Keep-er
/ˈkēpər/
noun
-
a book that has worn edges, dog-eared corners, and pencil markings because it has been poured over many times
similar meanings: treasure trove, gold mine, cache
Some books stay with you. They linger in your thoughts, whispering wisdom long after you’ve closed the cover. These are the ones you don’t just read—you live with them. They gather coffee stains and pencil marks, and they quietly shape the way you see the world.
The books listed here are all keepers. Many of them belong in your “to periodically review” pile, because there’s simply too much truth, beauty, and goodness to be absorbed in one sitting.
Classics for the Mind and Soul
Mere Christianity — C.S. Lewis
A Christian classic that has stood the test of time. Lewis brings the deep truths of the faith to the level of everyday thought, with logic, humility, and grace.
👉 You’ll love this if you need your faith strengthened in a rational, heartfelt way.
Pride and Prejudice — Jane Austen
A timeless literary classic full of wit, wisdom, and romance. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy never fail to charm, convict, and delight.
👉 You’ll love this if you enjoy clever conversation, moral insight, and a satisfying story that reminds you how humility and love go hand in hand.
Classics for the Homeschooling Heart
For the Children’s Sake — Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
A foundational book for Christian homeschooling families. This is the heart behind the Charlotte Mason approach…education as a life, not a checklist.
👉 You’ll love this if see your child as a person, not a project, and your home as a place where wonder and wisdom meet.
The Well-Educated Mind — Susan Wise Bauer
A guide for mothers who don’t want to stop learning. Bauer gently walks readers through how to read great books with depth and confidence.
👉 You’ll love this if you dream of a second education for yourself—one that enriches your mind right alongside your children’s.
Books that Nurture Motherhood and Home
Mere Motherhood — Cindy Rollins
A beautiful, candid memoir from a veteran homeschool mom. Rollins invites you into her story of laughter, loss, and grace-filled perseverance.
👉 You’ll love this if you’re weary and need a reminder that God’s faithfulness runs deeper than your daily mess-ups.
The Life-Giving Home — Sally Clarkson
An invitation to craft a home that nourishes both body and soul, through the rhythms of the seasons and the rituals of family life.
👉 You’ll love this if you long to create a home that feels like a refuge—warm, purposeful, and centered on Christ.
Cultivating a Mind of Beauty
30 Poems to Memorize (Before It’s Too Late) — David Kern, Ed.
A delightful collection that makes poetry approachable again. Perfect for families, homeschool mornings, or quiet personal reading.
👉 You’ll love this if you want to fill your home with beautiful language and teach your children to treasure words.
On Reading Well — Karen Swallow Prior
A thoughtful exploration of how great literature shapes virtue. Prior shows that good reading isn’t just enjoyable—it’s transformative.
👉 You’ll love this if you believe books can shape character and want to read with moral imagination.
The Age of Martha — Marcia Mosto
A gentle call to rest in a world that values busyness. Moston helps women rediscover the contemplative life amid their daily duties.
👉 You’ll love this if you long to slow down and listen at Jesus’ feet.
For the Joy of Reading Aloud
The Read-Aloud Family — Sarah Mackenzie
A modern classic for families who want to build connection through books. Mackenzie offers practical tips and rich encouragement to make reading aloud a way of life.
👉 You’ll love this if you want to reclaim family time from screens and fill your home with stories that spark imagination and faith.
Some books are meant to be kept. Fill your shelves with these keepers.
by Adrianne Curwen
Adrianne is a wife to a public-school educator/administrator and a homeschooling Mama to seven children. She believes that we have a unique opportunity as homeschoolers to design individualized education that suits giftings, interests, and passions. She and her husband have used a blend of registered homeschooling, enrollment with independent DL schools, and participation in public trade school programs to design individualized programs for their children. She is passionate about using as many read-alouds, picture books, novels, and conversations to educate her children, but also gets excited by the amazing homeschool-designed curriculum that’s out there. Adrianne is thrilled by her new role at Classical Education Books and is grateful to have an opportunity to learn something new. She is grateful, every day, for her saviour, Jesus Christ, and has no greater joy than when she sees her most important mission field walk with Him.
