Archive for the ‘Books’ Category

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I wonder what my kids will think of …

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

book

some of the books I saved from my childhood? Because I’m a “saver”, through the last 30+ years I have hung onto some my old paperbacks. They’re not even “classics”, just books I had bought with my own money in grade school through the “Scholastic Book Club” and read over and over again. I got to bring some of them out last night because my oldest daughter is now reading chapter books and had already gone through all the ones we had in the house. I gave her a handful of my old favorites; she chose “What’s for lunch, Charley?” as her first choice. So last night before bed she read me the first chapter. What an odd, yet wonderful, feeling, to have my own daughter read to me a book which I had read over and over to myself so long ago. But will these books stand the test of time? We’ll see … but hey, they can’t possibly be worse than Junie B. Jones books (which are not allowed in our house!).  

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Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

I’m so glad that schools around the country celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday today. He was a genius at teaching life’s lessons (tolerance, conservation, etc.) in a way children could understand. It doesn’t hurt for adults to be reminded of these lessons as well. In fact, when I turned 30 I received the book “Oh, the places you’ll go”. Since then I have often referred to the book to encourage me when I’m afraid or feeling down. So sit down with a plate of green eggs and ham this morning, and raise your glass of orange seuss, I mean juice, to salute this extraordinary man!

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Valentine’s gifts for the kids

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

books

I like to keep things relatively simple, so this is our tradition: each year for Valentine’s Day I pick out a “love-ish” book that reminds me of each child (not like a “Clifford’s Valentine’s Day” but like a parent/child book). I inscribe it with the date, a semi-mushy message and my husband and I sign it. They also each get a small box of chocolates and a card. For *some* reason, they are usually more excited about the chocolate! But they do like their own special book, too. I thought it would be special for them to each have their own collection of these books to keep until they’re older and can share them with their own children or whoever. I’ve done a pretty good job so far of keeping tabs on them, and the only casualty (so far) was when my oldest, in a fit of toddler anger, tore apart my son’s “Peekaboo Kisses” book (which was already pretty tattered anyway). I was able to replace it (though it’s not quite the same). In any event, Happy Valentine’s Day and be sure to let those you love know how much you care! 

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Did you know Borders …

Saturday, January 9th, 2010

was closing 200 mall stores this month? I didn’t, until I walked into the Borders Express at Chapel Hill Mall today (everything is 50-70% off, and going quickly). An employee told me that 200 mall stores (Waldenbooks and Borders Express) nationwide were closing this month, which I just verified by searching the Internet. How did this news slip by me? Of course, I felt sad, as I always do when I see a store going out of business. But not so sad that I didn’t purchase my share of books and even two store fixtures that will find a new life in our home (by the way, 2-1/2 feet deep x 4-feet wide doubled-sided bookshelves are just $40 if you know of a church, school, etc. which could use them — I’d sure buy one if we had the room! — I thought it would be a cool way to divide a shared bedroom if you had the space).

Anyhow, it made me think of how much I resented Borders when they came to town because I knew it would be the end of the independent bookstores I loved, like Pickwick Books in Fairlawn Town Center. But eventually I got over it and was a fairly frequent shopper there, especially the bargain book section. I guess now their mall stores have too much competition from places like Wal-Mart and even Sears and of course the Internet. What goes around, comes around, I guess. Even now I find myself buying books from Amazon.com if I know exactly what I want. But really, who can beat the whole ambiance of being in a bookstore, flipping through pages, getting lost in time? Stumbling across a book you never would have considered had the cover not caught your attention as you were walking by? I was always very encouraged when I would walk into the Borders on Howe Ave. or West Market Street* (both staying open) and there would be tons of people there. I’d think, “Cool … people are still into books!” I guess now, there are just fewer places to go to that are actually bookstores and not just a little section of a big department store.

*Update: So I read the other day that the Borders on West Market Street is closing also …

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Want to learn how to cook?

Friday, January 1st, 2010

I recommend Mark Bittman’s book, “How to Cook Everything.” I never learned to cook from my parents, and I refused to take home ec in high school. I survived with a few basic skills, but never really learned to cook until I was in my 30s. My husband is an incredible self-taught cook and most everything I know I’ve learned from him. But we’ve both benefitted from the Bittman book. He spells out everything truly step by step and is unlike any cookbook I’ve ever used. The only thing is the sweets we tried weren’t very tasty, but that doesn’t really matter since we have SO many excellent recipes for sweets (we are a family of chocoholics you know). Anyway, I highly recommend this book if you need to learn the basics and want to turn out food that is quite simply delicious.

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Reading goes to the dogs

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

dogs

Literally! The Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library has a “Bow Wow Book Buddies” program in which every other Sunday from 2-4, kids in grades K-4 can read to a certified therapy dog. Yesterday was the first time we did it and my kids loved it! Because there were only a couple of other kids there, mine got read to four different dogs. When they were done, the kids got a card with the dog’s photo and stats on it. Cuyahoga Falls has a similar program which just ran for four Saturday mornings for kids in grades 1-3. Free, fun, educational — what’s not to like?

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Catch up on your reading …

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

with books on CD or tape. I don’t have time to sit down and read a book, so this is a  great way for me to read (hear) all kinds of books. I got hooked over 15 years ago when I worked about 45 minutes away — it was a simple way to enjoy all the classics I’d never read in high school — or hear them again when I understood them better! When I would take my nieces on weekend trips I’d stop at the library before we left and stock up on books on tape. I played them on road trips or during workouts. My favorites are the ones narrated by the author. I’ve “read” books this way that I would never had read the conventional way. One of the best parts is when you share the story with someone else; I often stop the story to discuss a point I agree or disagree with. I have one warning, however: if you are driving and listening to a story, odds are you will get so caught up in the story you will miss an exit. I have to confess I think it’s actually kind of dangerous driving while listening to a story because your attention really isn’t 100% on the road. I’d say the safest way to enjoy a book on CD/tape is when you’re at home able to concentrate on it 100%, but then, you could actually be reading the book  instead, wouldn’t you? And really, listening to a book on CD/tape at home in bed is almost guaranteed to lull you to sleep. See, it works on all levels!

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If you think your family is dysfunctional …

Saturday, August 22nd, 2009

and really, who doesn’t … you have to read one of David Sedaris’ books. The stories of his family will make yours seem like “Father Knows Best.” I discovered Sedaris several years ago when I randomly picked up his book on tape, “Holidays on Ice,” from the library. My husband and I listened to it in the car and then had to finish listening to it in the house because it was that funny. I’m not a real laugh-out-loud kind of person — I’m one of those “I’m laughing on the inside” kind of people — but hearing Sedaris recount his time spent as one of Santa’s elves made me laugh so hard I had tears in my eyes. Since then I’ve read several of his other books, but really, to get the full effect, you have to hear him read it (live or on tape). My husband and I actually saw him when he was at the Akron Civic Theatre a couple years ago. We stood in line to get our book signed by him and our short chat with him was as thrilling as meeting a big rock star. Afterward I thought, boy, am I a middle-aged geek or what to be so excited to meet a … writer. Anyway, his books are not for children. And some stories are just really sad, depressing and painful to read. Sedaris’ life has certainly not been easy, and I admire him for turning lemons into brilliantly funny lemonade.

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If you love books, you MUST go to a library book sale!

Sunday, April 26th, 2009

The other day I went to the Stow/Munroe Falls Library Book Sale and got 40 books for $14!!! Really, really good books for the kids – most just 3 for $1! There were tons to choose from, but I had to stop after 30 minutes otherwise I would’ve needed a truck to bring them home! The best part was how excited my kids were when they saw them and how they’ve been poring through them ever since. I sure love to see that! Anyway, I’ve only ever been to the Falls and Stow library book sales (Falls is coming up in a couple weeks) – they’re held in the fall and spring – but really, these are fantastic places to buy books on just about any subject, puzzles, music, etc. for next to nothing. Even better, a woman at the sale said she buys books there then donates them right back when she’s done reading them. Now that’s recycling for a good cause!!

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Some favorite children’s books

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

If you’re looking for books for your children or for gifts, these are some of my favorites!

About manners:
“Please Say Please … penguin’s guide to manners” by Margery Cuyler

About unconditional love:
“The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein (I cried every time I read this aloud for the first 600 times)

About conception:
“Where Willy Went” (the big story of a little sperm) by Nicholas Allen (this book is so funny and clever)

About non-traditional families (through adoption or other circumstances):
“The Red Thread” by Grace Lin 
“We Belong Together” by Todd Parr
“Little Miss Spider” by David Kirk 

About being okay with yourself/others/reassurance:
“It’s okay to be different” by Todd Parr
“My Many Colored Days” by Dr. Seuss
“The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn (our family’s official book for starting kindergarten)
“The Little Bit Scary People” (Emily Jenkins and Alexandra Boiger)

Just fun to read:
“Is your mama a llama?” by Debbie Guarino

Educational:
“Color” by Ruth Heller (a great explanation of the printing process)
“A is for America … an American Alphabet”
“Henry Hikes to Fitchburg” by D.B. Johnson (one in a series of books about Henry David Thoreau; I love the message in this one)

Philosophical:
“The Three Questions” by Jon J. Muth

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