The Husband's Secret

Just finished reading The Husband's Secret, by Liane Moriarty, author of What Alice Forgot.  A friend of mine preferred What Alice Forgot, and even quipped that "We could all use a little amnesia in our lives."  I loved both books, though.  What I loved most, is the connecting theme between the two of them that "falling in love" is an adolescent concept.  New love is cheap and easy, but loving somebody after you've raised a family together, hurt each other, pleased each other, bored each other, surprised each other, shared secrets, bills, and a bathroom, that is real love.

Happy reading,
Christine

Go Set a Watchman

Years ago, I bought my husband a special edition of  To Kill a Mockingbird, which I inscribed, "To my own Atticus Finch."  If you, like I, have spent most of your life believing that Atticus Finch was the greatest father, lawyer and most honest and decent man ever written, do not read Go Set a Watchman.  There are some things you can't "un-know" once you know them, and you will never be able to look at Atticus Finch the same way again.
Maybe it was naive to believe that even a fictional character could live up to the ideals of Atticus Finch, and maybe this flawed version is still worthy of love, but I wish I never read this book.  I wish I didn't know what I now know.  I hate cliches, but this is one case where ignorance truly is bliss.

Happy reading,
Christine

What Alice Forgot

Ever ask yourself, "How did my life come to this?"  That is exactly what Alice must ask herself in What Alice Forgot, by Liane Moriarty.  Alice is 29 years-old, madly in love with her husband, and expecting her first child, or so she thinks when she comes to after a head injury at the gym one Friday morning.  In reality, she is a 39 year-old mother of three going through a bitter divorce.  Her fall has caused her to forget the last decade of her life.  The book will cause you to question, is it the big, life-changing events that shape us, or the everyday little choices and actions that make us who we are?

Happy reading,
Christine

Delightful Dolphins

If you are lucky enough to see or swim with dolphins this summer, you may want to read this National Geographic article on dolphin communication.  Amazing!

Happy reading,
Christine

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th!

So far, my summer reading looks like this:

• Finished In the Unlikely Event, by Judy Blume;  - Love her!
• Read an easy, cheesy, beach read, and all I can say is, " Eh, if you read the first three books in this series, you can skip this latest installment."
• To redeem my intellect after the beach read above, I went with a classic, The Catcher in the Rye - Obviously a lot to think about.

Happy reading,

Christine

What I'm Reading Now

Judy Blume released a new book this week!  I've just started In the Unlikely Event.   I'm thrilled to be reading another one of her books, just like I'm always thrilled when my students choose one of her books as their independent reading book.   Mostly, I'm thrilled that this literary giant is well enough to continue writing for her fans.  What a survivor and role model!

Happy reading,
Christine

June Is Bustin' Out All Over

It is finally June!  Time to start thinking about your summer reading.  The ALA has compiled summer reading lists for  grades k-2,   grades 3-5,   grades 6-8.    Enjoy!

Happy reading,
Christine