Where I Get Our Book Lists

We use the library LIBERALLY. We have a fairly minimal collection of books that we own in physical form, but have one-two shelves of library books on our bookshelves at any given moment. We usually are providing "temporary storage" to 100 library books or more.

We have an excellent and expansive local library system and we use it as much as possible. (Our taxes pay for it, after all.)

Both of our girls love to read and devour books for breakfast.

We are pursuing a living-book intensive and classical education for our children. 

Some of my favorite places to get booklists to take with us to the library (or, actually, to put in reserves and have them brought to our closest branch) for me to pick up while out running errands: 

1. Memoria Press Grade Level Lists - We use some parts and recommendations for curriculum from Memoria Press and thoroughly enjoy using their read aloud booklists.
2. Classical Academic Press' Classical Reader Lists - there were a ton on here that I didn't recognize from other book lists around the internet, but that we have absolutely loved reading.
3. Veritas Press - I especially love getting names of excellent books to accompany our history units from Veritas Press. Their literature recommendations are also great.
4. Classical Christian School Reading List - many are repeats from above lists - but they are excellent.
5. 1000 Good Books List 

I sometimes utilize other booklists (like Read Aloud Revival) - especially ones found on Pinterest when looking for books on a specific topic. But the above six are the ones that I use most often. 

When we find an author or illustrator we enjoy, we sometimes will do a "deep dive" into the library for all of the works by that person. We're currently reading all things Cynthia Rylant (again!) and loving the journey! 

I am also known to just walk down the aisles at the library pulling out and thumbing through any books with titles that look interesting. Also, my kids love non-fiction, so those are easy to find topics of interest and pull ALL. THE. BOOKS. to satisfy their interests.

I know that to many in the homeschool community to own as few books as we do is a great tragedy - but we have really found a happy medium between owning books we read over and over (and over and over and over.....) or fit into a particular niche (like books to build our children's faith as conservative reformed Christians) and taking advantage of the amazing library system in our county. Our pocket book doesn't mind that happy medium, either. 

(Speaking of reading books we don't own physically, I'll just throw myself completely under the bus and say that we also enjoy reading Kindle books that we own or rent with our prime membership and reading or listening to books on Overdrive through our closest metropolitan library system on our tablet. Don't shoot me or kick me out of the 'homeschool mom club', please!)