As mentioned in my last post I finished my 50 book pledge and am back
to reading for the fun of it. My latest read was THE LIGHTHOUSE by
Alison Moore and here are my thoughts.
This book started off really well and I thought it was going to be a
really fantastic read but after about the midpoint the flashbacks for
both of the main characters became repetitive. I like that the author
didn’t go into a lot of detail about what happened in the closet but
rather left it to the readers imagination.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
50BookPledge Book 50 Cyndi Lauper A Memoir
I did it! Back in January I signed up for the #50BookPledge as promoted by @SavvyReader. I thought at the time I was going to zoom through the books and be more then done by mid year. The next thing I knew it was summer and things slowed down a fair bit the vacations and entertaining my daughter. As September started I thought I was going to be hard pressed to keep going and meet the goal set 9 months earlier, especially since I had shifted my focus from reading to working on my family history and searching for work. However, I'm very pleased to say that I reached my goal of 50 books read in 2012, but I doubt I'll sign up for next year. If reading children's books count, then I've probably read a couple hundred more.
Book 50 Cyndi Lauper A Memoir by Cyndi Lauper with Jancee Dunn from Simon and Schuster 2012.
Loved this book to pieces. Found that it flowed very well and I was able to relate to the story. There are several references to Cyndi playing a dulcimer which I find absolutely fantastic as my daughter is learning to play one now. Some of the references to other artists were very intriguing especially when Canadians are mentioned.
Book 50 Cyndi Lauper A Memoir by Cyndi Lauper with Jancee Dunn from Simon and Schuster 2012.
Loved this book to pieces. Found that it flowed very well and I was able to relate to the story. There are several references to Cyndi playing a dulcimer which I find absolutely fantastic as my daughter is learning to play one now. Some of the references to other artists were very intriguing especially when Canadians are mentioned.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
#50BookPledge Book 49 What's for Lunch
Book 49 is What's for Lunch?How Schoolchildren Eat Around the World by Andrea Curtis from Red Deer Press 2012
This is a Canadian book about the assorted types and locations of school lunches around the world. It also looks at how children, families, communities and governments are working to make nutritious lunches available to all.
I really enjoyed the book which was an easy and short read. It would have been nice to read about more scenarios, but that may have been overwhelming. I don't think Miss R is ready for this book yet, but in a few years it will be helpful when she stops eating her school lunches.
Congratulations Ms Curtis for opening our eyes to how others live.
This is a Canadian book about the assorted types and locations of school lunches around the world. It also looks at how children, families, communities and governments are working to make nutritious lunches available to all.
I really enjoyed the book which was an easy and short read. It would have been nice to read about more scenarios, but that may have been overwhelming. I don't think Miss R is ready for this book yet, but in a few years it will be helpful when she stops eating her school lunches.
Congratulations Ms Curtis for opening our eyes to how others live.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
#50BookPledge Catchup
Books 45 and 46 were both from the Harlequin Desire series. The first
was Tangled Affair and the second Relentless Pursuit. These were
definitely more smut then story line and definitely worthy of the title
of brain candy. I’m about to give up on CHARLOTTE STREET but am giving
it a couple more chapters. I told myself that just because I have book
doesn’t mean I have to read it doesn’t catch my attention so I’ll update
on that soon.
Try as I might CHARLOTTE STREET by Danny Wallace was not a book I could get into. The premise of the story was just too unbelievable for me and I could not relate to the characters.
I finished Philippa Gregory's THE KINGMAKER'S DAUGHTER from Simon and Schuster this afternoon and must say I was enraptured with it. This was book #48 of my 2012 50 book pledge. The Kingmaker's Daughter is a perfect mix of the actual history of the War of the Roses in England as well as the fictitious story. I found myself often looking up facts about Anne Neville - later Queen Anne and Richard III regularly. Even though I was listening to the unabridged audio book I found I "couldn't put it down" and was forever looking for opportunities to listen to more. Congratulations to Ms Gregory for such a detailed novel. She seems to be able to tie up lose ends a lot better then the actual history did.
Try as I might CHARLOTTE STREET by Danny Wallace was not a book I could get into. The premise of the story was just too unbelievable for me and I could not relate to the characters.
I finished Philippa Gregory's THE KINGMAKER'S DAUGHTER from Simon and Schuster this afternoon and must say I was enraptured with it. This was book #48 of my 2012 50 book pledge. The Kingmaker's Daughter is a perfect mix of the actual history of the War of the Roses in England as well as the fictitious story. I found myself often looking up facts about Anne Neville - later Queen Anne and Richard III regularly. Even though I was listening to the unabridged audio book I found I "couldn't put it down" and was forever looking for opportunities to listen to more. Congratulations to Ms Gregory for such a detailed novel. She seems to be able to tie up lose ends a lot better then the actual history did.
Friday, September 7, 2012
#50BookPledge Books 43 & 44 - Bringing Up Bebe & Beautiful Ruins
I'm reviewing books 43 and 44 in the same post because I can and not because there is a common theme.
Book 43 was Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman from Penguin Press 2012.
As you may or may not know I like to read parenting books especially those about different styles as we try to mold Miss R into a well rounded individual. In a lot of ways I found that Bringing Up Bebe reflected a lot of the techniques that my parents used raising me and could really relate to them. While I don't necessarily agree with everything in Druckerman's book there are definitely ideas that I can use in my own home. The book moves along at a fairly quick pace and does a lot of compare and contrast between what the author sees living in France and what she sees when visiting family in the United States. She also makes it clear that neither style is necessarily right or wrong but there are good attributes in both. What I really see is that France uses more of the Village approach while North Americans tend to be much more insular. Worth the read and I know it is making an impact in our home.
Book 44 was Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter from Harper Collins 2012.
I loved this book, actually wasn't able to put it down. All of the characters, the scenery and the flow of the story just made it that much more wonderful. My apologies to the author but I originally thought Beautiful Ruins was written by a woman and was pleasantly surprised to find out it was a man. The novel spans a large period of time, but is done in such a manner that you don't get lost but are drawn in. My rating for this book is 5 out of 5.
Book 43 was Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman from Penguin Press 2012.
As you may or may not know I like to read parenting books especially those about different styles as we try to mold Miss R into a well rounded individual. In a lot of ways I found that Bringing Up Bebe reflected a lot of the techniques that my parents used raising me and could really relate to them. While I don't necessarily agree with everything in Druckerman's book there are definitely ideas that I can use in my own home. The book moves along at a fairly quick pace and does a lot of compare and contrast between what the author sees living in France and what she sees when visiting family in the United States. She also makes it clear that neither style is necessarily right or wrong but there are good attributes in both. What I really see is that France uses more of the Village approach while North Americans tend to be much more insular. Worth the read and I know it is making an impact in our home.
Book 44 was Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter from Harper Collins 2012.
I loved this book, actually wasn't able to put it down. All of the characters, the scenery and the flow of the story just made it that much more wonderful. My apologies to the author but I originally thought Beautiful Ruins was written by a woman and was pleasantly surprised to find out it was a man. The novel spans a large period of time, but is done in such a manner that you don't get lost but are drawn in. My rating for this book is 5 out of 5.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
First Week Lunches
Well I haven't done horrible for the first week of school lunches but it hasn't been perfect yet. The good news is she hasn't left anything uneaten yet, the bad news is we've had some leaks.
On Wednesday when I picked Miss R up I noticed that her cooler was wet. When I asked her if she knew what/how she didn't have an answer! As I unpacked the cooler I discovered her chocolate milk leaked. The culprit, a water bottle that wasn't closed properly. Cleaned everything out and rinsed out cooler but it needs a good scrubbing so went to emergency cooler for Thursday. I also decided since the cooler was empty to find out if she had enough food. She told me that she did/but didn''t. She was fine for first break and lunch, but not for second break. It then decided to give some extra on Thursday.
I worked on Wednesday night to make some rice pudding and after some challenges with it. It eventually thickened and I was able to send it with Miss R. Well that didn't work as planned. She opened the rice pudding first break then decided to eat the easier food of applesauce and raspberries. The problem was she didn't close the lid properly so when she opened her cooler again at lunch the rice pudding had spilled all over. Thankfully someone at school helped her clean it up and I got a soggy wet napkin home. Good news is Miss r had enough to eat and even brought home a small piece of hot dog.
On Wednesday when I picked Miss R up I noticed that her cooler was wet. When I asked her if she knew what/how she didn't have an answer! As I unpacked the cooler I discovered her chocolate milk leaked. The culprit, a water bottle that wasn't closed properly. Cleaned everything out and rinsed out cooler but it needs a good scrubbing so went to emergency cooler for Thursday. I also decided since the cooler was empty to find out if she had enough food. She told me that she did/but didn''t. She was fine for first break and lunch, but not for second break. It then decided to give some extra on Thursday.
I worked on Wednesday night to make some rice pudding and after some challenges with it. It eventually thickened and I was able to send it with Miss R. Well that didn't work as planned. She opened the rice pudding first break then decided to eat the easier food of applesauce and raspberries. The problem was she didn't close the lid properly so when she opened her cooler again at lunch the rice pudding had spilled all over. Thankfully someone at school helped her clean it up and I got a soggy wet napkin home. Good news is Miss r had enough to eat and even brought home a small piece of hot dog.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Back To School 2012
So today was the first day of school for Miss R this year. She is in Full Day Kindergarten Year Two meaning she needs a lunch and two snacks. I've been dreading the menu portion of her day for a while and working on ideas to make sure she is well fed. I don't know why I was worried about it because I've already done this for full day summer camps and if perfectly honest when she's home with me all day.
Miss R is taking an active role in selecting her lunch bag contents and so far that has served me well. Today she took applesauce, carrots and tomatoes, milk, water, and cheesy pasta as well as the standard napkin, ice pack and her folding spoon. Doesn't sound like much, but she really didn't touch her water and decided not to eat the carrots. Miss R can be a finicky eater, but when push comes to shove if she's hungry she'll eat what she's given.
We'll see what tomorrow brings since she's asked for applesauce, cheesy pasta, milk (packed differently as the tetra's are very hard to drink from), water and raspberries. I'm waiting for the milk program to start because that will mean one less thing I need to put in her cooler. On the other hand I'm not super thrilled with hot lunch. The hot lunch choice is pizza every Wednesday, but we've opted for pizza once a month.
I just need to remember if she's hungry she'll eat and if she's involved she's more apt to eat it.
Miss R is taking an active role in selecting her lunch bag contents and so far that has served me well. Today she took applesauce, carrots and tomatoes, milk, water, and cheesy pasta as well as the standard napkin, ice pack and her folding spoon. Doesn't sound like much, but she really didn't touch her water and decided not to eat the carrots. Miss R can be a finicky eater, but when push comes to shove if she's hungry she'll eat what she's given.
We'll see what tomorrow brings since she's asked for applesauce, cheesy pasta, milk (packed differently as the tetra's are very hard to drink from), water and raspberries. I'm waiting for the milk program to start because that will mean one less thing I need to put in her cooler. On the other hand I'm not super thrilled with hot lunch. The hot lunch choice is pizza every Wednesday, but we've opted for pizza once a month.
I just need to remember if she's hungry she'll eat and if she's involved she's more apt to eat it.
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