After seeing several blog posts titled “Books I Read in 2009,” I tried to think back with my post-baby muddled memory what books I read in 2009. From January 1 through Benjamin’s birth on February 8th I read nothing. Really. NOTHING. I watched many a miniseries and listened to Harry Potter audiobooks. After the birth, I didn’t do much better.
This is the sorry, pathetic, shamefully short list of books I read and finished this year:
- Flannery O’Connor and the Christ-Haunted South by Ralph C. Wood
- Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
- Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
- Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
- New Monasticism: What It Has to Say to Today’s Church by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove
Five books? Five measly books? That’s all I could finish? I spent some time telling myself what a slothful wretch I am. Then I remembered…I’ve read THOUSANDS of books this year! They just happen to be mostly board books read repeatedly hour after hour. That’s right, I have a baby (toddler?) and we read books like Moo, Baa, La La La over and over for hours each day. I am not an intellectual failure! Just mother to a small child! Benjamin’s first word (other than mama and dada) was “book.” He looks at books all the time, turning the pages, babbling. Then he picks one out and carries/toddles it over to me and plops into my lap so that I can read it. He’s hooked! Success! Interested in our 2009 Reading List?
- Moo, Baa, La La La read approximately 587 times
- The Tale of Peter Rabbit (426 times)
- Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs! (489 times)
- That’s When I’m Happy (978 times)
- The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear (675 times)
- Barnyard Dance (with motions, 566 times)
- It’s Pajama Time! (955 times)
- Goodnight Moon (434 times)
- My First Farm Board Book (1008 times)
- My First Dinosaur Board Book (789 times)
- Touch and Feel Baby Animals (899 times)
- The Amazing Alphabet Book (binding eaten during the arrival of tooth number 4, 964 times)
There are many more, but you get the idea. I’ve read a lot of books this year while my little boy sits in my lap and turns the pages for me. Do I gaze longingly at the stacks of books I’m dying to read while I follow my toddling son around, trying and failing to keep him from putting everything from old cheerios to leaves in his mouth? Yes. But snuggling up with Benjamin and his papa to read him bedtime stories as he contentedly rests his little head on my chest more than makes up for it. We are graduating to non-board books now. Let the fun begin! Any suggestions on must-have children’s books? We are acquiring quite the library and I love it.
This one is from last summer, but seriously, how cute?
My Dear Daughter,
The photo is seriously cute. I thoroughly enjoyed this new blog update! It reminded me of my own years as a young mother. Continue the habit of reading aloud, long after your children can read for themselves.
I loved “Caps for Sale,” “The Little Engine That Could.” I think you can find the book, “The Read-Aloud Handbook” which provides recommended lists for every age.
“Richer than I you can never be for I had a mother who read to me.” ~Erasmus
We have Caps for Sale but not The Little Engine That Could. I’m sure I can find that one at a used bookstore.
I have told several moms this story today. They all laughed heartily (and sympathetically). It’s amazing you got through even five books on your own, what with a baby and a full-time job. Remember, I have no professional life. It frees me up for all kinds of reading 🙂
I’d love to get your list of favorite children’s books. Email me a list when you have the time!