Pediatrics, many Christian/Church leaders, and other professionals have been warning others of the dangers of following their “advise” … this group, like the patriarchists also tend to divide churches
It seems as though I cannot put down a web site to refer you to … so how about I say it this way …
do the regular web site address that you would normally do with the “h”s & “w”s … then go to ezzo.info
check out this link for some of the controversies
does this help?
if you go to …
ezzo.info/biblical.htm
you will find a summary of concerns …
• exhibits/encourages tendency toward legalism (even while it advises parents not to be legalistic).
• uses prooftexting and scripture twisting to give weight and urgency to the ideas presented
• confuses biblical principle and application, sometimes presenting the Ezzos’ favored application as the actual biblical principle, making it the moral standard
• emphasis on the moralism of good behavior — as defined by Western etiquette — rather than hearts turned toward Jesus
• Portrayal of other parenting approaches as unbiblical by mischaracterizing their beliefs and results
then they provide numerous articles (essential reading) and where to go for more information
The others have done a great job of describing the Ezzos. I have firsthand experience with their teaching in a church that started out legalistic and grew more legalistic within the context of parenting.
It preys on new parents insecurities and selfishness, in my opinion. Within a legalistic setting with leadership obcessed with, “indwelling sin,” Ezzo parenting can and did get taken to an extreme (and, face it, who follows the Ezzo’s teaching if they are naturally oriented toward grace?)
There is a lot of scheduling and parent-centered this and that as though the parents are going to teach the newborn baby to be centered toward the needs of other people (namely the parents,) by having a set of parents *model* selfish behavior toward the infant.
The stuff is contrary to the basic teachings found in the Bible (servant-leadership, the Golden Rule, putting others ahead of yourself…not exasperating (sp) your children, yadda yadda.) It goes against pediatric advice, it goes against what we know about developmental psychology.
It is very patriocentric.
And, yes, if we got our heads out of the Christian sandtrap books and went back to well-rounded literacy, perhaps we would be better insulated against some fringe teachings.
I’m currently reading “Smart Girls Like Me” by Diane Vadino and I’m also reading “Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History” by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich.
I just finished “The Importance of Music to Girls” by Lavinia Greenlaw. I’ll be writing a review for a music webzine.
Next? Well, I want to read “Slackanomics: Generation X in the Age of Creative Destruction” by Lisa Chamberlain.
One, that is VERY helpful! Thanks 🙂
About the Ezzo’s…
I’ve never been a fan, but I will admit that I have read some of their infant books to give me some ideas for structuring our day, plus I also wanted to make sure I was nursing enough times throughout the day, and providing adequate meals for the baby’s age.
I have to say, having heard so much bad press about them, I was shocked at how much they would reiterate “YOU are the parent, and you know when to deviate from our ideas when it’s best for you child”. It wasn’t near as legalistic as I had heard it made out to be. But then, I AM a parent that leans towards grace, and so I’m fine with not taking them so literal. Others aren’t able to do this, and yes, they do become legalistic in their application.
As for the concerns, I share many of them:
• exhibits/encourages tendency toward legalism (even while it advises parents not to be legalistic).
I think in their attempt to stress how important consistency is, they do come across as legalistic to those that lean that way themselves.
• uses prooftexting and scripture twisting to give weight and urgency to the ideas presented
‘Tis true.
• confuses biblical principle and application, sometimes presenting the Ezzos’ favored application as the actual biblical principle, making it the moral standard
True again. I hate it when certain parents see that I don’t discipline the way they do and you can tell that they think my child will turn out apostate because of it.
• emphasis on the moralism of good behavior — as defined by Western etiquette — rather than hearts turned toward Jesus
This is my BIGGEST pet peeve about the whole thing. If you choose this method for your family, that is perfectly fine with me, so long as you don’t mistake it for a relationship with Jesus.
• Portrayal of other parenting approaches as unbiblical by mischaracterizing their beliefs and results
Yeah, this one they do emphasize and exaggerate a bit.
So you can see, like I said, I’m not a fan for these reasons. However, I do think its possible to schedule or space your infant’s feedings and still be a grace-centered parent. I was able to follow a lot of their suggestions with my first, and she thrived under it. She LOVED the schedule. I was much more loose with my second, and she was still fine, though there were times I wished I had her on a more stable routine, and then there were times I was grateful for the freedom of uber-flexibility. So I’ve found them useful, and think they have some suggestions worth considering.
BUT… I’ve also seen some parents just push their child into this mold and I can’t stand the “robot” effect it has on this little person, not to mention the expectation that my free-spirit of a child should also be a robot (I’m grateful for my daughter’s strong will, thank you. I refuse to squash it, but I do aim to channel it towards God).
I also don’t like the emphasis on “inherent sin” which results from the doctrine of the Depravity of Man. Yes, it’s true to an extent, but frankly I’d prefer (and I think Jesus extended this grace to us) to remember what it was like to be a kid and then deal with my child in an understanding manner, using both grace AND truth. And, speaking for myself, this is working wonders for our relationship. 😉
Ooh, reading lists! In reference to the original post, I have to say that honestly can’t get much out of how-to books. I get fed up and bored about halfway through, toss them aside and go hunting for something more appetising. The only remotely “how to” type of book I have worked my way through with any kind of enjoyment would have to be the Bible.
I also find that most of my non-fiction reading as of late is done for research purposes as I try to muddle my way through two novels I am working on, and even when I read non-fiction for pleasure it tends to be done in batches of articles, rather than in book format. I have, though, recently begun to read one book (Temples, Tombs and Hieroglyphs by Dr Barbara Mertz, who also writes as Elizabeth Peters and has a deliciously engaging, conversational tone) in addition to working my way through series of articles on the Medieval use of hunting and companion dogs.
For fiction I’ve read recently (all of these happen to be re-reads):
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Vet in Harness by James Herriot
Busman’s Honeymoon by Dorothy Sayers
A Presumption of Death by Jill Paton Walsh and Dorothy Sayers
He Shall Thunder in the Sky by Elizabeth Peters
The Horse and His Boy by CS Lewis (so much more than a re-read. I long ago lost track of the number of times I’ve read this one)
Aside from the owner’s manual to a new camera,
Katherine Hepburn’s “Me”.
I’ll delurk for book talk any day! In my current book line-up (*currently reading):
*Poor Miss Finch (Wilkie Collins)
*Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (Jeff Kinney)
Cold Tangerines (Shauna Niequist)
Evil Under the Sun (Agatha Christie)
The Tenth Gift (Jane Johnson)
Wounded (Claudia Mair Burney)
America’s Hidden History: Untold Tales of the First Pilgrims, Fighting Women, and Forgotten Founders Who Shaped a Nation (Kenneth Davis)
I’m still on my library’s hold lists for Eclipse and Breaking Dawn.
I wouldn’t put too much stock in a reading list, as it’s only a snapshot in time. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the person only reads one type of book or never reads theology, fiction, or anything else. Mine is rather light on anything except fiction now, but I’ve read a lot of theology and other nonfiction books this year. I read what I’m in the mood for (and what I receive for review), and my reading preferences tend to change throughout the year. The Agatha Christie book is actually for a LOST reading challenge I’m doing, which involves reading 5 titles from among the many literary references made on the show, including Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead, which I’ve always meant to read.
It’s been a slow month for me book-wise. Usually I end up reading 2-5 books a week, but I’ve been too tired lately. Here are the latest ones I’ve read and a few waiting in the wings:
Reimagining Church by Frank Viola
From This Moment On by Lynn Kurland
Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright
Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Out of Time by Samantha Graves
I don’t read very much Christian fiction lately. It just seems a little too formulaic most of the time. But I really like the Firebird trilogy by Kathy Tyers.
Cristi
I don’t have much time for reading with homeschooling, but I should probably make more time for it after seeing all of your reading lists!
I did order curriculum from Sonlight, so in a few weeks, the kids and I will be doing more.
Right now, these are what I am reading:
Understanding Pupose by Carolyn Custis James
Grace Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel
Systematic Theology by Louis Berkhof
The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis (a read-aloud to the kids)
From Comment 29, Rebecca – I see you are re-reading Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” – I have been curious to see when that book might come up in this whole discussion on hyper-patriarchy! I loved that book, read it senior year of high school in English class (what WERE they thinking?).
I guess I’m weird, but I’m a one-book-at-a-time kind of girl. I’m also totally non-fiction. Most recent finished book was MARCO POLO by Laurence Bergreen. Wonderful book. My goal this year has been to buy zero books, using only library and the stash in our house … my husband has his masters in history, so that’s quite a stash! Working through DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA by de Tocqueville right now.
Just been on holiday to Bavaria, so caught up on a lot:
Various biographies of mad King Ludwig of Bavaria
Pride and Prejudice (for the nth time)
Persuasion (for the nth time)
Breaking Dawn
The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam (Edward Fitzgerald’s sometimes inaccurate but beautiful translation)
Terry Pratchett’s “The Truth”
A brilliant biography of Henry IV – one of the best biographies I’ve read
A biography of Elizabeth 1st’s spymaster, Walsingham.
‘Shakespeare’ by Bill Bryson – a bit lightweight
The Crossing of Ingo – children’s ecological fantasy
Pilgrim’s Progress – I love the allegory of this and am going to re-read Bunyan’s ‘The Holy War’ and ‘The Life and Death of Mr Badman’ again, just for fun
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline l’Engle – bought it in German as I remember most of it in English, didn’t have an English copy with me, and wanted to improve my German while on holiday. Manged to pick up a lot more vocab.
The Seven Basic Plots – cannot recommend this one too highly for anyone who is interested in stories or the history of stories – it’s really complex and difficult but excellent
Not sure what I’ll read next but am going back to school in a week, so probably some educational tome or other. May re-read The Pilgrim’s Regress by CS Lewis to compare it with the original Pilgrim’s Progress. It’s always stuck in my mind for its description of a death relieved ‘neither by Christian hope, nor pagan fortitude . . .’
A Wrinkle In Time – I had forgotten about that one. That’s an awesome book!
Jennifer,
I finally got to the library and found the name of the writer of the book “Singer”
It’s Jean Thesman.
Sorry it took so long. I fully intended to get back to this sooner.
But I’m glad I got back to this thread. I see that there were more additions since the last time I was here.
Oh, no problem Mara! Thank you so much 🙂
I love the L’Engle quartet.
Unfortunately for my right hemisphere, I am caught up in my academics and have no time to pursue reading for pleasure.
Debra – As a kid, I loved the Madeleine L’Engle books. Wondrously creative. My sister and I even named ourselves some fun long names. My sister’s name was Megatron Locorice Prognisokis Zelpha-Seuss Gelina. As a L’Engle fan, you may recognize a couple of those names (as well as Zelpha Keatley Snyder and Dr. Seuss). BTW: My name was Herschel Ivanovich Chevy Castro Gelina and my best friend’s name was Horatio Bonaparte D’Vinchi Camaro Bartholemew Martin.