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!
A Wind in the Door
The second of the time quintet by Madeleine L’Engle was nearly as good as the first. There were just a few areas where I wanted the story to move on instead of lingering on certain details. I’m enjoying the development of the characters also. Still committed to reading the remaining three.
book of nature poetry
Wonderful book full of vibrant and beautiful photography paired with classic and new poetry.
Nature is What We See
“Nature is what we see –
The Hill – the Afternoon-
Squirrel-Eclipse-the Bumble bee-
Nay-Nature is Heaven-
Nature is what we hear-
The Bobolink-the Sea-
Thunder-The Cricket-
Nay-Nature is Harmony-
Nature is what we know-
Yet have no art to say-
So impotent Our Wisdom is
To her Simplicity. ~Emily Dickinson
Afternoon on a Hill
I will be the gladdest thing
Under the sun!
I will touch a hundred flowers
And not pick one.
I will look at cliffs and clouds
With quiet eyes,
Watch the wind bow down the grass,
And the grass rise.
And when lights begin to show
Up from the town,
I will mark which must be mine,
And then start down!
~Edna St. Vincent Millay
We LOVED this one!
June 16 2019:
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
I could not wait to read this book once I discovered it through social media. The author had me with the title. I deeply enjoyed the journey with Harold Fry and learning about he and his wife. I wasn’t at all suspecting the twist that unravels near the end of the journey. Whoa!
I found it to be a journey of self-discovery and healing for Harold and his wife, Maureen. Along with a varied mix of characters ebbing and flowing throughout the journey. I was inspired by Harold’s listening to the pull to do something absolutely remarkable; without even understanding why he felt the need to do it.
Flying Solo – How Ruth Elder Soared into America’s Heart
from the flap: “The story of a remarkable woman who chased her dreams with grit and determination, and whose appetite for adventure helped pay the way for generations of female flyers.”
We enjoyed learning about Ruth Elder who attempted to fly across the Atlantic Ocean before Amelia Earhart made her crossing. Ruth didn’t make it, yet she went on to accomplish much in aviation history.
Felicity
One of my favorites from this collection:
Humility
Poems arrive ready to begin.
Poets are only the transportation.
