This was a tough month for reading. The kids got plenty, but as Mom I struggled a bit to fit books into my days. Yet, I did it! What have you been reading this month?
Quick Peak
- Rich People Problems (Crazy Rich Asians #3) by Kevin Kwan
- Woot! I finally finished the trilogy!
- Harry’s Trees: A Novel by Jon Cohen
- This is a story about processing grief and a Modern Mrs. Darcy Pick!
- The Prairie Thief by Melissa Wiley
- The kids loved this fun, adventurous, mythical tale!
- The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives by William Stixrud, Ned Johnson
- This is mostly geared towards parents of older kids, but it is really a strong motivator to empower your kids and give them control (within boundaries) over their own lives. The most powerful weapon? Tell them the truth! Screens distract, sleep is necessary to function, and we love them.
- The Strange Case of Dr. Couney: How a Mysterious European Showman Saved Thousands of American Babies by Dawn Raffel
- I find this story shocking every time I read anything about it. This isn’t my favorite book about this topic, but you’ve got to learn about Dr. Couney!!
Rich People Problems (Crazy Rich Asians #3) by Kevin Kwan
“Sometimes, the thing that at first appears flawed can end up being the most perfect thing in the world for you.”
This series has introduced me to people I never knew existed. I had no idea so much socioeconomic culture existed in the countries of Asia. The footnotes alone make this series worth enjoying. I did watch the movie for the first book, “Crazy Rich Asians” and I thought it was OK. My husband and mother who watched the movie with me thought it was a very good movie and I wonder what they would have thought if they had been given a chance to read the book first! If you enjoy fictional introductions to real life cultures this is sure to be a hit with you. I laughed and was surprised a time or two. This series was worth the read!
Harry’s Trees: A Novel by Jon Cohen
“Because it’s worth it. Worth the risk and the pain. Of all the glorious enchantments of this world—spring, snow, laughter, red roses, dogs, books—love is by far the best.”
This book was the January pick for the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club. What can I say, I’m a bit behind. 😉 In a nutshell this is a book about grief. We all process it differently. That variation is the crux and magic behind this book. Losing a spouse, a lover, a father, a friend, hurts. We move on because it’s better than the alternative, but it’s so hard. A great and moving read. I’m also counting that leaf to mark off “A book with a plant in the title or on the cover” for the Pop Sugar Challenge!
The Prairie Thief by Melissa Wiley
“One of the perils of a classical education, he often reflected, was a predilection for vocabulary of an obfuscating nature.”
This is a fantastic read aloud for the family! My five and six year old enjoyed this story so much. My mother did too; she read ahead a few chapters and finished the book before us because she couldn’t wait to find out how it ended….LOL There is suspense, mystery, adventure, and a bit of fun magic. A perfect read for littles.
The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives by William Stixrud, Ned Johnson
“Don’t try to carpet the world when it’s far easier to give out slippers.”
&
“if you see a spark in your kids, pour gasoline on it”
If you have a strong willed child, this is a book that will help. The text verifies that letting them make choices within boundaries and empowering them to have a voice in their own education and their own lives is valuable! This is one of my favorite education, non-fiction, evidence based books. Most of the examples given are kids older than mine, but the principles ring true and I get a lot out of this read. Highly recommend!
The Strange Case of Dr. Couney: How a Mysterious European Showman Saved Thousands of American Babies by Dawn Raffel
“So much of the past has vanished due to silence. How much of our own past, I wondered, will be lost amid too much noise?”
This story chills me to the core. The idea that Americans were entertaining the idea of eugenics long before Hitler came along floors me. That incubators used to treat preemies was a side show rather than true medicine rejected by doctors leaves me flabbergasted. That this show continued for over thirty years and very, very few people know about it is unacceptable. Learn about this part of American history whether through this book or another!
New On the Shelf
- The Immortalists by Chloe Benjami
- The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
- How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry
What’s on your shelf? Anything good?
Happy Reading!
