Lindsey's Latest Library Loot

 (I apologize for the title of this post, but It's not everyday that you get the opportunity to use such an alliterative phrase.)

1 & 2: Paper and Looking for Alaska by John Green
After reading The Fault in Our Stars, I've been wanting to read more of John Green's writing. (Is it weird that the majority of the novels I've been checking out lately are in the "young adult" genre? And do they really have to plaster that huge, yellow "YA" sticker to the spine of the book?) I started reading Waiting for Alaska last night, and I already can't wait for nap time so that I can keep reading.

3: If I Stay by Gayle Forman
When my friend, Tiffany, was visiting from Houston, we went to see The Fault in Our Stars, and before the movie started, we saw the trailer for "If I Stay". Before it was even over, I whispered to Tiffany, "I wonder if this is a book!" Well, it is, and I'm so glad I was able to read it before seeing the movie. (Who am I kidding? The movie will be on Netflix by the time I have a chance to see it.) I read this book in a few hours, and now I'm pissed because there's a sequel and I had no idea. I'll just have to drag Rory to storytime next week so I can check it out. The book is about a girl who is stuck in between life and death after her whole family dies in a tragic car accident. She must decide if she wants to stay and fight for her life or join her family on the other side. Sounds cheesy, and it is a little, but it's still a good read.

4: Things I Want My Daughters to Know by Elizabeth Berg
I've read several novels by Elizabeth Berg, so I checked this one out without even reading the synopsis because I enjoy her writing style. Turns out it's about a woman who is dying and decides to write her daughters a series of letters before she goes. Sounds depressing. I'll probably cry. Can't wait to read it.

5, 6, & 7: The Digital Mom Handbook .by Audrey McClelland and Colleen Padilla, Blogging for Dummies by Amy Lupold Bair and Susannah Gardner, and Blog INC. by Joy Deangdeelert Cho
I checked these books out because I wanted to learn more about blog design, but I'll be honest, I've barely skimmed through them. When I have time to read, I prefer to read novels, so these have been tossed on the backburner. (In fact, two of them are past due.) My goal is to head to Starbucks one night after Rory is in bed and do some reading. (Preferably before she turns 1.)

8 & 9: Naturally Clean by Jeffrey Hollender and Clean House, Clean Planet by Karen Logan
After writing this blog post last week, I wanted to find out more about homemade cleaning supplies. I wouldn't recommend Naturally Clean unless you want to stay up all night worrying about every single thing in your house and how its negatively impacting your child's development. However, there is a handy chart in the back that lists common  household cleaners, their ingredients, and a "grade" based on their toxicity levels. I love Green House, Clean Planet, and I'm thinking about ordering a copy from Amazon so that I can look up the cleaning recipes on an as-needed basis. The book is very user-friendly and provides natural, homemade recipes for all kinds of cleaners, including all-purpose cleaners, stain removers, jewelry cleaners, and disinfectants. Each recipe also comes with an "effectiveness rating" and a cost comparison between the traditional, store-bought cleaners and the natural, homemade ones.

10 & 11: Happy Baby by Robert W. Sears and Amy Marlow and The Wonder Weeks by Hetty Vanderijt and Frans Plooij 
Happy Baby is full of ideas for introducing healthy foods to your baby/toddler and ensuring that he or she is getting all of the necessary nutrients. It also has some general "green" tips for baby's first year, but most of which I've read before. The Wonder Weeks is an extremely useful book for helping your baby through those major "leaps" or milestones during the first year. It's based on the philosophy that every few weeks your baby goes through a developmental leap, preceded by a "fussy period". After each leap, your baby becomes increasingly independent and confident in their newly-gained skills. I wish I had read this book earlier because I swear, Rory could be a poster child for The Wonder Weeks.I found myself shaking my head and saying things like, "yes!", "totally!", and "So that's why..." aloud as I read. It gives helpful suggestions for helping your baby through the fussy periods and lists games/toys that will help them gain the skills necessary to take each "leap".

Books I Can't Wait to Read to Rory

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm an avid reader. Before Rory was born (Am I the only one that divides all life events into two categories: pre-baby and post-baby?), I visited the library at least once a week.  I'm one of those people that become depressed when I finish a really good book. My husband doesn't allow me to bring books along on road trips anymore because I inevitably end up ignoring him. (I am blessed with the ability to read in the car without feeling sick.)

Needless to say, as a teacher and a book-lover, I understand the importance of introducing children to books as early as possible, and I've been reading to Rory pretty much since the day I found out I was pregnant. Reading classics such as "Goodnight Moon" (who decided this was a good book?) and "Guess How Much I Love You" has become a part of our bedtime routine, along with watching an episode of Dexter. (I apologize in advance for future nightmares.)

As much as I love reading Dr. Seuss and Eric Carle, I can't wait to share some of my favorite books and novels with Rory. I can't wait for the day when we can actually discuss literature, even if we disagree. I learned so much about life from books (thank God for Judy Blume), and I know there will be times when instead of trying to explain something, I will simply hand Rory a book. There are many things I pray for (sleep, a smaller waist, and of course, world peace), but at the top of the list is that Rory will inherit my love for reading. I pray that I will find her under the covers with a book and a flashlight hours past her bedtime because she just couldn't go to bed without finding out how it ends. Of course, I will pretend to be upset, but after I order her to put the book down and go to sleep, I will close her door with a smile on my face.

There are so many books I want to read to/with Rory, but these are the ones that top the list:

Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends



I want Rory to enjoy all genres, including poetry. Shel Silverstein is hilarious, but many of his poems also have a great message.

Anything by Mo Willems



If you haven't discovered Mo Willems yet, run (or drive if you're lazy) to your local bookstore and purchase anything with his name on it. I promise you won't be disappointed. I haven't met a single kid who doesn't enjoy these books. Mo Willems books were often the only books that appealed to my most reluctant readers when I taught kindergarten and first grade.

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, The Sneetches, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Horton Hear a Who, etc. 



Dr. Seuss was a bit crazy, but he was also a bit brilliant. (These two attributes often go hand in hand, don't they?) I don't really care for The Cat in the Hat or Fox in Sox, but I love Seuss' books that are embedded with important life lessons. Is there any better line than, "A person's a person no matter how small"? Brilliant, I tell you!

Julie Andrew's Mandy



This was my favorite book as a child. I must have read it ten times. It's about an orphan girl in England who finds a small, abandoned cottage in the woods and decides to fix it up. A lot more happens, and I don't want to give anything away, but she may or may not end up getting adopted. (Bet you didn't see that one coming!) As predictable as it may be, it's a great feel-good read.

Eleanor Estes' The Hundred Dresses



Because there is no better way to explain the importance of being kind to everyone.

Sharon Creech's Love That Dog



I've read hundreds of books in my 28 years, and this remains my favorite by far. I still cannot get through this book without sobbing. Whether or not you're a dog lover, I challenge you to read this book without shedding a tear. I promise I don't look forward to making my daughter cry, but this book is the epitome of good, powerful writing.

Anything by Roald Dahl



Please don't ask me to pick one book. It's impossible to say one is better than another when it comes to Roald Dahl. I have fond memories of spending hours in my bedroom totally engrossed in The BFG and James and the Giant Peach. Dahl does a great job weaving humor and tragedy into his writing, making it appealing to both children and adults.

Markus Zusak's The Book Thief



I read this book my senior year of college and couldn't put it down. It's set in Europe during WW2 and is narrated by death. If that doesn't hook you, I don't know what will. It's an amazing story and beautifully written. Although tragic and often unfathomable, I think it's important to keep the memories of WW2 alive, lest we forget and history repeats itself.

Anything by Jodi Piccoult 



I went through a period a few years ago when I read about 10 Jodi Piccoult books in 2 months. Needless to say, I felt as though I had a law degree by the time I was finished. I now limit myself to one a year. What I love most about these books is that there are always two sides to the story, which makes for great discussions. Plus, this will help Rory learn the very important lesson that the book is always better than the movie.