What I Read This Month (& Beyond)

Though I have been slacking on blog posts, I have not been slacking on my reading. Here are a handful of reviews of the books I have read over the last six weeks:

Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman

Since I enjoyed reading Hoffman's first novel, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, this was a natural addition to my reading list. I also enjoyed this novel. Perhaps because the protagonist in this one is an adult, this seems like more of a grown-up book. I love some of the themes this book explores, including dealing with aging parents, learning to let go, and recovering from tragedy. This is a great story of family, loss, self-discovery, and love.

Would I recommend it? Yes!

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

It could be that I did not know exactly what I was getting myself into, but I found The Road to be a difficult read. I generally like dystopian settings, but The Road feels so terribly hopeless throughout. Plus, the two main characters are a small boy and his father, struggling to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. I think the mother in me found this too much to swallow. The book is well-written and heart-wrenching. I finished it because I had to know how it would end, but I did not enjoy it.

Would I recommend it? Hesitantly.

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Unseen Guest by MaryRose Wood

This is the third installment in The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series and it was a lot of fun to read. These are children's books, but they are intelligently written. The premise is ridiculous and the plot is even more ridiculous, which makes these books a pleasure to read. For this series, you really do need to start at the beginning of the series to understand what is going on.

Would I recommend it? Yes, to those who like reading juvenile fiction.

The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley

The second children's book on the list, this is also part of a series. The "Flavia de Luce Mysteries" are fun, clean mystery novels with a strong female protagonist. Flavia is a smart and capable girl who always seems to be a step ahead of the adults around her. These would be great reads for older girls and teens, as well as adults like me who love well-written juvenile fiction.

Would I recommend it? Yes!

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

This is a book that I first heard of from The Modern Mrs. Darcy. This is a wonderful blog that is full of reading recommendations. Rules of Civility is a smart and surprising read about a group of friends in New York, circa 1938. It is a great read about social hierarchy, morality, redemption, but most of all, self-discovery.

Would I recommend it? Yes!

The Darkening Field by William Ryan

Another installment in a series, this is a mystery/thriller set in 1930's Russia. The protagonist is a detective, forced to walk a fine line between solving a mystery, protecting political leaders, and protecting himself. Some of the political subplot was over my head (as I'm not terribly familiar with the political climate of 1930's Russia), but it is not essential to understanding or enjoying the story. Like most adult detective novels, these do contain a fair amount of violence.

Would I recommend it? Probably.

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Another recommendation from The Modern Mrs. Darcy, this was a surprising and heart-warming story. The book follows a small-town bookseller as he works through the grief of his wife's sudden death and the events that follow. This is a wonderful book about love and loss, marriage, parenthood, and friendship.

Would I recommend it? Yes!

Have you read anything interesting lately? I'm always looking for recommendations to add to my ever-growing "to read" list, so leave a comment. Come and be my friend on Goodreads by clicking here.

What I'm Working on Wednesday

It seems I've taken a bit of a blogging break -- quite unintentionally. I have been keeping quite busy, but not finishing anything worth blogging about! Today, I have several projects in progress:

Embroidery

I'm currently working on some custom embroidery for a Christmas stocking order for my shop. I do all my embroidery by hand, so it is time consuming, but I love the way it turns out.

Fairy Tale Craft

I am in charge of this week's Fairy Tale Friday in my son's first grade class. I'm doing The Emperor's New Clothes and I'm cutting all the pieces they'll need to create some new outfits for the Emperor. I'm planning a more detailed post about this in the near future.

Days for Girls

In preparation for my upcoming Days for Girls Sewing Day, I am cutting as many pieces as I can. If you're interested in finding out more about my Sewing Day, check out this post. If you want to know more about Days for Girls, check out their website.

Reading

And of course, I'm always reading whenever I find (or make) a spare moment. I just finished up The Darkening Field by William Ryan. This week's selection is Rules of Civility by Amor Towles. Another book review post will be coming next week!

What are you working on this week?

A Few Book Reviews

I can't believe I've let over a month go by without blogging about all the books I've been reading! It's been 6 weeks since I posted my reading list, so I think it's high time I told you about the books I've finished so far.

A Life of Being, Having, and Doing Enough by Wayne Muller

I enjoy reading books about self-discovery and generally only read self-help books that are aimed more about the emotional/spiritual side of things. This one seemed to fit the bill. It wasn't available in my local library system, so I had to get it through inter-library loan, which took a while.

The book is more a series of short essays, so the book as a whole doesn't really seem to be whole. The writing was not terribly impressive, often feeling hurried and disjointed. But there were some tidbits of wisdom that I liked enough to make note of.

"If we are reluctant to update our position, we will live our days presuming that wherever we set our course when we began, however long ago, obviously describes precisely where we should be by now."

Overall, this book did help me see a different perspective on things like how I view myself, my responsibilities, my life, and my relationships.

Would I recommend it? Yes, but with reservations.

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing

This book was recommended to me by a friend, who discovered it in a book club. This is a book I probably never would've sought out without a recommendation because it doesn't seem like it would be all that interesting. But it really was.

This is an historical account of Sir Ernest Shackleton's 1914 voyage to Antarctica. The original goal of this voyage was for a group of men to be the first to cross the Antarctic continent. The book documents the events leading up the voyage, then the voyage itself, which failed at its goal after the ship got stuck in the ice pack and eventually sunk.

This really is an incredible story that shows how resilient people really can be in the most difficult times. I especially loved that the book is written around first-hand accounts from interviews and journal entries and it even includes photos taken by the crew. If you like historical non-fiction, this is a great one.

“In that instant they felt an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment. Though they had failed dismally even to come close to the expedition's original objective, they knew now that somehow they had done much, much more than ever they set out to do.” 

Would I recommend it? Definitely yes.

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

I love mother-daughter stories, and this one did not disappoint. This book is about a group of Chinese mothers and their Chinese-American daughters. Each chapter is told from a different person's perspective, so you get to know all the mothers and daughters. While their stories are so different, by the end, you can see how they are very much the same.

This was a fun and insightful read that really makes you think about relationships with those closest to you and how everyone has hidden parts of themselves. Ultimately, I think this book is about reconciling what you think you know about someone with who they really are. I think that is a universal struggle for aging children to come to see their parents as the complicated people they really are, and this book captures that perfectly.

“For unlike my mother, I did not believe I could be anything I wanted to be. I could only be me. ” 

Would I recommend it? Yes.

Mr. Rosenblum Dreams in English by Natasha Solomons

This is a fun, though sometimes frustrating story of a German immigrant family living in England during and after World War II. The book follows Mr. Rosenblum's obsessive desire to be viewed as a true Englishman, no matter the consequences. He does everything he can think of to be accepted, but when his requests for membership at various golf courses throughout England are all rejected, he is forced to take drastic measures.

The book follows Mr. Rosenblum as he sets out to build his own golf course, and in the process, learns a lot about himself, his family, and those he has tried so hard to be accepted by.

The family dynamics - particularly between Mr. and Mrs. Rosenblum - truly make this a book worth reading.

“It was much better to share it with him; if he was a madman then at least they were crazy together.” 

Would I recommend it? Yes.

Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool

This juvenile fiction is a wonderful read. I sought this out after enjoying Vanderpool's first book, Moon Over Manifest. The books have similar themes, centering around a child who is lost in an adult world, discovering themselves, their friends, and their parents along their journey. Navigating Early is about two friends who set out through the Appalachian wilderness and the things they discover along the way.

“Finding your way doesn't mean you always know where you're going. It's knowing how to find your way back home that's important.” 

Would I recommend it? Definitely yes.

On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan

This book was not quite what I expected, though I'm not sure what I expected. This is the story of two newlyweds. The story cuts back and forth between past and present -- the present being their wedding night. Needless to say, the present is all about sex. But the interwoven story of these two people, their backgrounds, their personalities, and their secrets was very interesting. The book is not really about sex, but it is about how a person's entire life can be changed in an instant by what they do or do not say. It is thought-provoking, and actually quite frustrating, to see these characters struggle and ultimately fail.

“She knew very well that people fell out, even stormily, and then made up. But she did not know how to start - she simply did not have the trick of it, the row that cleared the air, and could never quite believe that hard words could be unsaid or forgotten.” 

Would I recommend it? Probably not because of the sexual content.

The Universe Versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence

I picked this up from my local library's Reader's Choice shelf. It is a long book, but totally sucked me in. From the very start, the protagonist and the story are unexpected and surprising. This is a story largely about relationships.

The story is told by Alex Woods, a kid who has a very unusual life, and follows his friendship with the elderly Mr. Peterson. It is a sometimes funny, sometimes tragic story of how their lives intertwine over years.

It does have some language, but I absolutely loved this book and can't wait for Extence's next book to come out.

“The first thing I learned that day was this: what you think you know about a person is only a fraction of the story.” 

Would I recommend it? Definitely yes.

I'd love to hear your thoughts about any of these books or recommendations for things I should read in the future. And come be my friend on Goodreads by clicking here.

My Reading List

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
The Unseen Guest by Maryrose Wood
On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan
Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens
A Life of Being, Having, and Doing Enough by Wayne Muller

I'd love to hear what you're reading too! Come be my friend on Goodreads by clicking here.

How to Restore, Repair and Finish Almost Everything

We spent the weekend at my hubby's family cabin outside of Oakley, Utah. It was cabin clean-up time, so the whole family gathered to clean out the cabin and the surrounding woods. It was a fun time for everyone to get together, and we were so busy cleaning, we didn't take any photos. One of the best things to come from this get-together was this gift from my mother-in-law:

Earlier this spring, my husband's maternal grandmother passed away, and since then, my mother-in-law has been going through Grandma's things and trying to determine where all these things should go. That is how she happened upon this book, which she then decided to pass on to me!

Now, I realize that most (or all) of the information in this book can probably be found online, but I love books for a multitude of reasons (the least of which is that they smell fantastic). Plus, it's nice to think that Grandma and I have similar interests. So I plan to hang on to this one.

Besides, I think this gluing chart could be very handy. I have honestly never thought about gluing fabric to glass or paper to leather, but now I might. This chart is giving me ideas...

And I especially can't wait to read this section:

Thinking Thursday -or- My All-Time Favorite Books

If you know me personally or just frequent my blog, you probably know that I love reading. I am almost always reading something, and I'm often reading more than one book simultaneously. So this week, I thought I'd share some of my all-time favorites. I am always looking for recommendations, so please share your favorites in the comments!

(These are in no particular order because they're all awesome in their own way!)

Favorite Classics

Jane Austen's Persuasion

I love all her novels (Emma least of all), but I especially love Persuasion. It is a wonderful story about love and loss and I think it's a bit more "grown up" than the usual favorite, Pride & Prejudice. Don't worry, I still love that one too.

Charles Dicken's David Copperfield

When I was in college, I studied the works of Charles Dickens for a semester and loved every minute of it. David Copperfield is especially great because it's not as inaccessible as Bleak House and not as overdone as Oliver Twist.

Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged

I have enjoyed all of Rand's fiction, but I always find myself returning to Atlas Shrugged. Her characters are not sympathetic at all, and her political message is unforgiving, but I love this book for the story itself. I love the idea of John Galt being just that - an idea. If nothing else, this book will make you think about how you think. And that's a good thing.

Joseph Heller's Catch-22

Satire is fun to read, as long as you get it. This book, though wildly irreverent, is one of my favorites because it shows the complete absurdity of war while also showing the horror of it. This is a complex read, but also laugh-out-loud funny at times.

Favorite Non-Fiction

Harriet Lerner's The Dance of Anger

I am not big on self-help books, but this one helped me better understand my negative emotions and learn to deal with them in a constructive way. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone! I also thoroughly enjoyed Lerner's The Mother Dance.

Sue Monk Kidd & Ann Kidd Taylor's Traveling With Pomegranates

I enjoy reading memoirs, especially those dealing with self-discovery. I particularly enjoyed this one due to the many themes that resonated with me: depression, writing, travel, family relationships.

Favorite Juvenile Fiction

John Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice

This is an entire series that I loved. The Ranger's Apprentice, and the spin-off Brotherband Chronicles are fun adventure stories set in a medieval world with memorable characters. They build upon each other, so they're best read in order.

Rebecca Stead's When You Reach Me

I absolutely loved this book. It is funny and quirky, and it even made me cry by the end. This is the story of Miranda and her best friend Sal. Miranda starts receiving mysterious notes that will ultimately help her save the life of someone she loves. Read it. I don't think you'll regret it.

Grace Lin's Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

This one is a beautifully written fantasy based on traditional Chinese folklore. It is filled with surprises at every turn, magical creatures, and a lot of love.

Thinking Thursday - What I Read This Month

I'm almost finished with my Reading List that I posted back in April! I knew it wouldn't last me very long since I generally read 2-3 books each week. Here are my thoughts about the last four books I read.

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

This book was a fun one to read, though it was a little weird. It was nothing like what I expected, mostly because you really could not anticipate what is going to happen in this book. I didn't particularly like most of the characters in this book as I thought they didn't seem complex enough. But the mystery was fun and unexpected and it kept me interested through the end.

My Goodreads Rating: 2 Stars




Coraline by Neil Gaiman

I've read Gaiman's Graveyard Book and really enjoyed it. But I saw the movie Coraline and really didn't enjoy it. So I went into this one hesitantly. This book was definitely better than the movie, but what book isn't better than the movie adaptation? The book was an interesting read after having seen the movie first because I mainly noticed the differences. Overall, I still wasn't a huge fan of this book. I made it through because it is a kids' book and is fairly short. I would say it is suitable for older kids who don't get scared too easily. Coraline, the character, still felt a bit flat and uncaring, though that could be because I'm looking at it from a parent's perspective.

My Goodreads Rating: 2 Stars


Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

This was an incredible read. I have read my fair share of World War II memoirs and novels and this one ranks right at the top of the list. It is difficult to believe at times that this is a true story, but it is. And it will make you wonder about your own resilience when you read about Louis Zamperini's experiences. And now that World War II is distant enough in the past that there are few left who remember it, I feel it is important for people to read these accounts in order to understand what life was really like.

My Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars



The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

I loved this book. I admit it, I assumed that I would enjoy this book before I even cracked the cover. I have read several of Sue Monk Kidd's other books and enjoyed them, so I expected this one to be no different. I was not disappointed. This book is fiction, inspired by historical figures, but I feel it paints a brilliant picture of life during slavery in the South. She captures the brutality and anger of slavery while also managing to capture the humanity and hope that somehow survived through it all.

My Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars



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Thinking Thursday - A Few Book Reviews

I'm on a reading binge. You know those times when you ignore all the other things you have going on in your life because you just feel like reading... and reading... and reading? This one is rather ill-timed because I have a lot on my plate these days between teaching sewing lessons, trying to sell my house, going on vacation, planning birthday parties, being Cub master, etc. But that hasn't stopped me from reading a lot.

Since I love reading so much and I want everyone else to as well, I thought I'd share some of my thoughts on some of my recent reads. I'd love to hear your thoughts as well, so feel free to chip in!

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

I love books about self-discovery. This one did not disappoint, though it did seem a bit rough in places. I thought this book was great in how it intertwined the past and the present as Strayed hiked for three months, mostly alone.

Reading this book made me want to take an adventure. I know I have had times where I wish I could just leave everything behind and do something absolutely crazy... and that is what Strayed did. I certainly would never dare do anything as intense as a three month solo hike, but it is fun to think about.

Would I recommend it: Yes!


Bury Her Deep by Catriona McPherson

I'm always in the mood for a fun little mystery, so I have enjoyed reading McPherson's Dandy Gilver series. I've read a few of them now and I have to say, this one was not my favorite.

The mystery and story are good up until near the end when it all unravels... in a way that I don't think anyone would ever guess. In some mysteries, that is a good thing, but I don't think that it works well in this one. I felt like there was too much misdirection and not enough clues as to the real solution.

Would I recommend it: Yes, with reservations.


I Will Plant You a Lilac Tree by Laura Hillman

Obviously this is a big jump to make from a fun mystery novel. This is a memoir of a Schindler's List survivor. This is a wonderful, poignant memoir. It is hard to fathom Hannelore's resilience in the face of the horrible atrocities of the Holocaust.

Despite the heavy subject matter, this is a beautiful narrative of Hillman's experience as a young woman struggling to survive, and ultimately finding love in spite of her terrible circumstances.

Would I recommend it: Definitely yes.

My Reading List

I am always on the prowl for good books to read, and I usually try to mix things up so that I don't get suck in one genre. Here is my to-read list for the Spring:

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Honestly, I hated the movie Coraline... mostly, I think, because it was creepy and scary when it was supposedly a kids' movie. Luckily my hubby and I watched it ourselves before letting our son watch it. It surely would've given him nightmares. And now, thanks to Coraline, I find Lalaloopsy dolls a little extra creepy. That said, I find that I generally like books better than their film interpretations, so I think I need to give this one a try.

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

This one has been on my list ever since I had my Children's Lit Book Club. We never got around to reading it before the book club died, but I think it sounds like a fun read. I love high-quality kid lit, so hopefully this one won't disappoint.

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

I love books about self-discovery, which is what made me add this one to the list. And I think everyone has times when they feel like doing something completely crazy in their journey to self discovery.

Bury Her Deep by Catriona McPherson

I recently discovered the "Dandy Gilver" series by Catriona McPherson. I started reading them out of order, but luckily, it doesn't seem to be making too much of a difference as they stand alone pretty well. So I'm just reading them as I can get my hands on them. The next for me is #3, Bury Her Deep. I love a good mystery and these are pretty fun despite their dark subjects.

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

Every reading list needs some non-fiction, and I have several on mine. I have enjoyed reading many books about the World War II era, and I imagine this one will be no exception. Survival stories are always inspiring, too.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

I love a good dystopian future novel, and this seems to be a popular choice these days. I figure I need to read the book before I see the movie, so I'll be reading this as soon as I can get it from the library. I hope the hype isn't too much for the reality.

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

I've read most of Sue Monk Kidd's other books and especially enjoyed her non-fiction. Now she's back with another novel. The cover is so beautiful that I had to add it to my list. I can't wait to see if the story is beautiful, too!

I Will Plant You a Lilac Tree: A Memoir of a Schindler's List Survivor by Laura Hillman

There are a lot of Holocaust stories out there, but I never shy away from reading them. Yes, they are horrible in the atrocities these people suffered, but they are also inspirational in the strength and  resilience shown in the worst situations imaginable.

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

I love mysteries. I love book stores. So this sounds right up my alley. Plus I might need a pick-me-up after some of the more serious books on my list.

So what books are on your reading list this Spring? I would love to hear your choices!

Playing With Books

I know it's been nearly a month since Christmas, but I finally have some time to get back to blogging and wanted to share one of the best gifts I've ever gotten:

Playing With Books: The Art of Upcycling, Deconstructing, and Reimagining the Book
by Jason Thompson

My hubby got me this book all about fun things to do with books! I'll be honest... I'm a little bit tempted to created a dress for myself out of book pages, though it wouldn't be terribly practical. This book is filled with amazing ideas and instructions. Now I just need to go on the prowl for some good old books with sturdy covers so that I can get started.

My Reading List

Since I've been sick for almost a month now, I've started in on another reading binge. I thought I'd share my reading list here... in no particular order. If you've read any of them, I'd love to hear what you thought! Leave a comment and let me know.

Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

The Immorality Engine by George Mann

The Male Brain by Louann Brizendine

Nothing by Janne Teller

River Secrets by Shannon Hale

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

Bout of Books 8.0 - The Results

Bout of Books 8.0 is now complete! I didn't reach all my goals, but feel like I did a decent job considering all my distractions. Here is a re-cap of my first experience with Bout of Books:


My Goals

• To finish reading the books on my Summer Reading List.
• To make some progress toward reading all of Charles' Dickens novels before I'm 30.
• To give my normal reading binge a purpose!

My Results

• 3 complete books read, including two off my Summer Reading List.
• 134 pages of Martin Chuzzlewit read toward my Dickens goal.
• 1,062 total pages read this week.

What I Read

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein was a wonderful read. It is historical fiction, set during WWII in England and France. It is beautiful and heartbreaking.

The Roving Tree by Elsie Augustave was an interesting read about a Haitian girl, brought up in America who later journeys to Africa in an attempt to find her true place in the world. The story includes Haitian and African traditional beliefs in a modern context.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher is the story of a teenage boy who receives thirteen cassette tapes created by a girl who recently committed suicide. The tapes explain her thirteen reasons why she chose to end her life. I was somewhat skeptical of the message this book would send until the end when the narrator makes it clear that everything that happened was a choice. An interesting read to get you thinking about the dynamics of relationships, high school drama & angst, and the choices we make.

Bout of Books 8.0 - Days 2-4 Progress

Wednesday

Today is Day 3 of Bout of Books 8.0 and I have been slacking! I should've known it would be a mistake to start with Dickens, so I am about to change up my strategy!

As for my progress up to today, I am on page 135 (of 716) of Martin Chuzzlewit. Since that is moving slowly, I'm going to set it aside while I start on Code Name: Verity. I hope that these other books in my pile will be quicker reads so that I can make a bit more progress!

Friday

I am happy to say that in the last two days, I have redeemed myself a bit! On Wednesday, I read Code Name: Verity, which was excellent! On Thursday, I read Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. It was heartbreaking and reminded me of many of the reasons I hated high school. And as of today, I am on page 37 of The Roving Tree by Elsie Augustave. I hope to finish it up today because I have five more books waiting to be read. I'm not sure I'll meet my goal of 6 complete books, but I will get at least 4 by Sunday, which isn't too shabby.

I'm Joining Bout of Books!

I love reading, so when I found out about the Bout of Books Read-a-Thon, I decided to sign up!

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 19th and runs through Sunday, August 25th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 8.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

Since I have a few weeks to prepare, I am going to start collecting a stack of books to get me through the week. Usually, when I am on a book binge, I can read one good-length book in a day. So here are my goals for the Bout of Books Read-a-Thon:

My Goals

• To finish reading the books on my Summer Reading List.
• To make some progress toward reading all of Charles' Dickens novels before I'm 30.
• To give my normal reading binge a purpose!

Books to Read

Code Name: Verity by Elizabeth Wein
Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Circle of Shadows by Imogen Robertson
A Conspiracy of Faith by Jussi Adler-Olsen
Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok

I think that my current record is five books in one week, so I don't think a goal of six is too ambitious. I will update my progress throughout the week of the read-a-thon. If you like to read, you should sign up, too!

Thinking Thursday -or- Board Books That Adults Can Enjoy Too

Let's face it: board books are not known for being particularly profound. And it's true, some of them are pretty lame. But when I happen upon a board book that I love, I consider it a fantastic discovery. Because if I'm bored reading books to my kid, they're not going to love the books either... right? That is why I have put together this post of my favorite board books that adults will enjoy, too.

Hamsters Holding Hands by Kass Reich

This simple counting book is made more fun with silly hamsters and nicely rhyming text. My 5-year old got a kick out of this book.

The Swing by Robert Louis Stevenson

A beautiful poem, beautifully illustrated.

Happy Hippo, Angry Duck by Sandra Boynton

I love all the Boynton books I have read so far. This one, subtitled "A book of moods," is a great read for kids who are learning to name their feelings.

Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann

My son loved this book so much as a toddler that our copy is held together with tape. I love that the story is told in pictures.

Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boynton

Another of my favorite Boynton books, this one cracked us all up. It's a simple color book, made more fun by a crazy turkey who can't get anything right.

Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy Shaw

We received this as a baby shower gift before my oldest was born and after five years, I still love it. There are several other "Sheep" books by Nancy Shaw and they are all equally fun.

Llama Llama Wakey-Wake by Anna Dewdney

I love rhyming books, so I really enjoy the Llama Llama books by Anna Dewdney. This one is a simple story about Llama's morning routine and could be great for kids who are about to start preschool or kindergarten so they can learn about routines.

Love is You & Me by Monica Sheehan

I probably enjoyed this book more than my son did, but it is very sweet and teaches about love.

The Napping House by Audrey Wood

We first encountered this book during a "story walk" at our local library. There is a picture book version as well as the board book version. The illustrations are wonderful in this book.

The Goodnight Train by June Sobel

A fun, rhyming story about the goodnight train's trip to dreamland. The illustrations are lovely and give you a lot to talk about in addition to the story.

What are your favorite board books?

{Linked on Happy and Blessed Home, Truly Lovely, Tatertots & Jello, The Thriftiness Miss, Wait Til Your Father Gets Home}

Thinking Thursday -or- Favorite Picture Books

I love kids' books and I love reading good books to my kids. Some books written for kids are incredibly lame, but I have discovered some that we absolutely love. So here is a round-up of our favorite picture books in case you need ideas of what to read to your kids during the summer!

Willoughby & The Moon by Greg Foley

I found this book when I was randomly browsing our local library. We love the illustrations in this book. They are all silver and black. The story is about learning to deal with fears, so it's a great story for kids.

Animal House by Candace Ryan

This book cracked me up. The illustrations are a lot of fun because everything in the animal house is an animal. It is a great book to read and talk about with a preschooler because they will love discovering all the different animals.

Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae

I love rhyming books, especially when the rhyming is well done. That is the case with this book. Plus, the story is great because it is all about finding your own talents.

A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen

I have loved every Van Dusen book I have read. The illustrations are very crisp and clean, the text rhymes cleverly, and Mr. Magee is always getting into ridiculous situations.

Can I Play Too? by Mo Willems

One of the "Elephant and Piggie" books by Mo Willems, this one makes us laugh every time we read it. I think these books really help kids to better interpret emotions because it is all done with speech balloons and facial expressions. And it shows kids that it is good to find a way to include everyone.

If you need any more picture book recommendations, check out this post I did on our family blog a while ago. What are your favorite picture books?

{Linked on Live Laugh Rowe, Seven Alive, The 36th Avenue, Joyful Homemaking, The Crafty Blog Stalker}

Thinking Thursday -or- Great Reads for Guys

I read a lot. When I say "a lot," I mean two or more books per week. My hubby, on the other hand, maybe reads two books in a year. But since he can get part of his library fines waived if he completes our library's Summer Reading Program by reading 4 books, I compiled a list of books I thought would interest him. So here is my collection of Great Reads for Guys:

Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift

If you have never read Jonathan Swift, you should. He is witty and irreverent and ironic -- all great qualities in my mind. This classic is a fun read and it isn't too long.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

My guess is more people have seen the movie than have read the book. I have not seen the movie, and I'm afraid to. I loved this book so much and I worry the movie might ruin that for me. This is a survival story that really makes you think by the end. Give yourself a couple extra days to get through this one, but believe me, it's worth it!

Hungry Monkey: A Food Loving Father's Quest to Raise an Adventurous Eater by Matthew Amsler-Burton

If you are into non-fiction and you like good food, this is a fun read. Amsler-Burton tells his own story of raising his daughter and his attempts to get her to love food as much as he does. By the end it seems he thinks his daughter is not an adventurous eater, but I say any kid who will eat pork can be called "adventurous." I would be happy if my kid ate chicken.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

I love dystopian literature and this one does not disappoint. The ending is a ambiguous, but makes for great discussion. And it is pretty short, which is always good.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Here's another dystopian future. This book (the first of a series) has been compared to Ender's Game or The Hunger Games. When describing it to my hubby, I said, "Dystopian future with children in impossible situations." That just about sums it up. But it is a suspenseful and interesting read. As soon as I finished it, I wanted to read the next book in the series. So I read the entire series in a week.

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

I was assigned this book is a college literature class entitled "Gender and War." This is a book about the Vietnam War, so it is obviously not a happy book. But it is a book that makes you think about the various "baggage" people carry. It is a very poignant read.

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

This book was one that surprised me. If you haven't read it and can handle a bit of raunchiness and nonsense, you really should read it. I consider this the funniest book I have ever read. But it isn't just funny. It is a book about war and soldiers and death. But it is entertaining at the same time. I have never read anything like it. It's brilliant!

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Here's another classic for you. This is a great (short) novel about the downfall of a young man who seemed to have everything going for him. And it proves a point I'm always saying: "You never know what is going on inside someone else."

{Linked on One Artsy Mama, The Pink Momma, Artsy-Fartsy Mama, The Thriftiness Miss, Easy Living Mom, Joyful Homemaking, Somewhat Simple, Wait Til Your Father Gets Home}

Thinking Thursday -or- My Summer Reading List

I am a voracious reader, but since I started my Etsy shop and my blog, I have been neglecting my reading. So I decided that I need an official summer reading list to keep me on track. And so that I'm held somewhat accountable (and love sharing book recommendations), I'm sharing my reading list here, in no particular order. If you've read any of these and liked/hated them, let me know in the comments.

Note: Each link will take you to a review of the book so you can learn more about it!

1. Code Name: Verity by Elizabeth Wein
2. Halfway to Each Other by Susan Pohlman
3. Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens
4. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
5. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
6. The Climbing Boy by Mark Lichterman

7. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
8. Wildwood by Colin Meloy
9. What We Keep by Elizabeth Berg
10. The Unseen Guest by Maryrose Wood
11. Two Little Girls in Blue by Mary Higgins Clark
12. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

As you can see, I really like to read juvenile and young adult books, as well as mystery and suspense. And I set a goal for myself to read all of Charles Dickens' books by the time I turn 30 (I only have 18 months to go).

What's on your reading list this summer?

{Linked on Life With the Crust Off, Rhinestone Beagle, Somewhat Simple, Seven Alive, The 36th Avenue, Joyful Homemaking, Easy Living Mom, The Crafty Blog Stalker, Artsy Fartsy Mama, The Girl Creative, The Thriftiness Miss, The Stitchin' Mommy, Happy and Blessed Home, Truly Lovely, One Artsy Mama, The Pink Momma, Live Laugh Rowe}

Thinking Thursday #2 -or- Get Lost in a Book

Today I have compiled a list of some of my favorite books in various genres. If you're looking for a good read to get lost in, check out one of these and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

This middle-reader fantasy is based on Chinese fairy tales. It took me a while to get into this book, but once I did, I was hooked. It is unlike anything I have ever read before and I loved it! Great for kids and adults alike.

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Another middle-reader, this one is science fiction. Throughout most of this book, you are not really sure what is going on, but it all comes together at the poignant end. I can't wait to read it again!

Austenland by Shannon Hale

If you're a fan of Jane Austen or just fun chick lit, this is a great read. It is light and funny fiction with a little romance thrown in for good measure.

Instruments of Darkness by Imogen Robertson

I love a good mystery. I have really enjoyed reading Imogen Robertson's Crowther & Westerman series, of which this is the first installment. Historical fiction meets murder mystery. Right up my alley!

Traveling With Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story by Sue Monk Kidd & Ann Kidd Taylor

This mother-daughter memoir is a wonderful read for anyone who is trying to discover (or re-discover) their place in the world. It seems I'm always doing that, so I really enjoyed this book.


{Linked on Somewhat Simple, Be Different...Act Normal, The Wondering Brain, I Should Be Mopping the Floor}

Thinking Thursday #1 -or- Great Reads for Older Kids

I have always loved reading. I was that kid who would turn the lights back on after my parents thought I was asleep so that I could keep reading. I was that kid who would wake up in the middle of the night with the lights on and a book on my face. I was that kid who read Moby Dick in junior high just because I wanted to (and I hated it, but that's beside the point).

I am still a ravenous reader. I am generally reading two or three books at a time, or if I'm really into them, I can read two or three books a week. So it was only natural that I would start a book club when I needed some more social interaction.

The book club started out reading kids books (middle reader through young adult). I chose this age group mainly so that we wouldn't have to worry too much about adult content, but also because there are a lot of great kid books out there.

So for my first edition of "Thinking Thursday," I present some great reads for older kids. Enjoy!

Classics

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

Surprisingly, Peter Pan led to the best book club discussion so far. We're all familiar with the Disney version of the story, so it was interesting to read the original and to see that it is not so innocent as we thought. My favorite moment from our group's discussion was when another book clubber gasped, "Wait! Peter Pan is not real?!" I hate to spoil it for you if you haven't read it, but no, Peter Pan is not real.






A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

You might be hard-pressed to get a boy to read this book after seeing the title, but it is a wonderful book for any child. Granted, Sarah is a little too perfect, perhaps, but I think that reading about her struggles can help children to feel empathy and to see that goodness is generally rewarded in the end. It could also work to teach your kids that not all adults are trustworthy.







Science Fiction

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Probably better for older readers (junior high or high school), Ender's Game is a superbly written book. Not only does it spark the imagination with its descriptions of our world and technology in the future, but it makes the reader think about right and wrong. Is the end a justification for the means we use to get there?





The Giver by Lois Lowry

Another dystopian future awaits a reader in this thought-provoking book. This could lead to some great discussions with older kids about why it is important to remember the past and learn from it... as well as the importance of having hope.






{Linked on The Girl Creative}