Eleanor & Park
by Rainbow Rowell
15/50 2015 Reading Challenge: A book set in high school
I wish I had taken a note as to where I had gotten the recommendation for this story. It is in the young adult genre and takes place in a high school that sounds like every other high school with its problems that get overlooked. The characters do not become the high school prom queen and king, however do grow in their relationship and friendships. It made me think of other popular YA books of recent years, The Fault in Our Stars and The Spectacular Now. Following in their footsteps, this film has been picked up for development into a movie. I had a hard time putting it down, but I am not sure I liked how it ended.
Friday, March 13, 2015
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Book #16
Wild
by Cheryl Strayed
13 & 14/50 2015 Book Challenge: A book that became a movie, A book you started, but never finished
It took me months, but I finally finished this book. I started listening to it in the car last fall, but then I had to return it to the library. Then I got it out again, but still failed to finish it. Now that College Boy has a car and I don't have to fetch him, I don't have as much time in the car to listen. The other thing cutting into my listening to books in the car time is that my husband has made several of the last trips with me for different sporting events. In the past, he was content to just let me and LRHB go. I love that he is spending this time with us! Finally, I checked out the real deal and finished the book. Actually, I checked out the electronic version, but it wasn't the audio book.
I wanted to see the movie; in fact I still do. The book is a true story about a woman who walked the Pacific Coast Trail. It is the west coast version of the Appalachian Trail. I mean, I admire her gumption, but geez she was kinda an idiot. My dad saw the movie and he is a really nice guy. But he thought she was a COMPLETE idiot. Which is why I am only willing to pay Redbox prices to see the movie.
by Cheryl Strayed
13 & 14/50 2015 Book Challenge: A book that became a movie, A book you started, but never finished
It took me months, but I finally finished this book. I started listening to it in the car last fall, but then I had to return it to the library. Then I got it out again, but still failed to finish it. Now that College Boy has a car and I don't have to fetch him, I don't have as much time in the car to listen. The other thing cutting into my listening to books in the car time is that my husband has made several of the last trips with me for different sporting events. In the past, he was content to just let me and LRHB go. I love that he is spending this time with us! Finally, I checked out the real deal and finished the book. Actually, I checked out the electronic version, but it wasn't the audio book.
I wanted to see the movie; in fact I still do. The book is a true story about a woman who walked the Pacific Coast Trail. It is the west coast version of the Appalachian Trail. I mean, I admire her gumption, but geez she was kinda an idiot. My dad saw the movie and he is a really nice guy. But he thought she was a COMPLETE idiot. Which is why I am only willing to pay Redbox prices to see the movie.
Monday, March 9, 2015
Resolution #7
Resolution #7: An act of charity
Each year about this time, my family-based religious education program at our church has a day of charity. They ask that it be something that we can do as a family and for it to be age appropriate. And this year's act was no-less a gift even though we benefit from it as well.
LRHB and I put together a shopping list for a full-day of cooking with my friend Sweet LM. You may or may not remember that she lost her daughter a few years ago; she is expecting a daughter next month! She wanted to get meals prepared and put up in the freezer so that when the last few weeks of pregnancy get to be too much and for after the baby comes. I wanted to get meals put up before baseball season overtakes my life. Our act was to do all of the shopping, deliver everything to her home and cook there so that her darling husband could help her. Our act was to also prepare a bonus meal for her so that she would have an extra. Our act is to also gift a few of these meals to others that could use a night off from cooking for various reasons. Yes, I now have a freezer full of meals. I also have four gifts to share, and the knowledge that my friend also has a freezer full. And she didn't have to do the two-three hours of prep. My guy helped with the 45 minutes of grocery list prep. He also helped prepare the four meals we are gifting to others. We did it together and it filled my heart.
What acts of charity do you perform as a family?
Each year about this time, my family-based religious education program at our church has a day of charity. They ask that it be something that we can do as a family and for it to be age appropriate. And this year's act was no-less a gift even though we benefit from it as well.
LRHB and I put together a shopping list for a full-day of cooking with my friend Sweet LM. You may or may not remember that she lost her daughter a few years ago; she is expecting a daughter next month! She wanted to get meals prepared and put up in the freezer so that when the last few weeks of pregnancy get to be too much and for after the baby comes. I wanted to get meals put up before baseball season overtakes my life. Our act was to do all of the shopping, deliver everything to her home and cook there so that her darling husband could help her. Our act was to also prepare a bonus meal for her so that she would have an extra. Our act is to also gift a few of these meals to others that could use a night off from cooking for various reasons. Yes, I now have a freezer full of meals. I also have four gifts to share, and the knowledge that my friend also has a freezer full. And she didn't have to do the two-three hours of prep. My guy helped with the 45 minutes of grocery list prep. He also helped prepare the four meals we are gifting to others. We did it together and it filled my heart.
What acts of charity do you perform as a family?
Saturday, March 7, 2015
The Reading Promise: The Neverending Story
This was a book I was first introduced to by my husband in the movie format. And I honestly didn't get the enchantment of it the first time I watched it. However, having watched it with my children through the years, although it falls under fantasy which isn't usually my genre, I have grown to love it.
We got together to watch it last night and the girls commented afterwards that they didn't love it. I reassured them that I didn't love it the first time I watched it, but that it is a story, a movie that stands the test of time. The book wasn't my favorite either, but perhaps I should take my own advice and give it another try down the road. It may grow on me.
We got together to watch it last night and the girls commented afterwards that they didn't love it. I reassured them that I didn't love it the first time I watched it, but that it is a story, a movie that stands the test of time. The book wasn't my favorite either, but perhaps I should take my own advice and give it another try down the road. It may grow on me.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Book #15
Plum Pie
by P.G. Wodehouse
Adult Book Challenge 8/8
12/50 2015 Reading Challenge: A Book of Short Stories
I had forgotten about this author until I went searching for a book of short stories to fulfill my reading challenge. I actually read some of his books when I was in college on the recommendation of a fellow on whom I was crushing. He is long gone, but he did introduce me to a comedic writer that I once again enjoyed.
The timing of the short stories book was perfect as when I had some down time from my online book study I could pick it up and whip through a story or two. Then I could pick it up a week later and read a bit more without completely losing the story line. The short stories also had even shorter bits between them. But alas, sometimes I didn't get the humor of those so I skipped many of those. P.G. Wodehouse is probably best known for his Jeeves tales. Unfortunately, there was only one such story in the book. Nevertheless, I did enjoy it.
This fulfills my Adult Book Challenge commitment. I have printed the form and will be turning it in for my prizes.
by P.G. Wodehouse
Adult Book Challenge 8/8
12/50 2015 Reading Challenge: A Book of Short Stories
I had forgotten about this author until I went searching for a book of short stories to fulfill my reading challenge. I actually read some of his books when I was in college on the recommendation of a fellow on whom I was crushing. He is long gone, but he did introduce me to a comedic writer that I once again enjoyed.
The timing of the short stories book was perfect as when I had some down time from my online book study I could pick it up and whip through a story or two. Then I could pick it up a week later and read a bit more without completely losing the story line. The short stories also had even shorter bits between them. But alas, sometimes I didn't get the humor of those so I skipped many of those. P.G. Wodehouse is probably best known for his Jeeves tales. Unfortunately, there was only one such story in the book. Nevertheless, I did enjoy it.
This fulfills my Adult Book Challenge commitment. I have printed the form and will be turning it in for my prizes.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Book #14
Brain Rules: Updated and Expanded
by John Medina
Adult Book Challenge 7/8
This is the book that I read for my book study course and I really liked it. I'll admit that the science details hurt my brain and I had to reread those parts to truly understand it. But the outcomes that can come from knowing this information are endless. By reading this book, I have already changed some of the methods I use for teaching my students. I am applying the knowledge to my personal life as well which can help me be healthier now and in the future. I recommend reading this book and if you have a Nook, I can share it with you. I am glad that I actually purchased the book for this study because it is the type of book that I can see myself rereading to make sure that I have put into production everything I thought of while reading it.
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Where did February Go? Resolution #6
I've missed you! I've been cheating on you by writing on another site, commenting on what others had to say!
Resolution #6 Grow Yourself
At some time this year, stretch yourself. Grow. Try something new or different. I took a book study and it consumed my time during the month of February. In addition to the weekly reading, I had to answer questions then respond to what others had posted.
I also spent a day taking classes. And I've attended four sessions so I will be prepared to administer our state test to a small group of students. I basically spent the entire month growing my brain. If you want to know about the book study I took, tune back in on Tuesday when I post about it under books read!
Resolution #6 Grow Yourself
At some time this year, stretch yourself. Grow. Try something new or different. I took a book study and it consumed my time during the month of February. In addition to the weekly reading, I had to answer questions then respond to what others had posted.
I also spent a day taking classes. And I've attended four sessions so I will be prepared to administer our state test to a small group of students. I basically spent the entire month growing my brain. If you want to know about the book study I took, tune back in on Tuesday when I post about it under books read!
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