Evolving in Monkey Town
by Rachel Held Evans
I think one of the reasons Rachel Evans intrigues me is because she asks hard questions. She doesn't tiptoe around anything, but she doesn't pretend to have all the answers, either. Not anymore anyway. And that's basically how I feel. I always thought I kind of knew things. I was pretty much a know-it-all, but the older I get the more I realize that I really have no clue. And so I appreciate people's questions. Questions that make me think of things for my own self - not taking other people's truth for truth, but discovering the truth for myself.
Hidden Figures
by Margot Lee Shetterly
I obviously wanted to read this due to the movie. It wasn't even on my radar prior to seeing the movie trailers. I loved reading it during February (which was completely coincidental) because it tied in nicely with all of the Black History Month information I was sharing with my second graders at one of the schools I visit. And then I loved when I finished it up in March - when I spoke to those same second graders about Women's History Month.
The book was written very factually and without much fanfare. I would have enjoyed a better "story," though the facts and information themselves were extremely interesting and timely. I'm looking forward to watching the movie (which I'm sure will be dramatized for cinema sake) and am considering watching it with my kiddos. I look forward to these shared opportunities with my children to expose them to positive role models of all races, religions, cultures and genders.
A Long Walk to Water
by Linda Sure Park
This was so worth the read! It's technically a Juvenile fiction, but I would recommend it for anyone 10+! I might even let Xander read it. It was a riveting story that intersects two lives and how they are affected by the lack of water in Africa. Very moving and heartfelt.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
by J.K. Rowling
Amelia Jayne and I have listened to all three of these Harry Potter books on audiobook. She just loves it!! Which makes me so happy, too. Jim Dale is phenomenal (I'm pretty sure I've said that on this blog once or twice) and if you haven't yet listened to the Harry Potter audiobooks, what are you waiting for?!?!
How to Train Your Dragon
How to Be a Pirate
How to Speak Dragonese
by Cressida Cowell
Amelia Jayne and I also listened to these together. AMAZING!!! David Tenant reads this series and he is phenomenal!!! The stories are cute and funny, too.
The Wizard of Oz
by L. Frank Baum
Amelia Jayne and I read this book together - it was a condensed version of the original with illustrations by Charles Santore - beautifully illustrated.
I don't know what else to say except that my girl LOVES to read. She would almost always choose to curl up with me on the couch and listen to me read than any other activity in the world. She hasn't quite grasped the concept of reading on her own, though she knows many words as site words (love, to, mommy, daddy, Xander - she knows these words because she adores "writing" letters and notes to us all) and she knows all of her letters and the sounds they make. I am so excited for the reading switch in her brain to click on. I can't imagine all the things she'll read! And I can't wait to continue exploring the world of books with her.
