fondest memory of a teacher.

Since I was only a teacher in my own classroom for one year, I haven't left much in the way of lasting impressions. I was just trying to survive. Currently I'm subbing and I do teach summer school every summer, but my sub kids are more my buddies and my summer school kids usually hate me. So there's that. HOWEVER. I personally have teachers I would like to thank. Which leads me to my next review.

Thank You, Teacher is a collection of stories about teachers affecting the lives of their students in really amazing ways. Authors of these stories include MAYA ANGELOU. So you should probably read it just for that reason alone. This collection is separated into four parts, grade school, middle school, high school and college, and I loved them all. I know I kind of missed the ball on the end of the year teacher gifts, but now you've got a great idea for next year!


My favorite memory of a teacher? I'm glad you asked. I actually had a few teachers I really, really loved. My 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Chaya. We would write in our journals every week and she would take the time to write us all back, and I loved hearing what she thought about my 9-year-old life. My 7th grade Social Studies teacher, Mrs. Schulte. She was so sweet ALL OF THE TIME. My 8th grade English teacher, Mrs. Tenebruso. When I became a teacher she gave me everything she had on To Kill a Mockingbird and Romeo and Juliet so that I didn't have to start from ground zero. She still helps me get ready for summer school and always calls me to sub for her. My 12th grade English teacher, this is weird but I don't remember her name. But she did something SO amazing when we began class senior year. She passed around a paper with every student in the class's name on it and each of us had to write something nice about each person. Then she collected the papers and she gave back to us the list of all the nice things people said about us, laminated. I still have mine.


Thank you to all of the teachers out there for your tireless efforts to improve the lives of kids. Especially the kids who ask for love in the most unloving ways.

smith at her finest.

Many of you know Lee Smith from her novels set in Appalachia. This popular author has thrown away fiction for real life, HER real life, in her very first collection of personal essays titled Dimestore: A Writer's Life which came out last month.

These 15 essays are very intimate, very candid, and unlike anything Smith has ever shared with readers. Born in Grundy, Virginia, Smith had an idyllic childhood spending a lot of time in her father’s dimestore from which the book gets its name. She writes of how she became a storyteller in that store, of her loving parents, and of the small town she adored. Getting to know Lee Smith is just as enjoyable as getting to know the characters in her novels.

not your average fifties housewife.

In honor of National Women's Day tomorrow and March being Women's History Month, I am pleased to review journalist, Rachel Cooke's Her Brilliant Career: Ten Extraordinary Women of the Fifties because it's the perfect fit and a great read for those interested in history, that era, and British women who break the mold.

All ten women celebrated in this book are trailblazers who left the home and values of that time period to become whomever they wanted to be, opening up possibilities to the women who came after them wanting to do the same. Sheila Van Damm became a racecar driver during a time when it was more deadly than ever. Rose Heilbron was Britian's first high court judge and extremely well respected. Joan Werner Laurie was a magazine editor and a lesbian. She edited women's interest stories that no one would typically speak about.

Her Brilliant Career is a collection of ten mini-biographies that will leave you in awe.

what is an artist?

Sarah Thornton scoured five out of the seven continents to handpick a group of artists for her most recent book titled 33 Artists in 3 Acts published back in September. Thornton defines what it is to be a contemporary artist from performance art and photographer, to painting and sculpting, and takes readers inside the personal lives of the artists she plucked for this collection.

33 Artists in 3 Acts is divided into, you guessed it, three acts: Politics, Kinship, and Craft and features different artists in each section. Covered in the sections are artist's ethics, relationships with peers and muses, and skills. Very interesting read for those of you into the art scene, and may be dull for those who are not.

collection of art.

I kind of missed the Star Wars boat in the sense that I have never seen any of the movies. But as a photographer, I know high-quality images when I see them, and The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens by Phil Szostak is filled with beautiful art on every page. Definitely a collector's item. I'm actually giving my copy to my nephew for his birthday. He dressed up as Chewbacca when he went to see the new movie which was totally adorable because he's 9.

Szostak offers readers amazing insight into the detailed art direction and production design that went into creating The Force Awakens from beginning to end.

a gift for your bestie.

Day four of my foolproof book-lovers Christmas gift guide is all about your best girl(s). Your people. Your clique. You're the Best: A Celebration of Friendship by the Satellite Sisters is the PERFECT bestie gift and all that gushy stuff. This is a book filled with short essays dedicated to the special friendships only women can have. There is no funny like sisterhood funny, and the Satellite Sisters really capture the essence of those relationships. Pair it with a bottle of wine and you're done. Ya-ya!

for the dog lover.

Everyone has an animal lover in their life. If you don't you should probably get some new friends. Me? I'm a cat lover. And absolutely believe in rescuing over pet shop buying. Gift idea #3 is My Old Dog: Rescued Pets with Remarkable Second Acts by journalist Laura T. Coffey who has finally said what everyone has been thinking. What is so good about puppies? They pee wherever they want and mess with your REM cycle. I honestly feel the same way about babies, but we can talk about that another time.

The point is. Older dogs have A LOT of love to give. And you will completely fall for the rescues you meet in this collection of stories (the photos are fabulous as well). A little warning, My Old Dog gets super emotional, even for a Grinch like me. But the sappy dog lover in your life is going to LOVE it.

gangs all here.

I LOVE short stories and I LOVEEEE Mary Higgins Clark. Her collection titled Death Wears a Beauty Mask: And Other Stories plucks from past work, spanning over the course of her long and successful career. Since I haven't ready any of MHC's short works or novellas in the past, this book was perfect for me. I have no idea how this author manages to write such unique and heart pounding stories after all this time (no offense MCH but you're a little old). Some are better than others, of course, but both lovers of her old and new work will be pleased.

if you don't laugh, you'll cry.

I know that times are changing, and there are more work-from-home dad's taking on a domestic role than ever before. That being said, many of you will be able to relate to Tim Dowling's family situation that he sometimes hilariously and sometimes seriously details in his book, How To Be A Husband. I can't relate to much about his life. But I can relate to being married and the challenges that follow. That being said, I got a kick out of most of his tidbits, especially the Twelve Labors of Marriage. Dowling reiterates that this is not a self help book, but I did find a lot of wisdom in his words.

for the every woman.

You may not be able to always tell this from her novels, but Lisa Scottoline is pretty hilarious. You can see for yourself in her latest collection of funny anecdotes that she writes with her daughter titled, Does This Beach Make Me Look Fat? Which any woman who breathes can relate to.

It's summer. And yes, the beach makes me look hella fat. But Lisa and Francesca want me and every other woman out there to have a worry-free time even if our bodies aren't summer ready, because, honestly mine has been like, once. Their stories are soooo so funny, and multigenerational. Francesca being single in her early twenties living in NYC and her mom being, well, a mom. There is a touch of serious here and there, but these ladies definitely aren't trying to kill the mood, so mostly they keep it light, except when it comes to their spaghetti sandwiches.

for a laugh, or seven.

Dave Barry has been writing humorous essays for decades, and they just keep getting better in my opinion. His latest, You Can Date Boys When You're Forty, is filled with lots of new material because there are just so many amazing things to mock these days. Barry does get crude here and there, but when you're making fun of Fifty Shades of Gray, how can you not be a little crass? I appreciate Barry's latest take on the world, and I know his fans will, too.

I do however think he saved the best for last because his last chapter, "How to Become a Professional Author" was probably the most hilarious thing I have ever read. I was LOLing all over the place.

what day is today, today is mother's day.

I am not big on feelings, but when I really stop to think about my mom, I turn into a big puddle of mush. I love her so much I can't think about it too hard or it physically pains me. I downright SOBBED when I read A Letter to My Mom from the Letter to My Series by Lisa Erspamer. I loved it so much. I'll cry right now. It is filled with so many sweet, sweet letters from guys and dolls, some you know and some you'll want to know, to their mothers. The letters are filled with gratitude to mothers for believing in them, supporting them, encouraging them, never letting them be defeated. It's an ode to mom's who make things happen. I know it's after Mother's Day, but what a wonderful 'just because I love my mom' gift?

My mom is the QUEEN of making things happen. I would always come up with some harebrained scheme or another (still do sometimes) and she would listen and then always respond with, well what are we going to do to make this happen? I love her so much.

 

i hate everyone, and pants.

As someone who has had their share of trouble thinking of the glass as half full, and really doesn't like anyone, I kind of got Kim Korson and her autobiography titled I Don't Have a Happy Place which is filled with extremely honest short essays beginning with her child self hating the little girl next door for her Barbie collection. I totally get that. And hating everyone else at Disney World. I get that, too. Included are Kim's pivotal life moments from childhood to adulthood along with the constant struggle to find her happy place. It's definitely not a woe is Kim kind of book, it may appear that way by the title and how Kim portrays herself as being an all around negative human being. But really, she's super funny and just trying to live. And living is fricken hard.

 

In other news, can someone please buy me this shirt?

 

 

thank you for your service.

Being a veteran is so much more than a 10% discount, and many of us forget to celebrate the contributions of those who have served our country when they return home. Howard Schultz and Rajiv Chadrasekaran are happy to give us a healthy dose of patriotism in their book titled For Love of Country: What Our Veterans Can Teach Us About Citizenship, Heroism, and Sacrifice, which includes several short stories sharing how veteran's have gone above and beyond, during their service to our country and even after their military service was complete. The stories shared are incredible.  It is reiterated in the book how important it is to help our veteran's return to civilian life, how difficult it is for them to go back to living the way we do everyday after what they have experienced. It definitely puts things in perspective. I mean, I cried through the whole thing, but that's besides the point.

from ebook to paperback.

The comic strip series surrounding the life of eleven-year-old Nate Wright can now be found in paperback. Big Nate's Greatest Hits by the very funny Lincoln Peirce is officially available tomorrow, and I'm pretty excited about it. I am a huge fan of comic strips because they get kids reading. And this is a comic strip for the middle grades which makes it even better. Here's a little taste of the funny...

 

 

 

Big Nate is a sarcastic, self-proclaimed genius, and this series is all about his life as a sixth grade boy including family (he lives with his single dad and older sister, keeping very much with the times), best friends, school, girls, grades, and all the angst. There are adventures and misadventures. It's the best kids comic strip collection out there hands down, parents will find the humor as well.

 

 

 

 



 

inspiring travel stories from around the world.

The world's top travel writers share their best adventures in Chance Encounters: Travel Tales from Around the World, a collection of stories edited by Janna Graber, and it is my favorite book of the moment. I love to travel. It's in my spirit. A couple times a year I get the itch to take off to a place I've never been. It's how I find myself again. And thank God I have a husband who understands that because he can't always come along. I just booked a trip to Honolulu in February to see a friend who is stationed there as a traveling nurse. It's hard to believe I have to take an 11 hour plane ride to an American state, but I am beyond excited to see such an exotic part of my country. Anyways, enough about me, let's get back to the stories. Tales from Korea to Nepal to Turkey to Paris, exploring countries and cultures. There is a story based in Hawaii as well, and Finland and Berlin, and so many other wonderful places I would give my left pinky finger to visit, 23 countries in all. This collection of stories is about how chance encounters can add depth to a journey. How the people you meet can change you. It makes me anxious to see what my next adventure has in store.

heavy snow, light reading.

It is officially the third consecutive day that the Buffalo area has been snowed in. I'm not complaining, I've just been drinking a lot and reading. Wilhelm Staehle has definitely made it more fun with his quirky postcard books that are set to be released December 3rd, just in the time for the holidays, which are coming fast judging by the 2343242 feet of snow in my backyard. Both postcard books will make the perfect stocking stuffer, grab bag or secret Santa gifts, especially for that creepy co-worker or goofy family member you always have a hard time buying for.

Stars and Swipes: 30 Postcards of Awkward Americana is definitely for the All-American man or woman in your life who has a good sense of humor. Staehle highlights less popular and more awkward moments in history, my favorite kind. I even learned a few things, like Lewis and Clark were a originally a trio. Lewis, Clark and Dwayne. Because you know there is always that one guy complaining the whole time you're trying to get a job done.

 

 

Hugs and Misses: 30 Postcards of Awkward Romance has some of the worst pick up lines I've ever heard. I absolutely loved it. Staehle has created silly silhouettes and one-liners of romances gone wrong. As someone with a tardy history who also thinks of awkward moments as a high, I appreciated all of the failed or inappropriate attempts at love.

LOL.

it's still wedding season!

Celebrated authors Margaret Brownley, Robin Lee Hatcher, Mary Connealy and Debra Clopton have pulled together their brilliant storytelling powers and created quite the collection of novellas titled Four Weddings and a Kiss: A Western Bride Collection.

Four authors, four love stories, four strong female heroines, in the West. The tomboy, Maizy MacGregor (raised by her dad, wears britches and all). The writer, Molly Everton (educated and underestimated by her father at his newspaper where she works). The one who's misunderstood, Katie Pearl (lost her family in a tornado and everyone thinks she's crazy because she has trust issues). And, the wrongly accused, Grace Davenport (accused of killing her third husband, doesn't have the best track record with spouses staying alive). Let me tell you, these women are feisty, and you will LOVE them and the way that the Lord works in their lives.

i had the time of my life.

I'm a fan of Allen Klein and his little quote books, I've reviewed other collections by him in the past which you can be found here. Today we are focusing on Having the Time of Your Life: Little Lessons to Live By, which asks the question, What is Life? Then goes into Why We're Here, and ends with How to Enjoy the Journey. We all need to be given a fresh perspective on life sometimes. Life changes are happening one after the other, and as humans we have the tendency to get caught up in life so much that we forget to live it. Klein is here to help with over 500 quotes and anecdotes that are witty, soulful, and will get you thinking about how YOU can have the time of YOUR life.

in honor of belated national dog day.

I am not NOT a dog person, I am just more of a cat person because they can wash themselves and the bathroom cleanup is easier. I can totally appreciate a book filled with true stories about man's best friend though, which is why I am pleased to review Man's Best Hero: True Stories of Great American Dogs by dog-lover and author Ace Collins.

Get ready for a feel-good-tear-fest folks because this collection tells 13 true stories of heroic actions by everyday dogs, and you WILL blubber like a baby, dog lover or not. A major crowd pleaser is the story of the guide dog leading his owner to safety on September 11th. I'm crying right now just writing that line. Ugh. Many of these stories include dogs that have saved lives, but Collins also included stories about dogs who have improved lives, which is kind of the same thing.