Top 10 Recommendations - Bout of Book 12.0

Trees of Reverie is hosting today's challenge. 

The Challenge: You’ve just started to work at a bookstore (or library) - what are your top ten go-to book recommendations?

I'm pretending that I work in a bookstore, perhaps one called The Shop Around the Corner.  I've been asked to put together a collection of 10 books for my customer to take to a literary baby shower.  Here are ten books I'd recommend to start off any child's library.

1. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown simple, repetitive text, gorgeous illustrations that invite children to "read" the pictures.

2. Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale by Martin Waddell sweet story set around the birth of Jesus

3. Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson encourages imagination

4. The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds encourages art and believing in oneself youTube video reading

5. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems silly and fun

6. It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw encourages spatial thinking

7. Press Here by Herve Tullet interactive, works for readers of ALL ages

8. Mix It Up! by Herve Tullet interactive, science

9. How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers darling illustrations, sweet story

 10. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. Classic book, great for alphabet awareness

This was a super fun challenge Sarah!  Thanks for hosting!!  Be sure to swing over to her blog, Trees of Reverie and see other readers takes on her challenge.

Summer Library Challenge - Library Scavenger Hunt

Library Scavenger Hunt - week of July 22

This challenge ended yesterday but when my library called that a book I had on hold was available we headed over this morning and I took the list with me. As we were getting ready to go I was telling my son about it and he shared that one of his recent reads had a library scavenger hunt in the book. He thought it would be fun to complete them - and then we could switch.

So we did!

1. Go to your favorite section of the library. Close your eyes and feel out, picking a random book. If it’s a book you haven’t read before, see if it’s one you would like and then check it out and read it.

I love to roam the stacks and browse book titles to read. Then I'll look at the cover and decide if I want to read it or not. I don't very often read the synopsis. Weird, but it works for me. I've read some really great stuff with this method. (And some just okay to blah stuff too). Closing my eyes to pick a book was a new twist. I did intentionally pick out a softback book - not sure why, maybe I was already tired of carrying books around? 

 The History of Lucy's Love Life in Ten and a Half Chapters. The tag line says: Who would you date if you had a time machine? Not really sure what to expect out of this one!  

2. Go to a section of the library you’ve never been to and pick out a book you normally wouldn’t.

There is no section of the library that I've never been to. I ended up in the graphic novel section. I've visited it but never really picked up a book there. I requested the first issue of The Walking Dead last summer but the library had to have it sent over so it wasn't the same I guess. My husband and I like that show so wanted to compare the graphic novel to the TV show. Normally I don't go for guts on gore or manga, and at first glance, that is what I see in graphic novels. I did manage to find one that I am willing to try.

 The Plain Janes

My son (who is 7) picked up a biography of Albert Einstein from the large-print section. It's huge but he is determined that he is going to read it. I'm torn between encouraging him and pointing him to a youth version because I don't want him to be frustrated by the reading level.

3. Talk to your reference librarian, ask them a question (or two), skip the computer and go straight to the source to help you find something.

I asked to be put on the list for the next Heroes of Olympus coming out in August (I think - maybe later in the fall though). 

4. If you normally use self checkout, go to an actual circulation clerk to check out. Or opposite.

We only have one option for checkout. I did stop by last week to pick up a book on hold and the beeper went off as I exited. I took the books back and the clerk made sure they all had a card and it still went off. I forgot that I had a book in my purse and was using the card as my bookmark. The card has to be in the pocket to cancel the beeper I guess. I wasn't really bothered or embarrassed by it until another clerk handed me a bookmark and suggested that I use it instead. 

5. Find a movie, CD, or other non-print item to check out.

I picked up a DVD of several children's books - the cover showed Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal who is one of my favorite authors. 

This was a super fun challenge! We also completed the scavenger hunt in my son's Nate the Great Stalks Stupidweed book and had fun with that. 

It is also the end of the summer reading program at our library so we picked up our last prizes. I think it is so great that the final prize is a book. We picked up a Magic Tree House book and a non-fiction book about gravity. The adult options are always pretty sparse so I always pick a children's book to round out our library.

Summer Library Challenge - Wrap Up

Best of the Summer Library Challenge - week of July 28

This is the last week of the challenge. There was a really thoughtful survey to complete at the host blog. I enjoyed this challenge. It might not seem like it from looking at my blog posts...but I did! I always read each week's challenge and thought about it throughout the week. I wasn't so good at getting a blog post done each week however. 

Let's take a look back:

Goals

1. Read a library recommendation from each genre they list On the Shelves on the webpage.
2. Attend three of the summer events that tie in to this summer's program.
3. Visit each library at least once to check books out.
4. Visit the library every week.
5. Complete each challenge posted.

Well.

I thought I was doing much better than that. I have read several books from the On the Shelves feature. I haven't read  Non-Fiction though so I can't cross it off.

And we have only attended two events thus far. My husband's car was in the shop for repairs for much of the summer (we just got it back last week) so it has made running all over pretty difficult.

We have only visited 3 of the 5 branches in town.

And I managed most of the challenges - Late. The Scavenger Hunt was one I was looking forward to but I never remembered to take the list before I went to the library.

Library Survey

Library Social

Library Read-a-thon

Library: Reviewing Books

Library Storytime

Library Collage

Library Discovery

Be sure to visit The Book Monsters Library Challenge Page for all the wrap up details and check out other participants blogs.

Summer Library Challenge - Library Discovery

Library Discovery Challenge - week of June 23.
This challenge is all about discovering something new about your library.

I didn't really complete this challenge during the week it was first live. One thing I did learn about my library this summer was that they have quite a few magazines that are offered digitally and can be read from home. There are some great ones in the list. I was hoping for some craft type magazines but there weren't any. 

Summer Library Challenge - Library Collage

Library Collage - week of July 14

There are 5 branches in our local library system. This is the branch closest to our house that we visit the most often.

Source: http://activerain.trulia.com/blogsview/642709/amarillo-library-is-getting-a-makeover

Here is a shot that shows the gorgeous beams inside:

Source: http://www.team-psc.com/p1_pscwd.html

 Somebody took this photo at nighttime:

Source: http://www.visitamarillotx.com/visitors.cfm?p=Attractions&SD_ID=76

I also visit this branch fairly frequently. In my opinion, the very best children's librarian works at this branch. She is an older lady who greets everyone with a warm smile. She remembers people really well and leads an awesome kids' music and storytime each week. My son and I loved going there when he was little!


Source: www.amarillolibrary.org


This is the Mary Bivins home. She left it to the city and it was used as the library from 1955 - 1976. There is a LARGE part of me that wishes this was still a library for our city. Can you imagine this being your library??


Source: http://www.texasescapes.com/TOWNS/Amarillo/Bivins-Home-Amarillo-Texas.htm

Summer Library Challenge - Library Storytime

Library Storytime - share a library story

My mom was really great about taking up to the library during the summer when I was growing up. I don't know if it was as big a deal to my siblings; it was my anticipated event of the day! We went every two weeks when books were due. Because we were only going to come once every two weeks, I made sure to have plenty of reading material available. As long as I could carry it, my mom was okay with it!

Sometime after I was in college, they closed the branch nearest our house and built a new building for it. It was a little further away and is the library that is closest to where my family lives now. We end up there at least once a week. It is a really nice building -- but it feels different. Don't get me wrong, I still love it but as a child, there were my favorite books that I wanted to read every summer and I knew just where they were. I'm not sure if the new organization system is "new" or not, but it did take me a looong time to figure out where my favorites were.

I do wish that our library would put in some more comfortable chairs for sitting and reading. They don't really invite one to sit and stay awhile. 

Summer Library Challenge - Reviewing Library Books

Reviewing Library Books - week of June 30. The topic of discussion this week asks if you review the library books you read and if so, any organization to it?

I prefer to read and view book reviews that are short and to the point. I don't like spoilers so I will either completely skip or scan reviews that are lengthy as I don't want to know any plot points. So those are the type of reviews that I tend to write as well. I started this year wanting to post reviews and ratings on Goodreads for the books I read and until the last three weeks I've done pretty well at doing so. It should be noted though that during the school year I wasn't visiting the library as often as we do during the summer (several times a week); most of the books I've reviewed in 2014 have not been library books. But I have been wrapped up in decluttering my house and reading when not doing that instead of writing reviews.
During June, the Yearathon challenge revolved around Rick Riordan. I started the Percy Jackson series and enjoyed it sooo much more than I thought I would, that I got really wrapped up in it. Instead of reviewing each book, I decided that I would write up a series review....which I still need to do.

Here are a few library books that I did review at Goodreads.

The Funeral Dress by Susan Gregg Gilmore
Marshmallows for Breakfast by Dorothy Koomson
Chasing Hope by Kathryn Cushman
In the Bag by Kate Klise


The Good Wife by Jane Porter
Undressing Mr. Darcy by Karen Doornebos
The Butterfly Sister by Amy Gail Hansen

I notice that most of these books have made my Top Ten list for best books of the year so far.

And then some books I just rate such as these:


Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus by Barbara Park ★★★ = I liked it   
The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler  ★★★ = I liked it   

Sister-to-Sister series by Virginia Smith ★★★ = I liked it   (books 1 & 2) ★★ = It was okay (book 3) 

In looking back at what I've been reading for the last several months, I noticed that my reviews of library books tapered off when I discovered ARC books and began requesting those to read and review. Once I get caught up on those, I would like to strike a balance as I find it fun to just wander the rows at the library and wait for a title to grab my attention.

Summer Library Challenge - Readathon

Summer Library Readathon - week of June 16. The week focused on reading books from the library. This quickly followed the Yearathon challenge that revolved around Rick Riordan books. I started the Percy Jackson series during that week and continued on to the Heroes of Olympus. I don't think I quite finished the Percy Jackson series during the Yearathon week but I know that I just kept reading and finally finished all the books currently out just last week. 

It seems like I have only been reading books from the library during the past month, hardly picking up my Kindle at all. Not a complaint but I have noticed that heftier books - are much more difficult to read an actual book than I remember. And I have read some very hefty ones in the last three weeks! 

I don't think it is too late to join in on this challenge if you are interested.

Summer Library Challenge - Library Social

Library Social Challenge - week of June 9th

The challenge for this week was to explore your local library's social media. When I first started looking into this, I couldn't find any social media presence for my local library. Other than Pinterest, I don't use social media so while it didn't bother me, it did surprise me. As I started writing up this post, I decided to double-check the website one more time and discovered a Facebook link waaaaay down at the bottom of the page. And it appears to be run by the Friends of the Amarillo Public Library, a non-profit group that is "dedicated to supporting the Amarillo Public Library". 

ICAD 2014 Progress #1

Index Card a Day is a challenge hosted by Tammy at Daisy Yellow. For 61 days, you create something on an index card. It's pretty open with only one rule: you must use an index card as the substrate.

I'll be posting updates along the way of creations; not promising a schedule of any sorts. I know it won't be every day but hopefully at least twice during the week. 

I started a few days late because we had no index cards. 

June 03

We had a mom's devotional when we dropped our kids off at Kids' Club this morning at church. We spent time talking about being thankful and it really made me realize that I am thankful for many things in a very general sense...but getting down to nitty-gritty specifics was a little harder of a challenge.  I don't want to fall deeper into a place where I am constantly aware of God's blessings in my life. 

Just playing with a few supplies that were easily obtainable in the craft mess. I gathered up just a few things and put them all in a basket so......we'll see how much I can use and make look different. Doesn't matter though - it's all about having fun and not being worried about perfection! 

If you are participating in ICAD, please leave a comment! I'd love to head over and check out your creations! 

Picture This Challenge

The Book Monsters are hosting a really fun challenge. Take a book you have finished or are reading and compile picture images that reflect what is happening in the book. 

I recently finished Scarlet by Marissa Meyer.

Photo Credit 

(you should click through to see the rest of the photos - engagement photo shoot and they are gorgeous! Just throwing that in here!)

Photo Credit

Photo Credit

I am about halfway through Cress at the moment and not really looking forward to having to wait another year to find out how the story ends. For series that leave off with cliffhangers, I much prefer reading the entire series at once.

Chocolate Cures Everything!

Hey girls! I hope it's beautiful where you are today; the weather here has been just wonderful for the past few days!

Several years ago when I was teaching, we were at lunch one day and the discussion turned to chocolate and how much we loved it and what a great pick-me-up it was. Teaching 9th graders was a joy for the most part but definitely challenging!! LOL!! I still laugh when I think of that day! All women but one man - an older guy who loved to laugh and tell jokes and give us all a hard time. Phenomenal math teacher as well. Anyway, he was sitting quietly working and we were all talking and he got sooooo red b/c one of the gals mentioned that chocolate was a great aphrodisiac. And then when she noticed he was embarrassed she really exaggerated it. Oh, he tormented us every day so it was nice to be able to turn the tables for once!!

Anyway, I received 2 new Anyas in the mail on Friday and was anxious to get the sketch challenge that Marie has posted on The Greeting Farm blog done. It's a wonderful sketch and I know I'll use it again.

I made a get well card and knew that I was going to include some chocolate in the card for the recipient. I remembered that day at school and decided to look up the other health benefits of chocolate. I found links that said it was a good remedy for a cough (I'll try that next time I have one) and various other things. It's a well known fact in lots of my gal pals that dark chocolate is good for you. But I also found two cute signs regarding chocolate as well and had to share them. They are from the Olive Barn and there are lots of cute things over there!!

Since I knew my card was going to include chocolate I wanted to use brown in my color scheme. I thought about using pink and making Nurse Anya a candy-stripper. But then I found an awesome sheet of red label print paper. It reminded me slightly of vintage labels and I'm passing it off as a medicine label! I paper pieced her dress and hat and used copics for the coloring. She's a great nurse as she knows that chocolate milk and a big chocolate truffle are sure to make her patient feel better!

Thanks for stopping by today! I so appreciate it girl! I have a long list of stamping I want to get done today so be sure to check back - I don't know if I'll upload them all immediately or if I'll spread them out over the week. Plus a present to finish for my mom's birthday! Have a beautiful day, okay?

Autumn Appreciation

Hi everyone!! Can you believe it is Wednesday already? It's been gorgeous fall weather here; I'd love to have fall year-round!

Today I have my Pink Papery Studios card to share with you. Lindsay challenged the design team to create a "bargain" card, using items that are inexpensive. I found the ribbons in the Target $pot and wanted to use them somehow. The stamp is from a new set over at Pink Papery Studios. I think it is designed as a "green" stamp since the sentiments are "Be Green", "Grow" and "Just Breathe". I do try to conserve and not be wasteful, but I'm not really a gal that's into all that "green" stuff. But this tree can be used in so many ways - from fall to spring.

I used the SC202 sketch on SCS for my layout and 2 cuttlebug folders to add texture. I don't think you can see them, but I used the swirl folder on the pumpkin panel to simulate wind and then the polka dot on the bottom squares just because it's my favorite!! Lots of distressing too. I'll be sending this to my sister and her husband as a thank you for organizing our leaf-viewing trip a few weeks ago. Better late than never, right? I'll scent it with Candy Corn card-scent before I mail it later today!

I'd love to see what "bargain" card you create!! Please link it up here so I can check it out! Also, go see the rest of the design team and check out their cards. Plus, we have some guest designers that have joined us and their blogs are definitely worth a visit (links in the sidebar).

Have a beautiful day!! And do come back, I love sharing with you!! And I've really been up to a lot lately!!

What's Up Moose?

The challenge this past week on the MFT forum for What's Up Wednesday was to make a box. I used the template that was provided (see post here) and one of the free MFT stamp sets that I recently won! Somehow, I knew that the 2 I received were the 2 that I would get! Or maybe it was just wishful thinking; either way, I was a happy camper with what I won!!

I stamped the moose twice and colored him in. I cut out one and popped him up and then decided I would do the same for the frame. I love the look but I'm not sure I would take the time to cut that frame out very often! I wanted a box that was bright and fun and non-traditional looking when it came to Christmas! I hope this fits the bill!! I'll put it aside until December and then fill with some treats for a friend!

I hope you had a great weekend! My friend and I had scheduled time to stamp on Saturday! I made a rustic pizza for lunch, got a little stamping done and then we went shopping!!! The deals were too good to pass up!! My LSS celebrated it's 2nd birthday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! - and we enjoyed some yummy cake and got some cute stuff. Then on to Michaels where paper was on sale and I kept finding a new sheet I *had* to have!! And then off to Joann's, where I swore I wouldn't buy anything --- until they DID HAVE a glitter stack on sale. I snagged the last one before my friend could grab it. I should probably give it to her as it was not a very sweet thing to do and I'm really trying to be sweet these days. Oh, it was such a gorgeous fall day! Then my dad watched the little man while we went to the MAZE with my mom and brothers!! Lots of fun and it was great traipsing through the mud! We lost half the crew at one point and while waiting for them to catch up (they never did) the boys snuck off .... and then I was standing there all by myself. As I set off to find the boys, my "little" brother (he's younger than me by 14 years but he's about 5 inches taller!) jumped out and scared me!! Too funny!! I think my mom was game to go through the Haunted Maze but didn't want to wait in the L-O-N-G line! I never knew my mom liked scary things as we weren't allowed to be around that growing up!! "For good reason" said my other "little" brother (who is 8 years younger, 8 inches taller

[do you know that I'm 5'11"?] and was a Marine!) Cracked me up when he said that!!! He loves to act tough - and he is tough, but he also has a heart of gold - both of my brothers do!

Anyway, enough rattling on by me! I'll see you back here soon and in the meantime, have a beautiful day!!

Singing in the Rain

Good morning everyone!! Wednesdays on my blog will now be devoted to Simply Sista's and Card Scents. Each week the design team will have a challenge and I would love for you to participate as well!! Be sure to read to the very end to find out how you could win this card! Yes, I'm actually going to have a giveaway this week!

The challenge this week was a color challenge - to use Pink, Black and White. It was also the Color Challenge on SCS this week - yay, a two-fer!! I used another digital image called In the Rain this week because we have had solid rain since Saturday! Every thirty minutes, it would start raining - pretty hard too! Very unusual for this semi-arid part of Texas. The roses are in bloom again so that's a bonus!! The sun did come out today so I think we are on our way to drying out! I always think those galoshes you see everywhere are so cute - but there is not really a need for them here. But at least I can still stamp galoshes!!

I colored her with my prismascolor pencils and then layered her on some patterned paper. Can you tell that the base card was run through my Swiss Dot folder? Be sure to stop by the other gals blogs and see what they came up with; you'll find their blogs over in my sidebar!

Now, create a card using pink, black and white. Leave a comment here linking to your card (direct link please) by Tuesday, October 21. I'll randomly draw a winner! I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Have a beautiful day!! I'll see you soon!