Month: April 2021

Why I joined Book of the Month (BOTM)

I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I can remember. In my adult years my reading has ebbed and flowed based upon other responsibilities (i.e. law school, kids, work etc.). Recently, I’m back on the reading bandwagon hard. I have a few favorite authors Michael Connelly, David Baldalcci, Lisa Scottoline, Fredrik Backman, J.A. Jance (if I could run a marathon listening to one of her books then she has to be a favorite for sure). Basically, I find an author that I like and I read everything they write…until I’m caught up and anxiously awaiting new releases. I’ve always struggled to find new titles to read and frequently look for recommendations. Goodreads has been a great place to see what others have read and liked, but similar to clothing and always picking the same thing I always steer towards the same types of books.

I read on my Kindle. In general I borrow e-books from my local library and read on my Kindle or sometimes my phone if I’m trying to squeeze in a few extra pages. To get wild and crazy I recently started listening on Audible to combine with my reading so I could listen while I run. Needless to say I’m trying to make all the time to find new books and read when possible. So, why add another variable like BOTM?

First, I’ll say I did a lot of research before deciding on BOTM. There are a lot of choices when it comes to book subscriptions. Many select the book for you. This was a deal breaker for me. I still want to have some control over what I’m reading. Some include other items to go with the book- “extras.” Let’s be real, I don’t need any extra “stuff” to go with the book, I just need the book. BOTM is special because each month they feature five books and you get to choose which of the five you want that month. If nothing looks exciting to you- you can pass for the month or select a book from a previous month. Also, they have add on books that you can choose from too! So basically BOTM seemed like the best of all words to me and what I was looking to get from a book subscription. What did I want?

NEW IDEAS FOR BOOKS

Years and years ago a friend suggested I read Beartown by Fredrik Backman. Me: “a book about hockey, seriously?” In case you haven’t read it, the book is about way more than hockey! It rates as one of the top books I’ve read…EVER. So if you haven’t read it yet…run and get Beartown and Us Against You the sequel. You won’t be disappointed. But the point to all of this babbling is I’m generally in a rut of what “type” of book I read. Legal mysteries. Think Law and Order in book form- that’s my go to. Which means I read Grisham, Connelly, and Baldalcci as soon as their books come out because I’ve already read everything else that they’ve written. I generally don’t care if I’m reading the new “hot” book that everyone else is reading. However, I’m now eager to be more in the “know” for what has been released and want to branch out. So why, BOTM?? I loved the fact that there are five books to choose from each month in a variety of genres. Not just that there are add on books that you can choose from as well. If you are anything like me having a choice is crucial, a total surprise book would not be my cup of tea. I want to still have some control over what I’m reading, while at the same time branching out. Plus BOTM features debut authors so it’s a great way to try new things!! See, back to that branching out idea!

Great gift idea and a way to reconnect

So I am totally excited about BOTM that I want to share it with all my friends. Ever have that happen? You try something new and then you want to share it with everyone?? I realized it was the perfect retirement gift for a friend. And then even more importantly the best birthday gift for my friend from college as it would also allow us to form our own “book club” and create an excuse for us to build time into each month to talk. She wants to read more, and I want to read new and different books. We both want time to connect. Win- win, am I right?

Read a “real” book again

Don’t get me wrong, I carry my Kindle with me everywhere. It’s great to read on in low light because it’s backlit or in the sunlight. It’s lightweight and totally convenient to keep with me. Plus I can read on my Kindle pick up where I left off on my phone or with Audible. But for a book lover there’s truly something about having a “real” book. When I read with the boys it’s always a “real” book. I know what you are thinking…do you really want/need more books in your house when you are doing? The short answer to that question is no. But my thought is to pass the books along to friends and family who might be interested and encourage them to do the same. Additionally, I’ll happily donate them to the Maryland Book Bank or maybe the boys and I will start our own Little Free Library. How fun would that be? The point being I can’t wait to enjoy reading a “real” book again. Plus then the boys see me reading an actual book rather than on a device. Raising readers to love “real” books by example is key!!

Do you want to give it a try?

Does this sound appealing to you? There’s no commitment. You can opt to sign up for one month to give it a try or possibly you want to sign up for a year and save? Either way if you want to learn more visit Book of the Month. Stay tuned as I’m thinking about a fun way to engage over books this summer with an adult summer reading challenge!

In the mean time- have an inspired day!

More than running- books, learning activities and more!

This started as just a place to share running/racing updates. Well, bam then Covid happened and while I’ve competed in some virtual races I haven’t really done any you know since the Virtual NYC Marathon in October 2020. Then I started subbing at school and my brain has shifted to learning based activities and reading challenges. And while I can talk until I’m blue in the face about running, running gear, prepping for a race, life after a race etcetera I’ve realized that there’s a whole lot more to life than running to share. Shocking I know that there could possibly be more than running to share!! So I’ll be broadening the scope of my posts in the coming weeks!

What to expect?

  • A summer reading “bucket” list for kiddos
  • An adult summer reading challenge
  • Suggestions from one of my favorite places Lakeshore with ideas to stop the “summer slide.”
  • Review of Kiwi Crates- the monthly subscription box for kids with a hands on activity
  • and more!!

I know it’s only April but I’m already mentally preparing for summer. Checking all the boxes to be prepared to “take it easy.” We all know there really is no taking it easy when you have kids, however the summer is definitely a more calm time with less scheduled activities and the ability to pick and choose what you would like to do. Last summer it was 100% camp mom all summer long. This year we anticipate the boys heading back to day camp for a few weeks, along with the much anticipated “Camp Mom” for a few weeks as well. We will work together to organize a plan of the things we want to accomplish. Much of it fun- like making s’mores or playing in the pool. But there will be sight words, time telling, reading a more to keep their brains engaged while they relax.

So stay tuned as I begin to get us thinking about being organized with some fun but educational plans to supplement camp or to help fill some time with activities!!

The Remember Balloons- the children’s book opening doors to hard conversations

For as long as I can remember I’ve had a love of books. I was always an avid reader. One of my fondest memories of early reading was reading Little Woman on the couch in our living room. Throughout the course of parenthood I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading to the boys and have passed that love of reading onto them. My time with Usborne Books & More led to us having more books than most in our home. And you know what, I wouldn’t change it for a moment. Being a reader opens so many doors. Being a reader builds curiosity and the desire to learn more, which in turn creates life long learners. I consider myself someone who is always learning new “tricks” so to speak. Whether it’s learning all I can about running, or children’s books or skills for being in the classroom- I’m up for the challenge.

I must share about a book that recently took my breath away! While subbing last week one of the books left for me to read was The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliverso and Dana Wulfekotte. I honestly thought it was going to be this book about making memories…yeah I should have realized that there was going to be a deeper message in the book. I joke it’s like a Disney movie- appropriate for kids but deep with meaning that those who are able to will grasp.

Half way through the book I could feel my heart racing and moved my mask to the side to catch my breath. Spoiler alert- here’s how the plot unfolds. The little boy in the book notes that he has way more balloons than his little brother and you see them holding their balloons. But then he notes that his parents have even more balloons than him and then ultimately that Grandpa has the most balloons of everyone. The boy begins asking Grandpa about the different colored balloons and he shares the memories that “live” in each balloon, such as his wedding day, the day he scared Aunt Nelle’s cows and the shared memory that he and the boy share together in the silver balloon about their fishing/camping adventure.

It’s important to note in case you aren’t aware my father suffers from early onset Alzheimer’s. As I was reading the book, I suddenly realized where it was headed. Before you know it one of Grandpa’s balloons is getting caught in the tree and he’s repeating the same story over and over again. Then some of Grandpa’s balloons are getting loose and they are floating away. The climax of the story comes when the silver balloon goes floating away and the boy is so angry that the grandfather has “given” away the memory. The boy ultimately confronts his parents asking what is wrong with Grandpa and the mother informs him that this happens sometimes when people get older. Towards the end of the book the grandfather no longer has any balloons but the boy notes that his balloons have increased. He now has the responsibility of having those memories live on and sharing them with his younger brother and down the road his own family. The book closes with the boy sitting in the grandfather’s lap retelling the stories that the grandfather once told him. If you’re crying, I was and am now too. My youngest who is five years old asks the darnedest questions. On his last visit with my dad in 2020, he spent a lot of time talking to him about cactus. When I recently made my trip out to Arizona he was so concerned with whether or not Pop Pop remembered talking to him about the cactus or if he had forgotten. Needless to say this is a balloon memory. Regardless of whether my dad recalls the conversation, Carter will hold that memory close. It should come as no surprise that I have ordered this book for my boys. I can’t wait to read it with them, cry with them, and then create our remember balloons.

Trying to talk to kids about Alzheimer’s or death is a daunting task. They ask real and hard questions. As educators and parents we bring our own life experiences to the conversation. Some conversations are easier to have than others, but in all fairness we are also human and processing our own emotions surrounding death or a particular disease. Books help explain and offer tangible ways to have conversations. In some cases books offer a spring board to begin a difficult conversation. I’m forever searching for new tools to add to my tool chest and I am so glad to add The Remember Balloons. I’m sharing it today because perhaps it will be a helpful tool to use as well.