October 27 2019:
Incredibly creative idea by Lillian Darnell …. She has created an interview between two fictional characters discussing a book. Lillian’s fun idea for a book review with a twist! I hope you’ll check it out … Pretty quick read.
September 29 2019:
The Boy Who Drew Birds – A Story of John James Audubon
(Throwback to 2016)
Another book we enthusiastically enjoyed reading!
Banding a bird, that is, tying a marker around the bird’s leg to track its movement, was an innovative idea in Audubon’s time. In 1804, he became the first person in North America to band a bird.
His simple experiment helped prove homing. He grew to be the greatest painter of birds of all time. He was the first to paint life-size images of birds and the first to show birds hunting, preening, fighting, and flying.
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.
September 21 2019:
Aunt Dimity & the Buried Treasure by Nancy Atherton
It was in the 90’s when I became nearly obsessed with reading every Agatha Christie book ever published. I’m pretty sure I reached that goal (perhaps minus 1 or 2 hard to find books) and ended the obsession with reading her autobiography.
This book drew me in with similar feelings I remember having about Christie’s books … minus the always present mysterious deaths/murders. After I began reading the book, I realized that it was a part of the “Aunt Dimity Series”. I thought, oh no, if I like this, I will just have to read all of them!! Hahaha! Hopefully, I won’t like it.
Well, I did like the book, loved it, and deeply enjoyed it. I find I love traveling a journey of discovery, locating clues, putting them together, and ultimately finding what one set out to find.
This did not disappoint as the main character, Lori, discovers an extravagant jeweled bracelet in the attic. This is the spark that lights the way for unravelling the truth behind the bracelet. Love, love, loved it!
September 15 2019:
Squirrel and John Muir
Not a strictly true story, but was meant to share the spirit of what might have happened between John Muir and Floy Hutchings when they met in Yosemite in 1868. Muir arrived in Yosemite from San Francisco almost by accident. I love everything I’ve read about John Muir and this was no exception. Thomas and Lillian loved it too!
(Throwback to 2016 when I read aloud to Thomas and Lillian every night before bed)
September 8 2019:
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick
First of all, I fell in love with the title of this book. And, after reading the synopsis I just knew it was for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey with Arthur Pepper as he gets to know himself, his late wife, and his two kids while embarking on the adventure of a life time. An adventure that has him following one clue after another as he heals and discovers much more than he anticipated. Loved it! Phaedra has two other novels currently which I’ve since devoured!!
September 1 2019:
My Hands Sing the Blues – Romare Bearden’s Childhood Journey
Bearden, of African, Cherokee, and Italian descent, was one of America’s most vibrant and innovative 20th-century artists. When he was a young child of three-years-old, his family faced discriminatory Jim Crow laws and attitudes. They participated in the Great Migration North, moving to New York City. We all enjoyed learning about Romare Bearden!
August 25 2019:
Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
This is another on the list of young adult and juvenile fiction books which speaks to mental health. In my original search for these types of books, I think I came across about ten books that addressed this. Looks like we need more. Especially in the juvenile section. I’ve read two of them now.
I would like to find a book or two that addresses any holistic or non-pharmaceutical means of addressing the mental health issues discussed (in addition to the pharmaceutical as needed).
I enjoyed reading this book and getting to know the characters. There were times I did not want to stop reading; but was so sleepy I had to put it down. Being a Star Trek fan, I really loved all the Star Trek references and that Darius and his dad are huge fans.
Pablo Neruda – Poet of the People
In this colorfully illustrated book we learned about Pablo Neruda, born in Parral, Chili, in 1904. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971. He and his poems inspire people to love and to make their voices heard. We enjoyed learning about this wonderful Poet of the People!
A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L’Engle
The third in the time quintet series, I began to get confused with who was who! I enjoyed reading it all the same, and it seems as though the foundation of the story continues to be similar as the first two. A Wrinkle in Time, the first of the quintet, remains my favorite. Onward to the fourth book, Many Waters …. maybe!
July 13 2019:
Old Turtle and the Broken Truth
The “Old Turtle” books are my absolute favorite!
“You are loved …. And so are they”
A timeless story about love, acceptance, and the nature of truth.
“To all who seek truths and who listen to the language of breezes. (And turtles.)” ~ Douglas Wood
A book in tune with my heart … LOVE! Thomas and Lillian loved it too!
