More Reading - April thru June, 2010

Here are the books I've read for the 2nd quarter of the year.

34. The Last Days of Socrates by Plato (Penguin Classic translation)
35. Whatever Happened to Penny Candy by Richard Maybury
36. Whatever Happened to Justice by Richard Maybury
37. PACE – 12 Minute Fitness Revolution by Al Sears
38. Life Under the Taliban by Gail B. Stewart
39. Kiss the Dust by Elizabeth Laird
40. Capitalism for Kids by Karl Hess
41. The Aeneid for Boys and Girls by Alfred Church
42. Ancient Rome: How it Affects You Today by Richard Maybury
43. Good Life, Good Death by Gehlek Rimpoche
44. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
45. The Faith Club by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver & PriscillaWarner
46. Search of the Moon King’s Daughter by Linda Holeman
47. Are You Liberal? Conservative? Confused? By Richard Maybury
48. The Core – Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical Education by Leigh A. Bortins

My take on economics-

The Maybury books are fascinating. I found them while searching for an economics program for Alex. They are written from a Common Law viewpoint, and I must admit I am intrigued. Two rules:
1. Do all you say you will do; and 2. Do not encroach on other persons or their property.

If we followed those in our daily life and beyond think how many senseless laws and rules and taxes could be done away with! And remember, I'm not conservative - I love taxes!!! (Not really...)

And speaking of economics program - it is very hard to find one without bias. I think the courses taught through on-line "school" programs like Johns Hopkins and Northwestern are very one-sided and VERY confusing. Many of the homeschool economic courses are super conservative. I just want a "down to the basics" study. Any suggestions? I will probably use an interesting book I found called "Agenda for a New Economy: From Phantom Wealth to Real Wealth" by David Korten. We saw Korten at the Green Fest, and I think a lot of what he says about keeping things local makes sense. I also like how he disses the whole derivatives wave, of which I was a part during my Arthur Andersen days. (They're FAKE - no wonder I never understood them!) Anyway, I guess I need to create my own economics program - and maybe sell it on the internet to other discerning homeschoolers, thus creating my own "local" economy!

My take on happiness-

"Good Life, Good Death" is a great book for many things. It is a book that discusses the idea of reincarnation and living life while contemplating life after death. By discussing weaknesses such as anger, ego, obsession, jealousy and pride it shows how such emotions contribute to tension and unhappiness. One of many amazing quotes - "it's important to make the best use of human life, take the best care of it, and develop as best we can." Pat and Alex met the author while attending a Buddhist-led retreat on compassion. They have both read it as well. It is a book that helps improve attitudes, at least in the short term. This is a book about which I cannot adequately write, but should probably be read repeatedly.

"The Happiness Project". I actually found this book while searching for another book - "Happiness and Education". I have not yet finished the latter and must say the former was rather a waste of time. One area did particularily stand out for me though. The author loves what she calls kid-lit. Books written for youth and young adults. Like "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" or "Incredible Journey", or even newer ones like "The Thief Lord". And she gives herself permission to read them - guilt-free - and even starts a book club. I too LOVE kid literature. I have since I was, well, a kid. I love the historical fiction the best. I love how they move along quickly, but provide a great insight into past life. And I love the lack of baggage - love gone wrong, addiction problems, swearing - all the things that adult authors seem to think are necessary to sell books. I'm glad to be part of our mother daughter book club, too. Yeah kid-lit!

My take on education-

I always find it good to read books renewing my resolve to home-educate myself and the kids. Amazon kindly "suggested" I would like a new book - "The Core: Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical Education". I bought it, and they were right; I liked it!

I was hooked by page 2 upon reading "Before I embraced the classical model, I felt I was living in the wrong century and with the wrong tribe." I soo feel like this. I want to be back in the middle of history! Back when life meant working really hard at meaningful tasks. And I want to understand the where and why of it. Classical education instills true learning and understanding - not just learning to take a multiple choice test. It is what I wish I had as a kid. (See my detailed post about this.)

So, half a year and 48 books. Can I make it to 100???