Category: Book Shelf

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Book Shelf: Titanicat by Marty Crisp

**Throwback to 2016** – From the time Thomas and Lillian were born (2005 and 2001) I read to them nightly before going to bed; leading to some time in 2017 when we all decided to discontinue doing so. Their tastes in what interested each of them had solidified by this point. We all continue to be heavy readers, reading daily.

Titanicat by Marty Crisp

Beautifully illustrated story of the cat of the Titanic. I didn’t even know there was a ship cat! We sure enjoyed this one!

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To support this website and the author’s interviewed, visit Support MTA for suggestions. Thank you! – Camilla

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Book Shelf: The Cake Fairies by Isabella May

The Cake Fairies by Isabella May

First of all, I absolutely LOVE the cover of this book. Also, I stepped outside my typical favored genres to read this one. The title and the cover hooked me, and then I won this beauty through an online Meet the Authors event. YAY!

I had a wonderful and fun time following along with two master baker cousins who get transported from 1969 Somerset to 2019 London! Their mission while there is to possibly find everlasting love, and to become Cake Fairies, whipping up delicious treats, dropping them off in the wildest of places, all in the hopes of distracting people from the overuse of technology. It’s got me wishing there were real Cake Fairies! Great read!!

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To support this website and the author’s interviewed, visit Support MTA for suggestions. Thank you! – Camilla

 

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Book Shelf: The Orchid Thief – A True Story of Beauty and Obsession by Susan Orlean

The Orchid Thief – A True Story of Beauty and Obsession by Susan Orlean

After reading Orlean’s book titled, The Library Book, I just knew I wanted to read this one. Fascinating history of the state of Florida, educating me on entire topics I had no idea about. The passionate world of orchid collectors, and those that will do anything, pay any price to have the orchids they feel are beautiful and unique. Looking forward to watching the movie, Adaption. It’s on my list!

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“Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.”

To support this website and the author’s interviewed, visit Support MTA for suggestions. Thank you! – Camilla

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Book Shelf: Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde

Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde

The first book I’ve read by Audre Lorde, and I plan on reading more of her writings. Originally published in 1984, the book touches on racism, being Black and how that intersects with feminism and lesbianism. I found the writings to be incredibly informative.

Quotes from the book: “I give the most strength to my children by being willing to look within myself, and by being honest with them about what I find there, without expecting a response beyond their years. In this way they begin to learn to look beyond their own fears.”

“We can sit in our corners mute forever while our sister and our selves are wasted, while our children are distorted and destroyed, while our earth is poisoned; we can sit in our safe corners mute as bottles, and we will still be no less afraid.”

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“Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.”

To support this website and the author’s interviewed, visit Support MTA for suggestions. Thank you! – Camilla

 

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Book Shelf: Butterfly Tree by Sandra Markle

**Throwback to 2016** – From the time Thomas and Lillian were born (2005 and 2001) I read to them nightly before going to bed; leading to some time in 2017 when we all decided to discontinue doing so. Their tastes in what interested each of them had solidified by this point. We all continue to be heavy readers, reading daily.

Butterfly Tree by Sandra Markle

Great story of the wonder and mystery of the migration of monarch butterflies. Made it into a great mystery! Cool!

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“Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.”

To support this website and the author’s interviewed, visit Support MTA for suggestions. Thank you! – Camilla

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Book Shelf: Anywhere That Is Wild – John Muir’s First Walk to Yosemite

Anywhere That Is Wild – John Muir’s First Walk to Yosemite – edited by Peter & Donna Thomas

Apparently Muir never published details of his first walk to Yosemite. This husband and wife team poured hours into researching Muir’s writings to put together this short book detailing his walk, in Muir’s own words. It was interesting to read his descriptions of seeing the area for the first time.

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“Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.”

To support this website and the author’s interviewed, visit Support MTA for suggestions. Thank you! – Camilla

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Book Shelf: Itch by Polly Farquhar

Itch by Polly Farquhar

My daughter, Lillian, read this book and suggested it for me, as she thought I might like it. Remember being in sixth grade, not fitting in, being a misfit? Isaac’s just trying to fit in, but he’s got this itch, an itch that strikes without warning. The story begins with a tornado hitting Isaac’s Ohio town, progressing to the point of Isaac having to decide just how far he’ll go to fit in, and make friends. I enjoyed reading this one. The story kept me engaged throughout!

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“Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.”

To support this website and the author’s interviewed, visit Support MTA for suggestions. Thank you! – Camilla

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Book Shelf: The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey

The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey

This is my third time reading this book. I think I first read it in 2016 or 2017, found during a volunteer session at the library while pulling holds. It’s just such a calming, fascinating story that also taught me much about snails. Thomas and Lillian both love this book too. They read it the first time around. Simply a beautiful book and story.

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“Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.”

To support this website and the author’s interviewed, visit Support MTA for suggestions. Thank you! – Camilla

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Book Shelf: A Pebble for Your Pocket by Thich Nhat Hanh

**Throwback to 2015** – From the time Thomas and Lillian were born (2005 and 2001) I read to them nightly before going to bed; leading to some time in 2017 when we all decided to discontinue doing so. Their tastes in what interested each of them had solidified by this point. We all continue to be heavy readers, reading daily.

A Pebble for Your Pocket – Mindful Stories for Children and Grown-ups by Thich Nhat Hanh

August 2015: Ask for help and you shall receive …

My son, Thomas (10 years old at the time) got angry the other night and it was spilling out of him in unkind ways. He asked me for help in getting past the moment and was not liking anything I suggested.

It was time for our nightly reading and “A Pebble for Your Pocket” is what we are currently reading. I opened to where we had stopped the night before and this is where we were to begin again, “When We Are Angry”.

Thomas stopped me after reading the title and halfway through the first sentence and said that I had chosen that on purpose. “No, Thomas, I did not. This is where we stopped last night. You asked for help and here it is.”

I felt his energy shift just from hearing this. He was glued to the entire section.

November 2020: This is a wonderful book for all ages. I’ve read it once or twice since this reading in 2015. It’s easy to read, with practical suggestions that work to help with a mindfulness practice.

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“Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.”

To support this website and the author’s interviewed, visit Support MTA for suggestions. Thank you! – Camilla

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Book Shelf: The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

This is my first book to read by James Baldwin, and it won’t be my last. Such a powerful book about the consequences of racial injustice. I found Baldwin’s words meaningful on many different levels. Written in 1962, in the early days of the civil rights movement .. Here’s a quote from the book that really resonated with me:

“White people in this country will have quite enough to do in learning how to accept and love themselves and each other, and when they have achieved this — which will not be tomorrow and may very well be never — the Negro problem will no longer exist, for it will no longer be needed.” – James Baldwin

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To support this website and the author’s interviewed, visit Support MTA for suggestions. Thank you! – Camilla