Stark book list of 2022
For a number of reasons, 2022 was a year where the Stark family has renewed our collective fervor for reading books. More reading together on our daily “couch time”, more learning how to read with both Ransom and Gideon, more obsessive demands to read the same book from Shepherd, and a more deliberate night time reading routine for me. All of it has been a wonderful experience that has brought our family together, and encouraged each of us to grow in some very cool ways.
For any of you who may be curious about what books we have enjoyed the most this year, here is an abbreviated list, starting with my “grown-up” reading, our family chapter books, then some of our favorite picture books.
Kevin’s grown-up list
“Read Aloud Family”
By Sarah Mackenzie
The main message of this book is simple: “Read aloud with your family, and you will have fun and grow together!” I read this book as a kind of personal pump-up session in anticipation of the new homeschool year. We have really enjoyed our daily “couch time” reading aloud together. I am hoping that maintaining our couch time rhythm will provide stability during our transitions to and from the US.
“Prayer”
By Timothy Keller
Keller spends a good deal of time in this book talking about what a privilege it is to be able to approach God “in the name of Jesus”. There is a special and unearned degree of access, power, and intimacy that comes from the grace of Jesus. This book builds up a case for what prayer is, why we do it, how Jesus tells us to pray, and how theologians have encouraged people to approach prayer. It has certainly challenged the way that I approach God in my prayers, and I am more eager and grateful to pray as a result of it.
“Dune”
By Frank Herbert
We are not immune to Hollywood hype out here in Kenya. I gave the audiobook of Dune a listen, thinking that it probably wasn’t for me. I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it all the way through, even with all its slow-burn mixed with ridiculous narrative shifts and tone-changes. I still haven’t seen the movie. Perhaps that will have to go on the US home assignment to-do list.
Chapter Books with the Kids
“The World According to Humphrey”
By Betty G. Birney
Both of my older boys were constantly asking me to read more of this book. A classroom pet spends his days hatching “Plans” to get soften the hearts of his classmates and increase understanding between the different kids and their teacher. Fun character, and nice little lessons along the way.
“Cat Kid Comic Club”
By Dav Pilkey
My brother sent the first 3 books from this series to us when my parents came out to visit us. A bunch of cartoon frogs get together to form a club where they brainstorm and start creating silly comic books together. My boys have been obsessed with these books and all the silly different comic books ideas the characters are creating. Whenever Ransom has his own individual reading times, he goes to these books first.
Mercy Watson Series
By Kate DiCamillo
One of the other missionary families in our compound recently let us borrow this whole series and the entire family (including Moselle) has looked for moments and reasons to sit and read these together. All stories about about the “porcine wonder” Mercy, the pig, her adoring owners, and her not-so-adoring neighbor. Quick and easy, each “chapter book” takes about 30 minutes to read.
Picture books:
“Super Happy Magic Forest: Slug of Doom”
By Matty Long
I found this in a bargain bin in a grocery store in Nairobi and Shepherd spent the month of August wanting to read nothing else. He has the whole book memorized, and it is charming enough that we still are willing to read it, most of the time. Shepherd’s favorite line to quote from this one is “Wheeeeeere’s Trevor?!” We would love this book for those memories alone.
“Little Bear’s Big House”
By Benjamin Chaud
I took this book out from the library a little before we left for Kenya. The next week I went back to the library and said “I am not returning this book. My kids love it too much. How much do we need to pay for it?” We worked something out in the end, and I am glad we still have it. The illustrations are so fun and imaginative, each of our 3 older boys have spent many hours just looking at it and asking “What’s your favorite monster today?”
“Charlie Parker Played Be Bop”
by Chris Raschka
Still reigning as my favorite picture book to read aloud, both at home and in story-time settings. I also love making other people read it to my kids, too. Great artwork, filled with splashy, jazzy onomatopoeias. It’s a crowd pleaser, for sure.
There are tons of honorable mentions that I can throw your way if interested. I may write about others in other formats later. But these standouts have made 2022 a great year for reading at the Stark house.
Bonus: Moselle’s Reading List
Te Linde's “Operative Gynecology”
With the residency starting this year, I have found myself being drawn back to going through all the basics again, which has been very refreshing. This has been a great book for me to work my way through / reference for the residents. It has great images and explanations, a balance of succinct and thorough. Not for everyone, obviously, but I have enjoyed it.
“Unstacking Your Grief Tower”
by Lauren Wells
Honestly, I am only halfway through this book, but I am hoping to finish it on maternity leave here in Kenya. It has been good for me to reflect on my own childhood memories/experiences as a TCK, amid raising TCKs. This book is well balanced- addressing both the good and the bad of being raised in another culture. The author is also really practical about how to direct your thoughts and feelings in a healthy manner that I deeply appreciate.