What I've been reading

I've been on a World War II kick lately. Before that it was Amish, and before that it was pretty much anything by Francine Rivers. Once I find an author I like, I pretty much read everything they've written.

There is a lady in my water aerobics class who I run into at the library every once in a while. Once she'd locked her keys in her car so I gave her a ride home and made sure she was able to get into her house. We talked about books all the way to her house. She brought a book she thought I would like to then next water aerobics class and that's what got me started on this recent reading rampage.

Sarah's Key - the saddest story I've read in a long time. It's historical fiction. While the characters in the story are not real, the sad history of it is. I got fancy this time and linked all the books to review sites or interviews.

After reading Sarah's Key I looked up World War II on my Kindle. Clara's War popped up next. I was craving a true story. This one is incredible. Click the book to see a real youtube interview by Clara.

The Kindle always gives book suggestions: Those who read Clara's War also read Gertruda's Oath. Another amazing true story.

Click on the book to see a real Youtube interview from the little Michael who is now a man.

I took a break from reading for a while and then a friend gave me this one to borrow. I'm about half way through and loving it too.

So, what are you reading these days??

babies and books

Because every time I get the camera out she wants her picture taken and she's a cutie.

This one is getting so big! Almost 10 months old :(

Look at those long legs hanging out of that highchair! She and I were rocking at 2:30 this morning (she's been working on 5 teeth - makes for lovely late-night rocking sessions). She's fills up my arms and my lap now. I'm grateful for these days of more sleep, but I do treasure those middle-of-the-night feeding sessions when she would tuck her knees up under her chest and her little bootie fit right into the palm of my hand.

And how about a book review :)

This one will put you to sleep every night. Hudson loves it though!

There are several in this series. We checked out four and Hudson has been reading them to Pierce and Alayna in the mornings while I make breakfast.

At Adelle's 9 month appointment the doctor said, "You're reading to her aren't you?" Oh yeah! We should be doing that huh?! The happy baby books are my favorite and hers too. She can identify several objects already, like "cup" and "ball".

Book Review

We take a trip to the library once a week and check out a few hundred books and five movies (that's our limit). I pile them all in my Akins tote bag that I got for free somewhere. It's pretty handy. I usually carry Adelle on one hip and cart the books around on the other arm. By the time we leave I'm usually sweaty and out of breath, but we're in pretty good shape for the rest of the week.

My kids have always loved to be read to, but since Hudson is reading so well these days, I usually have him read to Pierce and Alayna. We recently found these graphic novel history stories and he LOVES them! Our library has lots of them and I grab a handful every time. They're written sort-of like a comic book with lots of pictures. Be careful on your choices. I learned that this time when I grabbed a handful and one of them was about the Donner Party - that's the story where they get stuck in the mountains and eat each other (might not be appropriate for a six-year-old!). Thankfully this was one of the stories David read to the boys and he's good at editing!. The anniversary of the California Gold Rush is February 28 and I was way excited to find that story!

This one is just fun and there are lots of these. You can spot things in the town or in the house or in the sea. The list is long. My four year old loved this one. It's great for counting and for something to do while the big brother is doing math an the teacher is occupied!