Bowling?

Hey there! Can't wait to hear about your summer fun! I just wanted to check about bowling... I don't want to miss Carly packing up those sweet shoes!!!

~ Monica

A New Summer- A New Experiment?

Are we up for this? Let me know whatcha think... I know you're all reading, but are you game for sharing through the blog again? I finished the Wednesday Wars last week (I think I cried 8 different times...) so good! Pick it up; you will love it. I will definitely read this aloud next year- that and the rest of Notes From a Dog! Then I read Artichoke's Heart- a good summer read. Now I'm working on Walter Dean Myers' Sunrise over Fllujah, a war book that I'm finding a little tough to get in to, but I'll keep you up on it. I'm going to try to add Carly to the blog, too- if she's interested. Can't wait to hear from you.

~ Monica

Reading Esperanza

Since I had a long drive in the car today, I stopped by the library to see if they had an audio version of Esperenza Rising and thankfully they did! :) I am on CD 3 out of 4 and brought it in the house tonight so I can listen some before I go to bed. Monica, I understand why you cried now and I want you to know when you said that I knew I had to read it. So thank you! It is a really beautiful story and I love the narrator they are using. If you've ever seen Little Women with Winona Ryder, they use the oldest sister, Meg, who is Trini Alvarado to read. She does a fabulous job! I can't wait to find out how it ends!

The Help

So the workshop I went to with Becky Koesel this past week was amazing! She taught me amazing things about read aloud, finding "just right" books for kids and inspired my love for reading again! First she had us make a super cute Reader's Notebook...she provided the composition books and scrapbook paper. Then, so we could understand the power of the read aloud, she read this book to us. I cannot tell you how much I looked forward to going and hearing The book each day. When I was running late, I thought, "Oh, no! I hope I don't miss the read aloud!" So of course since she could only read us 3 chapters, I had to go out and get the book for myself. Amazing! It tells the story of 3 ladies: Skeeter, Minny, and Aibileen. It's based in Jackson, Mississippi during Civil Rights time - 1962.It is a powerful story of love, forgiveness, judgment, trust, and standing up for beliefs. It is a MUST READ! I have already passed it on to my sister, she loves stories like this and I thought of her. Check it out! It is so worth the read and I know I will read this one again!

The Wolves of Mercy Falls: A Stop Motion trailer for Linger

So Linger officially came out today! :) I know Heather and I read it, but not sure if Monica ever made it through or Stacy got the copy. It's in all bookstores now! And the other great news is that the author, Maggie Stiefvater, is coming to Houston! She will be here next Wednesday, July 28th!

http://www.bluewillowbookshop.com/event/maggie-stiefvater

Maggie really likes to support indie book stores, so the book has to come from Blue Willow in order to be autographed. I figure she might talk about writing too, so who would like to go? It is super close to my house, so I was thinking I could have everyone over for dessert after the signing so we could chat. :) Let me know if you're interested!

Mr. Lincoln's TMails

I was in Indiana last week visiting Rich's brother and nephew and found this great book on his brother's bookshelf! I love history, but don't always read books about it. This was a GREAT read. It explains how Abe Lincoln used the telegraph to communicate instantly with generals to strategize during the Civil War. It's like old-fashioned email and he used it to his advantage. Brilliant writing and a totally new look at Lincoln! I truly enjoyed it.

So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore

I've been working through this book with a bible study group from 2nd Baptist, and I know that, Brandee, you have read this or a part of it. I hate the title. It sounds so needy, and as I read, I felt a little like, "Beth, you are coming across a little needy," but I guess in that same way, it's very transparent, very real. The book is interesting in that I think Moore intends that it would be applicable for anyone, whether you are a Christian or not, but it fails quickly in that, in my opinion, because she is so at home when she is connecting our entire being to Christ. When she picks and chooses her personal stories to relate to points she wants to extend, it feels a little selective, but when she ties our strength and dignity inherent through Christ to God's word and to the bible, now that feels like Beth Moore, and I really loved that part of the book. The verses that she references were great reminders to hide in my heart; the prayers that she speaks along with the reader feel real, feel personal, and I loved those. I really loved those. Would I recommend this book? Yes! And I'll tell you that often throughout this read, I thought of you all, of our team, and knew that I was blessed to be surrounded by genuine, secure, and blessed women... and that, ladies, is an amazing, irreplaceable gift!!!

2 more books (at least) that I HAVE to get through for summer. Vacation this week, so wish me luck!

~ monica