I read some amazing books this month! I love books that make you think about the way you view things or people and challenge you to understand another perspective. I feel like most of the books I read this month did that one way or another.
I'm writing book reviews each month as part of a goal I set. If you missed my December book review, be sure to check that out! Also visit my Goodreads page. :)
I read Kindred Souls to my class for read aloud. It was a quick read and a very poetic book about a special bond between a boy and his grandfather, Billy. Billy falls ill and has one request. He asks his grandson, Jake to build him a sod house like the one he grew up in. The book was sweet and the story actually made me think of my late Grandma Doris and the special memories all of her grandkids have with her.
I am a big Love and Logic fan and have been since learning about Jim Fay's parenting style while getting my masters through Doane. I bought the audio book version because I heard that it is nice to hear the tone of his voice when he is sharing examples. I have a 10-15 minutes drive to work in the morning and a 25 minute drive to pick up the girls after work so I used this time to listen. I am officially hooked on audio books! If you have toddlers, I highly suggest this book. It is amazing and so far, his suggestions have worked well with Hadley. I do have to warn you though that sometimes his tone while reading can be annoying... almost like he is talking down to you; BUT the examples he gives are super helpful.
Okay, A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backmanwas one of my favorite books I read this month. Maybe even one of the top five books I have EVER read. I read Bear Town by Fredrick Backman last month and really enjoyed it, so I was excited to read this one. It did not disappoint! Ove is a grumpy man who has been through a lot in his life. He doesn't tolerate much and isn't afraid to share his opinion with anyone. He is known as the "bitter neighbor from hell". Things change when new neighbors move in. They interrupt his plans in the most annoying way and help Ove realize how needed he is. I don't want to give too much away, but this is a must read! You'll cry, laugh, and hopefully remember how much we all really need one another.
I found out that this book was made into a movie and I was so excited to watch it! I even had Hadley skip her nap so she went to bed early and Zack and I could watch it. We popped popcorn and had the computer ready (the movie is on Amazon Prime). Turns out, the movie is in Swedish. I do not know Swedish. I was SO sad. Turns out, Tom Hanks is going to star in the English-language adaptation of the movie. I seriously can't wait! Sigh.
A friend recommended this book and I am so thankful she did! Life with a toddler, a nursing infant, and a full time job can be a lot. I was starting to feel like I lost me and had stopped doing the things that I enjoyed. The last (almost) 3 years I have either been pregnant or nursing. Both are amazing things and it is crazy what a woman's body is capable of, but in that time you are literally sharing your body. The last two years I have had a baby or a toddler in my arms just about every moment I was not working. Which is a whole other guilt thing. #momguiltisreal Don't get me wrong, I LOVE love my girls and am so thankful for every moment they are in my arms and I am so grateful that I have been able to nurse and all of that. But, in the midst of all these changes I wasn't taking care of myself and I started feeling overwhelmed and anxious. #honesty. The book focuses on prioritizing priorities and really digging into what is truly important to you and letting go of the rest. She talks about self care, slowing down, decluttering, etc. etc. It was such a good read and exactly what I needed to hear.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas popped up on my Goodreads page and had a high rating so I put it on hold at the Library. Starr, the main character, goes to a private school in an upper-class neighborhood while living in a poor neighborhood. She bounces back between two completely different worlds while trying to avoid connecting them in any way. When one of her best friends from her neighborhood is killed by a police office and Starr is the only witness, her two words collide and she realizes she has to stand against silence. Although, I wish the author would have focused more on an unjust police shooting rather than skin color, it opened my eyes to a few things I hadn't ever considered. Overall, I appreciated the way she approached an extremely sensitive topic of a world that I am totally naive to.
On a teacher note, I found a site for kids to review books they have read! It is called DOGO Books and basically you can create accounts for your students and have them go online and review books they are reading. I am looking into setting up accounts for my class and I am so excited! Do any of my teacher friends use this? If so, please share how you use it in your classroom and if you like it. :)
xoxo,
amanda breazeale
