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--

Good Talk

Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations by Mira Jacob
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is exceptional. Mira Jacob's simple way of presenting the issues of race and bigotry set as a series of questions from her small son and other conversations she's had was masterful. Overtly political and honest, some readers may not agree with all that Jacob had to say. I'm only sad there wasn't more of Jacob's text.

The audiobook is a full cast recording to capture the conversational style of the writing. The print book is graphic novel, written and drawn by Jacob. I loved the audiobook and have poured through Jacob's Instagram for examples of the printed pages.

Full disclosure that Jacob overuses the f-word and acknowledges sex. Mature teens could read this book. More adults should read this book. This is exactly the type of conversation we should be having.

Happy reading and happy talking--

Of Curses and Kisses

Of Curses and Kisses by Sandhya Menon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read this book because I received an ARC (advanced reader copy) of the second book in the St. Rosetta's Academy series. I hadn't been sure I wanted to read this original because I thought it was more of a fantasy book. Instead, it carries an element of superstition and is more of a YA book that is not based on reality. I think a lot of teenagers would really like it. I like Menon's other books better, but I was entertained. This would make a great Disney series.

Happy reading--

Think Again

Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know by Adam M. Grant
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love idea of questioning what we think we know - especially ideas and opinions that we've held for a long time. Our blind spots only grow when we resist "thinking again". Grant is clever, practical, and insightful. I get the feeling he's exceptionally bright, but his writing is very accessible and worth reading and considering.

Happy reading and happy thinking again-

ps. One of the things I want to remember about this book is its application to parenting - that teaching our kids that it's okay to revise and rethink what we do is essential to growth. It pairs beautifully with Carol Dweck's growth mindset principles. 

Love Lettering

Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Delightful love story and that makes me wish I lettered things for a living and was able to walk the streets of New York. Hope it gets made into a movie - perhaps a happy version of 500 Days of Summer.

Happy reading--

The Midnight Library - Round Two

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

March 2020
I love rereading books, but I don't usually do it less than six months after the initial read. However, The Midnight Library had stayed with me, and I wanted to give it another go because of the emotional stress I was under when I read it the first time. I'm happy to say was even better and more thought provoking the second time. It would make a great book club pairing with The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.

Happy Reading--

ps. Five stars on the second read as opposed to the four stars on my first.

The Diplomat's Wife

The Diplomat's Wife by Pam Jenoff
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I picked up this book thinking it was new because my library had just gotten it. Turns out it was an old book, a sequel no less, that had recently been made into an audiobook. Still, I kept reading because the story is strong enough to be read as a stand alone novel. Like Jenoff's other books, she manages to hook you with captivating story lines and likeable characters. Though I tore through this book, I didn't love it because I saw two of the three major twists from far off. I like to be more surprised. Still, I'll pick up more of Jenoff's work because I like the worlds she creates.

Happy reading--

It Sounded Better in My Head

<It Sounded Better in My Head by Nina Kenwood
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Should have stopped and didn't. It sounded better in my head to finish it. See what I did there. (insert face palming emoji here)

I thought the acne and sex aspects were over emphasized with the characters underdeveloped. Ironically, it did wrap up well and the Australian narrator was great. Kenwood has potential. This just wasn't the story for me. I may need to take a YA hiatus for a while.

Happy reading--

The Lazy Genius Way

The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn't, and Get Stuff Done by Kendra Adachi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think everyone is looking for ways to better manage the craziness of life. Lazy Genius Way offers a few really good suggestions. They're not ground breaking, but in the weeks since I read this book, I've found myself thinking about what I read and more purposefully working through my tasks. The best part of this book was probably Kendra herself - her candor and the feeling that you were listening to a good friend tell you about their day. I have a feeling I'll revisit this book when things are feeling a bit out of sorts. I know I've already found myself listening to Kendra's Instagram stories for helpful reminders.

Happy reading and happy lazy genius living--

ps. Probably a 3.5 rounded up.

 
pps. Adachi is friends with SO many of the Christian women writers that I've stumbled upon not realizing that they were all friends with each other. Myquillyn Smith, Emily Freeman, etc - I'm looking at you. :)

A Fatal Grace - Round Two

A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Still always glad to visit Three Pines and hangout with Inspector Gamache and Jean Guy Beauvoir.

Happy reading-

Still Life - Round Two

Still Life by Louise Penny
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn't expect to reread this series, but here I am. Reading this book now knowing all the characters so well, I was more intrigued early on. This is not the best of her series, but a good foundation.

Happy reading--

What Kind of Woman - Round One and Two

What Kind of Woman: Poems by Kate Baer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I discovered Kate Baer's writing on Instagram this past year. Her writing and poetry is exceptional and speaks so strongly to the female experience. Her ability to express so much in so few words is fantastic and utterly accessible. You don't to be an English major to love her work, and I wish the Panera she writes in was close by so I could be her friend. She helped give voice to so much of what I was feeling during 2020. Also, so much of her poetry would go beautiful with reading Lexie and Lindsay Kite's "More Than a Body".

Read Kate's work. You will love it.

Happy reading and happy more fulfilled living--

Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times

Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm not sure when this book caught my eye - one part library recommendation, one part book club friend mentioning it. Either way, I read it expecting something a little bit different. The concept is good - that there are times that we need to rest and respect life's cyclical call for restorative periods. That description though doesn't describe it quite right either, so perhaps that's the issue.

So in short - some brilliant lines with a few too many random details. This book could be a good fit to give someone who is going through a hard season in their life.

Happy reading and here's hoping for a little less winter and a little more spring--
(I know that's the opposite of what the book calls for, but I want warmer weather and green leaves so badly!)

A Gentleman in Moscow - Round Two

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Still just as impressed by this beautiful book. There's rumors that Kenneth Brannah might make it into a movie or mini-series. I really hope that's true. I loved it just as much the second time.

Happy reading--

Mazie

Mazie by Melanie Crowder
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

A small town girl trying to make it as a Broadway performer is like getting to read a story that is Thoroughly Modern Millie meets Smash. But, it's just not great. I persevered because the overall premise was so appealing, but I should have stopped the first time I cringed at the dialogue. This is like reading a book version of a Hallmark movie that uses anachronistic and trite expressions alongside some very problematic appearance related storylines (i.e. the need to lose weight, wear make up, etc, etc.). It's a no for me even though I love Broadway so much.

Happy reading and happy song belting--

If You Come Softly

If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I cannot believe this book was written in 1998 - it is so relevant and applicable to what is happening in our country right now. I wish I was still teaching so that I could add it to our reading list. It started a little slow for me, but in true Woodson fashion, had such a strong finish that I was left wishing I had read it so much sooner and wishing I could put it in the hands of readers, young and old. Woodson truly is a gifted writer. I love her.

Happy reading--

The Paris Library

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Paris Library is a World War II novel that tells a fictionalized tale of the real American Library in Paris. Just like female spies were all the vogue in fiction a couple years ago, novels about people who love books seem to be really in. This book is not revolutionary, but it's captivating from start to finish. I'm so impressed by the efforts people made to get books to soldiers, prisoners of war, and people who were no longer able to come to the library due to Nazi occupation. 

This is 3.5 star read rounded up.

Happy reading--