Fiction
A Tale of Friendship and Redemption
‘The Kite Runner’ By Khaled HosseiniOriginally published in 2003, this emotionally deep novel immerses readers in a country in chaos and a friendship strained by class divides and a guilty conscience. Amir and Hassan are torn apart by an act of childhood violence that haunts both of them for decades.
Friends, Faith, and Family
‘The Chosen’ By Chaim PotokSet in 1940s Brooklyn, this novel offers a banquet of themes: father-and-son relationships, boys’ coming of age, Jewish history and customs, the impact of the Holocaust, and the birth of Israel. Two friends are sometimes at odds with each other: secular Jew Reuven Malter and Danny Saunders, the son of a Hasidic rebbe. In their journey to manhood, they face their families’ love and strife as they forge their outlooks on world-changing events that will mark them for life. This is a highly recommended read.
History
War Through the Ages
‘The Shape of Battle: The Art of War: From the Battle of Hastings to D-Day and Beyond’ By Allan MallinsonThis book examines six battles that shaped British and world history. All six, each described in a stand-alone section, focus on Britain’s fighting forces: Hastings in 1066, Towton in 1461, Waterloo in 1815, Sword Beach in 1944, Imjin River in 1951, and Helmand in 2009. Mallinson proves to be a marvelous guide to all six battles, describing each period in clear language. His descriptions of the battles are also easily understandable, even by those unfamiliar with the tactics and weapons used.
Biography
The Man Behind Neiman Marcus
‘Stanley Marcus: The Relentless Reign of a Merchant Prince’ By Thomas E. AlexanderNeiman Marcus is Texas’s signature department store and the first place where Texas and high fashion converged. This is a biography of the man who turned Neiman Marcus into the aristocrat of department stores. Insider Alexander, who was with the company for nearly 20 years, presents an entertaining and informative look at the history of a highly respected luxury store and the life of the colorful man most responsible for its greatness.
Education
An Alternative to Today’s Education System
‘Battle for the American Mind: Uprooting a Century of Miseducation’ By Pete Hegseth with David GoodwinOver the decades, progressives have steadily and successfully taken over the nation’s public education system, from classrooms to school boards. The authors say that parents can radically reorient their children’s learning. Classical Christian teachings, rooted in virtue, faith, and excellence, can be our hope for future generations.
Classics
Good Verse Never Grows Old
‘150 Most Famous Poems: Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, William Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, Walt Whitman, and Many More’ Collected by Poetry HouseFor some people, reading this collection will be like stepping into a party attended by old friends. For others, those less familiar with poetry, these works may be strangers on first acquaintance but will quickly win the reader’s admiration and affection. Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken,” John Masefield’s “Sea Fever,” Ella Wheeler Wilcox’s “Solitude,” and Emily Dickinson’s “I’m nobody. Who are you?” are just a few samples from this treasury of delights. This is a great book for family read-alouds or for solitary pleasures.
For Kids
Mystery in the Wilderness
‘Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving’ By Eric MetaxasAfter making landfall far off-course, the Pilgrims survive with the help of Squanto, a Native American and former slave who speaks English and was taught Christianity. Was this a string of coincidences or a true miracle from God? This book is for those aged 5 to 10.
A Delightful Classic
‘The Trumpet of the Swan’By E.B. White
In this beautifully written story, Louis the trumpeter swan can’t make a sound. He doesn’t let that hold him back, however. Packed with humor and solid character values, this is a delightful story and a great option for developing readers.
