Book Time

The girls and I agreed that this summer we needed to devote time to reading. It is so easy to get caught up with spending time on the computer, the iPad, the iPods, and watching TV. We have worked to create a little time to read during the day and I am not overly upset if we miss a day or two, but I do like having a plan.

We went to the library the other day and the girls picked up some books that interested them. I had just downloaded the book Bloom on my iPad. We are all hoping that we can keep to our book reading schedule and have some good books under our belt by the end of August.

Books

I am making a goal to read more!!! I love reading and sometimes it gets lost in the shuffle of other things I like to do: computer, magazines, TV shows!!


So, here are some books I have read and here are some I have on my reading list.

Really enjoyed this account of Stephanie Nielson's life. An easy and quick read that kept my interest. It was my first iPad book that I read and I enjoyed the experience.




I read this about two months ago. Lily set it down in front of me and said, "Here, I think you should read this!" So, I did. And, I loved it!!!! Such a fast read filled with excitement and adventure. I finished it on a Saturday and rushed to the theater to see the movie on Sunday. The movie was good but the book was much better.


Great book with such a fun feel to it. Another easy read that I downloaded on my iPad. Andy Cohen's story and career path is intriguing and funny. If you are a Real Housewives watcher, you might be interested.


I'm currently in the middle of reading this book. I borrowed it and really need to get it back to its owner! I have enjoyed the Tori Spelling books. She has a great tone to her story telling and is also a bit irreverent.


Now here are the books I have on my summer reading list:





















Those are the ones I actually have written on my list. I may add more once I get going and actually finish the ones here. I am excited to read away and so are the girls. They came up with their own lists and we hit the library to get going on our books! Excited.

Speaking of Books

Recently, I finished reading The Undomestic Goddess. It was a light read and a fun little diversion from some of the heavier books I have chosen lately. The best part of reading this book was that I took it with me on the Wilmington field trip. It took us over 4 hours to travel each way. I was happy for this light-hearted story as we made our way down the road surrounded by tons of noisy 4th graders.

I am planning to read this book, The Shack, next. I have heard so many different things about it. I am eager to form my own opinion.

When I was teaching fourth grade, Bridge to Terabithia was one of my favorite stories to read aloud. It is a great tale of fantasy, friendship, and sadness. Lily chose this book for her last AR book. She really enjoyed the story and I enjoyed rereading it. This time with my very own little 4th grader.

Books

Books and words have always helped to make me feel better at various times in my life. You can usually find me writing or reading during stressful times and right now is no exception. I have done lots of writing whether it's here on the blog or in my journal. I like documenting my journey and then going back to remember my thoughts later. It's comforting and reassuring to relive some of the saddest, as well as, some of the happiest times in my life.

Another escape for me is in reading books. I have been directed toward several interesting titles of late and wanted to share them here with others. The first book, Embraced by the Light, is one that a neighbor gave me. She has recently lost her father and she found the book to be a good representation of heaven. It took me awhile to get through the book, but by the end of the story it was well worth the time I put into it.

The next book, The Middle Place, I came across while viewing the video that was added in the previous post. I was so impressed with the words that Kelly Corrigan shared and I wanted to read more. I just started the book last night and I am enjoying her storytelling.

A book that was given to my father by a friend of my sister's is titled, The Lord is My Shepherd. The author, a rabbi, looks at the 23rd Psalm and how it's message can alter a person's life and offer hope. My sister sent me a copy of this book for my birthday and it is next on my list to read after The Middle Place.

My sister also sent me a copy of this book, When Bad Things Happen to Good People. I've heard so much about this book and am eager to read it and hopefully learn from it.

The last two books, I Miss You and What's Heaven?, were given to the girls by a friend. They are both excellent books that help children deal with the loss of a loved one. The books discuss some great topics within their text and offer valuable answers for young children's many questions about death.

As I read and absorb information, I find comfort from the words that others write to offer help and encouragement. Losing my mother is a journey I wasn't prepared to take so soon, but feeling comforted by words is easing some of the intense pain.

I Finished a Book

Well, not the most exciting news ever, but exciting to me. I read and finished a book in a timely manner. Since 2000, I just haven't made the time to sit and read. I am glad I am forcing myself to do this once again. I love to read a good book and have really missed some of my favorite authors. Here's the book I read and finished:
No, it wasn't a classic, or a witty new novel, or some well written political prose...but, it got me back into reading and for that I am happy. So, now I will wander through the bookstores and libraries looking for that perfect book that keeps me reading. I can't wait!

07.16.07

Today was library day. So, I returned the book that I never read (forgot to take it with me to the beach) and checked out some new ones. This week, I found these books:

The girls both found books that made them happy and Lily selected a DVD about the United States. She watched it in the car on the way home and enjoyed it.

All for now. Happy day. K :)

06.18.07

Randomness:

So, today is library day around these parts. I am getting as excited as the girls are about turning in my books and getting something new. I finished this book:




It was mediocre and an incredibly fast read (what I'm looking for...the fast read part not the mediocre part). This week, I have the following books to capture my interest:



I like the thrill of finishing two books in one week. It is motivating and I feel good about the example I'm setting.

Lily really had fun at VBS and is eager to go back again.

Today I smelled the rubber side of my bath mat while doing laundry and I immediately thought of the summer time and my sisters. There they were at our family's cottage, ready to go swimming with their caps on and rafts in hand. It was about 1973 and the smell of that rubber reminds me of those caps and getting ready to go for a swim in the lake with the muddy bottom. Memories of summer...cool...love good memories and good sisters!!!

Happy day.

K :)