Reading as a Lifelong Foundation for Faith and Family 

Reading in My Childhood

One of my favorite things to do is curling up with a good book and just diving into that story. When you have a good book, your world and everything around you don’t exist, it is just what the words on the pages say. For many years this was an escape from not ideal circumstances during my childhood. That love for sliding into another world never left, the reasons behind it just changed. Although I no longer need to read to take a break from major things going on in my life, I still enjoy this pastime. I can distinctly remember reading the Percy Jackson series, by Rick Riordan in the sixth grade. I remember feeling like I was in Camp Half Blood, or that I was right beside Percy and Annable fighting alongside them. My mother or her parents always had a book they were currently reading. It is something that runs in the family for sure. I am glad that they gave me the exposure to the reading world. The magic you feel from a good book can be unforgettable. My current favorite book, Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens, gave me that same feeling years later. If you have seen the movie and liked it, I highly encourage you read the book, its way better in my opinion. If you haven’t seen the movie read the book first! Reading was my safe haven, sparking curiosity and creativity through tales of adventure and friendship. I plan to share Percy Jackson with my future children to inspire them to play, explore, get bored, and discover their own interests, aligning with my vision for a vibrant childhood. 

Spiritual Growth Through Reading

Reading has also deepened my connection to Heavenly Father. I’m currently reading The Heavens Are Open by Wendy W. Nelson, which offers insights into divine guidance and brings me peace. Pairing this with daily scripture study strengthens my faith, grounding me in LDS values. This practice fuels my vision for a faith-centered family, where shared gospel reading nurtures eternal bonds. 

Current Reading and Family Connection 

This feeling of being transported into another world is something I hope my kids can also experience. My fiancé and I took a short trip when spring began, and we ended up in a Barnes & Noble. We came home with a handful of books: the Percy Jackson series, and the first book of Fablehaven, by Brandon Mull, and the first book of The Land of Stories, by Chris Colfer. We had both read the Percy Jackson series as kids and absolutely loved it. We bought it in anticipation to read to our daughter before bed. I had been in a reading slump, so he recommended to me another series he enjoyed as a kid, Fablehaven. It took me a bit to start it, as in I just started it a week ago, but so far, I’m enjoying it. I feel a lot closer to my fiancés younger self as I read it. I’m sure I’ll end up discussing it further at some point, as I have plans to read the whole series. Yes, I am aware it’s a kid’s series, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t any good. Lastly, we bought the first book of the Land of Stories, which is titled The Wishing Spell. This is another book I attend to get the whole series of. I feel I would enjoy diving into them again, either by myself or with my daughter eventually. I’m very excited to share the books that I loved as a kid with my future children. My cart on Thriftbooks is full of books I loved. Other books include Magic Treehouse series and the Harry Potter series. Where the Crawdads Sing resonates with my introspective side—my fiancé calls me a “hermit”—and inspires awe for God’s creations, which I want my kids to appreciate. Fablehaven connects me to my fiancé’s love for fantasy and his homeschooling success (he graduated at 15, now in Electrical Engineering), and I plan to share it to nurture our children’s imaginations. 

Homeschooling Through Reading 

Reading is shaping my homeschooling plans, where I aim to raise self-sufficient, creative children. I’m reading The Basic Steps to Successful Homeschooling by Vicki A. Brady (1996), a practical guide complementing my research into curriculums like The Good and the Beautiful. By weaving shared stories and gospel study into our homeschool, I hope to foster faith and curiosity, reflecting the LDS belief that family is central to God’s plan. 

A Call to Connect

I’d love to hear from you! What books inspire your faith, family, or children? Share in the comments to build our community of readers. 

A Testimony of Reading

I know that through reading, we can grow closer to Heavenly Father and each other, building a foundation for faith and family that lasts eternally.