Community One Read Book--of beetles and angels, A Boy's Remarkable Journey From A Refugee Camp To Harvard by Mawi Asgedom

This is a book I would have never normally picked up, but it is the community wide One Read book and since I love reading so much, I wanted to participate. I am glad I read it--the author's story was inspiring. I loved his message of looking to help people, from all walks of life, that are invisible or downtrodden in some way, aka beetles. "Their struggle is just to be visible, just to exist in an atmosphere of respect." Talking about student's struggles no matter where they come from. As an shy, introverted child I often felt like a beetle and still remember those few that took the time to notice me. It helped me realize that, like the author, I have something to give to others. In life we are often caught up in our struggles and busy lives, but that our lives can be enriched by reaching out to help others. 

One of my only complaints about the book is that I wish there was more to it, but the author did explain he wanted to respect the privacy of his family that is still alive. I get that, but I still would have enjoyed reading more. Especially as a mother of a college student and a middle school student in my quest to hep them grow up to be the best people they can be. 

Well worth reading. Thanks to the author for sharing his inspiring story! I look forward to the discussion groups.

May Books

This is a recent Oprah's Book Club selection.  I saw it on the list and thought it looked interesting for two reasons: 1, The description talks about a married women with kids and a family reevaluating her life and since I have recently turned 50, I have been thinking about what I want to do with the remaining time I have left in my life.  Granted, my marriage isn't in trouble, but who couldn't use a bit of attitude readjustment now and again.  Plus, it seems like there are so few books about a woman who is a mother AND also a real person (or maybe I just don't know about them.) And 2, I read that the author uses yoga in her self discovery and that also rang true to me since I have recently started practicing yoga and are currently obsessed with it.  

After I started reading, I almost immediately felt a bit like I had gotten the bait and switch.  A good third of the book was about the author's childhood/young adult hood and her struggles and while interesting and well written, it was not what I was interested in reading about.  (I had just finished Wild after all and this seemed a lot like that.)  Once we got to the story of her marriage, it got better and I truly enjoyed reading about the author's struggles and how she overcame them. I did, at times, wish the author had gone into more detail about their lives, I found myself wondering and wanting to know more--how often did she practice yoga? What did the husband do for work that allowed him so much time at home?  How were they able to afford for the author to stay at home all the while taking expensive yoga classes, attending expensive therapy sessions, etc.?  Money is a real issue in a lot of people's lives and often lack of money accounts for people not getting the help they need.   

Once I finished the book, I was left with more questions, so I went on the internet and **WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD!!!*** was again left feeling like I was on the wrong end of a book bait and switch.  The author ended up divorced from her husband and recently remarried a woman.  Wait, what?!  I'm not sure I would have wanted to read a book about a marriage that, in the end, failed anyway. 

April Read!

This book has been on my self since Oprah picked it for her book club. I started reading it, but wasn't able to get through the beginning where the author was describing the loss of her mother. I have recently been reading books on my Kindle app on my phone, but my phone died just in time for a 8 hour weekend drive to Kansas to see my daughter. So, in desperation I pulled this book out, and I am so glad I gave it a second chance! The book was so well written! I truly enjoyed learning about the author's unusual life, she seemed to me to be very much a free spirit. Just the descriptions of her childhood home with out central heat (in Minnesota!) were interesting. I liked the seamless way the author flashed back filling us in on the events in her life interspersed with descriptions on the trail and her hiking experiences. I can take inspirations from the braveness of the author for my own challenges. I plan to have a movie night and watch the movie soon!

be different, Adventures of a Free-Range Aspergian



This book marks the 42nd book I have read this year, of those, this is the 1st non-fiction book.  Of the other 41, only 3 were not vampire books, although they were still of the paranormal genre.

As the title of the book indicates, this is about embracing who you are, using the gifts you have, and dealing with things that you can't do or have trouble doing.

I have read John Elder Robinson's other book, Look Me in the Eye and I was really affected by what he said.  This new book is just as memorable.  As the mother of a boy who could have Aspergers and possessing many Aspergian qualities myself, Mr. Robison's words really hit home.  He doesn't bog his books down with boring how to advice, he tell his life story and what he has learned.  He is an inspiration.  I recommend this book to anyone who has Aspergers, knows anyone who has Aspergers, or anyone who maybe just has never quite fit in.  It is informative, funny at times, and an inspiration.

Spring Break, Day 2

Started off the day by missing a doctor appointment.  I have been having problems with that over the last six months.  Took Midwestern daughter to the orthodontist then treated the kids to lunch at the local pancake house.  After that we spend the afternoon watching Ghostbusters and building a new palatial rabbit cage for Rabbit 2 (of 3). 

I read Midwestern son, You're on Your Way, Teddy Roosevelt by Judith St George.  It is really cute, educational, and has a great lesson.  What else could you ask for in a picture book?

Look Me In The Eye, My Life With Asperger's

by John Elder Robinson

I picked this book up for several reasons:  I work in school's with kids who have Asperger's (in a non-teaching role), I know people with Asperger's, and my own son sometimes acts like he has Asperger's.  At this point, I don't think my son does have Asperger's, but I am still interested in how this condition affects people's lives.

I loved this book!  My family got sick of me talking about as I was reading it.  The author overcomes an awful childhood and an condition that no one had even heard of before to go on to do great things.  I loved reading about how his love of electronics ended up with him getting work out of it.  I loved his description of married life, I couldn't agree more--It is good to be married. 

This book has it all, entertaining stories, life lessons, stories of overcoming, and being the best you can be. 

Secretariat by William Nack

First published in 1975, this is the book that inspired the recent movie, Secretariat.

I love horses, live a short drive from one of the nation's finest tracks--Arlington, loved the movie, and love reading about people (or in this case a horse) who achieve greatness, so what's not to love about the book Secretariat!  It does get a bit tedious with all the in depth horse breeding history and race timing breakdowns, but they are minimal annoyances.  I learned so much about horse racing.  I would have liked to learn a bit more about Penny Tweedy, owner; Lucien Laurin, trainer; Ron Turcotte, jockey; and Ed Sweat, groom.  Secretariat was a truly great horse and this was worth while book.  I'm now all set to head to Arlington as soon as I figure out what's happened in horse racing since the 1970's.  (No, really it's just fun to sit and soak it all in.)  Maybe Mother's Day.