Show Weekend, iSwap, and a Book Recommendation or Two

We are right in the middle of a "show weekend." To those unfamiliar to what that means in my home I'll fill you in--all 3 of my kids are involved in a local theatre company. There is no way that I can afford to pay tuition for all of them so they are all on scholarship in exchange for me helping out. For years we were involved in a small theatre company and a good friend, Julie, and I pretty much ran the show as far as box office, raffle, and concessions go. When they moved to this other theatre I offered to do pretty much the same thing I had always done and the transition has gone very well. Julie and I are happy to relinquish box office duties over to the other theatre staff but aside from that we still do a lot of it. So, that means--I bake a bazillion lemon bars and half a bazillion chocolate chip cookie bars for the concession stand, I also get prizes for the drawing, and sell tickets for the drawing before the show and during intermission. So, in addition to getting 3 kids ready for a performance, including dinner at about 4:30, I get there early and along with Julie help set up and then work, watch the show, duck out early to prep for intermission, and then work through intermission, watch the rest of the show, then pick up trash in the theatre, bag up trash and find some strong handsome boy (Jonathan) to take it out, and make sure everything is cleaned up in the concessions area. I added a new task to my responsibilities (at least for this weekend) and that is doing the lights during two of the shows. This is highly stressful for me because I live in fear of messing everything up but in reality it's not that hard. I have a script with carefully highlighted cues for everytime I am supposed to push "go." Thank you to Jonathan (that strong, handsome trash boy) for training me so well and making the cues so easy to follow. Last night was my first night and I got through with only 2 minor mess-ups. There is a lot to do physically on a show weekend but in addition to that, emotions run high--I get nervous for my kids sometimes depending on their part, I get excited, I am proud of them, and so on. By Sunday evening I will be wiped out physically and mentally...but exhausting as show weekends are I love them, I love being such a big part of something that my kids are so passionate about. In my last post I mentioned that we were taking the whole summer off from theatre...well, plans sometimes change and after re-thinking and talking to Ollie we've decided that the kids will be in the 2nd session of summer camp. The show they will be performing is "Honk! Jr.," a musical retelling of the story of the Ugly Duckling. It should be super cute from what I've heard and I'm glad we get to participate. So, we will only have a 2 month break but that's plenty enough.
On another note...Two Christmases ago we entered the iWorld--Ollie got an iPhone, I got an iPod Touch, and Hannah got an iPod Nano, and Grace got an iPod Shuffle. Then about a year ago, Hannah bought a used iPod Touch so she sold her Nano to Grace and Grace gave her shuffle to Joe. Today we are having another big iSwap--Hannah is buying a friend's iPod Touch (it's a step up from the one she bought last year, this one has speakers so she can play music without earbuds or docking station), she is selling her iPod Touch to Grace for $15 and Grace is selling her Nano to Joe for $5, and Joe is selling his Shuffle to me for $2. I decided that I wanted his Shuffle for the gym. The complicated thing in all of this is getting them all onto the computer, synced with iTunes but still transferring songs they've bought and stuff like that. Thankfully Ollie has agreed to oversee all of that fun. Now if only Ollie would only upgrade his iPhone so he can "sell" me his old one. That's an iSwap I want to be a part of.
I am in the middle of reading The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson--it's about a preacher back in the 60s who went into New York City and witnessed and ministered to gangs there. So far it's a great book and very inspiring to see the power of prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in this man's life and I've also been inspired by his willingness to be obedient even when it didn't make sense. It's a great book! I will say that I wouldn't recommend it for kids any younger than 16 or so, there is graphic explanations of a world that many kids don't even know exists yet. I have also recently read two books by Kristin Hannah--Magic Hour and Firefly Lane. Both were great books and I highly recommend them. Kristin Hannah is Jodi Picoultish without the twists at the end. The kids and I just finished listening to Savvy by Ingrid Law. It won a homeschool award and it's well deserved. I highly recommend it as an audio book, read aloud, or just a book for yourself or your child. Great story! I've got 4 more books on my bedside table that I'm eager to get to and I'm hoping for a lot of reading time this next week. We'll see...our activities are done but we have a lot of school I'd like to plow through since I'm hoping this will be our last week of school.
Stay tuned for lots of photos and videos (if I can get it working) of "Camp Rock: The Musical!"

Books, books, books

I am going to try to dedicate one post a week to what I'm reading, what I'm reading to the kids, what they're reading, and what we/they are listening to. So, here we go....

I just finished the third book in the Yada Yada Prayer Group series by Neta Jackson. I love these books because they are grounded in real life and real problems with real people learning to trust God and learning to pray and grow in their relationship with God. They have been very inspirational to me. I just have one slight problem--the main character gets on my last nerve. I wish the story was told from one of the other character's perspective but it's not. The main character is on the whiny side and can be negative. But, she is also humble and honest so I should give her a break. I won't stop reading the series but I do take a break between books and read a few other books before reading the next one.
The next book on my list is Peace Child by Don Richardson . It's a true story about missionaries in New Guinea. I haven't gotten too far into it but so far it's shocking to hear the beliefs of these people and how they live with so much killing.
On my nightstand I have a book by Wally Lamb that has been recommended to me, it's actually not the main one that has been recommended but I've heard that this one is good also. Can't remember the name of it right now and I'm too lazy to go look.

With the kids I am reading Augustus Caesar's World and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Augustus Caesar's World is very interesting--all about the time period from 44 BC to 14 AD. We are actually taking a break in history to just read this book. The kids are enjoying it and hopefully learning a lot about the history of the Roman world and something about the many historical figures from that time period. As for Wizard of Oz--years ago we listened to this on CD but since the kids are in Wizard of Oz I thought it might be fun to read this classic novel. It's a little different from the movie and play. The kids are enjoying it and having fun comparing it.

Hannah and I are reading Ballet Shoes for book club. Well, Hannah is reading Ballet Shoes. I haven't started it yet but Hannah is loving it so I am looking forward to reading it myself. She just finished Cheaper by the Dozen and didn't like it as much as I had hoped but I'm glad she read it. She and Grace each have to read a book that I have chosen for 30 minutes every day. This is how I get them to read some classic stories that they might not otherwise choose for themselves. Gracie just finished a Betsy book (by Carolyn Haywood)--she enjoyed it but said it was a little old fashioned. I'm not sure what I'm going to have her read next--possibly a Dear America book or maybe Stuart Little. I need to decide before tomorrow. There are just so many good books to choose from. Joe is still reading his Little Miss and Mr. Men books but has enjoyed some fun picture books from the library too. Here is a short list of some of his latest picks--
There Once Was a Many Named Michael Finnegan by Mary Ann Hoberman (really fun to sing)
Princesses Are Not Quitters by Kate Lum
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever by Marla Frazee
My Monster Mama Loves Me So by Laura Leuck

The kids and I have all been listening to "A Peep Behind the Scenes," it is a dramatization of one of the Lamplighter books and it is so good. Once we are done with this one we will be starting the fourth book in the Percy Jackson series. I half listen to these because the kids listen to them in the car and in the house and if we are home and they are done with school they will sometimes listen for an hour or two while they also do something like Legos or color. I really only listen while we are in the car.

I guess that wraps up our literary adventures this week...hope I didn't go too long.

Books I Think Everyone Should Read at Some Point In Their Life

I was thinking today about books and about all the books I want to read and about the books I have read. In high school I read a ton of books and they were pretty much all of those dumb teen romances. Remember "Sweet Valley High" and all of that garbage? I also read every Danielle Steel book ever written while babysitting for a lady who had them all. I didn't read much my first two years of college but rediscovered my love for reading by my third year. I then decided that I needed to read deep, classic literature and less of the fluff/trash I had read for most of my life. It was during those few years that I read some of the best books I have ever read. There is a reason that the classics are the classics. At this point in my life I read a huge variety of books--no trash but lots of fluff and mindless reading. In the same way that many people watch tv to escape and relax, I read. So, I don't challenge myself much these days. But--back to those college days--here are some of the books I read and highly recommend. They aren't mindless, easy reads but well worth your time...

• The Thornbirds by Colleen McCollough (I actually read this twice--I remember that it was a great story and I remember the gist of it but have forgotten the details, maybe I should read it again...)
• Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
• Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
• Anything and everything by Pat Conroy--Prince of Tides being the highlight (not really a classic but a good book nonetheless)
• The Chosen and My Name is Asher Lev, both by Chaim Potok

That's all I can think of right now. Do you have any you'd like to add to the list?

7 Quick Takes and Pictures

1. The salad in the picture above is a Thai Peanut Salad with Chicken. It is sooo good! Here is the recipe--
2/3 cup of bottled peanut sauce (I made my own using a recipe on the internet but I don't have it handy so if you want to make your own you will have to google it)
2 tbsp. soy sauce
2 tbsp. apple juice
1 lb. chicken tenderloins
matchstick carrots
sugar snap peas
lettuce

Combo peanut sauce, soy sauce, and apple juice in a small bowl. Reserve 1/2 cup. Pour the rest in a ziploc bag with the chicken and toss to coat. Let it marinate for about 15 minutes and then either grill the chicken or bake it in the oven. Then use the lettuce, carrots, peas, and chicken in a salad and use the remainder of the marinade as your dressing.
2. We went skating today for the first time in almost a year. The kids had a ball as usual! I had a good chat with a couple of moms.
3. See what I mean about the Klondike bars? Messy, messy, messy!!
4. Joe got two new bathing suits. He insists on wearing the rash guard shirts and is pretty excited about having one in orange--his favorite color. He also got a pair of bathing suit trunks that are 3D and even came with 3D glasses. They are pretty cute.
5. This is my little second cousin, Lily. We spent the day at the beach with her Grandma, Grandpa, and momma and daddy, and aunt and uncle. It was a beautiful day and the ocean was just perfect. I don't normally enjoy the beach but the great thing here was that the pool was right by the beach so we could jump in the pool and get all the sand off of us.
6. I've been reading up a storm--the last two books I read were both really good. The first one was, "Her Mother's Hope," by Francine Rivers. I love books by her and this one did not disappoint! It starts out with a young girl living in Switzerland and follows this young girl as she grows into a woman and makes her way in the world and then has a family and so on. Excellent read! The other book I read was kind of weird but I loved it and read it in about 24 hours. It was called, "The Girl Who Chased the Moon" by Sarah Addison Allen. It was set in NC and had a little mystery, a little magic, and some unique characters. I highly recommend it. BTW--I don't know how many of you ever scroll way down on my blog but on the left side towards the bottom I keep a running list of books I've read this year. Mostly for my own benefit but if could be for your benefit as well if you are looking for a book to read. I also have a label called, "book suggestions" and "book reviews" that I use whenever I talk about what I'm reading. The next book I'm reading is "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry," Hannah read it not too long ago and really wants me to read it because she liked it so much. So, that's next up. After that, I just got the new Jodi Picoult book at the library--"House Rules." I can't wait to read that one! What are you reading?
7. A friend gave me a wonderful gift that we can all benefit from--she gave me all 4 volumes of Jack Handey's "Deep Thoughts" books. I have laughed so much reading these--here's a few of my favorites--

• If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason.
• To me, clowns aren't funny. In fact, they're kinda scary. I've wondered where this started, and I think it goes back to the time I went to the circus and a clown killed my dad.
• If you ever teach a yodeling class, probably the hardest thing is to keep the students from just trying to yodel right off. You see, build to that.
  

What I'm Reading

I've got a great stack of books just waiting for me.  Last time I went to the library I spent some time browsing in the new biography and non-fiction section.  Here's what I'm reading (a few I've already finished)...As with so many other areas of my life, my choices are very diverse!

This book looks so good to me.  It's got lots of questions that have been answered by people from all over the world.  Here's some of the questions--What is your earliest memory?, What were your dreams as a child?, What does love mean to you?, Have you suffered from discrimination?, What does God mean to you? and so on.  Each question is answered by 5 to 10 people from all over the world and all walks of life.  I am thinking this is one that I'd like to read with Ollie and even read some of them aloud at the dinner table.  I think it's good to get a global perspective.  You can click on this link to see this book at Amazon.com
6 Billion Others: Portraits of Humanity from Around the World

I used to love to watch Regis and Kathie Lee.  I know this woman has taken a lot of flack over the years but I can't help but like her.  So, when I saw this book I knew I just had to read it.  I have no idea what it's all about, I'll let you know after I read it. 
Just When I Thought I'd Dropped My Last Egg: Life and Other Calamities

The author of this book is an advice columnist and I thought that sounded interesting.  Here's what the first paragraph says, "Millions of Americans know and love Amy Dickinson from reading her syndicated advice column, 'Ask Amy' and and from hearing her wit and wisdom weekly on National Public Radio.  Amy's audience loves her for her honesty, her small-town values, and the fact that her motto is 'I make the mistakes so you don't have to.'  In "The Mighty Queens of Freeville," Amy Dickinson shares those mistakes and her remarkable store.  This is the tale of Amy and her daughter and the people who helped raise them after Amy found herself a reluctant single parent."  This book is just begging to be read, don't you agree?
The Mighty Queens of Freeville: The True Story of a Mother, a Daughter, and the Town That Raised Them

Okay, I'll admit it, I chose this one because she talks about her a*$ looking big right on the front cover and I just couldn't resist.  The whole title is, "Such a Pretty Fat:  One Narcissist's Quest to Discover if Her Life Makes Her A#$ look Big."  Couldn't resist.
Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist's Quest to Discover If Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big, or Why Pie Is Not the Answer

I'm not sure about this one, it's super fat--like 4 inches thick.  A friend recommended it so I will at least give it a shot.  It has something to do with a man born mute who raises dogs.  I'll report back on this one as well.  It will probably be the last one I read though so it may be a while.
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel (P.S.)

I'm reading this now, I just started it this morning and even with a busy day I may finish it tonight.  It's a super fast read and funny.  It's by a mom of 5 boys and I am thoroughly enjoying her candid look at life as a mom of 5 boys.  She has a blog and I read on there that she just had a baby and it's a girl!!  That little girl will be able to grow up someday and write a book I bet!  Here is the link to her blog--Testosterhome.
How Do You Tuck In a Superhero?: And Other Delightful Mysteries of Raising Boys

This was a good read, long and intense but full of history and information about the Fundamentalist side of Mormonism.  I recommend if you like this sort of thing...
Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith

Hannah just finished this book and she really wants me to read it too.  So, it's on my pile as well.  She loved it and learned a lot about the Civil Rights Movement.  The end was pretty scary for her though but when she finally finished it she said she'd never, ever forget the last line.  If that's not a sign of a good book I don't know what is. 
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry [ROLL OF THUNDER HEAR MY CRY]

Okay, so that's what I've read, am reading, or am planning on reading in the near future.  If you are interested in any of these books and actually click on the link and actually buy the book from Amazon I get something like 10%.  I've joined "Amazon Associates."  Unfortunately, adding this awesome feature of so easily linking to books and the pictures has caused some upset for me in the way my pictures load.  Not sure if it will be worth it.  I seriously doubt any of you, my loyal readers, will actually buy any of these books.  Especially since you know that I got all of them at the library and you could too!  :0)

Daybook Style

On my mind...way too much!!! Unschooling or non-schooling sounds really good right about now. We have a very busy week this week and an even busier week next week. I'm doing my best to get school done. At least the basics. There was a time in our homeschool that we would have just taken these two weeks off but now that the kids can do so much on their own I just make them an assignment list and they can keep plowing their way through. Joe needs more attention but he also has less to do. Anyway, we are doing it--school, life, a little bit of this and a little bit of that.
This week...We went to Disney yesterday, we did school and recovered today, tomorrow Joe has a birthday lunch date with Harriet and Billy and the girls and I have school and errands, Thursday is a home and catch up day, and Friday we are going to a PowWow. Busy, busy but fun and even educational.
Next week...it's a show week and although there are only four shows and those are in the evening with an extra rehearsal and other commitments (like lots of baking) and all the excitement and adrenaline and so on it makes for a crazy week. Oh yeah and we also have a field trip.
On my iPod...I am having so much fun with my iPod. I recently bought four new songs and they couldn't be more different but I love listening to them. I listen to them over and over--

• Hammer and a Nail by the Indigo Girls
• Take This Life by Shawn McDonald
• Single Ladies by Beyonce
• Safe by Phil Wickham
• Love Story by Taylor Swift (I stole that one off of Hannah's)

Oh yeah, and I am also listening to lots and lots of Focus on the Family broadcasts. I love that radio show.
What I'm reading...I just finished "Wicked" by Gregory Maguire. I have to say that it was weird but I liked it. I think I would like to read some of his other books, particularly "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister." If you decide to read "Wicked" let me warn you that it is rated R. Don't think that it is a kids story since it is from "The Wizard of Oz." I've heard that his other books are cleaner. I'm excited about the next two books on my nightstand. "What Was Lost" by Catherine O'Flynn and "Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie" by Alan Bradley. I chose those after reading reviews at Find Your Next Book Here. I love that blog. "Wicked" was a pretty heavy read and so I'm looking forward to something lighter.
With the kids...we are reading "Johnny Tremain." What an awesome book!!! I love it and the kids love it. It is teaching us all so much about Boston just before the Revolutionary War.
On Facebook...I am having a bit of an animal butt "war" with an old friend. I first tagged him with a zebra butt picture. I could have sworn that he had tagged someone else with an animal butt picture at some point so I thought of him when Amy took a great zebra butt picture at Busch Gardens. It turns out that he hadn't done that but got a laugh out of me tagging him. So, he paid me back by tagging me with an elephant butt picture yesterday. I spent the whole Splash Mountain ride yesterday trying to get a Brer Bear Butt picture and I succeeded so I've posted it and tagged him. I am planning to go to Animal Kingdom sometime soon and I imagine I'll be spending too much time trying to get animal butt pictures. I'm so mature.
That's all folks! Peace out....

Stuff and a Book Recommendation

• I just saw some pictures on Facebook of someone's 50th birthday party.  Guess where they were and what they were doing--they were in a gym, exercising!  Seriously!  Doing kickboxing and salsa dancing, etc.  Who thought of that one?  Let's give so and so a birthday party and a big hint at the same time!  We'll teach her to exercise since she's 50 and fat!  Not fun!
• I've been struggling this week with finding the balance between relaxing and being productive--I tend to do either relax all day or be productive all day and neither is good.  I'm trying to learn to do both every day so that I can end my day satisfied for accomplishing something but not completely exhausted and overworked.
• Joe has decided that he wants to be a good King who loves God when he grows up.  
• I finished a great book, "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett.  It was set in Southern Mississippi in the late 50s early 60s and was all about the relationships between the maids and the women they worked for.  It was a great story, I highly recommend it.  
• Now I am reading "Wicked, the life and times of the Wicked Witch of the West" by Gregory Maguire.  I am enjoying it so far but it is a totally different genre than I usually read.  I do like it though and it has me very curious to see how it will all play out.  
• It's time to start my day--we have a busy school day of course but I think I will surprise the kids and start our day with a bike ride.  I think that would be good for all of us.  

Random Thoughts

I am so glad that tomorrow is Monday. It has been a very fun but very hectic last 4 days and I'm ready for some normalcy. I'm ready to get up and pack in a full school day and maybe a nap to boot. We'll see...Hannah was sick last night, she had a fever of 102 but today is fine. I didn't give her anything for the fever because she was going to sleep anyway and we try to not give our kids medicine unless they are miserable. I guess the fever fought off whatever but she was trying to get because she woke up with no temp and has been fine all day. She started with a bit of a cough tonight but still no fever. I really hope that was it. We've managed to avoid both the flu and stomach bug that are running rampant around these parts. But, she did spend all weekend packed backstage with lots of kids carrying lots of germs. The show was great, show weekends are always fun and exhausting. I'm always glad to see them end. The kids and I went shopping to Wal-mart tonight for bunny stuff. We got them Timothy Hay, some interesting food, some bunny treats, and some little plastic balls with bells that some website said bunnies liked. We needed litter stuff but WM was out so I will have to check again on Tuesday. We are good for a day or so. The bunnies are doing well. The kids are having such a blast with them. They definitely have two distinct personalities. Rosie is sweet and calm and Chloe is sweet and adventurous. They were making up some funny songs about them today. Joe isn't into holding them but loves being around them and petting them. The main reason he doesn't want to hold them is that he doesn't want to touch their butt or have their butt touch him. Here is a picture with Grace and Chloe. Chloe was totally relaxed, all stretched out on the couch. These bunnies spend considerable more time out of their cage than in, at least this weekend they did. Tomorrow they will get more cage time though.

This is my latest stack of books in no particular order. I have a very eclectic taste in reading as you can tell. I have my book club book on top, "John's Story, the Last Eyewitness." Book club is Tuesday and I'm only about halfway through the book. The story is okay but not terribly gripping. Next on the stack is "A Song From L'Abri." I love stories from L'Abri. L'Abri is a place in Switzerland or Sweden or some European mountain country. It's kind of a place for people to go to find themselves, find God, etc. I am looking forward to reading this book that I found at a thrift store. Then we have, "Mimosa," by Amy Carmichael. I'm not sure what it is about but I love Amy Carmichael and just had to borrow this from Ollie's mom. Next is "Tales of Beedle the Bard," a Harry Potter book. I am a Harry Potter fan and can't wait to read this. Next is "The Messies Manual," I got this from Ollie's aunt. I need all the help I can get!!! Then we have, "A Clearing in the Wild." I got this from the library, apparently I had requested it but have no memory of requesting it and can't remember why I requested it. I'm curious to start reading this one to find out why I wanted it. The next three I may never get to, they are "self-help" books and I have just read a few self-help books and I don't really even like self-help books so I don't know if I can get into them or not. Two are parenting--Love and Logic and Boundaries. The other one is yet another one about what might be causing my inflammation and joint pain. And lastly we have two that I picked up at the library this week. One is by Joan Aiken and the cover looked interesting. It was actually in the Young Adult books but I usually enjoy young adult books so I may get to reading it. The other is a James Patterson book, "Sundays at Tiffany's." I have only read one other James Patterson book but this one has my name in it so I should read it. I hope to get some serious reading time in this week so I can start wading through this stack. There are 7 other books I'm dying to read but I'd like to get through these first.

Isn't this a cute picture? It's all the grandkids on Ollie's side of the family except for one--Dani. He's in the military and was not there when we were in Chicago. We went to Portrait Innovations and they took about 200 and some odd pictures and in the end there were only 2 that we really liked. It's hard to get 8 kids to cooperate!!

That's it, I'm off to bed to read until I fall asleep. I probably won't make it five minutes!

Reading Meme

I found this on another blog and I had to play!  It's about my favorite things--books.  


1. Do you remember how you developed a love for reading?
I've loved to read for as long as I can remember.  My dad likes to read too so maybe I got it from him?

2. What are some books you read as a child? I loved, loved, loved all of the Childhood of Famous Americans books.  I read dozens of Bobbsey Twins. All of the Fudge books by Judy Blume and the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary.  The All of a Kind Family Series, Anastasia Krupnik.

3. What is your favorite genre?  That's a tough one to answer.  I like almost everything but not fantasy or romance.  I love a good mystery.  I like some christian fiction but it can't be hokey.  Probably drama would be the genre I read the most.

4. Do you have a favorite novel? how about a favorite series?  Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers

5. Where do you usually read? Almost always on my bed.  It's always coolest in my room and I've got a great fan blowing right on me.  I ALWAYS read before bed.

6. When do you usually read? at bedtime and in the afternoon (usually results in a nap)

7. Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time? Not usually.  I prefer to read only one book at a time.

8. Do you read non-fiction in a different way or place than you read fiction? nope!

9. Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library? I mostly get books from the library or borrow them from friends.  I seldom buy books for myself because I seldom read a book twice.  My house is full of kid's books though!

10. Do you keep most of the books you buy?  If I buy it that means it is one I want to keep otherwise I do not buy it.

11. If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them? Were they some of the same ones you read as a child?  the Ramona books, the Fudge books, All of a Kind Family Series, Chronicles of Narnia, Little Women, this list could go on and on.  Most of the books I read to my kids are not ones I read as a child.  

12. What are you reading now?  Just finished a mystery called Penumbra (excellent!), working on The Way They Learn by Cynthia Tobias (boring but informative), up next is Dee Henderson's O'Malley series and Rose In Bloom by Louisa May Alcott.

13. Do you keep a TBR (To Be Read) list? No lists but a big stack next to my bed.  

14. What's next? I already answered that one.

15. What books would you like to reread?  Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliott, No Ordinary Home (author?), The Shaping of a Christian Family by Elisabeth Elliott, The Anne of Green Gables series (those books give me warm fuzzy feelings).

16. Who are your favorite authors? Ted Dekker, Francine Rivers, Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, Fannie Flagg, John Grisham, Randy Alcorn, Jodi Picoult, George MacDonald, Jan Karon, Karen Kingsbury, Charles Dickens, Patricia Cornwell, Nicholas Sparks, Cynthia Rivenbark (hilarious author), I know there are more that I can't think of right now.

That's it! Feel free to be tagged!

Some More Book Recommendations

Based on our trip to the library today, I have some more books to recommend--

Picture Books--
Scarlett Beane
Chimps Don't Wear Glasses
Sherman Crunchley
Knuffle Bunny
Knuffle Bunny, Too
The Great Gracie Dog Chase:  Stop That Dog
Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

Chapter Book--
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase

My Favorite Books and Authors for Adults

First, if you've never read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn--go read it right now! That is probably my all time favorite book and a must read. Add to that The Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers. I think the first book is A Voice in the Wind. There are three of them. I like almost everything she has written except The Last Sin Eater. I thought it was creepy. But--I've talked to plenty of people who enjoyed it so don't take my word for it. This list is mostly going to be authors because I am no good at remembering book names but I usually remember the authors.

My latest favorite author is Jodi Picoult. Her books are a good, interesting, clean read. I haven't found one I don't like.
I just discovered Dee Henderson and can't wait to read the next one, I think she has about 10--that should keep me busy.
Bodie and Brock Thoene--they have written a few series. I especially loved The Zion Chronicles and the Zion Covenant series. There were 6 books in each series and are set before, during, and after WWII.
The Mitford Series by Jan Karon
All of the Anne books by L.M. Montgomery--two summers ago I read all 8 of them (I think it was 8). They were wonderful. A young girl up to adults could fully enjoy these books.
The George MacDonald books rewritten by Michael Phillips. These are good stories full of Godly truth. One of my favorites is A Daughter's Devotion
I have to admit that I LOVED the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books--I think there four. I know they are written for teenyboppers but I really enjoyed them. A great mindless read.
Ted Dekker
I used to love Patricia Cornwell but they are too suspenseful for me to read now. I am interrupted way too much.
Gone With the Wind
Papa's Wife and any other books by Thyra Ferre Bjorn
Cheaper by the Dozen and Belles on Their Toes
Sue Grafton--she has the A to Z mysteries starting with A is for Alibi. I thoroughly enjoyed these up until about M and then they got a little too predictable.
Holes--another books for kids that I really enjoyed. If you've seen the movie--the book is better.
Harry Potter series
Little Earthquakes and Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner
I read all the Janette Oke books in college and loved them. Not sure I could get into them now.
Karen Kingsbury--sort of like Jodi Picoult but with a christian flavor
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe and every other book by Fannie Flagg
Cold Sassy Tree
Nicholas Sparks--love his books!
John Grisham--love his books!

Okay, I am not done but I have to go now. I'll try to finish up later!

My Favorite Chapter Books for Children

Since my oldest child is just finishing third grade, most of these books are for up to maybe 5th grade but many would be enjoyed by any age child. These are not in order by favorites, just as they come to mind.

The Penderwicks and The Penderwicks of Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall
All the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary
All the Fudge books by Judy Blume--even Joe loves these stories. They listen to them on CD when they go to bed at night.
Frindle, The School Story, and other books by Andrew Clements
Clementine and The Talented Clementine
Any Dear America book
Katie Kazoo Switcheroo books
Skippack School
Wheel on the School
Mr. Popper's Penguins
Grandma's Attic books
Twenty and Ten
Granny Han's Breakfast
CapyBoppy
Family Under the Bridge
The Hundred Dresses
My Father's Dragon
The Wizard of Oz
Homer Price
The Year of Miss Agnes
Follow My Leader
All the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books--again a favorite of Joe's (I keep mentioning the ones he likes for those of you looking for appropriate chapter books to read to younger kids.)
Ginger Pye
The Saturdays and the other books after that one by Elizabeth Enright
Any of the Betsy books by Carolyn Haywood
American Girl books
The Courage of Sarah Noble
Sarah Whitcher's Story
All of a Kind Family and the other books after that one by Sydney Taylor
Chronicles of Narnia
Junie B. Jones books

Wow--that list is really long. I could probably go on and on but that's enough for now. I think that is most of what we have read or listened to at some point in the last three years or so. We listen to a lot of books on CD--mostly in the car. The kids love it and it makes running errands much more enjoyable. The kids also listen while they are going to bed. It probably makes them stay up a little later but it keeps them happy in bed.

My Favorite Books and Authors for Children

We'll start with children's picture books--

Any book by Kevin Henkes--Chrysanthemum, Lily's Purple Plastic Purse, Wemberly Worried, Owen, and a few more that aren't coming to mind right now.
Any book by Robert Munsch--these books are really weird--I'll warn you now. I actually do not really enjoy reading these books but my kids LOVE them. Hannah at age 8 just checked out a huge stack today. Some favorite titles--Makeup Mess, We Share Everything, Boo!, I Have to Go, Wait and See, and Alligator Baby.
Any Eric Carle book of course.
Harry the Dirty Dog and the other Harry books by Gene Zion. This is Joe's all time favorite.
The Big Green Pocketbook, If You Give a Pig a Pancake, If You Give a Moose a Muffin, If you Give a Mouse a Cookie and so on. All by Laura Numeroff.
CinderEdna
Hana in the Time of the Tulips
The Quiltmaker's Gift
The Magic Hill
Because I Love You, If Only I Had a Green Nose, and other books by Max Lucado
Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type
Princesses are Not Quitters
Anything by Dr. Suess--Joe really loves these.
Madeleine and all the other Madeleine books

Anything you'd like to add???