• Home
  • About
    • Our Family
    • Our Purpose
    • Our Beliefs
    • Our Christmas Letters
    • Other FAQ’s
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Flanders Family Homelife

Living, Loving, & Learning Together

  • Home
  • Love
    • Respect your Husband
    • Love your Wife
    • Get Along with In-laws
    • Find Time for Intimacy
    • More on Marriage
  • Learn
    • Why Homeschool? Our Family’s Reasons
    • Occupying Toddlers
    • Kindergarten Plan
    • Choosing Curriculum: Cultivate Your Child’s Love for Learning
    • Report Cards
    • High School Transcripts
    • CLEP/ Dual Credit
    • High School Diplomas
  • Parent
    • Tips on Potty Training
    • Stop Sibling Squabbles
    • Chore Assignments
    • Computer TIme
    • Adult Children at Home
  • Eat
    • Breakfasts
    • Breads
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Sides
    • Main DIshes
    • Desserts
  • Celebrate
    • New Year’s
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Easter
    • Summer Vacation
    • Independence Day
    • Back to School
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • Save
    • Kids Eat Free
    • Budgeting Tips
    • Earn Cash Back w/Ebates
  • Read
    • Recent Reads
    • Books We’ve Authored
    • Reading Rewards
    • Free Books!!
  • Travel
    • Vacation Planning
    • We Flew FREE to Europe
    • Sample Itineraries
  • Organize
    • General Tips
    • Goal Setting
    • Mom’s Notebook
    • Kitchen
    • Bedrooms
    • Garage
  • Print
    • Calendars
    • Chore Charts
    • Coloring Pages
    • Math Drills
    • Prayer Guides
    • View All >
  • Subscribe
You are here: Home / Book Reviews / Competing Spectacles (& More Jan. Reads)

in Book Reviews

Competing Spectacles (& More Jan. Reads)

Competing Spectacles (and other January Reads)

I’m woefully behind in sharing reviews of the books I’ve been reading lately. February’s list is all ready to go, but I wanted to share my January reads first. I finished five books in the first five weeks of 2020, including Tony Reinke’s latest offering, Competing Spectacles. Read on for my impressions of each:

  • In His Image by Jen Wilkin

    In His ImageIn His Image is the first book by Jen Wilkin I’ve ever read. It examines ten of God’s most imitation attributes: His holiness, His love, His justice, His goodness, His mercy, His grace, His faithfulness, His patience, His truthfulness, and His wisdom. And it calls us to reflect those attributes to the world around us.

    I love Wilkin’s style of writing — and her scholarship, as well. She treated the subject matter of this book so deftly that I immediately ordered the companion title, None Like Him. Look for a review of that one later this year.

  • Little Britches by Ralph Moody

    Little BritchesLittle Britches is the first in an 8-book biographical series by Ralph Moody. Sterling North says they should be read aloud in every family circle in America. How many times we’ve taken his advice? I’ve lost track.

    This is the first time I’ve read them aloud to my grandchildren, though. The first book follows Ralph’s family to Colorado, where they moved when Ralph was still just a young boy. It details the friends he met, the jobs he worked, and the lessons he learned growing up on a homestead. No sooner had I finished the final chapter than my kids and grandkids were begging me to begin the next book. We highly recommend the whole series.

  • A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

    A Christmas CarolI’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve read A Christmas Carol aloud to my children, too. Either reading the story together or watching a screenplay of the same is a Christmas tradition we rarely miss. We love recounting the midnight visitations of Christmas ghosts upon Ebeneezer Scrooge and the transformation that resulted from those brief encounters.

    For the past few years, we’ve listened to an audio version of the book. I’m afraid the inimitable British actress and our dear friend, Miriam Margolyes, has quite spoiled our family with her expert reading of Dickens’ classic. The voices she gives each beloved character make them instantly spring to life, such that my family is no longer content to listen to me stumble through the reading of the tale myself.

  • Competing Spectacles by Tony Reinke

    Competing SpectaclesIn this slim but timely volume, author Tony Reinke considers the various spectacles that compete for our attention, our time, our lust, and our money. And he calls readers to be intentional about the sorts of things we set before our eyes. He urges us to consider the effect our visual diets have on habits, longings, and desires. And he spurs us to instead focus our attention on the Greater Spectacle of Christ.

    This was another of the free audiobooks I downloaded from christianaudio.com. They offer a new, no-strings-attached freebie every month — all top-notch editions of doctrinally sound and thought-provoking books. Visit their site and start listening today.

  • The Jedera Adventure by Lloyd Alexander

    The Jedera AdventureAfter reading through most of Frank Peretti’s Cooper Kids Adventures last year, my middle-schooler and I tackled a different series in the new year: Lloyd Alexander’s Vesper Holly books. These page-turners provide a great introduction to one of our favorite authors. And the difficulty level is just right for my reluctant reader — challenging enough to improve his reading skills, but not too hard to discourage him.

    And the fact that every chapter ends with some sort of cliff hanger keeps his interest. The story follows the exploits of a brilliant and beautiful orphan, Vesper Holly, as she traipses around the world with her guardian uncle in tow. If you’ve never read any Vesper Holly books before, I recommend you begin with the first in the series, The Illyrian Adventure. It’s been awhile since last I read these titles, so we inadvertently started with one of the latter books.

That’s it for January. I’ll try to get February’s reviews posted in the next week or so. Have you read any good books lately? Tell me about them in the comments below.

Competing Spectacles (and other January Reads)

Related

2 Comments

« I Am the Bread of Life Coloring Page
I AM the Light Coloring Page »

Comments

  1. Kristin Kanagy says

    March 20, 2020 at 7:07 am

    Thank you for your book ideas! I have read Dr. Colbert’s Keto Zone Diet by Don Colbert. He is a Christian doctor and his book is very interesting. It has helped my husband and I to start eating healthier.

    Reply
    • Jennifer Flanders says

      March 21, 2020 at 11:11 am

      Don’t you love it when you find resources that really change your life for better that way? We have lots of friends who stick to a keto diet. That would probably work for my carnivorous husband, but I’m not overly fond of meat, so I think it would be rather tough on me. A vegetarian/vegan diet is more up my ally, which probably explains why I so enjoyed Dr. Michael Gregor’s book How Not to Die.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




meet the parents

Doug & Jennifer Flanders - www.flandersfamily.info

We love Jesus, love each other, love our 12 children, and love the life God's given us. We started this blog as a way to share resources with others who want strong marriages, happy families, & healthy homes.

Read more

connect with us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

looking for something?

freebies in your inbox

Join over 19K other subscribers and get sunshine delivered weekly to your inbox.

Unsure? Browse my newsletter archives to see what you're missing

get your family talking

Table Talk Book

cook gourmet meals at home

HelloFresh delivers great recipes and fresh ingredients to your home each week.

start your day right

make over your mornings

If your mornings don't run as smoothly as you'd like, this course can help. Good for night owls & early birds alike!

join the conversation

  • Jennifer Flanders on Free Printing Practice Sheets
  • EJIEH HOPE on Free Printing Practice Sheets
  • Jennifer Flanders on Best 2022 Reading Rewards Programs for Kids
  • Emily on Best 2022 Reading Rewards Programs for Kids
  • Jennifer Flanders on 2023 Calendars for Advanced Planning
  • Valerie on 2023 Calendars for Advanced Planning
  • Julie on Pretty Printable Scripture Bookmarks
  • Jennifer Flanders on Children are a Blessing Coloring Page

Readers' Favorites

Name that Line - Christmas Movie Game

Name that Line Christmas Quiz

Shares: 32657

How Well Do You Know Your Christmas Carols

How Well Do You Know Your Christmas Carols?

Shares: 27336

Age-Appropriate Children's Chore Chart - IG

Age-Appropriate Chores for Children

Shares: 92699

Make Every Month More Meaningful

Make Every Month More Memorable

Shares: 52583

most popular posts this week

  • 2023 Calendars for Advanced Planning
  • 2022 Calendars (Free Printables)
  • Free Editable High School Transcript Template
  • Number Writing Practice Sheet (Free Printable)
  • Armor of God Coloring Page
  • Homeschool Report Cards
  • Free Printing Practice Sheets
  • Best 2022 Reading Rewards Programs for Kids
  • Baby Shower Word Scramble (Free Printable)
  • One-Year Bible Reading Plan

earn free books and bibles

Tyndale Rewards Club

This is a great program, and it's FREE! Bonus: when you sign up through this link, you get 25 points (& I get 10 -- so, thanks!).

free starter set

Free Starter Set from Grove Collaborativefree starter set from Grove

unleash your child’s creativity

agathon web hoting
Christian Family Blogs
  • Home
  • Faith
  • Family
  • Food
  • Fun
  • Freebies

visit jennifer’s blog

Jennifer Flanders' Blog: Loving Life At Home Loving Life at Home

visit doug’s blog

Doug Flanders' Blog: All Truth Is God's Truth All Truth is God's Truth

privacy policy | disclosure statement

shop our books

25 Ways to Communicate Respect to Your Husband 25 Ways to Show Love to Your Wife
Sit Down & Eat Get Up & Go

thanks for dropping by

Thank you for visiting our website Let's Get Social
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

looking for something?

recommended resources

as seen on:

America Tonight ABC Australia BBC Tyler Morning Telegraph

Doug hired a limo on our wedding day to transport Doug hired a limo on our wedding day to transport us on from the church to our hotel — a limo that maintained a strict “no shoe polish policy.” So I’ve been making up for that unmarked car ride ever since. Ha!  #happilyeverafter #weddinganniversary #thehoneymoonstillisntover #35years #everydaywithyoudearissweeterthanthedaybefore
Do you see those black clouds rolling in? No soone Do you see those black clouds rolling in? No sooner did we get checked into our hotel and suited up to swim than they closed down the attached water park due to the impending storm. #badtiming  Fortunately, the sun was back out early the following morning, and we enjoyed some very short lines to some very long slides for several hours before time to check out.  We had a wonderful time there, but when we later heard our kids recounting their favorite parts of our trip, that water park hotel didn’t even make the list.  Do you know what did? Playing Marco Polo with Mom and Dad at another hotel’s small indoor pool. We couldn’t have spent more than a half hour playing, but it paid big dividends in terms of good memories and grateful hearts.  Which just goes to show that the time parents invest with their children trumps the money they spend on them every time.  That’s because, deep down, kids don’t want stuff. They want attention. They don’t need more of your paycheck. They need more of you.  #flandersfamilytravels #familyfun #homeschoollife #timetogether
Our daughter’s colleagues staged a “friendly r Our daughter’s colleagues staged a “friendly roast” last week, and here’s what they had to say about her: “If your mom wrote a book on sex, you may be Bek Flanders.”  They’re right. I did!  The thing I love about this photo (besides Bek’s big, beautiful grin)? Realizing her co-workers would never have even known about my book had Rebekah not shared that information herself, which means she can’t be too embarrassed about the fact.  Doubtlessly, it also helps that what I wrote is NOT a how-to book, but a why-to. (Swipe for a peek at the cover or follow link in profile for more details.)  Bek answered: “Yeah, I’m not embarrassed about it. I think it’s funny and starts good and important conversations. I’ve been able to encourage people from all over the country to think and talk about sex in a healthy/scientific/biblical/serious and lighthearted way, and how to raise the next generation to do the same. If we want our world to have a healthy view of sex, we’ve got to be vocal about it. If we stay silent then the only advice this generation will hear is the world’s, and I certainly don’t want that.”  #smartgirl #goodadvice #importantconversations #loveyourhusband #loveyourself #embracinggodspurposeforpassioninmarriage
We’re all heading to a homeschool dance tonight, We’re all heading to a homeschool dance tonight, and Abby’s feeling a little like Millie out of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. (Here’s hoping the evening doesn’t end in a fist fight. Ha!)  #ohitsetsyoursensesinaswirl 
#doodinuptogoandseeagirl
The most economical souvenirs we’ve ever collect The most economical souvenirs we’ve ever collected on our travels are also some of my children’s favorites: #juniorranger badges and/or patches from the #nationalparks we visit. Nearly every Park has one. The booklets/activities the kids must complete to earn their badges are usually free and very educational, too! Abby ended up earning nine new badges on this trip (not pictured: the one she got in Gettysburg).  #flandersfamilytravels #roadtrip #homeschoolfieldtrip
We spent a day at George Washington’s Mount Vern We spent a day at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, too, but my phone ran out of battery before we got to the property’s magnificent museum.  #flandersfamilytravels
We toured Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and were We toured Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and were delighted by the character actor’s knowledge of all things Jefferson-related. Obviously a huge history buff!  #flandersfamilytravels #ushistory
Three cheers for my boys and their keen puzzle-sol Three cheers for my boys and their keen puzzle-solving skills for figuring out how to stuff luggage for six people, plus assorted souvenirs, colonial costumes, pillows, and snacks for the road, into very limited space in the back of our Armada. And repacking it again and again, without complaint, every time we leave one city and drive to the next.  #whatwouldwedowithoutthem #roadtrip #flandersfamilytravels
A quick stop by the Lincoln Memorial on our return A quick stop by the Lincoln Memorial on our return trip through Washington DC…  #flandersfamilytravels #honestabe
Gettysburg is so full of history — even the hote Gettysburg is so full of history — even the hotels have a long and rich backstory. When this one was first built in 1896, it served as a high school.  One of the US flags to which its students pledged their allegiance every morning now hangs in the upstairs foyer of the hotel.  #federalpointeinn #oldglory #gettysburg #pennsylvania #fourscoreandsevenyearsago
#flandersfamilytravels

Copyright © 2022 · Market theme by Restored 316