The total for February was 11 books and 5 magazines finished, and 2 books abandoned.
Secrets of the American Revolution
by Tyler Omoth
I picked this up from the library, thinking it was more about spies (see my January reading list). It's not so much about that, but describes less famous people, weapons, and battles from the American Revolution. It was interesting to me because it mentions several people that I had read about in other books: James Otis (from Johnny Tremain), James Armistead (from A Spy Called James), David Bushnell (creator of the submarine "Turtle" featured in Submarines, Secrets, and A Daring Rescue), and General Howe's dog (returned to him by George Washington, mentioned in the Dog Diaries #6 Sweetie).
Spies of the American Revolution
by Elizabeth Raum
From "You Choose Books", this is an interactive book where you can choose to follow the adventures of a member of the Culper Spy ring, or be a spy for the British, or be a slave working as a double agent. 
I'd Rather Be Reading
by Anne Bogel (aka "Modern Mrs. Darcy")
When I first heard of this book, I thought, "Why would I spend my time reading a book about reading rather than actually reading one of the 100+ books on my 'to be read' shelf?" But I finally checked it out of the library and gave it a try. It is a collection of essays about reading and about book lovers. As one friend of mine described, "she totally gets me." I so identified with many of her essays. I filled up 6 pages in my reading journal with quotes from this book. After reading the chapter on "how to Organize Your Bookshelves" describing how there are never enough shelves for all the books, I went to put away a book and found there wasn't room on the shelf where it belongs. Well, one thing led to another and I ended up going through all the shelves in the house, culling (6 paper bags full!) and reorganizing. Now there are actually empty spaces on the shelves... ready for … MORE BOOKS!! (according to my oldest daughter, anyway). I definitely recommend this book for anyone who is a reader.
Timeless Laws of Software Development
by Jerry Fitzpatrick
I was looking for a book to help my teenage son learn how to design a computer program -- to go from an idea in his head, to a design or plan on paper, then to the actual code. This isn't that, and I'm sure it would be way over his head right now. But as a former programmer myself, I could really relate to this book. I enjoyed it, though my eyes did start to glaze over towards the end because he was getting out of my depth and beyond my experience. His "laws" for software development include:- Plan before implementing
- Keep the program small
- Write clearly
- Prevent bugs
- Make the program robust
- Prevent excess coupling
He also discusses different methods of software metrics (how to measure software) and their pros and cons, and some age-old problems such as development vs maintenance, code reviews, and more.
What a Girl Needs From Her Mom
by Cheri Fuller
I got this book several years ago after hearing the author interviewed on the radio by Nancy DeMoss. I started and restarted it several times, but finally pushed myself to finish it. It's e-book on my tablet, which is a little harder for me than a paper copy. I also wanted to write down important points as I read, so that also made it take longer to get through. Since I know Nancy DeMoss to be a Bible teacher with a very strong emphasis on Scripture, I was expecting this book to do the same. While it does speak from a Christian viewpoint and is based on Scriptural principles, it was a bit different from what I was expecting. The author seems to rely mostly on other authorities for her ideas and points -- authors, doctors, psychologists, moms, her own experience, etc. While she does make some helpful and practical advice, I was a bit disappointed that she didn't ground it more on Scripture.
She says a girl needs a mom who:
- bonds and connects with her
- listens with all her heart
- is present & engaged
- helps her navigate the digital world
- encourages and builds her confidence
- helps her learn to manage her emotions
- understands her personality and encourages individuality
- prays for her
- nurtures her faith
- is a good role model
- fosters her learning
- helps her develop character
- helps her develop a healthy body image and femininity
- nurtures her potential and encourages her to dream big.
I did come away with several thoughts to ponder on and put into practice with my daughters.
I expect I will start working on her book about moms and sons (which I've also had for several years and started and restarted several times).
A Dog Named Chips : Adventures of a Mongrel Scamp
by Albert Payson Terhune
A rare book by Albert Payson Terhune that is NOT about a collie. Just as the title says, it's about a mongrel named Chips and his adventures with various owners. There's a sudden, surprise ending that I was not expecting. (But a good and happy one.)
Benjamin Franklin : Young Printer
by Augusta Stevenson
One book in the series "Childhood of Famous Americans". It focuses on Ben Franklin's childhood between the ages of about 7 to 17, describing his love for learning and reading and his struggles to find a trade that would suit him.
Wit and Wisdom from Poor Richard's Almanack
by Benjamin Franklin
A short collection of some of the proverbs published over 25 years in Ben Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack. Some of them were funny, some were puzzling, some made me say, "Hmmm...", and many reflect Biblical principles and proverbs.
The Big Wave
by Pearl S. Buck
Apparently a famous book I'd never read before. The story of 2 boys in Japan who learn to deal with grief after one boy's family and village is destroyed by a tidal wave caused by an earthquake. If I let my kids read it, we would have to make time to discuss how their philosophy and worldview differ from ours and the difference in where we find hope.
Flaming Star
by Nicky Millard
A young gypsy boy finds work and a home at a stable of racehorses. He raises an orphan foal by hand and rides her to a great win in her first race as a two-year-old. But later that night, a fire races through the stable. The horses are chased out of the barn, and the boy is injured and burned. The horse races in panic a long way from home, eventually being rescued by a young girl and her father. They keep her and give her a loving home for several years. When they have to move into the city, they give the horse to a cousin, who is mean and abusive. She is finally rescued by an older man, who then send her off to Ireland to a place that cares for rescue horses. When she arrives, guess who is there to care for her? Her boy, now a man, of course. Short book, sweet and simple story.
Making Thirteen Colonies
by Joy Hakim
This is book 2 in the series "The History of US." It's a succinct story of the US from 1600 - 1740. It is more conversational than a textbook, thus more interesting. I read it quickly, so it gave me a better "big picture" of the events of this time period, pulling together the bits of information I've gleaned from our other history and geography studies this year. I had mixed feelings about the book as I read it, but concluded that overall it is a fairly good book, explaining both sides of issues such as Indians, slavery, and the Puritans. The author recognizes that not all Europeans were evil nor were all Indians good. She describes both good and bad about both. Many books I've read are all for praising one and vilifying the other. So, I do appreciate that this a bit more balanced treatment. A minor quibble: the author sometimes uses past tense and sometimes uses present tense. That is annoying to me. I'd prefer to pick one and stick with it.
Magazines
I have several magazine subscriptions to help me keep up with current events and broaden my horizons a bit.
Abandoned Books
George Washington's Secret Spy War
by John A. Nagy
I thought I would enjoy a more in-depth look at Washington and his spies, from the adult section of the library. But I just couldn't get into this one. There were a lot of names, dates, and places with no maps or timelines. I couldn't keep them all straight. After two and a half chapters, I skipped ahead and read the conclusion, which was basically a summary of the book, without all the details. I decided that was good enough for me and moved on to other books. (One quote from my reading journal gave me the justification for abandoning this book. "Grown-ups shouldn't have to finish books they're not enjoying." -- John Irving)
Patriot Hearts : A Novel of the Founding Mothers
Barbara Hambly
I really tried to like this book. It does present a good picture of the sacrifices made by the men, women, and families during the founding of our nation. But after I got about halfway through, I just couldn't take it anymore. There are a lot of characters to keep up with, many with the same names or multiple names (the "cast of characters" in the back of the book helps some). The most annoying thing was the way the author flips back and forth in time and from one person to another. It was just too much work for my brain to keep it all straight. Also the author seems to assume that the reader is familiar enough with history that a simple mention of a date is sufficient to give the historical context of the next vignette. There is also some language and content that I'd just rather not read -- mostly regarding Thomas Jefferson and his "concubine" Sally Hemings. Too much speculative detail about their time in the bedroom.
