Notes To Myself On Recent Reads

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
A Year of Food Life
by Barbara Kingsolver

This was an inspiring book and makes so much sense. Eat what you have available to you in season in your area. Unfortunately I don't have the energy or creativity to pull it off in the all-or-nothing fashion Kingsolver does.

Boy in the Striped Pajamas
by John Boyne

This is a head-in-your-hands, oh-my- God kind of book. I honestly didn't see the ending of this book coming until, well, the very ending chapters. At which point I wanted to throw it across the room and never finish it. A story of two young boys, very much alike but worlds apart. One the son of a high-ranking Nazi officer, the other a Jewish boy imprisoned in a concentration camp. Their lives become intermingled, then become one. I can't believe I actually said out loud at one crucial moment "But, he doesn't belong there." Made me weep.

Chasing Vermeer
by Blue Balliett

The kids loved this mystery/puzzler about 2 young kids trying to figure out who has stolen a priceless Vermeer. Adventure as they go in search of the painting's hiding place right in their neighborhood!

The Wright 3
by Blue Balliett

Another enjoyable way to learn about famous art/architecture. This time the kids go in search of a secret code within the geometric designs of a Frank Lloyd Wright home scheduled for demolition. Will they be able to crack the code and save the house?


The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
by Mary Ann Shaffer

Loved this one! Thanks to Caryl for the recommendation! This is on my read again list I enjoyed it so much. Very snarky and funny at times, with a touch of the weepies any story set in war-time will give. The story is presented through a series of letters and centers on a literery society formed to cover up the theft of a pig.Reminded me a lot of 84 Charing Cross Road, a book about the love of books and the art of personal correspondence, also written in epistolary form.


When Children Love to Learn
by Elaine Cooper

Subtitiled-"A practical application of Charlotte Mason's Philosophies for Today" I think I need to go back and re-read/spend more time with this book. It didn't seem like a practical application to me at all. Maybe I just don't get it?


Parenting Beyond Belief
On Raising Ethical caring Kids Without Religion
ed. Dale McGowan

Interesting essays. I found that the editor, Dale McGowan had the most intelligent and even-handed views on the various topics discussed. A decent read but mostly common sense ideas, nothing ground-shaking.

The Calder Game
by Blue Balliett

Another artist mystery. This time someone has stole an Alexander Calder sculpture. A good intro to an artist we haven't paid much mind to before. While the books by Blue Balliet become a bit formulaic by the third, it was still a fun read.