June's Books

• The Tygrine Cat, by Inbali Iserles
• Fire, by Kristin Cashore
• Graceling, by Kristin Cashore
• The Liar's Club, by Mary Karr
• Maurice, by E. M. Forster
• Another Fine Myth, by Robert Asprin
• 30 Lessons for Living, by Karl Pillemer
• Sir Balin the Ill-Fated, by Gerald Morris
• Living with Enza, by Mark Honigsbaum
• Full Tilt, by Dervla Murphy

Not really writing much

I know it's been a long time since I wrote something for real.  It's not that I don't have anything to say.  I have a lot to say, but either I'm saying it over on my caringbridge site, or I'm too tired to get it down here.

I could write about our recent quick jaunt to Breckenridge, or about the crazy hot weather and insane fires in Colorado, including one that has  had our house smokey for weeks, even though it's miles away. (And what it's like to have a kid with asthma with this terrible air quality)

I could write about how my illness and treatment have affected our homeschooling and parenting.

I could reflect on similarities and differences between this and the serious health issues my own mother dealt with when I was a child (and continues to deal with today).

I could write about my opinions on ObamaCare, and health care in general, especially in light of my ongoing experience in the medical system. 

I could write about how pain undermines your ability to stay sane or get anything done. 

I could write about how having our foster care kittens has been a blessing, even if it is a bit messy.

I could rough out an idea I have for a poster I want that demonstrates the relationships between Fibonacci numbers, Pythagoras triangle, and Lucas numbers. (Which also reminds me of a vocal exercise my choir did... a bit random, I know)

Oooh... I could post pictures of our foster kitties.  Now that would almost be worth the effort.

My goodness.  There's so much to write about, but instead I'm going to bed.

May's Books

Apparently surgery put a dent in my reading.  Only 3 books in May?

• Mindset, by Carol S. Dweck
• A Gathering of Days, by Joan W. Blos
• Here's Looking at Euclid, by Alex Bellos

Social Justice Book lists

One of the things I enjoy as a parent is ensuring that my children integrate our values into the whole of their lives.  I just found a great book list that will help me do that.

Teaching for Change has some wonderful chilldrens' book lists that promote cross-cultural understanding and social justice.  I recognize many of the books listed here, and look forward to reading some new finds.

Go check it out and let me know what you think.

April's Books

• The Scorpio Races, by Maggie Stiefvater
• Places I Never Meant to be, edited by Judy Blume
• What the Dormouse Said, Lessons for Grown-ups from Children's Books, by Amy Gash
• Steve Jobs, by Walter Isaacson
• Suck Your Stomach In & Put Some Color On, by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson
• Make the Bread Buy the Butter, by Jennifer Reese
• The Kazdin Method for Parenting the Defiant Child, by Alan E. Kazdin

Ah... how nice to have had some time and energy to read some books this month.  Maggie Stiefvater is always wonderful, and The Scorpio Races didn't disappoint.  While at least one of the stories in Places I Never Meant to Be was disturbing enough I'd rather not have read it, I'm glad I read the other stories.  The bibliography of What the Dormouse Said gave me lots of more children's books to explore.  Steve Jobs was a fascinating peak in to Silicone Valley as well as into the mind of an intensely creative and driven person.  Make the Bread, Buy the Butter had so many good recipes I may need to buy it, or at least check it out again.  Suck Your Stomach in... had much less healthy recipes, but a lot of humor and southern insight.  The Kazdin Method didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, but 1 dud out of 7 isn't bad!