Raise your hand if you are worried about your kids having too much screen time! Raise both hands if you are even more worried about screen time now that most schools are doing virtual learning! This past year has brought us more screen time than ever before. From virtual schooling and virtual holidays to less options for entertainment outside the home, there has probably never been a time when we have used screens as much as we have lately. For parents who are worried, we wanted to share our favorite books about screen time to help come up with a plan as as family.
Category Archives: Full Grown Bookworms
Book Themed Candles for the Bookworm in Your Life
Picture your favorite reading spot. What makes it special? What helps you settle in for an afternoon of relaxing and reading? Today I am thrilled to share a list of amazing book themed candles that will transport you to your favorite reading nook, or even to your favorite literary places. These make great gifts for bookworms too!
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Why Teens Should Watch Hamilton
Hamilton is coming to Disney+ and I don’t know about you, but I am excited! Whether you are a Broadway fan or not, chances are you know about the show and may even know some of the songs. And now we all have a chance to see the original cast perform it together. I will definitely be watching it, and I think there are lots of reasons why teens should watch Hamilton too!
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New & Unique Harry Potter Gifts
I am a huge Harry Potter fan. I vividly remember when my sister got me interested in the books, and I rushed home from school to keep reading them. Since then, I have reread the series and watched the movies over and over again. I still love the magic world that JK Rowling created. My daughter isn’t old enough to read the books yet, but she already knows who Harry Potter is. I decided to gather some fun new Harry Potter gifts and books that are perfect for bringing a little magic to your holidays.
Standard Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission from purchases you make through the links in this post. I received copies of some of these books and products in exchange for my honest review. These are marked with an *. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Harry Potter: A Hogwarts Christmas Pop-Up*
By Insight Editions
This magical trip to Hogwarts at the holidays is a large pop up Advent calendar. Opening the book opens a large pop-up Christmas tree. Underneath the tree, there are 26 boxes in the book. The first box contains a booklet sharing details of Christmas at Hogwarts, as well as explanations of the 25 ornaments hidden in the other 25 boxes. Throughout December, kids can open a box a day and add Harry Potter themed ornaments to the pop up tree in the center. This is a fun way to bring the Hogwarts magic to your home every Christmas.
Credit to Insight Editions
Harry Potter: Exploring Hogwarts: An Illustrated Guide*
Written by Jody Revenson
This illustrated guide takes readers on a deep dive into the iconic places around the magical school of witchcraft and wizardry. Each page features colorful illustrations, photo stills and quotes from the movies, and tons of behind the scenes facts about the school and it’s grounds. Fans of the books and the movies will love revisiting their favorite magic school, and learning facts about the incredible details included in the movie sets.
Harry Potter Crochet
Untold Histories: Stuff I Wish I Had Learned in School
In my experience, there are two types of people in this world-the people who are thrilled to have left their school years behind them, and the ones who get nostalgic for school supplies come September. I am in the latter category. If I had unlimited resources, I would still be in college, collecting degrees and making all the young-ens wonder who the crazy old lady is in the back of the room. Sadly, being a lifelong college student is expensive, and I am not a character on Community.
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Instead, I must settle for continuing my education via a steady stream of fun but informative books. My personal taste for non-fiction is wide, but I have a special place in my heart for books that tell the tales I wish I had learned in school. Untold histories. While not necessarily secrets, these stories are the ones that our teachers didn’t have time to relay to us. These stories, the ones that don’t fit within a public-school curriculum, are usually the most entertaining.
In case you, like me, are secretly wishing you were heading to Target for a bunch of pens and spiral notebooks, I collected a few of my favorite “hey, I never knew that!” books about untold histories for you to peruse. Don’t worry, there will absolutely not be a test on this.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Written by Rebecca Skloot
This book has already appeared on a list of mine, but I love it so much I need to recommend it again. Henrietta Lacks, a poor woman from the south, died from cancer decades ago but has had a greater impact on modern medicine than just about anyone else in the world. The story of her cells, dubbed HeLa cells, is an engrossing tale of scientific breakthroughs, patients’ rights, and a family’s legacy. With all Henrietta has done for us, we owe it to her to know her story.
The Black Hand
Written by Stephan Talty
Police investigations have come a long way in the last century. And a lot of those advancements can be traced back to Joe Petrosino. Dubbed the “Italian Sherlock Homes”, Petrosino was a pioneer in the fight against organized crime in America, with his innovative investigative techniques still being practiced today by law enforcement agencies. Petrosino’s most infamous cases involved the Black Hand, an insidious organization that targeted Italian Immigrants in crimes that ranged from extortion, bombings, and kidnapping. It is impossible to put down this fascinating tale of the lengths one man is willing to go to bring evil doers to justice.
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America
Written by Erik Larson
It might be obvious by now, but I am a big fan of true crime. However, I know that it is not everyone’s cup of tea. But if you are thinking of dipping your toe into this fascinating genre, The Devil in the White City is a great place to start. Part history, part thriller, this book takes you back to 1893 and the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Known for the first appearance of Pabst Blue Ribbon, Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix and Juicy Fruit gum, the exposition is most often remembered for the crimes of H.H. Holmes and his infamous “Murder Castle”. Balancing the sinister details of Holmes’ crimes with the magic of the World’s Fair, The Devil in the White City is the kind of story you wish you had read in history class.
Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race
When Reality is Stranger than Fiction: 5 Must Read Memoirs
I have such a respect for people willing to relive their most painful, embarrassing and awkward moments for the rest of us to enjoy. Writing about the exploits of a fictional character could almost be considered easy compared to compiling moments you might prefer to forget in a neat little package for others to dissect and examine. If these authors are brave enough to gift us with pieces of their history, we owe it to them to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Check out some of my favorite must read memoirs below and take a trip down someone else’s memory lane.
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The Glass Castle: A Memoir
Written by Jeannette Walls
The Walls family are nomads, traveling the country in search of a place to call home. Jeannette’s father Rex is an unstable alcoholic. But he is also a charming, brilliant man who promises his children that one day they will find the perfect place to build their “Glass Castle”. Her mother Rose finds more fulfillment painting and writing than of taking care of her children. Packing up and leaving every time Rex loses a job, Jeannette and her siblings spent their childhood relying on each other for strength and support. Jeannette’s story of family loyalty and tenacity will inspire anyone who feels like they need a little more gumption in their lives.
Let’s Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir
Written by Jenny Lawson
This book is the sole reason that my sister regularly sends me pictures of giant metal chickens she sees for sale, threatening to leave one on my front porch. (I swear, it will make sense if you read it). I previously recommended Jenny’s second book, Furiously Happy, in my resolution booklist. But I would be remiss if I didn’t encourage you to check out her first book, Let’s Pretend this Never Happened. Filled with hilarious anecdotes from her rural Texas childhood, her time as an HR employee, and her journey to blogging stardom, Jenny never shies away from the awkward, embarrassing or downright insane details of her life. Jenny’s humor and irreverence will make anyone feel better about their own embarrassing moments. It may also inspire you to find the hilarity in your own life.
Related Post: Read Your Way to Resolution Success
Where Am I Now?: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame
Kick Off Your Summer Reading with These Books!
I’ve never really subscribed to the notion of certain books being “beach reads”. My summer reading list has always run the gamut. From classics assigned for school to tense thrillers, I’ve never felt the need to limit my warm weather reads to a certain genre. However, I will concede that, just as some books are better on a dark and stormy night, some are meant to be enjoyed with the sun beating down on you and a cool drink in your hand. Check out my recommendations below to toss in your beach bag or place next to your deck chair.
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If you are still talking about how much you loved Gone Girl, try The Woman in the Window: A Novel
by A.J. Finn
Gone Girl has inspired a lot of copycats since its publication in 2012. While many have tried to replicate its mystery and twists, few have been able to capture the magic. Until now. The Woman in the Window tells the story of Anna Fox, a solitary recluse who is unable to leave her New York City home. She spends her days day drinking and spying on the neighbors. While indulging in her inner voyeur, she sees something shocking. Or at least that’s what she thinks. With plenty of tension and surprises, The Woman in the Window is a great option for someone who wants to dig their teeth into a great thriller, or anyone who has seen Rear Window a few too many times.
If comedic mysteries are more your speed, try Where’d You Go, Bernadette: A Novel
by Maria Semple
Bernadette Fox has disappeared. After being ambushed with an intervention at the hands of her husband and law enforcement officers, she vanishes without a trace. Her 15-year-old daughter, Bee, begins to explore Bernadette’s history, hoping to discover how her mother went from a a MacArthur Genius Grant recipient to a shut-in who accidentally (or possibly intentionally) destroyed the neighbor’s living room. Bernadette’s story will appeal to anyone who has taken a step back from their life and asked, “How did I get here?” Try to read it before the adaptation staring Cate Blanchette arrives in August. (I am sure it will be great, but I always recommend reading the book before seeing the movie).
Related Post: Like This? Read This! Books to Read Based on Your Favorite Shows
If you like true stories that seem stranger than fiction, try Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup
John Carreyrou
If you are like me, you may have missed a lot of the Theranos story when it first broke a few years ago. It wasn’t until watching
The Inventor
How to Make Parenting a Game
As a parent, we have all had those times when we are face to face with our kids and we realize that the next words can have a huge outcome on the situation. Whether you are facing a possible argument, a new fear, or a total meltdown, you know that what you say next matters. Sometimes when my daughter and I are facing off it almost feels like time freezes. I can glimpse the two roads ahead of me. One way leads to peace and happiness while the other leads to anger and frustration for both of us. I want to reach for the happy route more often, so I am always looking for ways to make parenting fun. Luckily, I had the opportunity to check out a new parenting book that is changing the way I parent and leading to more happy days.
Standard Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission from purchases you make through the links in this post. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
How to Make Parenting Fun
In the book, the author shows how this can be used in all kinds of situations. Whether she was using a game to get her picky toddler to drink more fluids, or using math and bar graphs to handle an oatmeal explosion in the kitchen, she shows how thinking outside the box can help the whole family to be happier and more helpful. While the stories are loosely based on her family, there are some that are taken right from her own experiences. Some of these even include postscript notations and updates from later on in life.
How This Book Changed My Parenting
Within a few chapters of this book, I was already inspired by the author’s creative approach to parenting. I found myself taking a step back when my daughter and I were heading towards an argument. She has been struggling with cleaning up her toys lately, and we were often arguing about it. After reading this book, I decided to try making it a game. I asked her which of us she thought would be able to pick up more toys. Her eyes lit up and she charged into cleaning, laughing and gleefully teasing me about how much she was cleaning. While we have still had occasions where she doesn’t want to clean and we butt heads, this has helped more often than not.
Related Post: Learning in Your Neighborhood
I have found myself using this technique in lots of situations now. From cleaning up to avoiding small arguments, this change in mindset has definitely changed the way I handle daily parenting decisions. Plus, the stories in the book are just fun and inspirational to read. I definitely recommend this book for parents, whether new or experienced. You will not only gain a great perspective on parenting, but will get ideas for bringing more fun to your household.
Do you use a similar mindset in your home? Share in the comments below!
4 Books to Help You Through a Divorce
Reading is important for everyone, not just your kids. I have previously talked about the importance of reading for yourself,. And I have also shared some of the books that have helped me and shaped my life. Today, I decided to take a more personal route and share 4 books that helped me through a dark period. From learning to forgive to finding joy and happiness for yourself, these are great books to help through a divorce.
Standard Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission from purchases you make through the links in this post. I received copies of some of these books in exchange for my honest review. These are marked with an *. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Divorce is horrible. Even if you have an amicable divorce and you remain friends, divorce is still the end of a great dream you had envisioned. It gets even messier if you don’t get along, you have kids, or you are escaping from an abusive relationship. Unfortunately my divorce falls into the second category. I am finally coming out of the other side of the darkness, so I wanted to share some of the books that helped me overcome the most difficult period of my life.
Breaking Bonds: How to Divorce an Abuser and Heal—A Survival Guide
Written by Rosemary Lombardy
For those on the outside, divorce is the dissolution of a marriage. A piece of paper. For those living through it, it can consume your life. This book is a guide for those thinking about, or going through, a divorce. While it is framed for women divorcing an abusive man, it contains important tips and advice for all women seeking a divorce. From recognizing abuse and deciding to file, to battling in court, and recovering in the aftermath, this book is a crucial guide for those escaping a bad marriage.
What I really liked about this book is that the author focuses on you. The first half of the book helps the reader to recognize the signs of abuse and how to prepare. However, she also spends a lot of time reminding you that you are important. You deserve love and happiness. You will come out the other side of this a stronger, happier individual and your children will be better off. Some of her points actually made me put the book down and let the reality wash over me as I recognized some of the signs of my own relationship.
She also focuses on the importance of self care and taking care of yourself during a divorce. A lengthy legal battle can wreak havoc on you and on your health, and she takes care to prepare you for that, so you are at your best while fighting for your life. The back of the book contains tons of resources and recommended books. These range from help with finances and legal advice to domestic violence and substance abuse. Whether you feel like you are in an abusive marriage or not, I definitely recommend this book to all women suffering through a divorce.
The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World
Like This? Read This! Books to Read Based on Your Favorite Shows
There are sometimes when I think my Netflix subscription is just an expensive way for me to binge watch my favorite shows repeatedly. Honestly at this point I should have just bought The Office on DVD. I would have saved a ton of money by now. But we go back to our favorites for a reason. Because it is comforting to fall back into old patterns and revisit old themes. With that in mind, when looking for a new book to jump into, it can be helpful to look back to the things you already enjoy. Take a look at the list below to see what book matches up to your favorite show.
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If you love Supernatural … try Jackaby by William Ritter
