Siesta Key

 For my fortieth birthday, Lance sent Julie, my friend of twenty-seven years, and I to Siesta Key, Florida.  We had a week of sunshine, white sand beaches, yummy seafood, and rest. It was the best gift I have ever been given. . . my husband is the bomb!

My beach reading list:

A Long Walk: The true story of a trek to freedom by Slavomir Rawicz.  One of my high school students highly recommended this book.  Since I love to know what boys read, I grabbed it.  I started this book at the airport and soon discovered it was not a "beach read".  I set the book aside and finished it when I got home.  Set in 1941, it is the story of a Polish man who with six fellow prisoners escapes from a Soviet labor camp - in Siberia.  They walk thousands of miles by foot to British India - a fascinating tale.  I was captivated by the men in the story and their endurance, compassion and remarkable strength. A must read. . . .

61 Hours by Lee Child.  Reading a Lee Child book is one of my guilty pleasures.  The newest book in his Jack Reacher series did not disappoint.  Set in a blizzard in South Dakota, it was the perfect beach read.  My only question. . . . (and it is haunting me) did Lee kill Jack????

Shadow Baby by Allison McGhee.   FABULOUS book.  This is the story of eleven year old, Clara winter (spelled with a lower case - she has her reasons. . . .).  I laughed and even cried.  I don't want to give the story away:   Loved Clara, loved the old man,  loved this book. . .

Spirit of the Marathon

I secretly love indie, documentaries and foreign films. My netflix queue is full of such titles I never watch. . . why? Because it is also full of kids movies, family films and tv series the family wants to watch. Last week, we got this disc from netflix (I know, I know, I am WAY behind the times. . .) that allows us to stream movies instantly through our Wii. The first movie I picked was one of my documentaries - "The Spirit of the Marathon". It follows 6 people from all walks of life training for the Chicago marathon. Watching, I was moved to tears several times. . . I walked my first (and I swore only) marathon in Portland in 2008. It was an amazing experience and watching this film made me want to run, well, anything. . .

In an attempt to see better fitness results, I started running this past spring. I. Hate. Running. I want to like it, but so far, I don't. This movie has given me hope. I am going to continue to run, continue to persevere, continue to dream of running an endurance race. . . Put this movie in your queue and let me know what it inspires you to achieve.

Duck! Rabbit!

I just received a shipment of books in the library (like Christmas!!) and this wonderful picture book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal was in the box. I ordered it because it is up for a major award in Colorado.

As I was reading this book to third grade last week, I looked up to see several high school students listening. That's when I know I have a winner. The kids (of all ages) loved this book. A great read aloud for home or the library. During library time, we discussed how easy it is to look at a situation and read it two different ways. Very applicable to friendships and relationships, especially this time of year. So, what do you see when you look at the image - a duck or a rabbit??

Justice

It has been awhile since I have posted. . . still reading like crazy, so I'm back. . .

I have been pondering social justice, loving well and my role in it all. So I thought I would share some of what I have been reading on that subject. I also have a HUGE stack of new YA titles by my side of the bed, but that will have to wait for another day.

Social Justice Reading List:

Isaiah 58 - the Bible has quite a bit to say about loving well and living a just life. I have been reading through the gospels (Luke this year) and just read this chapter in Isaiah. Read it. Then read it again and again. It will get you thinking.

Quaker Summer by Lisa Samson - I am not typically a fan of Christian fiction. I find the plots boring, the characters sappy and the stories completely unrealistic. Then I read this book, it was thought provoking and real. I am looking forward to exploring more written by this author.

Love Mercy by Lisa Samson - My friend Leslie recommended this title (yes, it is the same author as above). I devoured this book. It is the story of a suburban housewife who begins to explore the issues of social justice. The first part of the book is her very open and real struggle as her family begins to move in a new direction. The second part of the book is the story of her and her daughter's journey to Africa - visiting AIDS patients and orphans. This book was so deeply personal for me that it is almost hard to write about. If this topic is of interest to you - add this book to your reading list.

Justice in the Burbs by Will and Lisa Samson - again by the same authors. Will and Lisa, parents of three, had the typical suburban life - huge house, nice cars, private school for their kids. God began to move them out of that life into a life of inner-city community and service to others. This is the story of their journey, as well as a guide for others longing to live a just life (even in the burbs). This title makes me laugh because the burbs would be inner-city for me. . . but it has been thought provoking as I look for ways to use my time and resources to serve those in inner-city small town. The needs are there, am I willing?

Enough: Contentment in an age of Excess by Will Samson - I have not read this yet, but it is on my list. . .


Crazy Love - by Francis Chan - working my way slowly through this book and have been listening to his sermons online. He constantly speaks out about justice and how we use our time, money and ourselves to serve God by serving others.


The Road of Lost Innocence by Somaly Mam - Warning: this is one of the most difficult books I have read this year. The first night I read it, I had nightmares. It is the story of a young girl sold into the sex slave trade in Cambodia. After ten years, she escapes and dedicates her life to rescuing other girls. She has exposed the human trafficking trade in Asia and works tirelessly to rescue and rehabilitate young girls (some as young as five years old). This is a story that needs to be told and needs to be heard.


14 Cows for America by Kimeli Naiyomah - this is a children's book about a young African man living in NYC during 9/11. He returns to his village in Kenya and tells the story of our hurting nation. He seeks to give something that has great meaning, so he gives his cow, which equal life and wealth in his tribe. Others follow suit and the village gives 14 cows to America. I read this book aloud in the library this week. It is a beautiful story. My students were captivated. For students in a ranching community, this story had great meaning. My favorite quote from the book: " Because there is no nation so powerful, it cannot be wounded, nor a people so small they cannot offer mighty comfort." Beautiful. . .