As more time passes in this short life, I have come to appreciate this time of year more and more. There is more time for reading, planning, learning, and conversations. One of my favorite things to do this time of year is to grab a good book and snuggle up with the little ones on the couch in our cozy, warm farm house, that is heated by the work of our hands and was transformed by many people working together. I also enjoy being able to look out our big picture window at the cold and unpleasant Nebraska weather and know that I have a little more time before heading out for chores. I have come to love teaching, learning, and growing, and we have observed that the best and easiest way to do that is to read widely. Because our lives are so busy, I am intentional about setting times to read with our kids. We read after breakfast, lunch, and supper. We bring books along when we travel (which isn’t too often). I read to everyone on the way to church every Sunday, and our kids love to read on their own (sometimes too much). I have so many books that I love, and that have transformed my life and health, but here are my five recommended reads this winter.

Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Dr. Weston Price

This book was written by a dentist by the name of Dr. Weston Price, after visiting people groups untouched by modern foods with extraordinary health. His journey started in 1931 after he learned about these people groups from his nephew that was working for National Geographic. His nephew was amazed by the straight teeth and amazing vitality of people groups untouched by modern food and knew Dr. Price was concerned about the increase in crooked and unhealthy teeth in America. Dr. Price accumulated more data than any researcher of his time. The book was a little tough to get through at times, but I was glad I made it through when I was done, and that I didn’t skip anything like I was tempted to do at times. This book really opened my eyes and accelerated my healing journey, and while we still have work to do, I am seeing faster improvements in a few health struggles we couldn’t seem to completely resolve, along with lessened food allergies. I don’t agree with his evolutionary perspective at the end, but I was able to overlook that and enjoyed the knowledge he had to share.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

This was a powerful book in helping me to get my mind more focused and organized and was just in time for our insanely busy summer of 2021. I look forward to adding these practices and getting even more focused, because I have a lot of work to do in this area!

Secrets of the Heart by Alena Mentink

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and found myself having a really hard time putting it down. As one of my friends put it, “You feel like you have made friends with the characters.” It’s wonderful to have a clean, family friendly book with wisdom and a great story that makes you feel good after reading. I don’t have that, “I shouldn’t have read that,” feeling in the pit of my stomach when I read this book. In full disclosure this is my daughter’s book, and I’m reading it for the second time with my little ones and they are loving it! They beg me to read one more chapter each time we finish one!

Folks This Aint Normal

We read this book as a family and thoroughly enjoyed it. I highly recommend it, and because I couldn’t say this better myself I am adding this quote. “From farmer Joel Salatin’s point of view, life in the 21st century just ain’t normal. In FOLKS, THIS AIN’T NORMAL, he discusses how far removed we are from the simple, sustainable joy that comes from living close to the land and the people we love. Salatin has many thoughts on what normal is and shares practical and philosophical ideas for changing our lives in small ways that have big impact.

Salatin, hailed by the New York Times as “Virginia’s most multifaceted agrarian since Thomas Jefferson [and] the high priest of the pasture” and profiled in the Academy Award nominated documentary Food, Inc. and the bestselling book The Omnivore’s Dilemma, understands what food should be: Wholesome, seasonal, raised naturally, procured locally, prepared lovingly, and eaten with a profound reverence for the circle of life. And his message doesn’t stop there. From child-rearing, to creating quality family time, to respecting the environment, Salatin writes with a wicked sense of humor and true storyteller’s knack for the revealing anecdote.

Salatin’s crucial message and distinctive voice–practical, provocative, scientific, and down-home philosophical in equal measure–make FOLKS, THIS AIN’T NORMAL a must-read book.”

The Bible

My last, but most important recommendation is the Bible. This life transforming book has changed us in so many ways thanks to Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit. It’s often the only book I get read in my personal reading in the summer and fall. My husband and I both agree that if we don’t have time to read the Bible to our kids and by ourselves, then we are too busy and something else needs to go.

Have you read any of these books? We love to hear from you!!