About Carmen

Wife, mother, and avid reader

The Little Boy & the Library Book

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Carmen

There once was a little boy who loved going to the library. Whenever his mama drove into the parking lot, he would yell out “Library! Books!” Each week his mama would pick out new books for him to read.

This particular week, she chose Lucy Cousins’ Noah’s Ark.

It was a big hit.

After reading the book approximately 20 times the first day, the little boy wanted to sleep with his book. After his mama said no (because mama knew how little boy liked to rip pages), he could be heard wailing, “Noah!” from his crib.

And the next day, he proceeded to carry his beloved book around all day.

I don’t know why David is fascinated with this book, but I thought I’d share it. It’s simple, colorful, but not totally accurate biblically (if you’re being picky- there’s nothing glaringly wrong). Now I need to go hide it before David wakes up from his nap and wants me to read it. Again. For the one hundredth time. Just kidding. I don’t hide books. (Although I did hide David’s baby book because I wanted it to last until at least his second birthday.)

Our Favorite Books as a Couple (none of which are about marriage)

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Carmen

Well, I’m getting old. Josiah and I have been married 5 years, today. I’m so thankful to be married to this guy! In honor of our anniversary, I thought I’d share some of the books we’ve read together. And no, they are not marriage books.

Currently we are reading Little House on the Prairie. We just finished the Little House in the Big Woods.

Before that, we read through C.S. Lewis’s entire Chronicles of Narnia – The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Magician’s Nephew, etc.

We also LOVE Roald Dahl, but I’m not sure exactly which ones we’ve read together. I know we’ve done Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG, and James and the Giant Peach.

I’m glad Josiah doesn’t think reading aloud is just for kids.

Why I Read (in case you need a reason)

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Carmen

Sometimes I get to thinking about reading. And me. And really, why do I read so much? And, why does that sometimes make me feel silly? For example, when someone asks me about my hobbies, I uh, list some more socially-acceptable ones like “cooking, hiking . . . ” and then tag on “and reading” at the end. If I were being completely honest, I should list reading at the beginning.

I think some of it has to do with comments I often hear – “Oh, I like reading, but I just can’t seem to find the time.” Hmm. I think that makes me feel like only lame, un-busy people read. Ha. I read. And I make time for it. If I don’t give myself sufficient reading time over a long period of time, I get grouchy.

I read because I want to relax.

Think.

Be by myself, but be around characters and people and new places and new thoughts.

Learn something.

Hear someone’s story.

Put my life into the broader picture.

Laugh.

A lot of my reading right now has to do with reading the same 5 board books over and over and over again to my little boy.

Josiah does a lot of reading too. (This is how I caught them a couple of months ago when Josiah was supposed to be putting David in bed.)

New to Perennial Gardening?

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Carmen

: Hindrik S / Nature Photos / CC BY-NC-SA

I am beyond ready for spring. Last weekend I started getting my flower beds ready, and soon I want to buy some pansies and perhaps some perennials. I hope that this year David won’t pick all my flowers off.

Here’s a book I’ve found helpful: The Perennial Care Manual – A Plant-by-Plant Guide: What to Do & When to Do It by Nancy J. Ondra

I love how the book is organized – there is a plant reference section that contains tips for each season. For example, there is an iris section that explains what to do in the spring, summer, and fall/winter – just for irises. She includes information for 125 perennials, plus other information such as pest control and propagation. I love perennials and I seem to collect them from many people, but I don’t always know what to do with them. (And the photos are helpful for when I get a plant from someone and they don’t know the name of it!)

Happy Spring!

2 Recent Reads

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Carmen

I just wanted to share two books that I finished recently – Witchel’s All Gone, and Cain’s Quiet. I don’t have time to write a full review on either, since I really should be working on my sermon for Sunday (AAAHH!), but I wanted to at least note them.

allgone All Gone: A Memoir of My Mother’s Dementia, With Refreshments by Alex Witchel: This book especially interested me since our family is experiencing something similar. I haven’t read any books on dementia, so I appreciated the nuggets of information surrounded by story. I love hearing and reading people’s stories. And I love food! I enjoyed the recipes Witchel shared from her mother’s kitchen . . spinach kugel, anyone? (I’m not sure what spinach kugel is, but I have never gone wrong with spinach).

quiet Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. Wow. This is incredible to read, even if you don’t consider yourself an introvert. I am very much an introvert and I found it empowering to read Cain’s research and work. I loved the combination of information/research and personal stories. I think I would like to read or listen to this again at some point, because the 2-week library loan was not long enough for me to fully absorb the goodness.

Are you reading anything interesting?

Photo credit: moriza / Foter.com / CC BY

Easter Books for Children (minus the bunnies)

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Carmen

easterbooks copy

Want to read an Easter book to your child, without all the bunnies? I do love bunnies (we have a pet rabbit!), but there is more to Easter. Here are some of my favorites:

The Easter Story- Patricia Pingry: This board book is a keeper. With simple pictures and simple message, it is perfect for the toddler in your life. (I was slightly disappointed by the way the illustrator depicted everyone’s skin as very white. . . Jesus lived in the Middle East!)

The Tale of the Three Trees – Angela Hunt: I love that this book tells the story in a different way – through the perspective of three trees (there is a different board book version of this book that David enjoys).

Let’s Celebrate Jesus on Easter – Amy Beveridge: David loves this board book. The book doesn’t tell the biblical account, but it talks about different traditions and how Jesus is greater. Here’s an example: “On Easter I will hunt for eggs, but Jesus never has to hunt for me – he always knows right where I am.”

Benjamin’s Box – Melody Carlson:

David is too young for this one, but I could see myself using this in the future with Resurrection Eggs. The story is told through the eyes of Benjamin, a Jewish boy who watches the events of Passion Week unfold. He fills his box with the same symbols as are in the resurrection eggs. (By the way, it is super-easy to make your own Resurrection Eggs – plenty of tutorials for that!)

The First Easter – Carol Heyer Beautiful summary of the story of Jesus’ life and final days on earth. (And yes, I felt like the skin tones were more appropriate in this one!)

The Parable of the Lily- Liz Curtis Higgs:

I like the story line, but I don’t enjoy the pictures. I included it here because of the symbolism of the lily bulb and new life. This book does not tell the biblical account, but reading the book can start the discussion.

Do you have any favorite Easter books for children? Please share!

Photo credit: peasap / Foter.com / CC BY

Sold

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Carmen

I found Sold when I was searching for books about human trafficking. I put off reading it because it is fiction, and I wanted to read more personal accounts. I discovered, however, that Patricia McMormick researched extensively before writing. I am glad that I did take the time to read it. And really, it didn’t take that much time; it is a quick (though heavy) read.

As I read Sold, I kept reminding myself This is fiction and that didn’t really happen to Lakshima. But the more I thought about it, I realized that although the details are made-up, the overall story is repeated around the world more often than I would wish.

Lakshima, a 13-year-old girl, lives with her family in the mountains of Nepal. After a series of difficulties, she is sold from person to person, eventually winding up in a brothel in India. McMormick tells Lakshima’s story as a series of vignettes. I love her style. She also handles the topic and events sensitively, but I would still only recommend the book to mature readers. My local library places Sold in the young adult section.

Check out my posts on these related books: I am Nujood, Age 10, and Divorced and The Slave Across the Street.

I’d like to read Forgotten Girls and Slave at some point. (And Patricia McCormick’s other books). I think I will always have a large list of books to read.

But really, its not so much about what I’m reading, or what I want to read. What am I doing with what I know? How am I growing in active compassion?

The End of Your Life Book Club

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Carmen

Yes, I know that that is a strange title. I felt like I had to explain it to everyone who saw what I was reading. No I’m not dying. And no, I’m not starting a book club for people who are dying. But I did love The End of Your Life Book Club. The author, Will Schwalbe, tells the story of his mother’s battle with terminal cancer and her end-of-life-journey with books.

I have not experienced walking with someone through a terminal illness. Most of the people in my life who have died have left suddenly, unexpectedly. So this was an interesting read for me in that regard.

But really, this book is not just about death. Actually, it’s not that much about death, except for the fact that Will’s mother is dying. The main point is books and reading and people who devour books like I do. Will and his mother have a book club – just the two of them – (my kind of book club!! ha!) and they swap books and grow in their mother-son relationship. I had read some of the books that they mentioned, such as The Hobbit and A Thousand Splendid Suns, but others were new to me.

I’m glad I’m not the only crazy person who loves reading. And I’m annoyed that I forgot to copy the list of mentioned books. I’ll have to get it out of the library again.

Going Public

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Carmen

: Paolo Margari / Animals Photos / CC BY-NC-ND

Well, I’ve been fake-blogging for awhile now: trying to figure out wordpress, photoshop, and just what on earth I’m doing (and why!). It is time to get over my jitters and to make my journey public. Hope you enjoy it.

A Slice of India

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Carmen

beautifulfo_o copy

I discovered a new genre I like: narrative nonfiction. This is a great read. (And, by the way, a winner of the 2012 National Book Award.)

Here’s a little of the background: journalist Katherine Boo spends three years learning the stories of people living in the Mumbai undercity of Annawadi. Behind the Beautiful Forevers is the result of her work.

I am very fascinated with India. Even though I love Indian food and I have a sari in my closet, I don’t really know that much about what life is like there. Katherine Boo helped me understand one segment of the Indian population: people living in a makeshift settlement community outside the Mumbai airport. She mostly focuses on the lives of the children and youth, although she does write about the experiences of their parents as well.

You will meet Abdul, a quiet Muslim boy (or man, he doesn’t know his age), who makes his living by serving as a middle-man between the “scavengers” who find pieces of valuable trash and the companies who use the scrap metal. And then there’s Manju, a college student who runs a school in her home for settlement children. I have to mention Fatima, the one-legged woman, who sets herself on fire and starts a series of events that greatly affects Abdul’s family.

It’s hard for me to summarize this book because of all the different stories of all the different families. If you enjoy learning about different cultures or are as fascinated by India as I am, you might want to check it out! For myself, I know that I need to keep reading about places and people that are different than me – in order to grow in compassion and gain perspective.

Photo Credit: VinothChandar / Foter.com / CC BY