Lighten Up

Lighten Up by Chieko N. Okazaki
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chieko Okazaki is one of my very favorite women of faith. I love her optimism and her honesty. Her tenacious spirit and commitment to being herself was remarkable. I loved reading this and appreciated her encouragement during a very chaotic stage of life. Both the audio and the hard copy are equally enjoyable to read.

Happy reading and happy lighter living--

Anxious People - Round Two

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I knew I would revisit this book because I wanted to reread it almost as soon as I finished it last year. Issues in this book hit close to home, and I wanted the chance to see it through clearer, less emotional eyes. The book was still just as enjoyable, though I did miss the big surprises. I love Fredrik Backman, and I can't wait for my annual reading of his Christmas novella.

Happy reading, and remember, you are fine just the way you are. Here's to less anxious living in 2022, since 2021 certainly didn't mellow out the way we thought it would.

The Soul of a Woman

The Soul of a Woman by Isabel Allende
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ummmm - this book was a little odd. I love Isabel Allende's fictional writing. She's very talented. This was a bit rambling for me. I appreciate her candor and her feminism, but if she wasn't a famous author, an editor would have totally reworked this or not published it in the first place. There are some good passages, but overall I wouldn't recommend it. Allende's fiction is much more worth your time.

Happy reading--

ps. 2.5 stars rounded up.

The Trials of Morrigan Crow - Round Two

The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When real life is a bit all over the place, I love to reread books. Morrigan Crow and her world were a perfect escape. I love the audiobook reader, and I can't wait to introduce this enchanting story to my boys when they're older.

Happy reading--

ps. On a second reading, I'm bumping up my star rating from 4 to 4.5, so 5 rounded up. 

Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World

Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World by Patrick Q Mason
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don't read a lot of books about faith and religion. I just can't seem to finish most of them, but Patrick Mason's Restoration is exactly the type of book we need right now. Mason pares back anything extra and deep dives into what members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints should and can be doing to lift themselves and others.

When I was in college, Bonnie Parkin, the then-Relief Society General President said, "If I could have one thing happen for every woman in this Church, it would be that they would feel the love of the Lord in their lives." That became one of my core beliefs - if people could feel our Heavenly Parents' love daily, so many of the world's ills could be cured. Mason's words give me hope that the core of what the church does could one day focus again on things that are that simple and profound, and that the culture of the church that so often takes over our faith could be restored to something better. I look forward with hope until that day.

Happy reading--

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Incense and Sensibility

Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sense and Sensibility is my favorite of Jane Austen's books - mainly because of Elinor Dashwood's character and the bond between the Dashwood sisters. This meant that I was extra excited to hear the Sonali Dev's newest Austen adaptation would be a take on Sense and Sensibility. Just like Dev's first two books, Incense and Sensibility is clever in its adaptation. I still love the Bay Area ties and the portrayal of the Indian-American community. It's not a perfect book - certain phrases and commentary gets a little repetitive, but I loved the update to Elinor as India Dashwood and the modernization of the issues facing the characters. As in all of Austen's novels, you know that Dev will always give her characters a happy ending, and we could all use a little more of that in this world.

Happy reading--

ps. 3.5 rounded down.

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Garlic and Sapphires

Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love books about food, and Ruth Reichl is great at writing about food. What's not to love? The book got a little long in portions, but overall it was a thoroughly delectable read. I only wish I could have walked the streets of New York as I was reading to get a better feel for what she was describing.

Happy reading and happy eating--

Kingdom of the Blind - Round Two

Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I seriously love disappearing into Three Pines. Add it to the list of fictional places I wish were real.

Happy reading and happy imaginary traveling-

Sisters of the Resistance

Sisters of the Resistance by Christine Wells
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Honestly, I was only sorry that this book ended. I really liked this story of sisters fighting in the French Resistance in Paris during the Nazi occupation. It had elements of Jennifer Robson's The Gown because of the presence haute couture fashion as part of the story. Those visual details were fantastic, though I wish there had been an author's note to explain what was fiction and what was fact, since Christian Dior was part of the book. Definitely worth a read, and I really like the audiobook narrator (Saskia Maarleveld) who reads this one and some of my other favorites.

Happy reading--

One True Loves - Round Four

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've read this book four of the last six summers. The only reason I missed those two summers was that I was having my babies. Otherwise, this book is everything I want in a summer read minus the drinks with the tiny umbrellas. Happy reading--

The Night Portrait

The Night Portrait: A Novel of World War II and da Vinci's Italy by Laura Morelli
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Oh man - I should have stopped this book partway through. The premise of The Night Portrait is a good one. I love stories of art and history being woven together, and I like the artwork this book is centered around (Leonardo da Vinci's The Lady with an Ermine), but this book just wasn't for me. The writing was choppy and often cliche. Even harder for me were a couple of the audiobook readers - they just were not good. I had picked up this book because two of my favorite historical fiction writers endorsed it. Apparently, that was not enough. Oh well. On to the next.

Happy reading--

ps. I think had I read a physical book, rather that the audiobook, that this probably would have been a three star for me. However, I still would only recommend it if you love WWII fiction and are a high volume reader. Otherwise, there are better books out there.

Glass Houses - Round Two

Glass Houses by Louise Penny
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just as good the second time. I really like the cobrador imagery and discussion surrounding opioids. Penny is often topical without being overly pedantic. Definitely worth working hard to get through the series.

Happy reading--

The Road Trip

The Road Trip by Beth O'Leary
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm sorry to say that Beth O'Leary's The Road Trip is almost a two star review. I did not really like this book. I LOVED The Flatshare and I liked the Switch, and this one just fell flat for me. O'Leary still managed to create interesting lead characters - you're totally rooting for them, but the rest was just so weird and their road trip felt interminable. Normally, I'm so glad to be a long for the ride, but this time, I just wanted it to be over. The reason it gets the bump to three stars is that I did want to know how it played out, but I wouldn't really recommend it. Reread The Flatshare. That will be a better use of your time.

Happy reading--

A Great Reckoning - Round Two

A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Louise Penny. The end.
(Seriously though - she's just really good at keeping your attention from beginning to end....to the point that I'm sure I'll reread these all again in a few years just because I miss Three Pines and the characters Penny has created.)

Happy reading--

Notes on Grief

Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has a gift of getting down to the heart of an issue and then articulating her thoughts on it in a way that no one else can. Because of that gift, I expected a little more from her Notes on Grief - more takeaways or broader ruminations. Literally though, this is her experience of losing her dad, and perhaps because it was so recent (June of 2020), there hasn't been time for her draw on lessons learned, etc.

I wouldn't really recommend this book unless you are looking for a window into someone else's loss. I am preparing for grief. My grandfather is terminally ill, and our whole family is seemingly holding our respective breaths waiting for our patriarch to die. The world seems to be shifting a bit with the imminence of this loss, and I'm sorry for the reminder of how short this life really is. I appreciate how long Chimamanda's love for her father radiates off every part of her experience. That is part of why the loss is so hard, but that love is what makes life worth living.

Happy reading and here's to more intentional living--

My Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me

My Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me: A Memoir by Jason B. Rosenthal
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read Jason Rosenthal's book because I loved his late wife, Amy Krouse Rosenthal. The last thing Amy wrote before dying of cancer was a New York Times column titled, "You May Want to Marry My Husband". It was exceptional and so classically Amy.

Jason is not a writer, nor is he an audiobook narrator. That means while there are some beautiful details about he and Amy's marriage and family and some sentiments that made me want to go out and want to live more intentionally, the overall reading experience was a little clunky. I'm glad to have read the book because as I said, Amy Krouse Rosenthal is one of my favorite writers. I'm slowly accumulating her children's books on my boys' shelves just so I can see her name and appreciate the little joys in each day that much more. But I wouldn't really recommend "My Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me" unless you're a high volume reader, you want to read a more light-hearted book on grief and life after loss, and/or you love AKR as much as I do.

Happy reading and happy living--

ps. If you haven't read Amy's essay mentioned above, see the link included below. It's worth reading and rereading.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/03/st...

Malibu Rising

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Malibu Rising is the book of the summer - the setting is perfect for a beach read and the drama will keep you captivated the whole way through (even though Reid gives away the ending in the opening pages of the book).

One of my favorite things about Reid's writing is ability to create vivid characters, and I really liked the Riva siblings. I liked the image of them sitting in the ocean together waiting to catch the perfect wave. I liked that all of their personalities were evident in their approach to surfing, and that though just a background detail, everything you needed to know about each person was captured on that beach.

I only wish I had read Malibu Rising on my favorite pier in Malibu or on my favorite spot of sand in Santa Monica. I can almost hear the waves crashing right now and feel that delightful warmth and stretch of skin on my cheeks as they get kissed from the sun.

Happy reading and happy summer--

ps. 4.5 stars - just shy of five for me, but it may get bumped up in a reread someday.

The Anthropocene Reviewed

The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love John Green. He is a great writer and an even greater human. The Anthropocene Reviewed is his first work of nonfiction. It's not for everyone because he talks about such random things and his world view may not align with yours, but I loved it. I loved how he tied seemingly obscure facts to life and world events. I appreciate his candor about his mental health. I love that Green is tied to Amy Krouse Rosenthal. I finished the book and immediately went back to the introduction again, so that I could better understand what Green was trying to do with his book. I doubt I'll make it through 2021 without picking this book up again.

Happy reading--

ps. It really is not everyone who could tie together a chapter about Diet Dr. Pepper into how the dawning knowledge of the pandemic felt.

pps. I listened to the audiobook, but I also wanted to revisit portions so I would refer to my physical copy (Green is one of the few authors I preorder without knowing what the book is about) over and over again.

ppps. My husband was probably relieved when I finished because of how many dinnertime conversations started with "I was reading that book by John Green, and he said...."

The Nature of the Beast - Round Two

The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

June 2021
Ditto to what I said below. :)

December 2019
This was interesting tale to add to Penny's Gamache series. The "boy who cried wolf" cliche paired with the "nature of the beast" cliche were powerfully woven into a story where past sins were called into the forefront. So often we think that the past doesn't define us, but Penny plays with how the "sins of the fathers" still haunt us today. Plus I'm always up for historical references...this one includes Vietnam, Saddam Hussein, etc. Well told and gripping as always--

Happy reading-

(Book 112 - 2019)

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Band of Sisters

Band of Sisters by Lauren Willig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Band of Sisters had a slow start for me but a great finish. I love reading about women's roles in history, especially when they work together for good. Melinda Gates really is right - when you elevate women, you elevate society. In short, solidly good historical fiction with a great conclusion...also, Julia Whelan reads this book, and she almost never reads a dud.

Happy reading--

Life's Too Short

Life's Too Short by Abby Jimenez
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really liked this book. Great romance but with real issues mixed in - it's definitely "chick lit" and won't appeal to all readers, but my guess is that this is the best Abby Jimenez has written.

Happy reading--

The Long Way Home - Round Two

The Long Way Home by Louise Penny
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Okay - still a weird one, but I wouldn't skip it because it's so important to future character development. Penny still tells a good story. It just doesn't center around the things I like best in the series...and like I've said before Peter Morrow has made me cringe since book one.

On a positive note, I cannot wait to make a trip to the places Penny describes. They sound lovely.

Happy reading--

How the Light Gets In - Round Two

How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book still isn't my favorite of the series but still solidly good. Love Louise Penny!

Happy reading--

Let's Talk About Hard Things

Let's Talk About Hard Things by Anna Sale
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book because of the five podcast episodes Anna Sale recorded with Kelly Corrigan and Anna Quindlen on Kelly Corrigan Wonders. I loved their conversations so much that I felt like I had to read more of each woman's writing. Sale's book literally dives into many of the hardest aspects of life and why those aspects are so important to address. I'm not sure this book would hold every reader's attention, but it held mine.

Happy reading--

ps. 3.5 stars rounded up.

People We Meet on Vacation

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Travel, romance, and drama - perfect beach read. Emily Henry gives you everything you want in a summer book without making you feel dumber for having read the book. Definitely an author I'll keep returning to after thoroughly enjoying both of books and liking both couples that she created.

Happy reading and happy summer--

ps. For some readers, Henry's "open door" love scenes may not be too much.

Make Me Rain

Make Me Rain by Nikki Giovanni
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I fell in love with a few Nikki Giovanni poems as a teacher. This collection wasn't my favorite overall, but there were a few brilliant lines. Giovanni's writing career on the whole is worth noting as part of the American poetry canon.

Happy reading--

The Kitchen Front

The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A World War II story told through food - I'm 100% in for that. I love seeing the day-to-day life of women portrayed in fiction, and this book is exactly that. The Kitchen Front is also a version of WWII that I haven't read before, and I loved the idea of a 1940s cooking show on the radio. Based on my modern day obsession with The Great British Baking Show (how many times is too many times rewatching that show?), I would have been so excited for each broadcast of the Kitchen Front.

Happy reading and happy cooking--

The Beautiful Mystery - Round Two

The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn't love this book the first time through. I was so confused about why we were alone with Gamache and Beauvoir in a monastery. The second time through though, I wasn't thrown off balance by the switch of settings and liked it more. It's still not the best the series, but it's captivating.

Happy reading--

ps. Four Louise Penny books in a month. I prefer rereads when I'm feeling anxious, so these have been perfect. The only thing slowing me down is how long I have to wait for them from the library.

The Flatshare...a year and a half late

The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Somehow I skipped reviewing this book, but for how often I recommend it to people looking for a love story, I have to put it on Goodreads. Such a fun story.

Milk and Honey

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Milk and Honey was a little underwhelming for me. After so many years of seeing students and peers read her work, I think I expected something else. There were some beautiful lines, but it was not my favorite overall poetry collection.

If I Never Met You

If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this book. Quality premise and an overall smart, engaging romantic comedy-- The ending can be seen from a mile away, but somehow that made it all the better for what type of book I was craving. I really hope this gets made into a movie.

Happy reading and happy falling in love--

ps. Just in case it matters to you: True to many other British writers, Ms. McFarlane likes to pepper her characters' dialogue with a lot of profanity.

pps. Yay for characters in their late 30s. 

A Trick of the Light - Round Two

A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not quite as captivating as her other books, but still really good. Peter Morrow really does drive me crazy. Can't get enough of Three Pines. Wish it was real, so we could plan a summer holiday there.

Happy reading--

Well-Read Black Girl

Well-Read Black Girl: Finding Our Stories, Discovering Ourselves by Glory Edim
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I don't think we can fully quantify what it means to see ourselves in the characters of the books we read. Those characters and those books often become the foundations of who we become. Jo March, Annie Shirley, and Laura Ingalls Wilder profoundly shaped the course of my life. Well-Read Black Girl is a collection of Black women sharing the Black characters and authors who impacted their reading and their lives. I always enjoy books about books and now my to-be-read list is even longer.

Powerful and important collection. Happy reading--

Dear Emmie Blue

Dear Emmie Blue by Lia Louis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ummm - a little underwhelming. Some good characters and mini twists, but other plot details were so clear early on that I couldn't decide if I was invested or not. I liked the way the main characters met and started their friendship, but I felt like I had to finish more than wanting to finish.

In short - cute but forgettable, so unless you're a high volume reader, I'd pick up something else.

Happy reading-- 

ps. Some random inappropriate and language that pops up in this book, so it may not be for all readers. Also, there is reference to a sexual assault that might be triggering for some readers. 

Bury Your Dead - Round Two

Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Two Louise Penny's finished in a week is the sign that I am hooked on this series. I'm even more impressed with the various storylines running in this installment of the Gamache series.

Happy reading--

The Kew Gardens Girls

The Kew Gardens Girls by Posy Lovell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Kew Gardens is a real place in England, and the Kew Gardens girls are real people. Lovell sets out to tell their story through a few fictional women meant to represent those girls and the work they did in the gardens during WWI. The book is just okay - some good moments, but the pacing is clunky and some of the dialogue overwrought.

I appreciated the insight into a historical detail I don't know much about, and I think someone who loves gardening might like this book more than I did.

Thank you to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for the ARC of this book.

Happy reading and enjoy all the spring flowers--

The Brutal Telling - Round Two

The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You'd think that rereading a murder mystery would be boring, but Penny layers her stories so well that there are new details to pick up on in a reread. I also am surprised that even when I know what is going to happen, I'm still "on the edge of my seat" reading. Definitely worth a read if you haven't tried any of Penny's books!

ps. You could start here in here in the series and be totally fine. Penny gives enough back story that you'd know enough to follow anything that happens.

When the Stars Go Dark

When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I picked this book up purely because of Paula McLain's previous work. I still think of her book, The Paris Wife, all the time. If I had known it was about kidnapping and the disappearances of girls, I'm not sure I would have read it. When Polly Klaas and her kidnapping wove into the other storylines, I was caught off-guard. That kidnapping and murder is one of my earliest memories of cruel and criminal behavior that I was aware of and following in the news with my parents. Polly's picture was posted in our church building and all over town. Thus, a book set in the Bay Area (which is normally so appealing to me) and Mendocino County with such a serious subject matter is not for everyone.

That said, McLain is a great writer. She handled a dark story well and managed to seamlessly shift between real and fictional details. I can't say that I recommend this book for all readers because it has so many potential triggers, but it's a powerful story, well told.

Happy reading--

ps. 4.5 stars

A Place for Us - Round Two

A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is still so good. This time through I was struck by how important it is to learn how to talk to each other. The more we share, especially in our closest relationships, the more rich our lives will be. One of my very favorite books.

Happy reading--

The Light of Days

The Light of Days: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler's Ghettos by Judy Batalion
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's not often that I pick up a World War II book that tells me something I haven't at least read a little something about. This book though and its stories of women resistance fighters in Hitler's Polish ghettos have so many details I've never encountered. Batalion did extensive research and her efforts show as she tries to tell of many exemplary young women who gave everything they had to helping their people.

This was not an easy book to read. It is VERY detailed and there are so many people to follow. I would recommend the physical book because I had a hard time keeping the characters straight while I listened to it. I know the physical book has list of how the people relate to each other in the front, and it would have been really helpful. I'm not sure I would recommend this book just because it is so hard to digest, and there are so many others to read. It would be great for someone wanting to do a deep dive into this particular moment in history.

Happy reading and happy kinder living--

The Year of Less

The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store by Cait Flanders
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Reading another book like this one may seem unecessary, but this was exactly what I needed on this particular reading day. I think a lot readers would find it underwhelming, but I really liked it. It is simple, honest advice about getting more out of life by having less.

Happy reading and happy simple living-

ps. 3.5 stars (seriously Goodreads - can we please have half stars?!)

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - Round Two

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's been over a decade since I first read this book, and I was so glad for the chance to revisit such a a beautiful story.

ps. This is one of the rare books that I would say to read the physical book instead of the audiobook. I liked that experience better. 

The Rose Code

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was hooked at Bletchley Park - it's one of the most fascinating pieces of history to me. Mix in Quinn's deft handling of historical and fictional details, and this book took over a couple of my days. The Rose Code is well written, and the three women Quinn created are captivating and unique. Their personal details jumped off the page. I loved the whole thing.

I know it's long, but it's totally worth it. Happy reading and happy decoding--

ps. Prince Philip had died just a couple days before I started reading this book, so it was a little uncanny to have him feature as a prominent character.

pps. I think this is my favorite of Quinn's books so far, and I really liked her others!

A Rule Against Murder - Round Two

A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Still not my favorite of Penny's books - partially because Peter Morrow is my least favorite of the Three Pines characters, but still captivating. Fun reread.

Happy reading--

ps. Definitely more fun to do it this time on audio versus kindle.

Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake

Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Like a delicious piece of cake, I devoured Quindlen's book in a day. She's such a wise and articulate woman. I love the way she thinks and expresses herself. Great reflections on life and the passing of time. We really are so lucky to live long lives and shouldn't take a single day for granted - wrinkles and all.

Happy reading and happy cake eating--

ps. If you have not listened to her interview on Kelly Corrigan's podcast (Kelly Corrigan Wonders), you are missing out. It is excellent.

The Switch

The Switch by Beth O'Leary
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Beth O'Leary's books are delightful. The Switch isn't as good as The Flatshare, but you still can't help but root for her characters. In this book, O'Leary captures that feeling we all get of wanting to switch lives and try something different out for a while. Her characters - the Cotton women - get that chance. Both women seem like people you who might live next-door to you. That relatable quality is part of what makes O'Leary's books so good.

Happy reading and hope you can make your life more of what you want it to be--

The Cruelest Month - Round Two

The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wouldn't have thought that I would enjoy rereading these books, but while some of the details remain clear, I am still surprised by subtle layered details. This one has clever clever allusions to whether our younger selves ever really leave us and whether someone can be too nice. I also loved being able do audio this go around instead of reading on my phone. Happy reading!

Eat a Peach

Eat a Peach by David Chang
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Chef memoirs are so fun. I love diving into their details of ingredients and how they create their dishes and restaurants. David Chang's memoir was a little overhyped for me. I'd still recommend it, but it wasn't as captivating as I'd expected. Some of his summations about being a chef and restaurant owner are great and candor is admirable because he's not always been the easiest to be around. Now I wish I lived nearer his restaurants so I could go try his food.

Happy reading and happy eating--

ps. 3.5 stars

Love from A to Z

Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read this book because a friend recommended it, and I think I instinctively am still searching for books for students I no longer teach. I loved the concept of the main characters' marvel and oddity journals, and I appreciated that the main characters were observant Muslim teens. Their choices were not mocked, but respected at every turn. I liked that the book mainly took place in Doha, Qatar. I didn't love a couple of the story lines, but overall I would absolutely have passed this story on to some of my students.

Happy reading and happy searching for more marvels around you--

ps. 3.5 stars rounded down

Balanced and Barefoot

Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children by Angela J. Hanscom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The concepts in Balanced and Barefoot would be a five star rating. I appreciated the encouragement and insights about why kids need to get outside and play with less restrictions and worry. However, the delivery was only okay. Some of the research examples seemed a little too convenient and the applications didn't always seem feasible if you're not living with the wilderness in your backyard. Still, we could all stand to let our kids run free a little bit (or a lot) more. I'm glad to have read it mainly because it has pushed me outside more than once with Hudson, and that's a reason for reading this all by itself.

Happy reading--