Read-a-thon
December 20, 2007 
I remember when I was in elementary school, occasionally we would have read-a-thons. Days when we did nothing but read. We got to sit on the anywhere–the floor, at our desk or wherever. We got to bring books to read and we got to read books from the school library. Sometimes we would get treats. I always loved these days and looked forward to them with great excitement.
Today, Oldest is having a read-all-day day. He is in first grade, and today is the last day before the Christmas break. They were encouraged to take slippers and blankets, and a mug. They need the mug because they are going to have hot cocoa (how fun!!). The teachers asked for volunteers to go in a read stories to the class. I went in this morning and read the book that Oldest was begging me to read. I caved and read the book I didn’t want to read. I read The Polar Express. It is a cute book, but in a big class, it is not a good book. And, another mother had read the book all ready. Oh, well. He was excited. And Youngest ran around the room making the kids laugh (and probably embarrassed Oldest.)
The whole thing has me thinking…. When was the last time that I took a day to just read? It has been years. Far too long. How about for you? Usually, when I have a chance to sit down and read it is right before bed and I am so tired that I just have a few minutes to devote before my eyelids droop too far. I know that it is good for kids to see their parents read too.
So, my goal now is to take a day this Christmas break and have a read-a-thon with my kids. We can spend the day silent-reading, reading aloud, and acting out stories. We can stay in jammies and have fun snacks. I’m going to challenge you to a read-a-thon with your kids too. What fun memories it will make!
Books
December 10, 2007 
Twilight….Stephenie Meyer
I have been told by everyone on the planet how great this book is. I think that I am the last person on earth to read it. My friend couldn’t believe that I didn’t quit reading the last book that I read to start reading Twilight. Through out the first half of the book I kept thinking that I need to put it down. I thought, “this is going to give me nightmares!” Luckily, it didn’t. I read just a chapter or two and night but by the time that I was three fourths the way through it, I couldn’t put it down. I will say though, I didn’t love it. I thought it was good, and interesting and while I will read the sequels, I probably wont read it again. I am glad that I didn’t buy it (thanks, mom, for letting me borrow it!) I have the second one, but I think that I need to read something Christmas-y right now, instead of more vampire stories. Three stars from me.
A Christmas Melody….Anita Stansfield
I wasn’t feeling very Christmas-y after reading about vampires so I switched gears to read this light, romantic, easy read from LDS author Anita Stansfield. I like reading her books because I know that they will be clean. This is the story of a young lady, Melody, who is rising above a life of abuse and making something of herself, when she meets Matthew. Of course, they fall in love. Four star from me.
And now, I am off to read some more about vampires in book two…..
There Are No Children Here…Alex Kotzlowitz
December 2, 2007 
Just finished reading this FANTASTIC book. It is a non-fiction book about two boys, Lafeyette (12) and Pharoah (10) Rivers, growing up in south side Chicago projects in the late 1980’s. It follows the two boys through a couple of years of their growing up years and the nightmare that is poverty, drugs and gangs. It is well written by journalist Alex Kotzlowitz. If you have a chance, read it, but only if you have some tissues handy.
Austenland…Shannon Hale
This book is about a thirty-something single girl, Jane, who is obsessed with Colin Firth, as Mr. Darcy in the BBC Pride and Prejudice. She takes a trip to “Austenland” in England where they wear regency clothes and follow all the rules of days of old.
I have to say that I was kind of disappointed in the book. It was cheesy and light and kind of fun, but overall I thought that it was kind of corny. I enjoyed Princess Academy that Shannon Hale also wrote. It was a young-adult book, as most her books are, I believe. I would give it two stars, which on GoodReads means, “it was okay.”
Until Proven Guilty…Betsy Brannon Green
Just read this book for probably the sixth time. I LOVE her books. She is an LDS fiction author. Her books are drama, suspense and romance all mixed together. I like that I can read one and know it is going to good and clean. Her books take place in the south and have charcters from other books in them. Love them.
This book is about Beth, who moves into Jack Gamble’s house as a nanny for his 5 year old daughter. He is a high-power defense attorney wrapped up in a murder trial for a country music star.
This books makes me want to become a runner. Keeps me interested, even though I have read it before and know what is going to happen. Love that in a book!
Three Cups of Tea…Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin
Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission To Promote Peace – One School at a Time
This book is about Greg Mortenson’s failed attempt at climbing K2 and how that lead to him building schools in Pakistan. I usually only read before bed when I am tired so it took me forever to read this book because it requires thinking. You have to think in order to keep the names of people and places straight. I really enjoyed the book and thought that it was very well written. It provided an interesting look into the lives of those in another part of the world. Check it out if you have a chance!
Alice’s Tulips….Sandra Dallas
Just finished reading Alice’s Tulips by Sandra Dallas for Relief Society book club. I have read if before (a few years ago) and have re-read it. It takes places during the Civil War in small town Kentucky. It is about a girl who lives with her mother-in-law on a farm while her husband is off at war. It is an interesting look at relationships and that time period. It is written in the form of letters. They are all letter written by the main character (Alice) to her sister, Lizzie. It is very clever and interesting. It is a good story and makes you realize that people aren’t always what they seem!
I have read others of Sandra Dallas’ books and have enjoyed them. Others I have read are The Diary of Mattie Spenser and The Persian Pickle Club by her as well. I like to read the letter type format, which was used in Alice’s Tulips. Pick it up if you have a chance, and enjoy!
Super Saturday – Part 2
Another class that I took at our stake Super Saturday was called “The Scriptures and You”. It was very good. I tend to slack in my study of the scriptures. I read every issue of People, but I don’t make it a priority to read the Ensign (a monthly church magazine) each month and I don’t make it a priority to read the scriptures each day. I am working on those two things. One tip was to NOT put your scriptures away. Hey-not put something away? I can do that. Leave them out where you will see them every day as a reminder to read them. Such a good idea. Obvious, but I didn’t realize it until it was told to me.
The teacher of the class studies with her husband every day. They have decided that 9:00 works for them. Every night at 9:00 they turn off the tv and read a chapter in the book that they are reading. Then they read the corresponding chapter in the Commentary book that goes along with that book. She also said that they mix it up by occasionally reading articles from the Ensign, or reading the introduction to a book of scripture of one the witness accounts. Or they will do a quiz or word puzzle on a certain story. Or they will try to memorize a particular verse.
You might ask: Where does she get these word puzzles and quizzes? She gets them here. How cool is that? You can print up tracking sheets for each book of scripture. You can print up word searches, cross word puzzles, quizzes. So many options.
The thing that I came away from class thinking the most though is: Just do it. (Sorry, Nike.) Just do it. Grab 15 minutes early in the morning while the kids are still sleeping; or take a few minutes and read while the kids are watching tv; read while you eat your jelly sandwich at lunch; or if it works for you, read after the kids are in bed and the house is quiet. Figure out what works, figure out what doesn’t and do it!
Book Reviews
Teen Idol….Meg Cabot
This book is for young adults, about a ‘girl next door’ type that is friends with everyone at her small town, USA highschool. She smooths everything over and helps everyone else. One day, Hollywood star, Luke Striker comes to town and helps her realize the effect she has on social change. It is such a fun book. Light, quick and entertaining.
Abram’s Daughters, books 1-3…Beverly Lewis
This book takes place in Amish Kentucky. I like her books because I know that I am not going to be reading anything with questionable morals, or language. This is about an Amish artist and her English pen pal. Book 1 was kind of slow to start but book 2 and 3 were very good. Beverly Lewis is good at making you think you know what is happening, but makes you second guess yourself the whole way through. Entertaining, and though provoking because it makes you think, ‘what would I do if that were me?’
The Boy Next Door…Meg Cabot
This book is aimed at single, young adults, I guess. It is an entertaining book about a girl in Manhattan who cares about her neighbor and meets the guy of her dreams only to find out that he isn’t really who she thinks he is. It is funny, and light. There are some parts about pre-marital $ex, which are disappointing. Overall fun and fluffy.
Dangerous Minds….LouAnne Johnson
This book was made into a movie in the 90’s, maybe ‘96. I have read it before, but it is inspiring. It is about a highschool teacher in LA that teaches kids that are mostly under-privileged and minority. It shows her different tactics. Very interesting and a pretty easy read.
Magazines
I LOVE magazines. I am obsessed with magazines! Here is a list of what I subscribe to:
People - I thought that I could live without this one so I let my subscription lapse. Boy, was I wrong. I went crazy so I just re-subscribed for 2 years. Paid in full. Hooray!
Simple Scrapbooks – I love this magazine. I have been a subscriber since they started printing. I get a lot of ideas from it (most I don’t put to work however)
Creating Keepsakes – It is a good day when this comes in the mail.
Digital Scrapbooking – Not sure how I feel about this one yet. I have received three issues but only read two. I don’t love most of the ideas in it, but it was cheap.
Parenting – A light-hearted look at Parenting. Nothing to serious, nothing to heavy.
Parents – As my kids get older, I am starting to grow out of these magazines. Seems like they mostly focus on parents with new babies. There are some good articles and ideas though.
Modern Salon – This magazine is mostly ads but they do usually have some good articles and how-to’s in it for me.
Ensign – I don’t read this nearly as much as I should. Tend to flip through it and that is about it. Same with New Era and Friend.
Money – My husband actually subscribes to this but it is an awesome magazine! I have learned so much about money issues from this. I would recommend that most families read this at least once in a while.
Back Packer & Field and Stream – Since I have a business license I get random magazines from time to time (Jane, Modern Bride, etc.) and most of them go straight into the trash (because they are trashy) but I have enjoyed getting Backpacker. It is a pretty good magazine. Might even make me want to start backpacking! I give Field and Stream to my dad.
How about you? What are you obsessed with?
I put this under books….do magazines count?
