We had some fun with our cats on National Dress Up Your Pet Day this week. This is Razzi in all of his sophisticated glory.
Highlights of the Week My back started feeling almost normal by Friday.
I got pulled over after dropping Gage off at morning nature camp for a brake light that was out. I couldn’t provide proof of insurance and he still let me off with a warning. Yay me!
I signed up for Book Riot’s TBR service and am looking forward to seeing what they choose for me.
On the homeschool front, we started a real math curriculum (it’s a book, but with worksheets, lesson plans, and tests included) instead of me making the lessons myself and not only has it taken some of the stress off, but Gage is flying through. He’s tested out of the first 25 lessons so far and I’m sure he’ll continue to ace the tests for at least the next 20, so I’m feeling way more confident that what I was doing before was working.
Could’ve been better I was in considerable pain until Friday.
A Discovery of Witches, season 1 on Amazon Prime. I read the first book of the trilogy ages ago and didn’t remember many of the details, but Jason and I both enjoyed it. Looking forward to season 2.
Movies
Because of Winn-Dixie This is Gage’s new favorite book so he insisted we watch the movie. He assured me that they were almost the same.Intrusion on Netflix
Completed puzzles
Plans for the weekend
Hoping to spend some time outside in the sunshine. What about you?
People We Meet on Vacation was everywhere last year and I finally got around to a listen/read. I loved the friendship between opposites Poppy and Alex. As someone who had a best friend of the opposite sex in college and beyond I loved the banter and the love.
As Poppy found herself having everything she wanted, but still not being happy she decided that making up with Alex was a good first step. The story hops from past to present so that we find out what happened to break their friendship.
A fun modern romance even if I wish more of that lightheartedness would have carried through to the end.
This was the Goodreads Award Winner for Best Romance.
What a great way to start my reading year! Inspired by part of a real conversation she heard at a restaurant in Atlanta. “Would you have waited seven years for me?” And the response “But it would not happen to you.” gets to the heart of this tested marriage.
From the very first pages I felt like I knew Roy and Cecilia. There was an exchange of letters explaining the current situation and then a look back at their upbringing and marriage. Their story was raw and poignant. It’s also the story of Atlanta and all that it means to them both.
If your spouse of 1 1/2 years was falsely imprisoned for 12 years how would you go on? If you like stories about marriage I highly recommend this book. I wish it had gone further in the end, but was still enraptured in their relationship and the secondary characters, especially Roy’s dad.
Her Secret War by Pam Lecky. 4.5 stars. 384 pages. Published 2021.
A moment that ruins her life
On 31st May 1941, Germany drops bombs on neutral Dublin and Sarah Gillespie loses her family and home that fateful night. Days later, the man she loves leaves Ireland to enlist in the RAF.
A decision that changes her life
With nothing to keep her in Ireland and a burning desire to help the war effort, Sarah seeks refuge with relatives in Hampshire, England. But before long, Sarah’s family history catches up with her.
A mission that could cost her life
Sarah is asked to prove her loyalty to Britain through uncovering a spy at Vickers Supermarine, the manufacturers of the legendary Spitfire fighter plane. But to progress with her mission, she must become involved with a fifth columnist. And so the most dangerous game she’s ever played ensues…
I thoroughly enjoyed this WWII historical fiction novel. This is not an era I’m drawn to, but this one hit the spot with it’s sympathetic and smart protagonist, warm characters, fast moving plot, and the addictive writing that keep me wanting to read more every time I had to put it down. There was even a twist that made me think we may see more of Sarah in the future.
Sarah hadn’t had an easy life. Her mother died when she was young, leaving Sarah to raise her little sister in a house with an abusive father. When Dublin is bombed the day after she breaks up with her boyfriend, she is left severely injured and alone. Thankfully she has family in England that takes her in and secures her a job. Just as she settles in, she is forced to prove her loyalty to her new country.
If you like historical fiction with a bit of excitement then this is the book for you!
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in return for my honest review. Thanks TLC Book Tours!
Last year I spent so much time reading that I lost time for other things along the way, like these weekly checkins! I had the best of intentions today and then tweaked my back this morning and am in quite a bit of pain. Still in pain, but need to focus on something else so here I am!
Fave Pic
I always enjoy the colors through the trees as the sun goes down. No filters or enhancements needed.
Highlight of the week I started intermittent fasting and have given up alcohol for the month and those two things shaved off almost 5 pounds!
Also, I’ve decided to continue last year’s book a day challenge, but in a way more relaxed way. I plan to utilize picture books and can count mini-series, like Stay Close, for books I’ve read. So far I’ve read 14 books and watched one. I’d just like to make it a lifestyle and we’ll see how it goes. If that means I’m reading a picture book to Gage some nights, all the better!
Could’ve been better It’s time for Gage’s ETR and IEP and that meant in-person assessments at his old speech therapist’s office and the school. The assessments were fine, but the dozens of pages I must now fill out is not fun.
Emily In Paris, season 2 This Netflix series is one of those guilty pleasures that I really don’t feel guilty about at all! Paris in all of it’s outrageous beauty.
Stay Close the Netflix series based on the book by Harlan Coben. Jason and I have felt ho-hum about the last few Coben adaptations so we were excited that this was one of the better ones. We both really liked it.
Movies
Plans for the weekend
Moving as little as possible and hoping my back decides to start acting right.
It’s been a great week for picture books! I read the 7 picture book finalists for this year’s Cybils Awards, but since I’m a judge I can’t give my thoughts until the winner is announced. Check them out here.
Loved
Of Thee I Sing by Barack Obama, illustrated by Loren Long. 40 pages, pub. 2010
Obama writes about the traits of his daughters (and all Americans) based on those who have come before us. Qualities like the strength found in Helen Keller and the pride in America found in George Washington. He also featured ten others. Beautiful illustrations too. This is not a political book, but an American one.
In the 1700’s Benjamin Banneker built a clock with a bell (called a striking bell) to sit on a mantle using only his own drawings and a knife (the bell he purchased). Perfectly shows that ingenuity is just as important as good schooling and money.
How to mark the anniversary of January 6 in our homeschooling day? By spending over an hour studying fake news, who spreads it and the damage it causes, like January 6 when it almost derailed the foundation of our government.
This book was excellent. It’s short, but up to date with social media dangers and real examples of the harm it does to the world as a whole. A great current resource for worthwhile discussion.
Good
Mambo Mucho Mambo! by Dean Robbins, illustrated by Eddie Velesquez. 40 pages, published by 2021
This book tells the story of how the multicultural mambo came to be in New York City. It showcased each of the cultures in their parts of the city beautifully. Great for showing different cultures coming together to make something new.
There are a few things I’m going to keep going from my crazy 2021 year of reading. The first is choosing books at the beginning of the month, but instead of 30 I’m starting with 8 this month.
Also, um, I’ve decided to see if I can keep this book a day thing going for another year, lol. It’s the 4th and I’ve read 9 books, 8 of them kids picture books. I discovered a real love for picture books last year that surprised me and I’d like to keep that passion alive.
These past few years have been challenging for everyone. Nothing like living or trying to raise kids during a global pandemic to throw life into uncertainty, depression, and confusion. I think this is the perfect time for Haig’s latest, The Comfort Book. And I’ve paired it with a comfort food just because it’s a sunny January day in Cleveland so why not?
This is a self-help, memoir, inspirational, and more book written by a skilled author who has battled suicidal depression. This book is for everyone who needs a hug right now, or a knowing nod letting you know that you are not alone, you are seen.
Loved it! I listened to the author reading this as well as looking through my book at favorite passages and I’d recommend both.
“Nothing is stronger than a small hope that doesn’t give up.”
“None of us are the same people we were ten years ago. When we feel or experience terrible things, it is useful to remember that nothing lasts. Perspective shifts. We become different versions of ourselves. The hardest question I have ever been asked is: “How do I stay alive for other people if I have no one?” The answer is that you stay alive for other versions of you. For the people you will meet, yes, sure, but also the people you will be.”
“Pasta. No physical appearance is worth not eating pasta for.”
“Realization. I used to worry about fitting in until I realized the reason I didn’t fit in was because I didn’t want to.”
Sheila over at Book Journey hosts First Book of the Year as a way that we can all see what all of our bookish friends have chosen as their first reads of the year. This year I was even able to get Gage to participate although we will be tackling that classic together. Sheila was my bookish Secret Santa this year and sent me a box with FIVE books as well as other goodies. I decided to choose one of the books she sent as my first read.
What are your reading plans today? We had movie night last night and around 11:30 Gage started feeling sick. He spend the beginning of 2022 puking his guts out and falling asleep on the couch.
“This isn’t a good way to start 2022,” he says. We can only go up from here!
I’m not going to lie, this wasn’t the best movie year for us. We didn’t get to the movie theater (although we did get to the drive-in for a double feature) and our choices were more of ‘what’s on Netflix that we can agree on in 5 minutes?’ than intentional viewing. We did binge lots of shows, but I wasn’t great about keeping track of those. Maybe next year.
49 movies (same as last year)
2021 was our most watched year with 12 movies, followed by 2020 with 8.
Gigi (1958) was the oldest movie we watched.
We watched the most movies in the month of May with 8.
We also watched Wheel of Time season 1 (loved) The Witcher season 2 (liked), and the BBC’s The Pale Horse starring Rufus Sewell (skip it!). Have you been binging any shows this month?
You know the drill, add your 5 words (or less!) to mine in a comment and earn $1 for charity. Once we get to $100 the person with the most reviews will choose the charity. Click here to see the past winners, the charities they chose and the other reviews you can add to. Anyone is welcome to join in at any time. Click here to see past movie posts.
The 5th Wave, 2016 (Chloe Grace Moretz, Ron Livingston, Liev Schreiber, Nick Robinson, Alex Roe, Maggie Siff, Maria Bello, Maika Monroe, Zackary Arthur) Grade C+
My book a day challenge officially ends tomorrow since I started last year on the 31st. I’ll be including the two books I’m reading today and tomorrow in these stats 🙂 I honestly cannot believe I completed this challenge. It seemed crazy at the beginning of the year, but thanks to my new love of non-fiction kids picture books I was able to get through the more challenging days! On to the numbers…
I read 415 books.
73 books published in 2021 and 40 published in 2020.
The oldest book I read was Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie published in 1934.
249 were fiction and 166 were non-fiction. (this non-fiction is highly unusual for me and due, in part, to the 99 kids non-fiction books I read this year)
280 were written by authors new to me.
Favorite Cover
I visited France 25 times and the UK 17 times through my reading. I also read books set in 16 other countries.
I continued with 11 series ( Jack Reacher, Lady Sherlock, Kinsey Milhone, Dublin Murder Squad, Mrs. Pollifax, Inspector Rebus, Hathaways, Lucas Davenport, Amos Decker, In Death, Ravenels),
started 6 others (Fiona Figg, Runaway Train, Brigertons, Hugo Marston, Jeremy Logan, Seven Sisters)
and read 1 series from beginning to end (Lucy Valentine series by Heather Webber books 1-5).
The longest book I read was The President is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton at 528 pages.
Most read authors – adults – Lee Child with 8, kids – Virginia Hamilton with 5, and illustrator Jerry Pinkney with 8.
I already posted the longlist of my favorite kids books here and my favorite adult books here, but…
I love this book so much! Gage and I read one letter every day, some letters have a few words, some only one. There’s a poem, an explanation of what type of poem it is, a quote, a paragraph about the word written by Charles or Irene, and then an action.
This was the beautiful way we’ve started our learning everyday. We read, we discussed, and used the poems as cursive practice. The book and pages are gorgeous and I’ve already ordered our own copy, since this was a library book. We finished up with Zest and pages of further reading recommendations which I plan on using! This the second collaboration between these authors and I definitely need to get their first book.
Do yourself a favor and get your hands on this book! It’s a wonderful first hand account of his time in the war with a little of his life before and after. Scroll through the pics. Each the drawings were sketches he made during his days in the military. He would send the hundreds of sketches home when he could and just brought them out for public consumption a few years ago. In addition to the sketches, photos, and commentary, he’s included some of the letters he sent home.
He was there on Omaha Beach working as a stevedore to get cargo from ship to Allied forces. His home was a foxhole he dug himself on the beach.
It’s a story of war, hope, prejudice, and perseverance. If your child needs a firsthand account of someone in WWII or of racial inequality in the war this is a must read. It’s laid out so beautifully it’s sure to hold their attention. And, as an adult, I fell in love with it myself.
The Push was our book club choice for April and it generated some very strong feelings. Personally, disturbing as it was, this was a great book. It’s a complicated story about motherhood, all of the ugly parts no one talks about and the absolute highs when you are exactly the mother you thought you’d be.
Blythe comes from generations of bad mothers. The stories of her mother and grandmother are interspersed throughout the novel. Blythe falls in love, gets married and is nervous to start a family of her own. Motherhood comes and I’ll tell you no more.
This debut novel is well written, perfectly paced, and hard to put down. But it’s not an easy read. It’s difficult at times to take in what’s happening and I think a lot of women could be upset by much of what happens. It’s a love or hate book for most and I’m standing on the love side.
What if every choice you made led to a different life, a different you and it was happening simultaneously to your life right now. What if you were able to visit The Midnight Library and try on each of these lives to see if you preferred them to the one you’re currently living. So goes the story of Nora Seed.
Loved this book. Not only did I love the endless possibilities, I loved the attention to great philosophers, especially Thoreau, who is a favorite of mine. Highly recommend this one for discussion and contemplation.
This book was definitely elevated by the excellent narration by Adam Lazarre-White. His rich voice made the story of two fathers, one white, one black, coming to terms with the deaths of their gay sons come alive. There was more violence and also more soul searching than I anticipated going in. Give this one a listen.
This lived up to ALL of the hype! It’s so different from her other two books. It’s a thriller. One day a child knocks on Hannah’s door with a note, it’s from her husband and all it says is PROTECT HER. Bailey, the daughter, comes home from school with a duffel bag full of cash that her dad had stuffed in her locker. Owen himself was missing.
That’s all you get. If you like thrillers this is a must read!
This is an unflinching story of poverty, family, and life. Esch is 14 and has just found out she’s pregnant. She’s had sex with lots of her brothers friends because it easier to say yes than to upset them, but she knows who the father is, her oldest brother’s best friend. Another brother, Skeetah, has bred his prized pit bull China so that he could sell the puppies. The youngest brother’s birth cost her mother’s life and left the four of them with a drunk and rough father.
This book takes place in the 12 days leading up to Hurricane Katrina. There is such a richness to the unapologetic language and story. I still feel like a little bit of me is stuck on the coast. There is a brutal dog fighting scene. I had to close the book and sit with my visceral reaction to it. This book takes its time, but at some point it will completely draw you into the Baptiste family and their world.
It’s a National Book Award Winner published in 2011.
“Everything happens for a reason. This is a thing people say. My mom says it a lot. “Things happen for a reason, Tasha.” Usually people say it when something goes wrong, but not too wrong. A non fatal car accident. A sprained ankle instead of a broken one.
Tellingly, my mom has not said it in reference to our deportation. What reason could there be for this awful thing happening? My dad, whose fault this whole thing is, says, “You can’t always see God’s plan.” I want to tell him that maybe he shouldn’t leave everything up to God and that hoping against hope is not a life strategy, but that would mean I would have to talk to him, and I don’t want to talk to him.”
What a great way to start the month. I loved the romantic and scientific back and forth on the meaning of life and love. Almost the entire book takes place during one day, the day of deportation and the day Natasha and Daniel meet and fall in love. Jamaica and Korean cultures fill up the pages of this teen American Dream romance.
A graphic memoir by the great-granddaughter of one of Iran’s last emperors. She tells the story of her childhood during the Islamic Revolution and Iran’s war with Iraq. And then later as she is sent away to live on her own in Vienna at the age of 14.
The black and white illustrations are full of horror, history, and heartwarming and heartbreaking stories. I’m late to the game, but this is a must read.
Two outstanding graphic books by Art Spieglman (the first winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1992).
It’s the story of the Holocaust based on Spiegelman’s interviews with his survivor father and also of his life with his father as he got older. He, his father, and the other Jewish people are depicted as mice and the Nazis as cats.
So moving, both as a Holocaust history, but also a relationship story between father and son. One I’m not going to forget anytime soon.
You are welcome to check out my end of the year list of books on Goodreads here. You will have to go to the bottom and click on See More Books a few times to see them all.
Stacy's Books 