LADDventure

Five Minute Friday - Whisper

I just finished The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt last night. It was strange and a bit depressing at times, but captivating somehow, and I couldn't help reading it for hours everynight. The last chapter was so profound and beautiful. The characters were talking about a painting which the whole story centered around, and this just struck me...

"if a painting really works down in your heart and changes the way you see, and think, and feel, you don't think, 'oh, I love this picture because it's universal'. 'I love this painting because it speaks to all mankind. That's not the reason anyone loves a piece of art. It's a secret whisper from an alleyway. Psst, you. Hey kid. Yes you....An individual heart-shock."

I think that's what all good art does, it whispers to each individual something different, something uniquely meaningful to you. It grabs you and makes you feel like it was created for you and about you at the same time. It tells your story, explains your thoughts, changes your mind. That is the kind of art, books, music worth creating.

 

**This post is linked up over at Five Minute Friday, where the internet gets together, writes for five minutes without thinking too hard about it, and presses publish. Join us?**

It's Finally Here!

Friends, that right there in my hand is my book. I can hardly believe it, and I've never been more proud of anything in my life. It's been the hardest and most rewarding thing I've ever worked on. It's a dream come true, a year and a half in the making, and I am so excited to share it with you today!

This book is a combination of cherished stories from my years as a teacher and the valuable insight and practical tips for parents and teachers those years have taught me. Being a teacher will always be a part of who I am, and this feels like the perfect way to bridge the transition from teacher to writer.

Whether you're a parent, a teacher, or just anyone who has ever gone to school, this book is for you. It's officially available on Amazon now, and I'd so appreciate it if you'd buy a copy, leave a review, and share it with anyone you think may enjoy it.

I can't thank you enough for your excitement and encouragment throughout this entire process, and your continued support as I share it. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some celebrating to do!

Nightstand Reviews - May 2014

Besides the books we read monthly in the book club I'm a part of, I get all kinds of ideas on other things to read. Unbroken was a hands down favorite among my book buddies, so I decided to check it out. It is the incredible true story of a World War II POW. The book focuses primarily on the Pacific front of the war, and was absolutely fascinating. I realized as I was reading, that my knowledge of that part of the war was extremely limited. It's a lengthy read (500+ pages), but I literally couldn't put it down. I feel like anyone would like this book.

"Dignity is as essential to human life as water, food, and oxygen. The stubborn retention of it, even in the face of extreme physical hardship, can hold a man's soul in his body long past the point at which the body should have surrendered it."

 

The Handmaid's Tale was our May book club selection, and gave us lots to discuss. It's the story of a handmaid whose only purpose in this future dystopian society is to reproduce. It's poignant, even funny at times, and makes so many thoughtful social points about freedom, control, feminism, fear, all of the above. I really liked it because it raised important questions in the context of a very engaging story.

"Is that how we lived, then? But we lived as usual. Everyone does, most of the time. Whatever is going on is as usual. Even this is as usual, now. We lived, as usual, by ignoring. Ignoring isn't the same as ignorance, you have to work at it."

"Not a dandelion in sight here, the lawns are picked clean. I long for one, just one, rubbishy and insolently random and hard to get rid of and perennially yellow as the sun. Cheerful and plebeian, shining for all alike."

 

 

 

This one! Wow, wow, wow! Must read it today. Like now. Finish this blog post, and then go read it. It's also lengthy, but well worth the read. The Poinsonwood Bible is the story of a naive Southern Baptist missionary family who go to the Congo in the 1960's, and get caught up in the revolution taking place. So many profound points on imperialism, Western exceptionalism, faith, culture, family, racism, all set in the beauty of Africa told through the voices of the four young daughters of the missionary. I found myself reading quotes aloud to Mr. Ladd while he was trying to fall asleep. It's just beautifully written and fantastic, and I highly recommend it.

"For every life saved by vaccination or food relief, one is lost to starvation or war. Poor Africa. No other continent has endured such an unspeakably bizarre combination of foreign thievery and foreign goodwill."

"Listen. To live is to be marked. To live is to change, to acquire the words of a story, and that is the only celebration we mortals really know. In perfect stillness, frankly, I've only found sorrow."

 

Currently on my nightstand

 

I don't know how I managed to make it out of school without reading The Giver, but I'm in the middle of it now, and loving it. An easy read and an intriguing story.

Mr. Ladd and I are going on a trip to Key West soon, so I purposely bought and am saving A Moveable Feast for the trip, since Key West was a favorite spot of Ernest Hemingway. Hoping to tour his house, and meet some six-toed cats! Can you say book nerd?

Delancey, is the second food memoir by Molly Wizenberg. I just love books that mix stories with recipes, so this one has an honored spot on my kitchen counter in actual hard cover form.

Hope you've found something new for the beach or back porch this weekend. Happy reading!

(Click on any of the covers for links to the book)

Nightstand Reviews - March 2014

I've been an absolute book monster lately!  I read ravenously and quickly, and just can't get enough.  I think writing my own book has left me with such an appreciation for how much work goes into a well crafted sentence, and I just want to read all of the things. 

Harold was our March book club selection, and it was one of those books which is a little bit tedious, but something about it keeps pushing you forward to finish it.  It's the story of a British man on a mission to walk from one end of England to the other in order for his unfinished life's business and what he discovers about life along the way.  It's a bit like a slow motion Forrest Gump, but it was also one of those books which was great to talk about in book club, because the more we talked about it, the more meaning we found in it, and it grew on us. 

It really is a very endearing, thought provoking story about life and loss and what shapes us and our relationships.  It's about getting out of our mundane lives and wandering lost for a bit to find our way back to our truest selves. 

 

 

 

This is our April book club selection, and messages are already flying back and forth about how much we all love it.  This book is amazing and makes me want to read everything John Green has ever written.  It's the story of 16 year old, Hazel Grace Lancaster, a three-year stage IV–cancer survivor, and  Augustus Waters, a fellow cancer survivor, who she falls in love with.  The story is so compelling, and the writing just hits you in the gut, with it's observations on life told through the eyes of a brilliant 16 year old with a perspective only terminal illness can give you.  I finished this in about two days and cannot recommend it enough. 

It's also been made into a movie coming out this June.  I dare you to watch this trailer and not tear up...

 

 

I just finished Wild this week, and I loved it also.  I'm realizing now that I've read two stories lately about individuals who head off on some sort of walking/hiking pilgrimage to find themselves.  Sensing a theme.  This is the true story of Cheryl Strayed, who heads out to hike the Pacific Crest Trail alone after her life has fallen apart.  It's a great read about finding yourself and what you're capable of on an adventure, and will make you want to go to REI every time you read it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Currently On My Nightstand

I'm still working through Winter's Tale.  It's a long one, but I'm determined because I really want to see the movie, but am a stickler for finishing the book first.

Savoring one chapter at a time of Packing Light.  Knowing Ally personally, and having heard so much of her story, it's awesome to see it come to life in her lovely book.

I had to pick up Allegiant and know how the Divergent Series ends.  Easy Y.A. read.

Check out my Nightstand Reviews - Best of 2013 Edition for more book recommendations.

Nightstand Reviews - Best of 2013

I joined a book club this year, and I couldn't love it more.  It encourages me to read at least one book every month, and often they are books I may not have heard of or otherwise read on my own.  It's also inspired me to read books I've been meaning to read for a long time, but just never gotten around to.  The conversation once a month with fellow book loving ladies is good for my brain and my soul. 

Reading also fuels me as a writer.  It's food for thought and creativity, and I read fast and furiously, so I'd love to share some with you.  Most of them did not come out in 2013, that's just when I got around to reading them, so without further ado, here are the best of the books I read in 2013.  Click on the covers to read more about each one.

Best Book Club Book

 

Some of my fellow book club members may disagree, but I just loved this book.  It's set in the 1920's, and is the story of a young lumber ticoon and his wife, who is one of the best evil characters you will ever meet.  The story has great pacing and mystery that keeps you turning pages.  An added bonus, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence will be starring in the movie due out this year.

Book Club Honorable Mention:  And the Mountains Echoed, and The 19th Wife

 

Best Memoir

Shauna Niequist is my all time favorite writer.  I reviewed her newest book here when it came out, and even got to be a recipe tester for the project.  This memoir/recipe collection tells the story of faith and food and the people we love, and how they all work together. It now has a place on my kitchen counter, and her lentil soup and blueberry crisp are in the regular rotation at my house.

Memoir Honorable Mention:  Carry On Warrior, Sober Mercies, The Glass Castle

 

Best Book That's Now a Movie

People either seem to think this book was life-changing, or they don't at all get what the fuss is about.  I am in the life-changing camp!  This book is just brilliant, and one of those rich stories you can't stop thinking about.  It's the story of Leisel Meminger, a foster-child in 1939 Nazi Germany, and has so much to say about life and death, compassion, family and friendship.  It's just stunning - one of my Top 10 of all time.  I haven't seen the movie yet, but you have to read the book first.  I'm a stickler for that, so I'm often motivated to read a book when I hear the movie is coming out.

Books That Are Now Movies Honorable Mention:  Labor Day, Gone Girl, The Spectacular Now (this is one of those rare ones for me where the book was good, but the movie actually made it better)

Best Nonfiction

I read this book before giving it to our family along with the announcement that we are adopting, and it was such an informative easy to read book.  It honestly but gently informs families and friends of adoptive families what they can expect, and how to best support adoptive parents as they go through the process.  I learned a lot from it and found it so helpful.

Nonfiction Honorable Mention:  Bully Nation and The End of Molasses Classes

 

 

Currently On My Nightstand

What are you reading right now?  What was the best book you read last year?  I'm always looking for a good book recommendation, so I'd love to hear from you in the comments about your favorite reads!