In Surprised by Joy, C. S. Lewis recollects his childhood surrounded by books. Like his parents, he became an obsessive reader. And where that led is well-known. I also am a product of books, parents who read, who read to me, and who from childhood, became an obsessive reader. This was a constant tension in… Read More A Library Tale

I love everything about summer, even the heat, but especially the perfectly acceptable excuse to read. Here’s my last short list of goodies in case the previous lists have been depleted or didn’t suit anyone. That is the marvelous thing about books – there are so many kinds that something eventually does suit. Summer books… Read More Even More Summer Reading Suggestions

I have many memories from the first year our library was open (2006), one of which was an exuberant little girl bolting out of her family’s van and bounding down the steps to burst into the library announcing, “I’m here for my friend Flicka!” I remembered that book title on my own school bookshelf long… Read More More Summer Reading Suggestions

It’s time to prepare for the Summer Reading Season. I recall my babysitter reading Trixie Belden mysteries to my sister and me by the barrelful, as many as she had voice left to read. We were nine and eleven, living in a little blue bungalow with a big porch, its wicker furniture just perfect for… Read More Summer Reading Suggestions

Reading is an old habit that has fallen out of fashion. I passionately adore the habit and probably have nothing new to say that you haven’t heard me say before on the subject. I am often amused that we  revere old things and also despise anything old. Consider our fascination with ancient architecture and archaeology.… Read More Reading Habit Tips

I wonder how many times in a day we say that four-letter word: hard? It’s hard to get out of bed, hard to get the children to the schoolwork on time, hard to think of what to have for dinner, hard to wait for spring…or anything for which we must wait for that matter. There… Read More Hard is Not Bad

If you are easygoing and never give a thought to tomorrow, have no concerns for the future, never awaken at night in panic at the demands facing you with the coming day, and have never been in near despair about the number of deadlines ahead—this note is not for you. But, for the 95% of… Read More My New Year’s Resolution

Advent is fast approaching and we are getting ready in the Kiser house! While my husband and I both share a love for the Church Calendar, we don’t keep Advent exactly like the church historical, so we set up our tree the day after Thanksgiving and the season is quite festive. We do, however, try… Read More Advent Books

Next week is Thanksgiving. Our immediate family, four generations (30 individuals), will gather and every family will bring more than one dish. It will be a fabulous feast. In the next six weeks this same family will celebrate four birthdays and three more Christian holidays. We feast at all of them. In between those family… Read More ‘Tis the Season

Since confession is good, I will start with mine. Just to be clear, I never want anyone who hears or reads what I say to think I have personally and thoroughly accomplished the things I encourage others to work at. This word of encouragement today, as a matter of fact, is about “accomplishing” things. The… Read More The Delight of ‘Hanging in There’