Books That Spark Joy: A Chat with Sarah Mackenzie

Homeschool Better Together

This episode of the Homeschool Better Together Podcast features a delightful conversation with Sarah Mackenzie from the Read Aloud Revival. Sarah and I chat about rekindling the joy of reading for ourselves as moms. We explore the power of quitting books that don’t spark joy, the fun of keeping a reading log, and how to find books that truly resonate with you. Plus, we dive into reading challenges—are they motivating or just another checklist? Spoiler: we both have strong opinions! We also talk about Sarah’s exciting projects with Waxwing Books, including a middle-grade fantasy novel perfect for family read-alouds. If your reading life needs a little inspiration or you're searching for the perfect book list, this episode is packed with ideas and encouragement to get you turning pages again. Key Takeaways: * Rekindle your love for reading by giving yourself permission to quit books that don’t excite you. * A simple reading log can help you reflect on and savor what you’ve read. * Waxwing Books’ upcoming middle-grade fantasy, Beyond Mulberry Glen, is an excellent family read-aloud. * Reading challenges can be fun if approached with flexibility—don’t let them feel like a burden. Key Resources: * Homeschool Better Together Podcast * ReadAloudRevival.com * Read-Aloud Revival Podcast * Waxwing Books * "Dear Duck, Please Come" by Sarah Mackenzie * "Beyond Mulberry Glen" by Millie Florence * "The Myth Makers, The Remarkable Fellowship of CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien" by John Hendricks * "The Lively Art of Writing" by Lucille Van Paine * "84 Charing Cross Road" by Helene Hanff * "West with Giraffes" by Lynda Rutledge * "The Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown * "The Women" by Kristin Hannah * "4:50 from Paddington: A Miss Marple Mystery" by Agatha Christie * "The Wishing Game" by Meg Shaffer * "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundle * "Only the Beautiful" by Susan Meissner * "All It Takes is a Goal" by John Acuff For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt27 To join our free homeschool community, you can create an account right here.

About Podcast

Are you ready for homeschooling to feel joyful again? Do you need support as you learn alongside your kids? Welcome to Homeschool Better Together. Hosted by Laney Homan, this podcast shares how to stop questioning if you are doing enough and create a homeschool experience that fits your family.

In the podcast, we break down the big ideas into manageable chunks to give you the confidence and resources you need to finally step out of the overwhelm and into the wonder. Homeschool stories and practical tips are delivered straight to your earbuds full of inspiration and encouragement. They are perfect to listen to while running errands or folding a load of laundry. No matter what homeschool method you use, you’ll learn how to remove the overwhelm from your homeschool so you can focus on building relationships. To stay connected and learn even more about the Homeschooling Better Together resources, join the free community: https://homeschoolbettertogether.com/join-the-community-2/