Spring has arrived in Indiana, and I am loving it! Spring has always been my favorite season, and this year I’m delighting in discovering flowers and their simple beauty as I walk on campus or in our neighborhood. Maybe spring is my favorite because it starts days before my birthday. Daffodils were my birthday flower, so it is delightful to walk by this patch of beauties when I arrive on campus each day this week.
For me, a quick walk around the block when I arrive at work, helps me break between the morning and other thoughts and transition to thinking about my students. I often spend that time praying and asking God to be part of that part of my day. I miss this ten minute transition in the winter when it gets to cold to do this little transition. Do you have something similar that you do during your day?
This picture of our pooch about sums up my time at home right now. It is time to be in the sunshine after another long Indiana winter filled with grey skies and cold. Our puppy has decided she is a solar energy collector and is spending extra time on the patio, especially when one of us is out there reading. This last weekend, our 17 -year-old son was in the chair next to her reading Pride and Prejudice. He was flying through it, and it was such fun to talk about the characters and the other classics he wants to read. He’s determined to read good books. As an author, those words are music to my ears.
My ten-year-old and I are almost through the Little House on the Prairie series on audio. The Long, Hard Winter definitely gave us some perspective as we listened to it while we had a foot of snow. Yesterday morning, Laura and Almanzo got engaged. I definitely need recommendations on the next classic series we should listen to together. Be sure to give me recommendations below!
Yesterday my copy of Hope Between the Pages arrived, and I can’t wait to inhale it this weekend. The Biltmore is one of my favorite places to visit in North Carolina, and Pepper Basham is one of my favorite writer friends. We talked about this novel in the March 30 Book Talk, and I preordered it that night. Let’s just say I love split-time novels, and she had me at Biltmore.
Speaking of Book Talks, mark your calendar now to join me on May 4th, when Robin Lee Hatcher is my guest. I’ve had such fun chatting with all my writing friends, including many of the ladies here, including Becky Wade and Deborah Raney. If you click here and say you’re interested in attending, Facebook should send you reminders to pop over. My assistant and I are also working on turning these into a podcast, so even more ways to listen in.
I just finished a stack of romantic suspense, so I’m definitely looking forward to a but of historical fiction. I would love to know how spring is starting for you. What books are you reading or looking forward to right now? Any recommendations about what I should add to my to-be-read pile?
Latest posts by Cara Putman (see all)
- What’s pulling you down? - May 8, 2025
- The Accused Launches and Giveaway - April 24, 2025
- Exploring Barcelona, Bookish News, and Link to a Giveaway - April 10, 2025
I would recommend “These is My Words” by Nancy E Turner. It is based on memoirs by her ancestor in the late 1800’s. It made me laugh and cry and the insights in the book still fill my thoughts. I am on the waiting list for the next book in the series.
That sounds fascinating!
And for your daughter, I would recommend “The Scarlet Pimpernel”, read on LibriVox by Karen Savage. Our girls absolutely loved those stories and Ms. Savage’s accent.
Oh! That’s a great suggestion. I’ll pass it along.
I’m reading Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter right now, and I looking forward to read To the Moon and Back by Karen Kingsbury 💛 This will be my next read 😊
Oh, Pollyanna would be a great one to listen to with my 10-year-old!
I love spring! I spend each afternoon writing outside. 🙂
I’m looking forward to doing the same soon!
Have you read the Anne of Green Gables series?
They were my favorite in Jr. high.
Glad you are reading the classics with your family.
For You:
The Lost Lieutenant by Erica. Vetsch first in a series of three.
Our Darkest Night by Jennifer Robson and The Gown by the Same author
Your Daughter:
Betsy and Tracy series by Maud Hart Lovelace
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Bank
has she read Beverly Cleary
When she’s a little older elswyth Thane Williamsburg series you may enjoy them now
Tryst by Thane as well
I want to second the recommendation for the Anne of Green Gables series. If you’re doing audio, I think the versions narrated by Barbara Caruso are the best!! She also narrates Little Women.
If your daughter hasn’t already read the American Girls books, I found that my students learned some history when reading through the various time periods. The Boxcar Children may be too young for your daughter. Has she read all the Beverly Cleary books about Ramona and Beezus, Ellen Tebbits, Henry Huggins, Otis Spofford, Ribsy, Ralph S. Mouse, etc.? Judy Blume has some series that are good.
Misty of Chincoteague and all the related books are excellent. The Anne of Green Gables books are great too.
I believe you and your daughter would enjoy the Love Comes Softly series by Janette Oke.