Tag Archives: recommended read

The Cow That Laid An Egg by Andy Cutbill and Russell Ayto

I have admitted before that I always judge a book by it’s cover, and it’s even more true with children’s books. I mean really, the illustrations are at least half the package right? These books are practically begging you to judge by their covers, you woudn’t want to ignore an illistators best efforts now would you?

But sometimes those old sayings turn out to be true.

If you were like me a judged by the cover you would have left passed this book over and sighed when your kids dragged it home from the library the first time.

Then after  having brought it home from the library multiple times and read it 5,789 times you would also have to admit to being completely and totally wrong.

The illustrations may not be exactly what I’m drawn to but there are bicycle riding cows, not to mention an egg laying one…

…the phrase “…an almighty commotion in the barnyard…” which is a good phrase if I’ve ever heard it.

And there are “crafty chickens” I personally have never met a crafty chicken but I like the idea of them anyway.

A super fun book and clearly one of Clara’s favorites!

The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Once upon a time things were much different around here. I had one dog who liked to sleep all day, no job, a new husband who worked first shift and on this particular day a good book.  I woke up early to kiss my hard working husband goodbye, layed down on the couch ( we don’t have one of those anymore either) and started reading The Time Travelers Wife. Many hours later he got home from work and I was still laying on the couch saying “shhh don’t talk I only have a few pages left!” Ever since when ever this book comes up John tells about how he went to work with my reading it on the couch and how I was still there when he came home.  Which is clearly ridiculous, I’m sure I got up to eat and pee at least once while he was gone.

I just re-read this book and while circumstances have changed (two crazy dogs, three kids, husband on second shift and no couch) it took me two days to read this time and I still loved it.

Clara is sleeping on the chair downstairs tonight because the thunder keeps getting in her ears.

Would I recommend it? For certain. I know there is a movie out there. I’m never watching it. The book is perfect. Don’t see the movie, read the book.

I Am Too Absolutely Small For School by Lauren Child

Ivy has made a very slow transition to crying at the thought of going to school to hesitant excitement about her first day next week. I can’t give this book all the credit for the turn around but it certainly didn’t hurt.

The voice of Lola the little sister who is too small to go to school is so absolutely perfect nothing I say will do her justice. Unfortunately that means that Charlie, her older brother who is the brains of the outfit, gets second billing which is quite unfair, as he’s pretty fantastic too.

Lola has also helped start a few good conversations between Ivy and I about school. For instance tonight after we read about Lola’s invisible friend Soren Lorensen I found out that Ivy’s invisible friend Belle is also going to school next week.  Apparently Belle has been there lots before and knows lots of things already like reading and chemistry. Ivy thinks Belle will be good company on the bus on the way to school but when I asked if Belle could help her remember where her classroom was since she’s been in school before I got the look. The look that says “Uh Mom. Belle is pretend, why would I ask her things?” Which I find to be quite convenient because Belle has a tenancy to encourage Ivy to do all sorts of naughty things.  Ivy’s defense of “But Belle TOLD me to.” never crumbles to the “Uh Ivy. Belle is pretend why are you listening to her” look I give Ivy. Apparently I’ve got to work on my “looks.”

Would I recommend this? Absolutely! It makes it into the catagory of books I make my adult friends read even if there are no kids around because I think it is so great!

Press Here by Hervé Tullet

Months ago we got this book from the library and while I know my lovely assistant and book connoisseur in the picture may not look like she enjoyed it let me assure you she did. We read it over, and over, and over, and over…

It was so simple you just…Then you watch what happens…Follow directions…And watch how the dots change…So simple…So fun!Would I recommend it? Yes, it was a surprisingly fun book – at least the first thirty times!

The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay

Twelve years ago John and I were dating and I was in the hospital recovering from a surgery, doped up on painkillers. John came to visit me every day I was there and one night he rounded up a TV and VCR and brought in one of his favorite movies for us to watch – The Power of One. Sadly due to all those painkillers I have a vivid memory of John sitting by my bed holding my hand, a vague memory of a TV showing up and absolutely no recollection of the movie. Nothing. Nada. In fact it doesn’t matter how many times John has told me over the last twelve years that I have seen the movie, I still don’t remember it.

Two months ago I brought home a book a friend had lent us saying it was a good “guy read” and I should give it to John. I dutifully passed the message on to John telling him it was “something about power of one?” Which then spurred on the same discussion we have repeated over the last twelve years about how I have seen that movie, and I say I don’t remember any of it and he says he loves it… yada, yada, yada.

But now our conversation has changed because now I’ve read the book and he remembers the movie and I can say things like, “What do you mean the movie doesn’t have Hoppie in it?!” Which is far better than the I still don’t remember the movie conversation we had been having.

Would I recommend it? Yes.  This is a good “guy book” in a way that isn’t just shooting people, running around and blowing stuff up.  It should also be mention that while I am distinctly not a guy myself, I thoroughly enjoyed it and have recommended it to other not guys. Although my girlyness probably came out when the boxing made me cringe, I can’t help it, I’m not a guy.

Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

This book is, among other things, about ultra-marathoners.

Ultra-marathons are nuts.

You’d have to be crazy to run for 100 miles/24 hours/forever.

Crazy people make for very interesting reading!

In addition to the stories about crazy people this book contains a lot of talk about the evils of shoes.

Since I have always believed in the evils of shoes it was fun and fascinating to read something that had some facts to back up my feelings.

Would I recommend this book? Yes. I believe it would be an interesting read even for a non-runner – you know, like me.

The Abbess of Crewe by Muriel Spark

Words of wisdom from the Abbess of Crewe:

On saying grace – “Oh, it isn’t necessary… there’s nothing wrong with my food.”

“Only the beautiful should make love when they are likely to be photographed.”

“I love you so dearly, Winifrede, that I could eat you were it not for the fact that I can’t bear suet pudding.”

In answer to the question what are scenarios. – “They are an art-form, based on facts. A good scenario is a garble. A bad one is a bungle. They need not be plausible, only hypnotic, like good art.”

“A Lady is cheerful and accommodating when dealing with the perpetrators of a third-rate burglary; but a Bourgeoise calls the police.”

Would I recommend it? The book is only six chapters long so if an abbey full of plotting nuns, electronics, scandal, blackmail, and English poetry sounds amusing or interesting go ahead and pick it up. I’m thinking that it must at least sound interesting so you’d better go read it… it’s only SIX chapters after all, and tell me what you think!

Don’t forget to stop by and see what Simon and Harriet have to say about Spark this week too.

I read that Muriel Spark is like the J.D. Salinger of the U. K. read in schools and the whole nine yards. I’d never heard of her before, how about you?