Family Bookshelf: Recent Episodes
Nick McCarty-Daniels
Homeschooling mom and blogger at Ambitionsforchrist.com joins with librarian and The Gameschooling Dad to present a series of book recommendations geared towards finding books worth reading. Recommendations range from classic literature, picture books, family read-aloud, adult books and everything in between. Perfect for people who want to find their next favorite book!
Today we talk about Christian biographies including Twelve Ordinary Men, Amazing Grace, and Oswald Chambers. Enjoy!
In today's episode we talk about Junior High Fiction titles including Endling, Magnificent Monsters of Cedar Street, and No Place For Monsters. Enjoy!
In today's episode, we talk about some Apple related picture books that we enjoyed as a family this year including How To Make An Apple Pie and See The World, Amelia Bedelia's First Apple Pie, and Johnny Appleseed. Enjoy!
Nick shares about some interesting General Fiction reads including Small As An Elephant, Scorched Earth, and Forrest Gump. Enjoy!
We spend a little extra time and attention to our special episode 10 today. Join us as we compare and contrast original morality tales with their modern retellings. Enjoy!
Today Nick shares some high and low points about three junior high fiction books including And They Found Dragons, How To Train Your Dad, and Harry v. the First 100 Days of School. Enjoy!
In this episode Amber shares some of our kid's recent favorites; includes: Little Penguin Gets the Hiccups, I Love it When You Smile, and Animals Should Not Wear Clothes. Enjoy!
In this episode Nick discuss some of his struggles with some fiction novels he's tried to read. Includes: Glory, Perfect Little Children, and Confederacy of Dunces. Enjoy!
In this episode, Amber discuss three recent children's biographies she has read with the kids, including: Courageous World Changers, Prudence of Plymouth Plantation, and Amy Coney Barrett. Enjoy!
In this episode, Nick encourages everyone to learn a little more about what makes a good sermon. Includes: Biblical Preaching, Power in the Pulpit, and Preaching for God's Glory. Enjoy!
Join us as we discuss these pop-Christian psychology books including The 5 Love Languages, The Love Dare, and Purpose Driven Church. Enjoy!
In today's episode, Nick shares about Samson, Happiest Man On Earth, and Tortured For Christ. Enjoy the discussion!
In today's episode, Nick shares about We Could Be Heroes, Rabbits, and Dead Space. Enjoy the discussion!
In today's episode, Amber shares three of her latest reads including Trim Healthy Mama, Caregiving Season, and Raising Them Up. Enjoy!
Welcome to our 100th episode!! This really long episode has us delve into our all-time favorite Book. Grab some popcorn and join in as we have a conversation the best book ever written.
Today Nick shares about The Book of M, Man In The High Castle, and Annihilation. Enjoy!
In this episode, Amber walks through some classroom resources worth a look; including: What Do People Do All Day, The Children's Book of America, and Mistakes That Worked. Enjoy!
In this episode, Nick talks about the closest thing to a romance novel he'll read; including: Winter in Paradise, The Wangs vs The World, and Where the Crawdad's Sing. Enjoy!
In this episode, Amber goes through a hodge-podge of non-fiction books; including: The Life Giving Home, His Word Alone, and Pitchin' a Fit. Enjoy!
In this episode, Nick talks about three non-fiction books that might teach someone a life lesson; including: What If?, S*** Doesn't Just Happen, and Humble Pie. Enjoy!
In this episode, Nick discusses three true crime novels; including The Devil in the White City, The Book of Matt, and Michal: from the Case Files of S.P.O.O.K.S. Enjoy!
In this short episode, Amber discusses four funny animal-related picture books; including, Tucker Took It, Giraffes Can't Dance, Yak and Gnu, and Weiner Wolf. Enjoy!
In this episode, Amber shares some of her favorite American History picture books; including: On the Mayflower, By Dawns Early Light, and Who Carved the Mountain? Enjoy!
In season five's first special episode we discuss the conscious efforts we've made as a family to help build an environment of reading within our home. The environment that has made our six year-old an avid reader, and given our five-year old a desire to learn to read. Enjoy!
In this episode Nick continues sharing his love of comics with some DC; including: Dark Knights: Metal, Heroes in Crisis, and The Batman Chronicles. Enjoy!
In this episode Amber shares more of her favorite picture books; including No Matter What, The Princess and the Kiss, and What is Heaven Like? Enjoy!
In this episode Nick dives back into his love of comics, this time discussing some recent Marvel Comics he's read; including, Moon Knight: Reincarnations, X-Men: Age of X, and Marvel Zombies. Enjoy!
In this episode Nick talks about three junior high horror novels; including This is Not a Werewolf Story, Ash House, and Eight Will Fall. Enjoy!
In this episode Amber walks us through three more of the kid's favorite books; including: Faraway Things, Little Tug, and Tickly Octopus. Enjoy!
In this episode Nick discusses three fantasy novels; including The Unfinished Land, The Mercy Thompson Series, and Cursed. Enjoy!
In today's episode, Amber and Nick have a conversation about Teach Them Diligently, Education, and Honey For a Child's Heart. Enjoy!
In this episode Amber leads us through a tour of the Chronicles of Narnia. We discuss what we remember and what we enjoyed. Includes: The Magician's Nephew, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Horse and His Boy, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, and The Last Battle. Enjoy!
In this episode Nick leads us through a set of action/adventure books, two he liked, and one worth skipping. Including The Book of the Dead, Hostage, and Final Girls. Enjoy!
In our season 4 finale, and a special long episode, Amber takes us on a trip through memory lane and discusses some of her favorite radio dramas. Enjoy!
In this episode Nick talks about three pseudo-religious books that are worth a look to better understand our beliefs. Including, Ishmael, The Archer, and The Cat Who Saved Books. Enjoy!
In this episode, Amber walks through some Christian Children's resources. Including: The Rhyme and Reason Series, Paw Paw Chucks Big Ideas in the Bible, and Bible Infographics. Enjoy!
In this episode Nick takes us through some dystopian fiction he enjoys read, including: The Heap, The Warehouse, and Master Class. Enjoy!
In this episode, Amber walks through some of the kids favorite board books; including, Hush Little Baby, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Biggest Story ABCs, and Room on the Broom. Enjoy!
In this episode Nick takes us through the latest chapter books we've read with our kids, Including: The Giant Killer, Gladys Aylward, and In the Book of Light. Enjoy!
In this episode Amber stretches herself to talk about evangelism, including: One Thing You Can't Do in Heaven, Gospel Reset, and Cultivate. Enjoy!
In this episode, Nick goes for a throwback and gives two Christian Non-fiction he enjoyed and one he didn't. Including Church of Cowards, In His Steps, and Tattooed Jesus. Enjoy!
In this episode Nick discusses some of his favorite dystopian science fiction including Fahrenheit 451, 1984, and Brave New World. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss some common problems found in children's Christmas books. Enjoy!
In this episode Nick talks about three books that helped bring him closer to God through apologetics and theology including: Knowing God, I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist, and Is Atheism Dead? Enjoy!
In this episode Amber shares some of her favorite Christian biographies, including: The Cross and the Switch Blade, Bonhoeffer, and Luther. Enjoy!
In this episode Nick talks about a few more fantasy novels including: War of the Worlds, Dragonwatch, and The Door on Half-Bald HIll. Enjoy!
In this episode Amber discusses some of her favorite Middle School fiction including: A Visit with Mrs. G, Mandie, and The Sugar Creek Gang. Enjoy!
In this episode Nick talks about some Middle School fiction including: Redwall, Indiana Jones Choose Your Own Adventure, and Fablehaven. Enjoy!
Happy Thanksgiving! In this episode Amber discusses five of her favorite Thanksgiving picture books; ranging from funny to sweet and sentimental there is something here for everybody: Thanksgiving is Here, Twas The Night Before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving at the Toppletons, Thanksgiving in the Woods, and Cranberry Thanksgiving. Enjoy!
In a strange attempt to meet three great Christian minds we discuss Erwin Lutzer, Voddie Bachum, and Albert Mohler's newest books tackling the current culture wars; We Will Not Be Silenced, Faultlines, and The Gathering Storm. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss some good homeschool reads. Including The Well-Adjusted Child, For The Children's Sake, and Homeschool Bravely. Enjoy!
In our season four premier we discuss three fantasy series; including The Wheel of Time, Family of Spies, and Legends of the First Empire. Enjoy!
In the season three finale we host a very special episode where we discuss our love for hymns. We compare contemporary music to classic hymns, and hope to get you interested in listening to the old hymns. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss some cookbooks we've used to start our kids cooking. Including Kid Chef: My First Kid's Cookbook, Little Helper's Toddler Cookbook, The Little House Cookbook, and Betty Crocker's Cookbook. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss some fun non-fiction picture books including the works of Gail Gibbons, Ben and Now, and Jefferson Measures a Moose. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss Christian auto-biographies including Christy, God's Smuggler, and The Hiding Place. Enjoy!
In this episode we go through some of Amber's favorite Morning Basket books, including Character Trails, Write the Word on My Heart, and Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. Enjoy!
In this episode we take you through some of our favorite Colorado authors including Hal Borland, Clive Cussler, and Stu Campbell. Enjoy!
Join us as we talk about The Boxcar Children, Nancy Drew and The Babysitters Club series. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss More Than a Carpenter, Women of the Word, and Is God a Moral Monster? Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss Bible Studies including True Spirituality, Be Patient, and Transformed. Enjoy!
In this special episode we discuss the work God has given us throughout our lives that made us who we are and brought us to where we are today. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss Are You a Horse?, Wiener Wolf, and Let's Go to the Hardware Store. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss For Young Women Only, Lies Young Women Believe, and Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss Discipling, Path to Being a Pastor, and Power in the Pulpit. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss 8 Great Smarts, Becoming Mom Strong, and Raising Godly Kids in an Ungodly World. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss Of Mice and Men, Pilgrim's Progress, and Uncle Tom's Cabin. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss Flags of Our Fathers, Blackout, and The 5,000 Year Leap. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss Fanny Crosby's Autobiography, 50 People Every Christians Should Know, and George Washington. Enjoy!
In our Season 3 premier we discuss You Were the First, Love You Forever, and The Three Trees. Enjoy!
In our Season 2 Finale we discuss our favorite Bibles for kids and teens. For more information, or to see the Bibles we discuss, check out Amber's blog here:
https://www.ambitionsforchrist.com/bibles-for-kids-teens/
Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss The Secret Garden, Gone With the Wind, Scarlett, and Anne of Green Gables. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss the Avatar: The Last Airbender series. We briefly mention The Lost Adventures, The Promise, and The Search. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss Dare to Share, Understanding the Times, and The Complete Book of Hymns. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss Canon of Scripture, In The Beginning, and How to Read the Bible for All it's Worth. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss Don't Wake Tiger, High Five, Press Here, This Book is Red, and the Book With No Pictures. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss Coddling the American Mind, Small Animals, and Canyon Dreams. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss Amusing Ourselves to Death, Weapons of Mass Instruction, and Love Your God With All Your Mind. Enjoy!
In our Season 2 Episode 10 spectacular we discuss board games we love to play as a family and with our kids. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss Anyone Can Homeschool, Teaching from Rest, and 101 Top Picks of Homeschool Curriculum. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss K: A History of Baseball in Ten Pitches, Boys from Joes, and Paper Lion. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss Let Me Be a Woman, For Woman Only, and Life Management for Busy Women. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss Bernard Cornwell's King Arthur Series, Ender's Game, and Soon I Will Be Invincible. Enjoy!
In our Season 2 Episode 00 we celebrate our 9th Wedding Anniversary. We share our testimonies, and tell the story of how we met and fell in love. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts, Franny K. Stein, and the Classic Starts series. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss Princesses Wear Pants, Pinkalicious, and Sisters First. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss Sarah Plain and Tall, Addy: An American Girl Story, and Tuck Everlasting. Enjoy!
In this episode we look at The Overcoming Life, Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands, and Apostates. Enjoy!
In our twentieth episode spectacular, a mercifully short episode, our five year-old daughter joins us to share her five favorite books. Enjoy the unedited beauty of talking to a kindergartner with her father's mouth!
In this episode we discuss the Magic Tree House books, the Geronimo Stilton books, and the Christian Heroes Then and Now series. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss When God Writes Your Love Story, Passion and Purity, and I Kissed Dating Goodbye. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss The Grapes of Wrath, The Call of the Wild, and As I Lay Dying. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss prayer with the books Wrestling Prayer, The Power of a Praying Wife, and Operation World. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss Little House Picture Books, Little Blue Truck, and the Foot Book. Enjoy!
In today's episode we discuss the Wings of Fire series, Alcatraz vs. The Evil Librarians, and The City Of Villains. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss Reading For Pleasure In An Age Of Distraction, Read Aloud Family, and How To Raise A Reader. Enjoy!
Our first Tenth Episode Spectacular! Here, we look at classic author and the original Romance Novelist, Jane Austin. Amber is a big fan; Nick, not so much. We discuss Victorian Literature, themes that permeate all of Jane Austin's work, and compare her to some American Contemporaries. Enjoy!
In this episode we tell you more about us. Who we are, our purpose for this program, and what you can expect from the Family bookshelf. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss The Book of the King, All the Soul that Remains, and the Walt Longmire Series. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss Apocalypse Never, Devolution, and Blood and Treasure. Enjoy!
In this episode we discuss Mr. Popper's Penguins, The Wizard of Oz, and the BFG. Enjoy!
In this episode we we discuss Dude Crafts, Edible Experiments, and Star Wars Galactic Baking. Enjoy!
Today's reviews include: Do Hard Things, Love Riot, and Guys Like Girls Who . . . Enjoy!
Today's episode focuses on picture books: Llama Llama Red Pajama, Mother Bruce, and Dreams for Daughter. Enjoy!
Our review today includes: Momma Bear Apologetics, Gentle and Lowly, and Of Mess and Moxie. Enjoy!
Welcome to the Family Bookshelf. We kick off our reviews with: There Will be Bears, Princess in Black, and We Hear Voices. Enjoy!