Book Four: "A Child Called It"

This book was on a suggested reading list of one of my education classes in college, but I never got around to reading it until now. I completed this book in October, when I had parent/teacher conferences at my school. I only have eight students in my class, and so my conferences were over pretty quickly. Another teacher at my school lent me this book and because I was done with meeting so soon, I decided to read it while I was "working" on lesson planning.

If you've never read this book before, I defiantly recommend it. Because I heard about it in college, I knew the premiss of the book, but was so taken a back by the severity of the abuse, both physical and emotional, that this little boy was put through. I'm told the story ends on a happy note, but not in this book. The entire thing is about the abuse the boy is put through and how no one, not teachers, neighbors, or other family members help him. The other two books in this trilogy continue this story and do show how he escapes the situation and copes with what he went through.

I'm not cold-hearted by any means (I cry pretty easily), but this book did not bring me to tears. I was saddened by the story, but was more shocked at what I read, and since I read it while at school, I didn't want to red and blotchy while meeting with parents or other teachers. If you work with kids in any way, I recommend you read this book ASAP. It's a real eye-opener.

Book Three: "The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder" by Rebecca Wells

"The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder" is a book that's meant to be read while sitting in a rocking chair on a big front porch with a big glass of sweet tea in your hand. Sadly, I do not have a big front porch or a rocking chair, but I do have a nice comfy bed that I... stayed up late in reading this book! (go figure)

This book is another easy read and the story line flows very well. The author, Rebecca Wells, also wrote "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" and just like that book, this one is set in Louisiana, near New Orleans. It is mainly a love story, but also a story about family and how they play a role in your past and future. Be warned, this book is a tear-jerker as the main character deals with her mother battling cancer. If you like books set in the south, then this is a must read.

Book Two: "The Last Summer (of You and Me)" by Ann Brashares

Over Labor Day weekend, I flew to Chicago to attend my cousin's wedding. The book that I took with me was one that I stumbled upon in a half price bookstore and because the back cover made it sound interesting, I made the purchase.

I began reading "The Last Summer (of You and Me)" before my flight left Kansas City on Thursday and finished it Friday night. Yes, this was another one I stayed up late reading.

The storyline was mediocre at best. Two sisters, one boy, vacation home in the Hamptons, one sister becomes sick, a semi-tragic/sad ending, a love story intertwined, and that basically sums up the story. The only reason I gave up some precious shut-eye was that it was an easy read and I did become a little interested in the characters.

If you like book by Ann Brashares (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) you may like this one. Unlike SOTTP, this is an adult novel with adult content. Overall, not horrible, but not great.

Book One: The Guernsey and Potato Peel Society

I have finished my first book! One down, 22 more to go.

The first book on my list was "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society". I bought this book at the beginning of the summer, but in the midst of moving and traveling it was thrown into a box that was left, unpacked, in my basement until a couple of weeks ago. I had actually forgotten that I even had this book, so it was quite a surprise to find this treasure packed among my old college binders and textbooks.

Let me tell you about this book. It is by far the best book I've read in years! I devoured it in just a few sittings. The book takes place in London and the Guernsey Islands off the coast of Normandy. The main character is a writer from London that begins corresponding with the Literary Society of this small island after a man there sees her name written in the front a book by Charles Lamb and decides to write her a letter. The entire book is told through letters, and as the writer, Juliet, learns about the German occupation during WWII and the lovely and eccentric people of the Society, she falls in love with them and so did I. This book is about so many things; friendship, WWII, writing, and of course love. I found it a little hard to keep track of all the characters at the beginning, but by the end of the book they all had their place in the Guernsey I imagined in my mind.

I'll admit that this is one of those books that caused me to stay up much later than I intended, and on a school night. I started reading at 10:30p.m. and was so enthralled with the characters and their story that I just could not put it down. I had to know what happened at the end, and so I kept reading. The ending of this book was perfect. I sighed, smiled in delight, and finally closed my eyes at 1a.m.. Was I tried the next day? You betcha. Was I sorry I stayed up that late reading this book? Not at all; it was so worth it!

The Books

My list is now complete! I now have 23 books to read thanks to all who responded!

Yes, I know 23 books in a year seems like a lofty goal, but I'm a reader. I have spent countless nights staying up late reading, sometimes until early morning. Often I get so absorbed in a book that I wish the fictional world was real (my college roommates can tell you stories about this). Here is my list so far:

1. Pride and Prejudice (sadly, I've never made it though the whole thing)

2. Eat, Pray, Love

3. The Guernsey and Potato Peel Society

4. Inkspell

5. Inkdeath

6. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

7. Three Cups of Tea

8. The Kite Runner

9. Marley & Me

10. The Screwtape Letters

11. The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder

12. The Last Summer (of You & Me)

13. The Last Unicorn

14. Sex God : Rob Bell

15. Something Fresh

16. The Shack

17. Wicked replaced with I am Cheese

18. Blue Like Jazz

19. A Child Called It

20. The Shame of the Nation: Jonathan Kozol

21. The Great Divorce

22. Same Kind of Different as Me

23. The Freedom Writers Diary

I know, I know, my list isn't complete yet. This is where you come in. Give me suggestions! I'll read just about anything, but I'm not a big fan of sci-fi so those types of suggestions may be vetoed unless you give a compelling summary. After I read each book I'll be posting my review of it. As I go through this literary journey I hope you'll be inspired to pick up a new book or two as well!

23 Things

On the eve of my 23rd birthday I was feeling a little blue. Sure my 22nd year of life wasn't terrible, after all I survived my first year of teaching, but what really had I accomplished? This got me thinking that I should set some goals for myself to accomplish in the next year. Thus, I created a list of 23 things I want to do when I'm 23. Here it goes.

1. Read 23 books

2. Take better care of my teeth

3. Bake a pie

4. Bake a fresh loaf of bread

5. Make fresh pasta

6. Finish knitting a scarf

7. Send more birthday cards

8. Start running again

9. Read my Bible on a more consistent basis

10. Pray

11. Spend more time reconnecting with friends.

12. Watch less T.V.

13. Start/re-start a blog (done!)

14. Help start a women's/young women's bible study at church

15. Travel to a new city and explore for a weekend

16. Paint a picture

17. Re-learn to ride a bike

18. Take more pictures

19. Print meaningful pictures for display

20. Complete a sewing project

21. Drink more water each day

22. Visit a museum

23. Get rid of clutter

As I complete each project/goal I will make a new post documenting my 23 things in 23 year. Join me through my journey!