We really like books in our house, if you haven’t already gleaned that from other posts. More than that, we enjoy reading them together. In 2016 we continued reading some series that we had already started (Harry Potter), we launched into one of my favorite Fantasy series (The Chronicles of Prydain), we finished another great series (Narnia), and read an assortment of other classics and high-interest books. We didn’t get through quite as many volumes as in 2015, assuming I remember everything, but we read through some really great books and the kids loved them all. So without further ado, here’s the list of what we read together in 2016:
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by J. K. Rowling
The Invention of Hugo Cabret, by Brian Selznick
Peter Pan, by J. M. Barry
Coraline, by Neil Gaiman
My Little Pony: Daring Do and the Forbidden City of Clouds, G. M. Berrow
My Little Pony: Lyra and Bon Bon and the Mares From S.M.I.L.E., by G. M. Berrow
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by Frank L. Baum
Phase One: Iron Man, by Alex Irvine
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, by C. S. Lewis
The Silver Chair, by C. S. Lewis
The Horse and His Boy, by C. S. Lewis
The Magician’s Nephew, by C. S. Lewis
The Last Battle, by C. S. Lewis
The Chronicles of Prydain: The Book of Three, by Lloyd Alexander
The Chronicles of Prydain: The Black Cauldron, by Lloyd Alexander
The Chronicles of Prydain: The Castle of Llyr, by Lloyd Alexander
How To Train Your Dragon, by Cressida Cowell
How To Be A Pirate, by Cressida Cowell
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Rise of Tiger Claw
An Army of Frogs, by Trevor Pryce
It’s hard for the kids to pick favorite books out of this list. They’re becoming serious Harry Potter fans, so those are naturally near the top, but they also really like Narnia and Prydain. Coraline was creepy but they loved it, and the How To Train Your Dragon books are hilariously fun. A few of our quicker reads, like Ninja Turtle or My Little Pony books, aren’t quite as exciting, but still enjoyable. The Invention of Hugo Cabret was a surprise hit for them, because they had no idea what to expect, but were quickly engrossed in the story and the fantastic illutrations. Peter Pan seemed a little daunting due to the old-fashioned language and pacing, but they enjoyed it anyway.
At the end of the day, they love good stories, whatever form they happen to take. While most of our 2016 reading was fantastic in nature, they’re more than willing to step into other genres, and are interested in exploring some good historical fiction, mysteries and graphic novels.
That love of all kinds of story bodes well for 2017, when we’re planning to read some more really awesome books, but I’ll talk some more about those plans next time. For right now, it’s time to go read a book.
