Equal Rites (by Terry Pratchett)

(Amazon UK link)

'Equal Rites' is the third book in the long-running Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. It's actually the first one I ever read, about five years ago when I was first introduced to this series which contains a bizarre mixture of humour, fantasy and satirical observation of humanity.

This book is about Esk, a young girl who is given a wizard's staff by mistake. Granny Weatherwax, the elderly witch of the village, disapproves heartily, for Granny has some very traditional views on suitable jobs for women. However, she realises that Esk is destined to become a wizard, despite it being an entirely male domain on the Discworld, so she takes her to the Unseen University...

I like this plot, which makes several good points about equality, with a lot of humour thrown in.

Recommended, whether you're a fan of the series or not. It makes a great introduction, in my view, and is good to read aloud too.

Airs and Graces (by Erica James)

(Amazon UK link)

I hadn't come across Erica James before, but my husband saw some of her books and thought they were my kind of thing, so he gave me a couple for Christmas. I am delighted to have discovered a new author of warm, character-driven stories!

'Airs and Graces' is about a woman called Ellen. She lives alone since her husband deserted her, and has pleasant weekly chats with her friend Hermione.

Then Jo-jo, a pregnant teenager, runs away and enters her life. She considers marrying Duncan, her divorce lawyer, and meets Matthew, Hermione's godson.

The book is fast-moving and enjoyable with sympathetic, believable characters. 

Recommended if you enjoy light modern women's fiction.

(You can read a longer review of Airs and Graces here, written after I re-read this book eight and a half years later)

Home educating with confidence (by Rick and Marilyn Boyer)

(Amazon UK link)

As one who was fairly new to home education, I was eager to read as many different books of advice and personal accounts as I could. This one is an American book, but home education ('homeschooling') has been popular there for rather longer than it has in the UK. I thought the reviews and also the title ('Home Educating with Confidence') sounded impressive. So I ordered it

It's written by Rick and Marilyn Boyer, who are American parents of twelve. So the subtitle ('How ordinary parents can produce extraordinary children) is somewhat ironic. However desirable, a family of fourteen is not 'ordinary'.

In this book, Rick shares his views on learning and education in this book.

On the positive side, there are some good sections. For instance, the author makes it clear that education is not the same as 'schooling'. He also talks at length about the importance of intrinsic motivation, and of following the children's interests. Nothing really new; I've already picked up on these principles from other books and website, as well as online discussions. But for someone not yet home educating, or just starting out, it's useful basic information.

However, there are also some strange (and sometimes irrelevant) biases in the book. There is, for instance, a strong objection to Christian rock music, and the television in general. These are more than a general recommendation to reduce screen time. 

In conclusion, there's nothing in this that can't be found elsewhere. The American slant as well as the strange biases make this book unhelpful, on the whole, to British home educators. It was quite interesting to read, but I wouldn't particularly recommend it and doubt if I'll read it again.

The Tender Years (by Janette Oke)

(Amazon UK link)

'The Tender Years' is a light historical novel for teenagers, written by the prolific American Christian writer Janette Oke.

Virginia, the granddaughter of Marty (who starred in the 'Love Came Softly' series by the same author) is starting to grow up and discover the temptations of peer pressure.

This story follows her path to understanding and love, a commitment to God and greater responsibility.

The book is complete in itself, although I was glad to have read some of the previous series many years ago, as there were some recognisable minor characters. Apparently it's the first in another series called 'The Prairie Years'.

Recommended in a low-key way; it's light reading that's pleasant and gentle; really intended for teenagers but adults who like this kind of book will probably enjoy it too.

At Home in Mitford (by Jan Karon)

(Amazon UK link)

'At home in Mitford' is a novel by the American Christian writer Jan Karon. I had not heard of her before, but was given this book by a relative at Christmas; he had enjoyed it very much, and thought I would too. He was correct!

This book is the delightful story of 60-year-old Father Tim, an Anglican priest in a small village in the USA, who's feeling a bit unsettled. Through his eyes we get to know his neighbours, and watch him house a scruffy boy. He finds stolen jewels in his church in the course of this book, and also falls in love for the first time...

It took a few chapters to get going, but I thought it a wonderfully relaxing book that painted a believable picture of small-town America. There's nothing particularly thought-provoking or deep in it, but nothing to dislike either.

Definitely recommended for a peaceful weekend's reading.

I wrote a longer review of 'At Home in Mitford' when I re-read it some years later

Educating Children at Home (by Alan Thomas)

(Amazon UK link)

I was going through a phase of reading as much as I could about home education, and there weren't very many books based in the UK. This one by Alan Thomas was recommended on one of the discussion lists I was on, so I bought it.

'Educating Children at Home' is really a summary of lots of research. It contains facts and figures about elective education at home in Britain. There are some useful references too.  Unfortunately I found the whole book rather dry, as I'm not a fan of statistics. It's a book to be dipped into rather than read straight through.

The author is an academic, and the book is not a particularly easy read. It's not intended for people wanting to know how to get started, or how a typical home education day might progress. 

Still, I found it encouraging to see examples of what could be learned by children and teenagers at home, even when no direct teaching takes place. So I would recommended this for anyone who has doubts about the efficacy of home education. Particularly good for those who want facts and figures, such as friends or  relatives who are worried about the long-term effects of home education.