It’s Monday! What are you reading?

It’s Monday! What are you reading? Is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journey and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. Kellee and Rikki at Unleashing Readers and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts gave the meme a kidlit twist. It’s a great way to reflect on what you’ve read and reviewed the last week and plan what you want to read next. Join up with us and discover what good books other people are reading.

IMWAYR 2015

We enjoyed a glorious weekend of sunshine and warm weather that ended with a cookout on Sunday afternoon. It was so different from the weekend before, when we went on a wildflower hike in the snow. Even the poor flowers were shivering that day.

I finished…

Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Loewen – Wow!  What a thought-provoking read. I am thankful that throughout my education, many of my teachers have corrected popular misconceptions about history, but I still learned a lot from this book. Even more than Loewen’s willingness to tell the sometimes ignored parts of history, I enjoyed his analysis of why certain things get emphasized and why other things get ignored. The issues he raises have not gone away in the teaching of history. I now have a waiting list for people who want to read it next.

The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal – Another book that makes me think. Each time I read a new essay, I found my own understanding of forgiveness being stretched and challenged. I do not know what I would do in Wiesenthal’s situation. Could I forgive someone who had committed such horrible deeds as the Nazi officer described? I don’t know. I suspect that there is not one right answer for every situation, maybe not even for this one situation. I am glad for the challenge this story and the responding essays give me.

Rose Harbor in Bloom by Debbie Macomber – I enjoyed this story and had no trouble picking up the characters even though it is the second in a series. (No, I haven’t read the first one yet.) Jo Marie Rose opened a bed and breakfast in Cedar Cove after her husband was killed in Afghanistan. Each of the guests that fill the inn during this spring weekend brings secrets from their past that need healing. Annie is throwing a shindig for her grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary, but can’t escape the attentions of the pesky boy who grew up next door to them. Mary confronts her past after her bout with cancer leaves her with questions and regrets about decisions she made. Each of them find peace during their stay,

I’m currently reading….

Faithquakes by Leonard Sweet – I am enjoying the books I have been reading by Sweet, and I find that he comes back again and again to similar themes. Even though these books were written in the 90s/early 2000s, his understanding of postmodern trends apply even more today.

The Inflammation Diet for Beginners – Both my daughter and I struggle with a form of arthritis called ankylosing spondylitis. She currently has much worse symptoms than I do. She finally decided that she would be willing to try to change her diet to one that is more healthy than the typical teenage diet of junk food to see how it might help. Since she is a notoriously picky eater, I’ve been thrilled that she is willing to try new things. We even ordered this cookbook. Along with the 100 recipes, it provides some  background on the interaction between diet and inflammation. I’ll let you know how we enjoy some of the recipes.

Coming up…

It is time for another trip to the library to see what I can find! I am also waiting for my copy of Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic to arrive. I’ve heard such good things about it. I can’t wait to start reading it myself.

What good books have you read this week?

Disclosure: I participate in the Amazon Associates Program. If you decide to make a purchase by clicking on the affiliate links, including in the linked picture above. Amazon will pay me a commission. This commission doesn’t cost you any extra. All opinions are my own.

12 Comments on It’s Monday! What are you reading?

  1. Claudia
    April 23, 2016 at 5:39 am (8 years ago)

    it’s so sad that I dont have any more time to read something for myself.. I’m writing my bachelor thesis and so I’m quite busy.. 🙁
    Greetings from the spa hotels italy (http://www.belvita.it/en)
    Claudia

    Reply
  2. Beth
    April 23, 2016 at 2:14 am (8 years ago)

    I read Lies years ago (if it’s the book I’m remembering) so I hope the lessons stuck.

    Enjoy your week!

    Reply
  3. Myra from GatheringBooks
    April 19, 2016 at 2:12 am (8 years ago)

    The Sunflower really looks interesting. I’m intrigued by Lies My Teacher Told Me. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Mrs. McGriff
      April 19, 2016 at 8:54 am (8 years ago)

      Both books gave me so much to think about.

      Reply
  4. Cheriee Weichel
    April 18, 2016 at 10:24 pm (8 years ago)

    I’ve added Lies to my for later shelf at our local library. It sounds fascinating. Loewen’s book, Lies My Teacher Told Me About Christopher Columbus sounds interesting also.

    Reply
    • Mrs. McGriff
      April 19, 2016 at 8:54 am (8 years ago)

      Yea! He discusses Columbus in one of the early chapters of Lies, too. I sort of understand why some people want to present an idealized view of heroes from history, but I do think that giving the full story is much better.

      Reply
  5. Kellee from Unleashing Readers (@kelleemoye)
    April 18, 2016 at 9:15 pm (8 years ago)

    I think “Lies” is a must read book for everyone. It is fascinating and just such wonderful knowledge!

    Happy reading this week 🙂

    Reply
    • Mrs. McGriff
      April 19, 2016 at 8:53 am (8 years ago)

      I agree! I’m excited that both my daughter and husband want to read it next.

      Reply
  6. Ricki Ginsberg
    April 18, 2016 at 9:08 pm (8 years ago)

    Thanks for sharing your personal health issues. I really hope The Inflammation Diet for Beginners provides dietary choices that are helpful to you and your daughter. My mom has severe arthritis, so I think I will buy it for her.

    Reply
    • Mrs. McGriff
      April 18, 2016 at 9:12 pm (8 years ago)

      It’s too soon to tell if it is helping with the arthritis, but she already feels better (less nausea) from medicine side effects. Yea!

      Reply
  7. Linda Baie
    April 18, 2016 at 4:09 pm (8 years ago)

    The “Lies” book still intrigues. Maybe I’ll get to it soon, Kay. Enjoy your week of reading! We had snow again, but it’s going to be warming up soon!

    Reply
    • Mrs. McGriff
      April 18, 2016 at 8:01 pm (8 years ago)

      I hope you can find and enjoy Lies. It’s a fascinating look at history and how we teach it. I was glad to learn the AP US History teacher at our local high school has it and lends it to her students! I do enjoy snow, but by now I’m ready for spring!

      Reply

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