Come and See by Jonathan Pennington

Most of us know the way to know God is in the pages of his Word. Our difficulty is in making sense of it. Most study methods are either too academic or too complicated. This book uses three fictitious friends on a road trip and their different approaches to the journey as an analogy for the various ways of journeying through the Bible: informational, theological, or transformational. You may have heard these perspectives as observation, interpretation, and application. This book puts into words the need to learn the Bible from all three perspectives and will inspire you to stay on the road to greater understanding of the Bible and its author.

On the Incarnation by Saint Athanasius

This is a short and perfectly understandable Christian
classic by one of the fathers of our faith. It is difficult to imagine not knowing that God became man without losing his deity. That is because this hero of the Christian world took the time to explain this. He wrote it in a critical point in history when the deity of Christ was being challenged, which is why it is therefore most relevant for us today.

Delighting in the Trinity
The Trinity: a fundamental Christina doctrine that is never explicitly mentioned in Scripture, but is found as the foundation of every portion from Old Testament to New Testament. Michael Reeves invites us to ponder our Trinitarian faith, without that understanding we will be missing the key characteristic of God, and how He relates to his people.

The Anxious Generation
News about the alarming epidemic of teen suicide, the dangers to mind and body by use of electronic devices, and the increase of isolation and loneliness has streamed into our awareness, but Haidt, in his usual clear, concise, and logical communication, actually gives concrete explanations for these phenomena. He traces the factors in the past four decades that have led to the consequences we are seeing and offers very practical and feasible and possible ways to correct the current course. The key is allowing children wide and varied experience, independence, and all the things Charlotte Mason suggested were best for the persons we are responsible for.

Are My Kids on Track? by Sissy Goff, David Thomas, and Melissa Trevathan
Please don’t let the title fool you into thinking this book is a checklist or criteria for grading your child’s development. There is no parental guilt in these pages. Rather, the authors look at the emotional, social, and spiritual development of born persons and give general guidelines for age-appropriate skills in these areas, along with helpful information to guide parents in helping their children develop in each of these areas. This would be a helpful resource alongside the “Mother’s Diary” that CM urged parents to keep.

The Nature Fix by Florence Williams
The profound ways nature soothes our minds and heals our bodies have only been backed by anecdotal evidence—until recently. In this book, Florence Williams takes us on a journey around the world, sharing the current research that indicates the restorative power of the natural world. She reveals how immersing ourselves in nature can bring balance, joy, and a sense of belonging to our hectic lives. It is a good reminder of the great benefits of regular nature study for your sake and that of your children.

God, Technology, and the Christian Life by Tony Reinke
Do not judge a book by its title. This is not a cautionary book, but a fascinating look at technology through the centuries. The author answers how technology fits into God’s plan for men in the world and gives a realistic and healthy perspective of the role of technology in our lives.

Parenting with Hope by Melissa Kruger

If insecurities abound about parenting, they become more intensified as our children become teenagers, especially in today’s cultural climate. In this book Melissa Kruger shares timeless biblical wisdom as well as extremely practical tips for deepening conversation with our teens and helping them navigate their transition to adulthood while standing firm in their faith.

Writing to Learn by William Zinsser
William Zinsser gently guides us through the transformative power of writing as a tool for understanding and discovery. He demonstrates how writing can clarify a student’s thoughts and deepen comprehension across all subjects. Zinsser’s encouraging tone and practical advice inspire confidence in us teachers as we ask our kids to narrate every lesson.

Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard

Besides the exquisitely beautiful language, this is a book to inspire the most hesitant nature explorer. I often have said I went on my first nature walk in the pages of this book and literally saw, heard, and smelled everything along the way. You cannot help but want to join in the beauties of discovering our Father’s world after reading this.

How to Read Nature by Tristan Gooley

“The mother cannot devote herself too much to [nature study] reading…that she may be able to answer their queries and direct their observation…the children will adore her for knowing what they want to know, and who knows but she may give its bent for life to some young mind destined to do great things for the world.” (1/64)

For those of us who hear Miss Mason’s words but don’t know where to even begin, we commend this small and attainable book! Gooley guides us to observe the world around us, giving us ideas for real learning in any environment.

Slow Birding by Joan E. Strassmann
In this book, Joan Strassmann invites us to adopt the quiet art of observing the birds in our own backyard. In each chapter, she weaves scientific research with personal anecdotes to teach about a common bird we are all likely to see. She encourages that through patience and careful observation, we, too, can unlock the hidden stories of the birds that share our environment.

Made for People by Justin Whitmel Earley
Justin Whitmel Earley’s newest book is about the deep, meaningful connections we crave and how to nurture them in our busy lives. While he explores the beauty of community and the importance of intentionality in our interactions, he also offers a wide variety of practical advice on building and maintaining strong relationships. As always, Earley writes with warmth and understanding about a subject that some of us feel very insecure about.

No Greater Love by Rebecca McLaughlin
In this book, Rebecca McLaughlin argues that Christian Friendship is a vital aspect to us as persons, and is the crucial relationship in our lives. Starting with what Scripture says, she presents a biblical vision for Friendship, rooted in the character of God and how He created persons, culminating in the person of Jesus who “no longer calls us servants, but friends.”

How to Know a Person by David Brooks

Do you find making friends and keeping friends difficult, ever struggle to keep conversations going, or wish you could have deeper
understanding and appreciation of the different personalities of those you meet? This most recent book by a most excellent communicator helps show us the how as well as
the why of human interactions that lead to deeper knowing of those persons around us. There is so much more than the surface information we naturally gather, and rewards of closer connection are possible.