reading material

Good morning!  How's your week going so far?  Annabel's still on the mend...turns out she had a nasty sinus infection.  So I've been trying to get her to do some quiet activities so she doesn't have coughing fits.  Here she is with her crayons yesterday afternoon...

She layed like that for about five full minutes before this happened...

 Can't say that I blame her...that bucket is clearly better as a hat than a home for crayons.  Clearly.

Let's talk about books today!  I LOVE to read.  Once the kids go to bed, if I'm not working on some knitting project or other you will most definitely find me with a book in my hands.  Although I like to read a lot of different things, I definitely have my favorites.  Here's a look at what I've been diving into lately.

Books I've Read

I just finished this one last week and loved it.  The author recounts his experiences and memories of building a cabin in Maine while weaving in tales of his childhood on the shore in New Jersey.  Definitely makes me want to have a cabin in Maine.  Look at that snow!

Barbara Kingsolver is easily my most favorite author, and her newest novel did not disappoint.  See what happens when millions of butterflies descend on a tiny town in Appalachia.

I've talked about this book a little bit here before, but I wanted to recommend it again. I really loved a lot of the ideas presented and think it's definitely worth your time if you have kids.

Here's another Barbara Kingsolver book to add to your list.  These essays will help you start to notice the little miracles that happen around us each and every day.

Yes, I know I've already listed two other BK books, but this is by far my favorite.  I've read it at least five times and it never gets old.  I miss the characters when it's over.  Follow Deanna, Lusa, and Garnett through their adventures in and around their little farming town.  

I've read a few of Anne Lamott's books, but this, so far, is my favorite.  "Operating Instructions, " a diary of her son Sam's first year of life, is also a good one.

I don't have photos of these because they're on loan to a friend, but I recently finished the third book in the Inn Boonsboro Trilogy by Nora Roberts.  I really enjoyed all three books and am looking forward to checking out some of her other novels. 


Books I'm Reading

Will, Tommy and I used to live in Hendersonville, North Carolina where we visited Carl Sandburg's home many, many times.  We visited his wife's goats (caretakers are still raising them up on the hilltop), walked around the pond, and hiked up the trails surrounding the property.  While we were down there, I never read much of Sandburg's poetry so decided to check this one out of the library.  

Robert Frost has been my favorite poet ever since I first read "The Road Not Taken" as a senior in high school.  Other favorites of mine are "Mending Wall," "Reluctance," and "Into My Own."  I'm hoping to read this book from cover to cover this year. Special thanks to Aunt Shelley for giving this to me several years ago!

I've always been fascinated by Thoreau but haven't ever read anything by him.  I started "Walden" last week and am enjoying it so far.

  

Next Up

Looking forward to getting a better picture of Thoreau's world as he knew it and the ways it changed during his lifetime.

Have you seen this book?  I'm looking forward to seeing what it's all about...and perhaps beginning my own Happiness Project?!

 For the Kids

I love Winnie the Pooh.  Love.  This book has four full stories, and I love love love reading them to Tommy and encouraging him to imagine himself in the Hundred Acre Wood with Pooh and Piglet and Tigger.  

Nightbear and Lambie just want some chocolate milk!  Find out what happens when they sneak out of bed one night for a chocolatey treat.

A classic and one of my favorite winter books.  I love reading this with Tommy and Annabel on snowy days...and not-so-snowy days, too.

I have a book called, "Honey for a Child's Heart" that lists a TON of good books for children.  I found this one in it's pages and put it on Annabel's Christmas wish list last year.  It's become our go-to book almost every afternoon before nap time, and now Tommy can read it, too!  Your kids will love the rhythmic language and funny monkeys.

Someone gave this to Tommy several years ago and it became and instant favorite.  Each page has a flap to look under and see the different places that the animals sleep.  Annabel loves it now, too.

What are you reading these days?  I'd love some recommendations!  Confession:  If given the choice between a paperback or hard-cover of the same book...I will always choose paperback.  Do you have a preference?  Hope you check some of these out!