SCM Discussion Forum » Topic: Wear the old coat, buy the new book

SCM Discussion Forum » Topic: Wear the old coat, buy the new book http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/wear-the-old-coat-buy-the-new-book Discussion of Charlotte Mason Method homeschool topics en-US Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:31:37 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.3 <![CDATA[Search]]> q http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/search.php RobinP on "Wear the old coat, buy the new book" http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/wear-the-old-coat-buy-the-new-book/page/3#post-17208 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:42:59 +0000 RobinP 17208@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ There are SO many good book lists out there.  Many books of book lists.  One I highly recommend is Jan Bloom's Who Should We Then Read?  Actually she now has two volumes.  She lists authors and the books they wrote along with wonderful series.  I carry mine everywhere.  They are highlighted and dog-eared.  In choosing books for my library, I do consider date.  Not to say that every old book is good and every new book is bad but I do try to be discerning about them.  I love this quote by Jerry Hanson:  "Eighty percent of all books have been published since 1980.  Eighty percent of those would have been better off left as trees..." my3boys on "Wear the old coat, buy the new book" http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/wear-the-old-coat-buy-the-new-book/page/3#post-17196 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:50:57 +0000 my3boys 17196@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ @Christie, I actually picked up Trumpet of the Swan the other day when I was out book hunting, not even realizing who the author was.  I know, I'm a little behind.  I knew when I saw that title in your post it looked familiar, but not until I went and looked at my new stash more thoroughly did I discover it.  I guess I'm not that bad at picking out books after all:) Renelle on "Wear the old coat, buy the new book" http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/wear-the-old-coat-buy-the-new-book/page/2#post-17164 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:04:59 +0000 Renelle 17164@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ Hi A friend of mine who homeschools takes part in a Book Swap twice a year with their local homeschool support group.  I'm not sure how it works but it might be worth considering. We usually buy books but are very picky about what we buy, our library can be difficult to get to and doesn't always have access to the great classics unabridged or many living books. Books are just one of my weaknesses and I have to be diligent in my choices.   Renelle my3boys on "Wear the old coat, buy the new book" http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/wear-the-old-coat-buy-the-new-book/page/2#post-17159 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:03:12 +0000 my3boys 17159@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ my3boys on "Wear the old coat, buy the new book" http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/wear-the-old-coat-buy-the-new-book/page/2#post-17158 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:02:58 +0000 my3boys 17158@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ Just checked out the first thread and already printed those a week or so ago.  Now, I'll check out the other.  Thanks. my3boys on "Wear the old coat, buy the new book" http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/wear-the-old-coat-buy-the-new-book/page/2#post-17157 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:00:43 +0000 my3boys 17157@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ Thank you, Christie.  I have 3 pretty good lists going so far in a sheet protector and take it with me EVERYWHERE.   I have done the *search* online from the library, but there are times that I really want to own the books, so we can take our time mostly. Oh, and from these lists the library has about 2/3 available.  So, if I ever want them I'm going to have to look elsewhere.  Or get them to borrow from another library.  My 7yo and I began reading Charlotte's Web awhile ago and I honestly don't know why he wasn't all in to it.  He usually likes everything, but I think I'm going to get it again in the future and just finish where we left off.  My oldest, 11,  asked earlier if we could start Johnny Tremain, so of course I said, yes.  We just read the first chapter.  Sometimes he likes me to read to him and that makes for some great one on one time.   I feel so lucky that he finds that enjoyable!  missceegee on "Wear the old coat, buy the new book" http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/wear-the-old-coat-buy-the-new-book/page/2#post-17153 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:27:40 +0000 missceegee 17153@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ Here are a few threads that address this and include lists. I like to keep a good book list to refer to. I know it doesn't include everything, but it's a huge head start. <a href="http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/another-book-list-this-one-for-boys" rel="nofollow">http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/another-book-list-this-one-for-boys</a> <a href="http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/really-good-booksreally" rel="nofollow">http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/really-good-booksreally</a> HTH, Christie PS - Don't shortchange Charlotte's Web. My son loved it and he's as all-boy as they come!<img src="/scmforum/my-plugins/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/img/smiley-smile.gif" alt="Smile" title="Smile" /> He also loved Trumpet of the Swan by the same author. my3boys on "Wear the old coat, buy the new book" http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/wear-the-old-coat-buy-the-new-book/page/2#post-17151 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:47:01 +0000 my3boys 17151@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ I have a question.  I have been converting over to CM style.  We already have the 106 day's and love it, Boy of the Pyramid's, copywork, SW, etc.  But, I'm kind of stuck when it comes to good books that are NOT on the book lists that I've made.  I have a list for all 3 boys (11, 7, 4) and have found some at the library, amazon, used book stores, etc., and have a pretty good memory, so if it's not on the lists I can pretty much tell. But my problem is when it's not on the list at all I'm stump as to if I should spend the $1.00-$3.00 for a book that I'm not sure would be considered a good quality book.  Does anyone have "rule of thumb" when it comes to choosing books??  Besides going by the author, would you consider the date to be relevant in your choice? I'm just now familiarizing myself with authors and book titles that I've seen on this site, but sometimes I feel like someone on What Not to Wear.  She picks out a great outfit then puts it back cause she's just not sure:(  I wonder if I have put back good, hard to find books that someone else would be totally excited to find.  For an example:  I was at a used book/antique store and there were many books that were dated 50's, 60's, 70's, etc and I thought they were good finds but they were not on any of my lists.  I guess I hate to spend the money and take up the much needed space for the REALLY good finds.  I did find: Louie, by Ezra Keats (sp), 5 Golden books from the 50's or something, Charlotte's Web (can get at the library and I have boys), something by a Steven Kellogg, I think, anyway there were about 5 I was considering, but just wasn't sure.  Now, I did find some on my lists at this other bookstore and the Goodwill, so I was happy with those and I know I can always hit amazon, but then there's the shipping.  When you can find something for .50, I'm pretty much sold.  I did order, from amazon, all the books and videos for 106 days so I would have all I needed and wanted to use (unless it was way too expensive and the library had it) and I'm glad I bought all of those as it has taken us awhile to get through the lessons.  Plus, the boys, even my 11yo likes the books, which is a blessing:) Hope this makes sense.  Thanks in advance. amandajhilburn on "Wear the old coat, buy the new book" http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/wear-the-old-coat-buy-the-new-book/page/2#post-16885 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:26:26 +0000 amandajhilburn 16885@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ I do have several good books on hand, but my kids LOVE to go to the library. We go weekly and they rack up! We are on a strict budget so I am very thankful to have a good library only 5 miles away. We actually have a network of libraries in our county that we can borrow from. However, we do purchase the good ones and I have found lots of good deals at a local used book store :) I have also made an account with paperback swap, but can't find anything at home that we want to swap! :) Cindie2dds on "Wear the old coat, buy the new book" http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/wear-the-old-coat-buy-the-new-book/page/2#post-16884 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 10:32:16 +0000 Cindie2dds 16884@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ We scour Half Price Books when we visit family and we also have a local used book store we sometimes go to.  I also have several websites I frequent for used books.  I ask for gift certificates for my birthday/Christmas.  Last Christmas (2008) our present to the family was bookshelves that line our living room (from IKEA).  My closest library is 15 minutes away and not practical for us.  We would have late fees, and just plain wouldn't go.  While my kids are this young, I want them to have books on hand.  I really love having books on hand.  It's like a favorite pair of jeans or comfy blanket to go pick up good book off the shelf and read it again.  I imagine us using the library a little more when they are older and can look around more on their own, but I think we will always own most of our books. missingtheshire on "Wear the old coat, buy the new book" http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/wear-the-old-coat-buy-the-new-book/page/2#post-16883 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 10:14:23 +0000 missingtheshire 16883@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ Great visual Michelle - you sound like a lady after my own heart...there is no doubt books are a treasure for life. Bookworm on "Wear the old coat, buy the new book" http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/wear-the-old-coat-buy-the-new-book/page/2#post-16881 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 08:54:18 +0000 Bookworm 16881@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ Also, there are many used book sales throughout the country.  I belong to an alert service called booksalefinder and when the kids were little, that was our weekend amusement--cruising the used sales in our area.  Now that I have so many books we don't spend as much time--I often have a few I'm looking for rather than boxloads I want.  But I don't even know what percentage of our library I paid a quarter for at a used book sale.  A lot!  Today I tend to rely more on paperbackswap.com or other used sites for that one or two books I really think I need.  We have bookshelves wedged into most rooms of our house.  Except the bathrooms--too damp.  LOL I am considering lining our narrow hallway with shelves.  After all, what's more important--books or space to walk straight down the hallway?  Nobody'll mind turning sideways and sidling down the hall, will they?  :-p All the bedrooms are filled with shelves, so is the office, all spare wall space in the living room, and we eat in the kitchen because the formal dining room is commonly referred to as the "bookroom"  --wall to wall shelves.  Kimberly on "Wear the old coat, buy the new book" http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/wear-the-old-coat-buy-the-new-book/page/2#post-16877 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 07:34:56 +0000 Kimberly 16877@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ I just want to second the Goodwill suggestion!  Recently I found The Librarian who measured the Earth (hardback edition; apparently, it is OOP now), an art book on the impressionists, and a beautiful, oversized Mary Cassatt book with large, full color pictures for $4- that determined the next artist for picture study! (We have covered her before, but she is a favorite of mine and my three girls).  Books are the main reason I go to Goodwill frequently.  In my area, I have 4 or 5 that I regularly visit when my errands or appointments take me in those directions.  I do have a hard time borrowing books from the library; we live in a very small town, and they do what they can, but have a limited selection.  I have used interlibrary loan and our librarian is great at this.  She has found and ordered books from several states away. However, I purchase most of the literature books we use- I figure I'm creating a library for my grandchildren too.  I often walk through my house thinking: "Now, where else can I put a bookshelf?" mrsjamiesouth on "Wear the old coat, buy the new book" http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/wear-the-old-coat-buy-the-new-book/page/2#post-16875 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:51:03 +0000 mrsjamiesouth 16875@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ I almost weekly check out all the Goodwill stores in a 20 mile radius. <img src="/scmforum/my-plugins/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/img/smiley-embarassed.gif" alt="Embarassed" title="Embarassed" />  Children's Paperbacks are only 0.75 cents.  My recent finds include Pyramids and City by David McCauley and Genevieve Foster's Augustus Caesar's World.  I have also gotten The Bronze Bow, The Golden Goblet, Usborne Science and Nature Books.  It seems Goodwill is especially great for Older books. lgeurink on "Wear the old coat, buy the new book" http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/wear-the-old-coat-buy-the-new-book/page/2#post-16871 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:46:22 +0000 lgeurink 16871@http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ Also, <a href="http://www.doverpublications.com">http://www.doverpublications.com</a>  for tons of bargain priced books with their thrift editions.  Nearly every classic you can think of.  Plus they have activity books that are also super cheap to go with many books (ex. alice in wonderland paper doll).   At holiday  time I just email grandparents a list from this site for books and activitie books, that way you get the books you want and they feel like they have purchased a toy as well.  You will find tons for artists, history, lit, and much more.