Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters by Lesley M.M. Blume*

 My friend recommended this delightful book to me.

Cornelia despises being known as the daughter of famous pianists. She rarely interacts with her traveling pianist mother; her father disappeared from the familial scene when she was young. To protect herself, she memorizes, utilizing them as weapons with annoying people.  Her loneliness dissipates when elderly Virginia Somerset moves in next door. Virginia fills Cornelia's afternoons with colorful stories about her adventures with her older sisters as they traveled the world. Slowly Cornelia emerges from her protective shelter of words and ventures into the real, exciting world.

This book certainly promotes vocabulary development! It also transports the readers to different countries and cultures around the world (Africa, France, England, India) from 1949-1954.

*Highly recommend.

Points to discuss: Cornelia's father does not involve himself with her and has numerous wives/girlfriends, Lucy, Cornelia's mother, smokes, a dear character dies

-Borrowed from the library.

Richard Wilbur

 For January "poetry pie", the boys read a few clerihews by E.C. Bentley and word play poems by Richard Wilbur. Our main focus was on clerihews and opposite poems. Unfortunately, the library system in my county did not own any poetry books by Bentley nor any of Wilbur's opposite poem books. These poems, however, were available online in the public domain. My boys immediately created clerihews about a certain president!! The library did have two poem books (NOT his opposite poems) in a picture book format by Richard Wilbur. The clever wordplay reveals Mr. Wilbur's love of words.

Books used for this poetry pie:

Poetry from A to Z by Paul B. Janeczko ( I own this book.)

Scholastic Guides-How to Write Poetry by Paul B. Janeczko (borrowed from the library)

The Pig in the Spigot by Richard Wilbur illustrations by J. Otto Seibold (borrowed from the library)

The Disappearing Alphabet by Richard Wilbur illustrated by David Diaz

A few cookbooks

 Since this fall I have tried recipes from the following cookbooks:

1. The Dude Diet by Serena Wolf   My friend gave this book to me for my birthday. Favorite recipes: Quinoa Crunch Granola, Magic Faux-Tisserie Chicken, Manly Mediterranean Salad, Chocolate-Almond "Cookie Dough" Bites     I do not like the swearing (why include it??? Unnecessary!), some references to sex (again, why include that?), and her repeated "dude" phrases and the almost patronizing tone to men.

2. Half Baked Harvest & Super Simple by Tieghan Gerard   My sister-in-law introduced me to Ms. Gerard when she shared how she made her wreath bread recipe for their Christmas celebration. I made the wreath bread and . . .it was delicious and seemed to taste better with time! Since making this recipe, I have borrowed the following two books from the library. Overall I found her recipes a bit too fancy for me. Favorite recipes: whipped maple butter & coconut-banana muffins (only honey as a sweetner and they are yummy!!) I have a few more marked to try. We did not care for the Hazelnut Brownies.

-Borrowed from the library.

3. The Pioneer Woman Cooks  Super Easy! by Ree Drummond   Out of the four cookbooks, this one is my favorite. I wasn't sure if I would like it since the recipes include more convenience food. After borrowing it from the library, trying a few recipes and flagging a lot to try, I decided to buy it! Favorite recipes so far: sheet pan pancakes, salad bar salad, classic stromboli, sheet pan quesadilla and sheet pan mac & cheese. The dessert section does not appeal to me (almost all of the recipes call for "boxed" ingredients. Growing up I mostly ate from scratch desserts and can actually taste the artificial ingredients when boxed ingredients are used!).

My Fair Lady starring Audrey Hepburn & Rex Harrison

 A musical based on Pygmalion by Bernard Shaw

The movie adheres quite well to the original play.

Rated: G 

My fifteen-year-old and I watched it after we had read Pygmalion. 

-Borrowed from the library.

One Time by Sharon Creech

 During her fifth grade year, Gina is transformed when she befriends a new neighbor, Antonio and learns from Miss Lightstone, her new language arts teacher. Miss Lightstone celebrates creative writing, imagination and unconventionality. A host of unique side-characters add quirkiness to the story. I liked that Ms. Creech included an epilogue so the reader can learn what the characters end up doing with their "one wild and precious life" (Mary Oliver).

I found this book a bit odd . . .unconventional! 😁 I am not sure how many kids will want to read this book in their free time since the main plot evolves around character development and creative writing. Reading about Miss Lightstone's teaching methods, I longed to have the courage to be unconventional and to teach like her!!

Rosetown Summer by Cynthia Rylant*

 Flora loves her quiet, predictable town in Indiana. She finds comfort in her friends, the cozy shops and her routines. When she learns that Miss Meriwether, the owner of a book store, may move to Montana, she is not sure how she will deal with the change.

A quiet book with a reflective character. Children who read for plot may not like this book. Beautiful writing (reminds me of Kate DiCamillo's books/writing).

*Highly recommend for those who like character development and who are more reflective.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Nature of Small Birds by Susie Finkbeiner*

 I read a review about this book in World magazine.

Three different family members, Bruce (father), Linda (mother), and Sonny (daughter), share their perspective about the adoption of Minh (aka Mindy) after the Vietnam War. Each person relates a specific year (Bruce-2013 & 2014, Linda-1975, & Sonny-1985). Ms. Finkbeiner beautifully tells a cohesive story about the Matthews family across generations. Although the reader can ascertain that the family believes in God, He is not central to the story. Hints of Him and His provision are inserted throughout the story.

The story caused me to re-evaluate how I interact with children who are adopted and who are a different nationality. I liked Bruce probably the best . . . he causually quotes poetry or ideas he has read in books. He is deeper and more reflective. Although he was my favorite character, all of the characters were well-developed and had distinct voices. I enjoyed reading Sonny's account because it brought back memories of the 1980's music and fashion and her vehicle--El Camino (my dad had one when I was growing up. My brother eventually took it to college.)! I found it curious that Mrs. Finkbeiner didn't choose Mindy's character to share a point of view, even though the novel centered on her joining their family. 

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

She and He: Adventures in Mythology as told by Jim Weiss*

 Since my fifteen-year old was reading Pygmalion for English this month, I borrowed this audio version of the myth. Mr. Weiss relates five myths in his own words, inserting his own personality and humor. He thoroughly entertained us! My twelve-year-old laughed heartily during the retelling of Atalanta and the Golden Apples. Myths included: Psyche & Cupid, Pygmalion & Galatea, Echo & Narcissus, Atalanta & the Golden Apples and Baucis & Philemon.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin*

 First of all, it was so refreshing to read a new book written for adults that did not include sex, swearing or agenda-driven themes. 

Grace and her best friend Viv have dreamed of living in London since they were young. When they arrive, however, their ideals dissipate as Hitler and his forces bomb the city.  Grace begins working in a disarrayed bookshop with a grumpy employer. She doesn't even like to read. The war not only changes London's landscape but also transforms her in a myriad of ways.

History and tidbits about London and the war are woven unobtrusively. I loved the setting of a bookshop and inclusion of actual book titles throughout the story. Grace begins a romantic relationship with a man but their relationship is not the center of the story. The focus is on how the people of London unite together as they endure interminable bombings and hardship. 

A "lighter" read when considering sentence structure/ease of reading/brain power required!

*Highly recommend. I can even recommend this book to teenagers! (Heads up for younger readers-some characters die, Grace and Viv dance one night at a hotel and buy an alcoholic drink-they don't become drunk)

-Borrowed from the library.

A Passion for the Impossible -The Life of Lilias Trotter by Miriam Huffman Rockness*

 I borrowed Honey for a Woman's Heart by Gladys Hunt from a friend.  As I browsed its pages, God focused my attention on a review about this book, A Passion for the Impossible. I knew He wanted me to read it.

I had never heard of Lilias Trotter. Her story proclaims what a life surrendered to God can accomplish through Him and for Him. Growing up in London, England, Lilias experienced a privileged life of comfort and education. She willingly left the "easy" life and the opportunity to develop her artistic gifts to minister to the Muslims in Algeria. Having a heart condition, no missionary board would accept her. She and two other ladies leave England and begin to serve African Muslims even though they do not know the language. Mrs. Rockness relates the impact Lilias's ministry had on the Arab world through careful research plus inclusions from her writings and journal entries.

Side-note: phrases from her writings inspired the hymn, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, a hymn I often hum and use as a prayer for certain young people.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed via inter-library loan since my county does not own the book.  In 2015 a movie was produced about her life. I also requested the movie via inter-lib loan.

Pygmalion by Bernard Shaw

 My ninth grader is reading this play this week for English. Although I have seen the play and movie of My Fair Lady, I had never read the original play. I was able to basically read it one day.

Henry Higgins, a phonetic expert, bets Colonel Pickering that he can teach Liza, a common girl, to speak like an upper-class woman in six months. 

Warnings/points to discuss: Higgins's treatment of women, of Liza and of people in "lower" classes,  the word "slut" mentioned, some swearing, some kissing, social classes and their ramifications

-I own this book/play.

Pair with the Greek myth Pygmalion and Galatea.

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

 When the warden drops off Emmett at his Nebraska farm after serving for fifteen months in a juvenile work farm, he immediately begins to pack for CA, where he and his eight-year-old brother, Billy, can start a new life together (and also where Billy hopes they can find their mother, who disappeared when Billy was a baby).  Their father died from cancer while Emmett served his time. Their Nebraska farm is bankrupt. Nothing is encouraging them to stay in the farming community. To Emmett's surprise, two friends from the work farm, Duchess and Woolly, had hidden in the warden's trunk and ask Emmett to drop them off at a train station so they can head east. Soon the simple trip west to CA becomes a complicated road trip to New York City where adventure and heartache abound.

Mr. Towles is an intentional and superb writer. He masterfully develops complex characters. Throughout the entire novel he weaves in each character's backstory into the main plotline. I found myself wanting to bring each character home to nurture them and to offer them hope. I still do not know if I like how the story ended for Duchess. I was sad about his "lot". I definitely do not like how the story ended for Woolly. He and Billy were my favorite characters . . .although, I my heart ached for Duchess. The characters' worldviews differ drastically from mine (especially their beliefs about God). 

The chapters alternate with points of view. Only two characters are first person (very effective choices too!); the rest of the characters are third person. 

My friend who works at the library did not like this book. She did not care about the characters. She thought it did not have a plot and that the characters did not accomplish anything. As we talked about it, she stated she doesn't know why she finished it! If the reader values characterization in novels, this novel may appeal to him. If plot is the main reason the reader picks up a book, this novel may not be a good choice.

I loved it. At times the themes were heavy so I needed to take a break and read a humorous middle grade novel! 

Warnings/considerations: drug addict, alcohol abuse, lying, stealing, suicide (hanging & drug overdose), Emmett spends the night with a prostitute (not by his own choice-he was tricked/trapped/drugged), parental abandonment, worldviews

Absolute Normal Chaos by Sharon Creech

 Currently I am reading The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. For a break from the heaviness, I read this middle-grade novel.

Over the summer Mary Lou Finney must keep a journal and hand it in on the first day of school. Ms. Creech utilizes the journal format to structure the story. Even though Mary Lou's household with many siblings is chaotic and humorous, she longs for new events to record. Then unexpectantly, her cousin Carl Ray from West Virginia arrives to stay for the summer. Unusual events commence . . .an anonymous person bestowing Carl Ray $3,000, her best friend mooning over a boy, Alex Cheevy showing up in her neighborhood. This summer may be worth recording after all!

I liked how Ms.Creech incorporates Mary Lou's impressions of the Odyssey by Homer.

Apparently, this book is a prequel to Walk Two Moons. 

Warnings: Mary Lou takes God's name in vain often. When her mother reproaches her about this habit and tells her to expand her vocabulary, Mary Lou looks up other words for God in the thesaurus and proceeds to use them (Alpha and Omega, King of Kings etc). Her cousins talk about sex a bit with her (no details, just mentions that they do) and then when Mary Lou leaves W.V., they give her book about sex, which Mary Lou claims is too advanced for her parents. A death occurs. Mary Lou begins dating Alex. They kiss a few times throughout the book.