Thursday, August 17, 2006

Choosing Books

I have seen it recommended (don't remember where exactly) that parents require children at the library to select at least one book from three different categories: fiction, a science/math, and a history/biography.

It seems like a sensible plan. So sensible, that I'm thinking about applying it myself. I used to be almost exclusively a fiction reader, then I went on a binge of political philosophy for years, then more recently I've been more into books on education and brain development. Keeping a balance on hand will be much better.

Plus, my brain feels like it's about to rot because we still don't have the bookcases shimmed and thus are books are still all in inaccessible boxes. One can only read What Will You Wear, Jesse Bear? so many times before one begins to long for something more substantial. (Unless, of course, one is two.)

I think I'll add a maternal category, though, of a book on education or home management. And of course there's no rule that you have to stop at one.

So, my new hold list will have:

Fiction:
Piccadilly Jim, by P. G. Wodehouse (I'm guest suggesting for September over at Bookfest 2006.)

History/Biography:
The Creators, by Daniel Boorstin
Temples, Tombs, and Hieroglyphics, by Barbara Metz.

Science/Math:
The Number Devil, by Hans Magnus Enzensberger (I keep seeing people refer to this one.)

Maternal Stuff:
Feeding the Whole Family, Cynthia Lair
First Art: Art Experiences for Toddlers and Twos, Mary Ann Kohl

Oh, yes, and we have some more Jesse Bear books on hold, too.

4 comments:

the Joneses said...

Note: Unwanted Golden books make great shims.

--DJ

Carrie said...

Hmmm that's an interesting idea. I MAY do the same. Although I still prefer to go on whims-of-the-moment when selecting books.

Rachelle said...

The Creators is awesome. Make sure you also read Boorstins, "The Discovers" (science) and "The Seekers" (philosophy).-rlr

Queen of Carrots said...

DJ--LOL!