I am asking my children, even the eldest, to read at least ten of the books on their individualized list before August 18, 2008. I will take each child who does so out to eat to the restaurant of his choice, and I will also buy a book for each child who finishes the challenge. This list is for Eldest Daughter, age 22, who graduated from college last year and will be attending graduate school in the fall. She chose several of the books on the list herself.
The Bible. Romans.
The Bible. I Samuel.
Beaumont, Francis. The Knight of the Burning Pestle. Daughter’s choice.
Buber, Martin. I and Thou. Daughter’s choice.
Burkett, Larry. Debt-Free Living. Eldest Daughter says Dave Ramsey is annoying, so I chose an alternate selection on the same subject. I think she’s annoyed with me for saying so, but I also think she could use the reminder and inspiration as she begins to be completely responsible for her personal finances.
Chesterton, G.K. Manalive. June selection for the Biblically Literate Book Club.
Faulkner, William. The Sound and the Fury. Daughter’s choice. I may read this one with her. I’ve always planned to read Faulkner, but I never have.
Janson, Tore. Speak: A Short History of Languages. I may read this one, too.
Kallos, Stephanie. Broken for You.
Kierkegaard, Soren. Works of Love. Daughter’s choice.
McCaughrean, Geraldine. The White Darkness. May selection for Biblically Literate Book Club.
Monroe, Kelly. Finding God at Harvard. July selection for Biblically Literate Book Club.
Nadeau, Jean-Benoit and Julie Barlow. The Story of French. From the authors’ website: “When people think of the ‘French paradox’, they are usually thinking about how the French can eat rich foods and drink great quantities of wine yet somehow remain slim. But there is another French paradox, this one about the language: In spite of the ascendancy of English, French has held on to its influence. Where did this influence come from, and how has French retained it? These are the questions we set out to answer in The Story of French.”
Sartre, Jean-Paul. La nausee. Daughter’s choice.
Schillebeeckx, E. Christ the Sacrament of the Encounter with God. Daughter’s choice.
Smith, Lori. A Walk with Jane Austen. Deb D didn’t care for it at all. Camy thought it was well-written and perfect Jane Austen fans. Anne, Palm Tree Pundit, found a kindred spirit in author Lori Smith. Mindy Withrow interviewed Ms. Smith and reviewed the book favorably. I think Eldest Daughter and I will come down on the pro side.
Four issues of WORLD magazine. The purpose of this particular “assignment” is to help prepare Eldest Daughter to vote in her first presidential election. Does anyone else have any other reading suggestions for me and my three eligible young adult voters?
Great list and what an encouragement.
In regards to A Walk with Jane Austen: at book club we wondered if we were not the intended readership for this book (middled aged, married women). I’ve wondered if my two oldest daughters would enjoy this book too.
Kelly Monroe Kullberg and I go to the same church.
I read The Sound and the Fury as a sophomore in college and it blew my mind. It’s a tough read if you don’t get what’s going on, but once you find the cadence of it, it’s a wonderful read. (If you want to discuss it sometime over the summer, let me know.)
Instead of the Burkett book, I much prefer Randy Alcorn’s Money, Possesions & Eternity. It lives more in theory than step-by-step how-tos, though, so it may not be what you’re looking for.