Reading update...

**Updated - if you like the reviews I posted on this blog almost 10 years ago, please go to my NEW BLOG (which is really not so new) at TexasLibraryLady.Blogspot.com.***

I know I said in an earlier post I was going to be diligent about writing posts, well I guess I lied.

I have actually been more diligent about reading than anything else. Since the beginningod the yea, I have read a total of nine books. I know to some that is not too great, but for me that is an accomplishment since I tend to be a slow reader. I actually read every single printed word on the page. I don't skim the paragraphs in order to get the main idea. I want to absorb the author's intent.

Since last I wrote, I have read the following great books:
*The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
*Tick Tock by James Patterson
*Nostradamus Prophecies by Mario Reading
*The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity by Mac Barnett
*Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris
*Dave Barry's Book of Bad Songs by Dave Barry
*The Funny Thing Is... By Ellen Degeneres

I am currently reading Sing You Home by Jodi Piccoult. I simply love her books and her writing style, but I can't read her books too close together. They are great, don't get me wrong, they just make you think and question your life, your feelings, and your beliefs so much that my brain can only take so much.

I know I may and crazy, but I am so excited about this spring break because I am going to spend the days in the TCU Library. I am hoping to finish evenmkore books this week and then come back and write about them. Don't hold your breath though, I might get so involved I read nine more books before I come back to post.

Happy reading!

I am so very excited! I was able to announce the 2011 Texas 2x2 Reading List today. My committee and I selected the list last week during two days of discussions and debate. It took this entire week to hear back from all of the publishers guaranteeing availability of the titles.

I have been an advocate of the Texas 2x2 Reading List since the very beginning in 2000. I have been on the committee for selecting the list since 2008. I hope you enjoy the books on the list and share them with children from age 2 to 2nd grade (you can also share them with newborns, moms that are pregnant - it's never too early to start reading to a baby, and anyone else you want).

2011 Texas 2 x 2 Reading List

Alter, Anna. Disappearing Desmond. Knopf Books for Young Readers. ISBN-13: 978-0-37-586684-5. $17.99. Ages 4-8. Desmond is so skilled at disappearing that sometimes even his teacher cannot find him, but when he meets Gloria, a new student at school, his attitude slowly changes.

Baker, Keith. LMNO Peas. Beach Lane Books. ISBN-13: 978-1-41-699141-0. $16.99. Ages 4-8. Busy little peas introduce their favorite occupations, from astronaut to zoologist.

Barry, Frances. Let’s Save the Animals: A Flip-the-Flap Book. Candlewick. ISBN-13: 978-0-76-364501-4. $12.99. Ages 4-8. Through large, colorful illustrations and flip-the-flap pages readers are introduced to ten endangered animals and how they can help protect and save them.

Barton, Chris. Shark vs. Train. Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN-13: 978-0-31-600762-7. $16.99. Ages 4-8. A shark and a train compete in a series of contests on a seesaw, in hot air balloons, bowling, shooting baskets, playing hide-and-seek, and more

Chall, Marsha Wilson. One Pup’s Up. Illustrated by Henry Cole. Margaret K. McElderry. ISBN-13: 978-1-41-697960-9. $16.99. Ages 4-8. Rhyming text counts off ten puppies as they awaken one by one, case and bounce around the house, eat kibble and get washed, then fall back to sleep.

Craig, Lindsey. Dancing Feet. Illustrated by Marc Brown. Knopf Books for Young Readers. ISBN-13: 978-0-37-586181-9. $16.99. Ages 2-5. Easy-to-read, rhyming text depicts different animals dancing.

Elliott, David. In the Wild. Illustrated by Holly Meade. Candlewick. ISBN-13: 978-0-76-364497-0. $16.99. Ages 4-8. In beautiful woodcut and watercolor illustrations poems of animals in the wild are brought to life.

Elya, Susan Middleton. Rubia and the Three Osos. Illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Hyperion Books. ISBN-13: 978-1-42-311252-5. $15.99. Ages 4-8. A new twist on a classic tale mixing English and Spanish along with a surprise ending.

Graves, Keith. Chicken Big. Chronicle Books. ISBN-13: 978-0-81-187237-9. $16.99. Ages 4-8. This unique twist on the classic Chicken Little, will have you laughing out loud and cheering for the unlikely hero.

Hacohen, Dean. Tuck Me In! Illustrated by Sherry Scharschmidt. Candlewick. ISBN-13: 978-0-76-364728-5. $9.99. Ages 2-5. The reader helps tuck in baby animals at bedtime using pages with flaps to serve as blankets.

Isadora, Rachel. Say Hello. Putnam Juvenile. ISBN-13: 978-0-39-625230-3. $16.99. Ages 4-8. A little girl greets people in her neighborhood in many different languages.

LaRochelle, David. 1+1=5: and Other Unlikely Additions. Illustrated by Brenda Sexton. Sterling. ISBN-13: 978-1-40-275995-6. $14.95. Ages 4-8. 1+1 does not always equal 2 in this playful approach to addition requiring readers to think outside the box.

Lerch. Swim! Swim! Scholastic Press. ISBN-13: 978-0-54-509419-1. $16.99. Ages 4-8. Lerch the fish is lonely, and after trying to befriend some unreceptive - and inanimate – objects, he finally succeeds in finding a friend.

Lin, Grace. Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same! Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN-13: 978-0-31-602452-5. $14.99. Ages 4-8. Ling and Ting are identical twins that people think are exactly the same, but time and again they prove to be different.

Mayor, Salley. Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. ISBN-13: 978-0-61-873740-6. $21.99. Ages 4-8. An illustrated collection of sixty-four traditional nursery rhymes.

Ruddell, Deborah. Who Said Coo? Illustrated by Robin Luebs. Beach Lane Books. ISBN-13: 978-1-416-98510-5. $16.99. Ages 4-8. Lulu is a sleepy pig whose friends try to keep her from sleeping.

Thomson, Bill. Chalk. Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books. ISBN-13: 978-0-76-145526-4. $15.99. Ages 4-8. A wordless picture book about three children who go to a park on a rainy day, find some chalk, and draw pictures that come to life.

Underwood, Deborah. A Balloon for Isabel. Illustrated by Laura Rankin. Greenwillow Books. ISBN-13: 978-0-06-177987-9. $16.99. Ages 4-8. As graduation approaches, Isabel tries to convince her teacher that she and Walter, both porcupines, should receive balloons on the big day just like the other children.

Williams, Karen Lynn. A Beach Tail. Illustrated by Floyd Cooper. Boyds Mills Press. ISBN-13: 978-1-59-078712-0. $17.95. Ages 4-8. When his father tells him not to leave the lion he is drawing on the beach, a little boy starts making a very, very long tail – and a trail to follow back.

Willems, Mo. Cat the Cat Who is That? Balzer+Bray. ISBN-13: 978-0-06-172840-2. $10.99. Ages 4-8. An exuberant cat introduces readers to her friends.

I am currently reading All Clear by Connie Willis. It is the conclusion to the time travel novel Blackout which begins in 2060. Historians allowed to go back in time to research various events from the past. In Blackout a group of historians travel back to different events during World War II in London and the surrounding areas. The historians are not always together and the chapters jump from character to character and year to year. At times it can be a little frustrating to follow, but if you keep trudging through the storyline makes sense and is completely engrossing. I did not know a great deal about World War II (especially in London) but find myself constantly thinking about the well developed characters and storyline.

I have completed my first book of 2011...reading it that is, not writing it.

Granted it was a YA (young adult) book, but it was, like the author says, "Awesome". I was totally engrossed in the story from the first page. This is a wonderful debut novel by Adam Gidwitz. In nine chapters he tells of Hansel and Gretel in a way I have never before seen or heard. This is not your typical Disney-fied version of a fairy tale. In fact it is far from it! This story is grim, bloody, dark, and AWESOME! The reviews suggest this book for grades 3 and up. I have asked three of my young reader friends to read the book (if they were interested) and let me know what they think of it. One of them, D.D., read the blurb and the first chapter and was so taken by the story she took my copy away from me. Another of my friends, D. R., went to get her library card from her mother so I could put the book on hold for her at the nearby branch of the public library. They both seemed very excited, which thrilled me beyond belief. I LOVE connecting readers and books!

Here I Come Again

Okay, second day in a row...I'm baaaaack!

Well, let's see what should I write about today? I'm reading the latest John Grisham novel, Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer. It reads like most of his other courtroom dramas, but this one is written for young adults, in particular grades 5-8. I am really enjoying the storyline. Maybe because I have a son I can place into the role of the main character, Theodore. He is a thirteen year old eighth grader that is much more interested in the law than in middle school. So after making the above statement, I'm not really sure why this character reminds me of my son...who is NOT 13, in middle school, OR interested in the law! Hmmmmm. Well, anyway, he still reminds me of my son. Isn't that weird how someone can remind you of someone else and there is no reason AT ALL as to how they could be connected. I guess I need to finish the book and I will ponder this topic. Happy Reading!

New Decade...New Leaf, hopefully!

I know it has been almost two years since I have written anything on this blog...my bad! However I would like to change something in my life and I think maybe I should write more. I love to read, so I should love to write, right? No, not me. I really have never enjoyed writing, but now that I am 40 (wow, that didn't hurt so bad) I should change my ways. Since I love to read, I thought why not write about reading....books I want to read, books I'm reading, books I can't find, etc. Who cares if no one is reading this...come on, it's really not for anyone but me and my need to make a change. So I've now officially rolled into a new decade and I'm turning over a new leaf...let's see how long I can keep this up!

A Moment in History

Our President-elect...Barack Obama!

What a glorious moment in history. One I will remember for the rest of my life.

CB ran through the street carrying his Obama '08 sign and has been jumping up and down in the living room. My little democrat is very excited...and so am I.

I am now waiting for our President-elect to walk onto the stage in Chicago to speak to the country.

Now, we must pray for him, his family, and our country.

A Historic Day...A Historic Election

I don't know if this will be one of those moments in history when we reflect on where we were when the election results were finally declared and the President-elect is officially announced, but I would be willing to bet this is a night most of us will not soon forget.

Yes, I voted! In fact, I voted two weeks ago on the first day of early voting.

Will we elect the United States' first African American President or the first female Vice-President...my hope and prayer is the former. I am a strong Obama supporter, even before he announced his candidacy. I personally told him in 2005 that as the mother of a son, "WHEN he runs, not IF he runs he had my vote". I knew from the moment I heard him speak in 2004 he would run for President one day.

My eyes are overflowing with tears of joy watching the electoral votes add up on the screen. At this point, only 168 to go (compared to McCain's need for 236!).

We are watching history being made and I am more excited about this election than ever before.

Just a Birthday

It's just another day. I don't feel like celebrating today. You see, in just 14 minutes (I was born at 8:54 P.M. ... so I won't be 38 until then) I will be a year older.

To date, this has got to be the most difficult birthday I have ever had. You see, I have ALWAYS been the baby in the family. Well, in just a few minutes I will no longer be the baby. I know this sounds ridiculous, but in my mind and my heart this is a BIG deal.

You see Cynthia and I are five months apart, she was older. Now, she will forever be 37 in my mind. I will no longer be the baby. I know this sounds so very stupid...even typing it out I feel like a fool, but I can't get over the fact that something that has been a part of me for so long is no longer going to e the case because such an important person in my life is no longer here.

She always called me on my birthday, I really miss that.

A group of us walked in the Dallas Race for the Cure yesterday. It was a very emotional time. Sometimes I get so very depressed I can't breathe. I know she would not want me to be sad, but I miss her desperately.

Eight more minutes of being the baby.......

What am I reading now?

Well, to go along with the previous post, I thought I would let you know the books I am reading right now. (I say books because I have recently started reading more than one book at a time...something I have had a HARD time doing because of the similarities in the books...if the books are not similar it makes it A LOT easier).


Schuyler's Monster : A Father's Journey with His Wordless Daughter
by Robert Rummel-Hudson.

Robert is actually a friend. I met Robert when MSC and I were first dating. We were so surprised to hear about Robert's book (and family) when another UTA friend called us one night and told us to turn on the news.

The book is a heartwarming memoir and wonderful account of a parent's advocacy for special needs children. Robert's words, sometimes very blunt and overwhelming, convey never ceasing desire to have the very best for his daughter, no matter her abilities or disabilities.

Not only am I reading this book because Robert is a friend, but because of my invovlement in education. I do not have a background in special education. When I was a child my elementary school had inclusion students from the School for the Deaf and the special education school located next door. I was one of the students partnered with one of the inclusion students. I never saw the students as different, just from a different school. This idea continued on through my years as a classroom teacher, having inclusion students from this same School for the Deaf, and even now as a share time with the special needs students in my school. I love the way Robert advocates for his daughter, Schuyler. He fights for her on a daily basis.


The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

In this historical fiction account of the lives of Mary and Anne Boleyn, we learn how Mary was the first Boleyn to catch the eye of King Henry VIII. I have fallen in love with the writing style of Philippa Gregory (thanks Monica for the recommendation0 and want to read everything she has written.

My love of history combined with the fictionalized account of Henry VIII. I love this time period and I love historical fiction. A win, win for me!



Identical by Ellen Hopkins


I was introduced to this book through a blog (I don't remember which one). The synopsis intrigued me..."Kaeleigh and Raeanne are identical down to the dimple. As daughters of a district-court judge father and a politician mother, they are an all-American family -- on the surface. Behind the facade each sister has her own deark secret, and that's where their differences begin.


For Kaleigh, she's the misplaced focus of Daddy's love, intended for a mother whose presence on the campaign trail means absence at home. All the Raeanne sees is Daddy playing a game of favorites -- and she is losing. If she has to lose, she will do it on her own terms, so she chooses drugs, alcohol, and sex.



Secrets like the ones the twins are harboring are not meant to be kept -- from each other or anyone else. Pretty soon it's obvious that neither sister can handle it alone, and one sister must step up to save the other, but the question is -- who?" (Amazon.com)


Now, doesn't that sound intrigueing? I thought so. I have always been fascinated by twins. This book, however became something like a challenge...it is written in prose. This is something I did not expect. Not hard to read, rather easy actually, but very different from anything I have ever read. It is a Young Adult book, so something a middle school / high school student might read. I am intrigued by Hoplkins' writing style and plan to read some of her other books.





Frill Kill by Laura Childs

I just started this fifth book in Child's scrapbook mystery series. As a scrapbooker, I love reading these mysteries about the owner of a scrapbook store in New Orleans, Carmela and her best friend Ava, the owner of a voodoo magic shop. There have been times I have felt as if it would be fun to be Carmela, except for her involvement in murders. They are just fun to read...the next one in the series (on the table waiting for me to crack the cover) is Death Swatch.

Okay, here you go...yes, I am reading four books right now, but they are all different, so I don't get them confused too often, as if I could...Henry did not have a twin, Schuyler is not involved in murders, Carmela does not have a monster to slay, and Kaleigh is not having an affair with a king...I don't think!

October 2008 Read-a-thon

October 18th at 5:00 PM begins the October 2008 Read-a-thon. I am seriously thinking of joining the fun and read for 24 hours...okay, I seriously don't think I can do this...you know stay up all night, read through church, skip the Cowboy game, and pretty much bypass my birthday doing one of my favorite past times.

It sounds like such a great plan though. You know if it had only been THIS weekend. Next weekend is a little busy. Early Saturday morning I will be participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Dallas. This has always been an event I have enjoyed supporting, but now it has become a family event. This year CB, is going to join LJM, WWW, and my sweet aunt JG. We also have other family and friends coming to join us honor Cynthia's memory through this walk. I have to admit it was very emotional for all of us last year. We had only lost her two months before. We were still raw with emotion. Now, we are still mourning, but the pain is not as deep. We are in the coping stage of our loss. We still miss her tremendously that will not go away. I think about her all the time. I catch myself daydreaming. Going bakc and thinking of the last time we were together, or something we used to do. I still can't believe she is gone.

Well, even if I can't do the challenge, I will be reading. Today during the football games (even during the Cowboy game commercials and half time) I was reading.

Here is the link, if anyone out there wants to participate. What a great way to have fun, promote reading, and win prizes all at the same time.

The Sighting

YES, we do! Okay, read the previous post and you will see how we SMELLED we have a skunk running around the neighborhood (specifically MY backyard).

Well, I SAW the little pain in the butt when I was taking out the trash. It all started when I was walking back to the front door. I noticed our neighborhood cat Sammy walk from under MSC's car to the hedges by the front door. I then noticed two kittens run from under the car over to the fence. I wanted to see the kittens so I walked over to the fence and got a quickly glance before they squeezed under my neighbors fence. When I turned around I saw a black cat waddling out from under MSC's car. Okay, I saw waddling because that is exactly what this BLACK CAT was doing...it was only after the "cat" raised it big, furry tail that I realized it was NOT cat!!!! I had NEVER seen a skunk in my entire life (in real life...only in pictures and on TV). This skunk was NO Pepe le Pew. NOT cute at all! Just a little furry black thing that made my sweet dogs smell like last YEAR'S garbage. I chased it across the street and into my neighbors yard. FAR from my dogs.

Now, I have been calling every day in order to get a trap (that I have to go pick up and place in my yard) in order to capture this nasty critter. The city says they will come and pick it up when (and if) I catch it. They're darn tootin'. I'm not keepin' it for a pet! I don't want to catch it just so I can cuddle up to it at night. No way, I have had enough of little stinky kitties. So long Pepe!

Pretty kitty...uh, no!

Okay here is a GREAT story...and OH so true.

A few weeks ago, on a Wednesday, I let the dogs out (yes, it was me when they sing, "Who Let the Dogs Out?"). Now, you must understand they (the dogs) decided to sleep in this particular morning, so I was just about ready to walk out the door when they finally dragged themselves from MY comfortable bed...I have kept my spot warm all night, so they must enjoy that warm as soon as I get up (out of THEIR bed...not quite). I had no sooner let them out (less than a minute) and I smell this HORRIBLE stinch! It has alreay permeated my kitchen, so I'm thinking it is in my house, but NO, it is outside.

Okay, I run to the door and let the dogs in very quickly thinking surely they did not have enough time to be covered in smell. Boy was I wrong. Not only were they COVERED, they were rubbing everything they could in order to get the smell off.

Now remember, I was LEAVING for work. So, I left.

When I came back that afternoon, I searched and search and search for anything I could find on getting the smell of SKUNK (the pretty kitty) off of a dog! Okay let me tell you...tomato juice DOES NOT WORK!! What I finally found to use was a mixture baking soda (2/3 of a cup), shampoo, and hydrogen peroxide (about 3/4 of a bottle). Now, giving a shower to a 65 pound dog is NOT fun...but I did it TWICE.

Did the smell completely come off of Tex...NO. He was sprayed in his muzzle because he wanted to smell the pretty kitty...and BOY did he ever smell it...for days and days and days and days.

Angel, well she was not as curiuos, surprisingly. She is the one who always wants to smell the REAL kitties we have in the house. I guess Tex just beat her to it this time.

Okay, okay, okay

Here, I'm posting! Are you happy?!?

First Day of School

Well, I survived! I can't say it was an eventful day, but I can say that it is OVER!

I did my usual duty of helping with registration, not much fun, but you get to see a lot of people. MZ (my new clerk) and my mom sold school supplies out of the library so there was not much else going on in there. I will start having classes tomorrow so hopefully I can start some kind of routine going.

I think that is the thing I miss the most during the summer, routine. I guess you would say I am a creature of habit and I like to have a routine. I don't like when MY routine is messed up. Forget about everyone else, it is ALL about ME (yes, my only child is coming out!)!! I want things MY way, I want to do them MY way, on MY time, etc. etc. etc.! Maybe I am just really tired. Maybe the first day was much more eventful than I originally thought and now I should go take a short nap (or go take a time out) until I can be more sociable....just leave me alone and let me have my hissy fit!!

End of the Summer...Beginning of the School Year

I can't believe the summer is over. If you have been reading my blog, you know that for a while we were all go, go, go. For the past month we have slowed down...a little.

After the family reunion, I came home to a real mess! MSC had been cleaning...not a good sign. He decided that if we got the house all nice and clean we could get a maid. Well, I'm all over that! Two days after I returned, he left for L.A. (landing 30 minutes AFTER the earthquake). I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned! When he came home I think he thought he had returned to the wrong house! When I say I cleaned, I mean every cabinet, book shelf, closet, etc (downstairs) was gone through and if I didn't know what it was, when I used it last, who it belonged to, etc. it was gone! I made at least three trips to Half-Priced Books and at least that many trips up to the church to unload boxes for the October garage sale. Now, all I have to do is the upstairs. Maid, you say...probably not going to happen...I don't want anyone in my house! But you know it feels really great to come in and be able to find what I am looking for (unless I realize that it has already gone to HPB or the church).

Well, now that school is getting ready to start I wish I could say no more cleaning. Oh contrary now is the time to keep up with the cleaning so I don't get overwhelmed. My plan is to stay on top of things and keep them put away and cleaned...now you must remember I live with two boys, so as the old saying goes...best laid plans. We'll see.

The perils of shopping

We found that when you travel with two adults and four childen it is not the best of ideas to shop...a lot! We worked hard and we did successfully get this "bag" on top of the vehicle! You should see the video! AFV here we come!!
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Family Reunion

Our family reunion...we have one every year. I've been to most of them through the years, only missing because of circumstances beyond my control. I do love seeing everyone, and I get so excited I can hardly wait to get here (even though it typically marks the end of summer).



Now, I'm sitting here at the Clubhouse looking out at the playground seeing the five little kids (Charlotte, Cynthia, Kristi, Stoney@ & Scott) running around in my memory spraying water guns at each other and having the best of times. Now, we are all grown up with children of our own and who would have ever thought we would be down to four.



Our laughter won't fade, our memories will live on, our numbers will only decrease over time. The saving grace is that right now we have each other to lean on and get through today, building new memories along the way.



Hey and Cynthia made her presence known last night when we were having dinner at Clark's. We were talking about some of our fun times and all of a sudden my bracelet (the one with CG on it and the breast cancer ribbon) broke. Angie said, "Okay, we know you are here with us sit down and quit breaking stuff!"



It's comforting to think she is here with us. It is almost going to make today bearable.

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Memories

It seems that at every turn here on the coast I am struck be memories of the fun times we all had with Cynthia. Yesterday, on the way down here we stopped for lunch at The Smokehouse. Now, I don't remember ever eating there with her, but it seemed she was with me showing different signs of her presence, the most obvious was a pink hat that says, "Cancer Sucks" (I remember this one very well), but the very best sign was a little card at the very bottom of the card display ( I'm still not sure what made me look ALL he way down toward the floor). It said, "What if the stars were just openings into Heaven so our loved ones can tell us they are okay." It was the only one and I full believe Cynthia wanted me to see it and know that she is okay.

Believe me, there is no way I would ever want her to be back with us in all the pain she had to suffer, but my heart is so extremely heavy with grief right now I can hardly stand it. I'm sitting here by the pool that just two years ago we were running around taking pictures, pushing each other into the water and having the best of times as a family. This was before the "C" word! I was in such a dream world I never thought anything would happen to any of us. The three of us would be at the family reunion until we were the oldest...well, actually CRG would be the oldest...I'm the baby!

In my heart I know she would want us to carry on and have fun, but this weekend is going to be hard and we are going to have to make a conscience effort to honor her memory by having fun, carrying on.

She is having her own family reunion this weekend with all of the family members we knew and loved, and also the ones we never knew. Have fun up there Cynthia, give Granny and PaPa a big hug for me. We miss you all terribly.
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Dolphins at Clark's

We are having dinner at Clark's in Port O'Connor (on the Texas coast). We have a table right beside the channel and we have seen dolphins the entire time we have been here. CB's in heaven.

A little bit of rain coming down, but not bad. The wind is blowing pretty hard though. Keeping the temperature down, so it has been nice.
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