Tag: Books

Self

My Favorite Books

nschristineLeave a comment

negativespace-8

Reading is something I love to do.  It is something that I haven’t done in the last year.  I know my son’s current problems have lead to me not read anymore.  I’m just too mentally spent.  I only lately seem to have time for podcasts.  I have a huge pile of books that need to be read! One of my new goals for 2019 is to get my pile of books read.

I love to read all types of books.  The following are my top five favorite books:

  1. Skeletons on the Zahara by Dean King. This is an epic true story of survival when 12 merchant sailors where shipwrecked on the coast of Africa in 1812. Kidnapped and sold into slavery only a few would survive thanks to the generosity of a single stranger.
  2. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. Memoirs was a  New York Times best seller, and this book also appears on PBS’s Great American Read.  Geisha tells the story of Nitta who at a young age was sold to a Geisha house.  It follows her through her trials and tribulations to become a Geisha herself.
  3. The Land of White Death by Valerian Albanov. Another true story of survival. See a pattern here?  I love to figure out what motivates people and why they do what they do. This is a journal of crewman Valerian Albanov and how he became the only survivor of the expedition ship Saint Anna.
  4. The Gryphon and Sabine Trilogy by Nick Bantock. I love this whole series. It’s the combination of a great story with artwork. It’s a quick read that is really enjoyable.
  5. The Tatooed Map: A Novel by Barbara Hodgson. If you like the last recommendation you will love this novel by Barbara Hodgson.  It’s a very short read, but the combination of art and story are wonderful.  This is a great book for a creative in your life.

What are your favorite books? Are there any you are giving  for Christmas?  Let me know in the replies below.

Self

My goals for September.

nschristineLeave a comment

negativespace-17

In my old blog I used set goals every month.  I’m going to try to do it again.  I say try as my life since last October has been crazy. I don’t know what the future holds.  I’m just trying to move my life along.  Lately, I have been wondering what to do with the rest of my life.  I suppose you could cal l it a mid-life crisis, but I don’t think that is what it is.  I am at a point where constant care of my family will slowly be ending. What am I suppose to do?  What do I want to do?  I’m not sure.  What I thought I was going to do in my 20’s did not work out for a variety of reasons.  Some my fault, others not.  My enjoyments are not the same either.  What do I like?  I’m not sure.  So when setting my goals.  I’m trying to move my life forward. Hopefully, I can find a path to my future somewhere.

  1. Drink more water.  Honestly, I hate water.  I know it’s good for you, but ugh, I’d rather drink Coke.
  2. Walk the dog.  The dog needs to lose weight and so do I.
  3. Eat more fruit and veggies.  I buy them, now I just have to eat them.  Goals right?
  4. Establish a time to work on the blog for a regular basis.
  5. Read more. Put the cell phone down Christine.
  6. Go a few more places. I need to get out of the house!  Don’t get me wrong.  I love my house, but I’m a really boring person.
  7. Get a decent nights sleep. Work on that sleep routine.
  8. More self care.  I really let this one go.  I am feeling it as increase physical pain and stomach upset.

Do you have monthly goals?  What are they for this month?  Feel free to share below.

Family

10 Great Children’s Books.

nschristineLeave a comment

negativespace-8

I love to read!  I mean LOVE to read!  I have always tried to pass on this love of reading to my son.  I’ve always told him I will buy him as much reading material as possible.  Video games, however, are a different story.  He has to pay for those himself!  He either earns the money through chores or uses money he gets from the holidays.  My personal favorite is when he asks me to come up with a chore that is worth $25.00.  I say to him if there is a chore out there for $25.00, I’m going to do it and keep the money!

We have always had books.  Since Christmas is coming up I’m going to start posting lists of books that children would love.  Giving literature is always a great idea!  So let’s start:

  1. Go Dog Go by Eastman. A short but sweet book about a dog that goes!  Great for a toddler.
  2. Galaxy Zach by O’Ryan (series). This is a great series about a young boy who moves to another planet and goes on many adventures.  Great for 3-5th grades.
  3. Mercy Watson by DiCamillo (series).  If you get one series, get this one.  I bought a set for my son’s second grade teacher.  The students all loved this book.  The even stopped reading a different book when I gave them book 5 of the series.  They wanted to read from this series right away.  Even as an adult I love the story.  I wish the writer Kate DiCamillo would write more about this porcine wonder.
  4. The Giving Tree by Shel Silversteen.  Another great classic book.  A simple but beautiful story about giving and taking geared towards all ages.
  5. The Velveteen  Rabbit by Williams.  This classic children’s book tells what it is like to love and be loved. This book made my son cry.  He then asked me to keep it and never get rid of it.  So this one goes in our permanent collection.
  6. Good Boy Fergus! by Shannon.  Another favorite of my son’s.  He loves the hi jinks of a lovable little dog named Fergus.
  7. No David! by Shannon. My son had to have this book read to him every night!  It’s a very short read, but funny.  David is always being told no by adults.  When you read the book, you’ll know why.
  8. Corduroy by Freeman.  Another great classic children’s book.  This is the story of a little teddy bear who is looking for a home. I read this as a child myself.  Still a great story.
  9. Matilda-by R. Dahl.  One of many great books by the famed children’s author Ronald Dahl. I love this one because of the strong female lead.  An inspiration to little girls everywhere.
  10. The Bear Snores On by Wilson/Chapman. (Series) This is a cute series of books about a bear who is trying to hibernate and his woodland friends.

I hope this list gives you some great ideas of future books for all the children in your life.  What are your favorite children’s books?  Tell us in the comments.

Self · Uncategorized

Banned Books Week

nschristineLeave a comment

unsplash57

The week of September 24th is Banned Book Week.  According to the website http://www.bannedbooksweek.org “there was a 17% increase in the number of banned book complaints in 2016.  According to the article “2017 Banned Books Week Celebrate Our Right to Read”, most banned book complaints go unreported.  Join readers, book publishers, authors, journalist, rights activists, librarians and schools in celebrating one of our fundamental rights to free speech.  Let’s all read a banned book! Here is a list of some of the more classic books that continue to be challenged below.

  1. Of Mice and Men by Steinbeck
  2. Catch 22 by Heller
  3. Brave New World by Huxley
  4. Animal Farm by Orwell
  5. The Sun Also Rises by Hemingway
  6. As I lay dying by Faulkner
  7. Farewell to arms by Hemingway
  8. Their eyes were watching God by Hurston
  9. Invisible Man by Ellison
  10. Song of Soloman by Morrison

Interested in what are the most challenged books of 2016?  Here is a list compiled by the Office of Intellectual Freedom of the American Library Association.  Check out their website at http://www.ala.org :

  1. This One Summer by Tamaki
  2. Drama by Telgemeier
  3. George by Gino
  4. I am Jazz by Herthel/Jennings
  5. Two boys kissing by Levithan
  6. Looking for Alaska by Green
  7. Big Hard Sex Criminals by Fraction
  8. Make Something up: Stories you can’t unread by Palahnuik
  9. Little Bill Series by Cosby
  10. Elenor &Park by Rowell

How do you feel about Banned Books?  Is there ever a reason to restrict the public’s access to a book?

Uncategorized

It’s Banned Book Week!

nschristineLeave a comment

September 24th through September 30th is banned book week.  Celebrate one of your greatest freedoms, the freedom to learn, by reading one of the most banned books in the United States.  Then ask yourself if it really deserved the objections or not.  Would you ask it to be banned?

  1. The Great Gatsby
  2. The Catcher in the Rye
  3. The Grapes of Wrath
  4. To Kill a Mockingbird
  5. The Color Purple
  6. Ulysses
  7. Beloved
  8. The Lord of the Flies
  9. 1984
  10. Lolita
  11. This One Summer
  12. Drama
  13. George
  14. I am Jazz
  15. Two Boys Kissing
  16. Looking for Alaska
  17. Big Hard Sex Criminals
  18. Make Something Up
  19. Little Bill
  20. Eleanor and Park

How many banned books have you read?  Let me know in the comments.unsplash33

Journaling

September Journal Prompts

nschristineLeave a comment

October Download

Journaling prompts for September:

  1. Write your morning ritual out.
  2. If you could have any superpower what would it be?
  3. What is your favorite color?  Has it changed over the years? Why?
  4. Draw out a map of your house.
  5. Write your favorite song lyric.
  6. Put your favorite summer recipe in your journal.
  7. Write down your daily schedule for Monday-Friday.
  8. Write down a typical weekend.
  9. If you could have any job, what would be your dream job and why?
  10. What talent do you with you had and why?