Books /Quotes/Random things

Here is the situation: I love reading. I mean I have never identified more with a quote than when I first saw Thomas Jefferson's words, "I cannot live without books." Here is the other layer of the situation: I have kids, a house, a full time job, a commute, a need to do laundry/clean/cross off all of the to-do list items immediately, etc. In addition to this, my personality dictates that I never sit and the only power that can suppress that demand is my need to read. So, I read late at night. I mean, late at night once my kids are asleep, the laundry is done, the dishes are put up and my school work is done. I stay up too late and pay for it the next day and then I do the whole thing all over again the next night. I actually can understand how people become addicted to drugs because "one more page/one more chapter" is a driving force of my existence.

Here are a few of my most recent favorites combined with some random pics of things that I needed to remember:

I LOVED this book! Each chapter followed a different person or event in the Andes and the historic narrative made me feel like I was actually in the mountains. 

Brandon & I watched Narcos (truly, the only TV show that I have watched in 2017-we tried to watch "Better Call Saul" together but we did not make that goal) and it hooked me on the Andes via a Pablo Escobar biography. 

Nicole told me about this book and I am so grateful that she did because I have developed a new fascination with plants. I do not actually want to be part of the planting/keeping alive, but I do want to admire them and be around them. I loved how her words spoke to me, a non plant person. In fact, I bought this for one of my students who has decided she wants to re-do our greenhouse at AE. I gave it to her at the beginning of the summer and I cannot wait to see what she thought of it. 

"Something so hard can be so easy if you just have a little help. In the right place, under the right conditions, you can finally stretch out into what you're supposed to be."

Yes; thank you for these words. 

This is a list of the Top 10 things that humans have done and #1, of course, is Libraries!

Libraries are humanity's greatest achievement for sure. 

This quote is in the classroom of one of our teacher's & I love it.

Pretty much all of this. 

A few excerpts that I love from Tina Fey's Bossypants. I can never read this one too many times. It is hilarious and has so many insights into life. 

"The show doesn't go on because it's ready; the show goes on because it's 11:30." 

Oh. Right. 

"Victories become individual ones."

I can go ahead and file that under "Things that I am learning." 

I definitely recommend Jodi Picoult's Small Great Things. 

"Oh, if our children actually knew how much we love them...."

I cannot actually remember the name of this book, but I really liked that quote and how it sums up the force that is maternal love. 

This book looks like it has from 1972, but it is not. Also, it looks like the food might be fake and I am not sure on that one. It is actually a fascinating read if you like history and random facts. I learned a lot about why we eat the way that we do today. 

Another good one about the Andes. I became fascinated with the Amazon after reading about the Andes and this book did a great job of detailing explorations there. The author almost died trying to track down what happened to the explorer who did die trying to find the city of Z. Who even knew that all of this is going on at the same time I am just walking around Target?

Caucasia: This novel follows the story of 2 bi-racial sisters, one of whom looks black and one who looks white. Working at a school with mostly African American students has really opened my eyes to race and I loved this book because of the focus on figuring out identity and the role that race plays in that process. 

A Heartbreaking work of Staggering Genius: The author writes like I talk-all over the place. 

Also, I had NO idea that it was a TRUE STORY until after I finished it. I might be an actual idiot that I did not realize that, but it was a nice surprise bit of info there at the end. 

I LOVED THIS BOOK! It is set in WWII Poland and based on diary entries/letters of a woman who helped hide people in her zoo. Fascinating. In addition to the historical side, the animal information was very interesting. They had an actual pet badger at one point and their zoo housed polar bears!

There is a shelf at our library that has recommended books on it from our librarians and I love their choices and always choose a few of them. I am grateful for their suggestions because, more often than not, they are books that I would never pick out on my own. 

Seeds of Hope: This book is one that I would not have picked out myself, but it was fascinating!!! Jane Goodall is a beast and I loved reading her words about plants. I cannot keep them alive, but I am so intrigued by their role in all things. 

The Importance of Being Little: This was another recommended one and, while parts of it were a little to psychology focused, it had some very interesting parts. It reinforced that Anderson is actually a normal kid and possibly living in the wrong century. 

I LOVED THIS BOOK for many reasons. First, I actually do love anything related to American History (duh.) Second, the author seamlessly wove together well known facts about the presidents with all kinds of fascinating tidbits. Third, it is very well written and kept my attention the entire time. 

There is a brief overview of the parents of presidents, in general. Then, the focus shifts to 4 presidents/presidential dynasties: Adams (& Adams,) FDR, JFK & Bush (& Bush.)

I highly, highly recommend it if you are into being a nerd. It is really fascinating. 

"Like women everywhere, from time immemorial, she did what had to be done."

This particular quote applies to Abigail Adams, but is definitely one of the themes of the book. Almost every president had a very strong-willed Mama who got it done, no matter the circumstances. I am, in no way, comparing myself to Abigal Adams, but I am going to remember this quote on the nights that I am really tired and try to channel my inner presidential mama.