Memeory Monday- Books

SO I have been reading quite a bit the past month (I think I have like totaled 5,000 pages or so). This got me thinking about past books that have brought back memories. The books content themselves is not usually what I remember the most but where and when was I reading the book and other feelings and experiences associated with that.

So here are some that I can recall:

George's Marvolous Medicine, By Roald Dahl... This was the first Roald Dahl book I ever read. I loved the humor and strange quirkiness of the characters and the plot... I knew that Roald Dahl was the author for me.

Witches, By Roald Dahl... Yes, Mr. Dahl once again. My parents used to read to me each night before I went to bed. (Which I am a strong believer in... I think all parents need to make time to read to their children daily!). My Dad was the only one who I let read this book to me becuase he would do these outrageous accents for all the witches' voices. I can still him now "Ve Vitches ave very Vunderful Powers".

Madeline,Ludwig Bemelmans By ... I was given this book when I was three and in the hospital getting my appendix out. I felt so special with this book becuase here was another little girl who got her appendix out too! And who can't love this strong-willed, cute French orphan girl.

Harry Potter, By J.K. Rowling... I of course love HP for it's literary excellence but also becuase when I think back the books I have very fond memories of Vacations. It seemed that they always cam out right before I left on vacation, they are the PERFECT va-cay books! I can remember times such as a family reunion on Maui to a trip to Mexico with my family where Brandon and I were racing to see who could finish first!

The Poky Little Puppy... This book meant a lot to me becuase I also had a Poky the Puppy stuffed animal (identical to the one in the book). This stuffed animal was attached to my hip from the first day I got it up until I would say 7 years old. This stuffed animal, much to my parents' chagrin was what helped abated me in sucking my thumb for so long. Poky is still around at my parents home, and even though he is pretty haggard looking, I still love him!

I won't name them all but there are many literary classics that still haunt my fellow Skyline High School peers but bring back pleasant memories for me. Yes that is right, I actually liked most of the books they made us read in high school. I will admit it did use the assistance of spark notes on some of the books... but that was just becuase of lack of time to read, not becuase I didn't want to. I loved books such as Night, 1984, Great Gatsby, Mice of Men and more.

I would love to hear about other books you have read that hold sweet memories for you or just suggestions for a good read.

This weekend

We had a pretty nice weekend these past few days.
Friday Night-
Round one-
We went to chili's...surprise surprise. This is Chris's favorite. I will admit I think their Chips n' salsa are my favorite!
Round two-
We took inspiration from our friends Dan and Diana and went to Barnes and Noble. We had a gift certificate from Christmas. So we bought ourselves a strawberry frappichino (no worries, no caffine) to share. These are delicious...but I beleive like straight fat. But we each got some books, espcially since one of our goals this year is to read more.
Chris of course was once agian drawn to a non-fiction inspiring story book, called Three cups of Tea. It actually sounds really good, I am sure I will steal it once he is done.




I got, of course, children's books. This is the teacher in me coming out, well and also I love children's literature. I got Peter and the Starcatchers (this is a new popular series that are PREquels to Peter Pan) and I also got Inkheart, which is a popular fantasy book that is being made into a movie (surprise surprise).



Round three-
we met up with my brother and his girlfriend Kimmie to go see the movie Juno and see what all this rave was about. It had some good moments but also some...well not so good.

Saturday-
I spent saturday at home working forever getting prepared for this week at school, I start Solo teaching this week, so I completely have the class to myself. Chris filled his day with the traditional wiffle ball and then a couple hours of work. Then we went to the Wroldwide leadership meeting. Then we ended the night watching the movie Chocolat on tv. This is such a great movie, which I had complete forgotten about. If you haven't seen it, you must!



ok disclaimer.. this movie poster makes it look like some overly romantic cheese fest, but in no way is it. Don't judge a book by its cover!

We Hope you all had great weekends too!

My life is back to normal....

so the past week or so, my life (Amanda) has been consumed by the last installment of HARRY POTTER. I started out reading it slowly because I couldn't cope with the idea that after I finished the book, Harry would be GONE! But then of course as I got farther and farther all I could do was read, read, READ! I think Chris felt a little neglected for a couple of days. But alas, I have completed the book, with bittersweet emotions. I guess all I have to look forward to know in the realm of Harry Potter is the movies.
But now back to my endless list of children's chapter books, I need to be on top of my game for when I am a teacher. (and secretly I like reading them more than "adult" books because the are SOOO much easier and quicker to read!)

recommended books

OK so far this summer I have read about 17 books some of those were for my Children's Literature class, but I have gotten hooked back on READING and have tried to pull Chris into it too.
Two of my favorites are:
The Devil's Arithmetic (great historical fiction about the holocaust)
The Bronze Bow (another historical fiction set in the time of Christ).

Chris and I both loved:
A long Way Gone (a wonderful memoir of a boy solider in Africa)
For One More Day (another great novel by Tuesday's with Morrie author).

But I am on a Mission now to read as many books of the Newbery Award List, 4 down... like a TON to GO!
But we will keep you posted on our other new book recommendations.