Turn the Page ... Tuesday

From the Shelf TBR

 

After I had read Flowers for Mrs. Harris I tracked down a copy of  The Snow Goose and there it sat on my shelf. I had moved on to other books by the time it had arrived. Some things are worth waiting for though. This was such a bitter sweet book. It is definitely on my favorites list. Go ahead - see if your library has it or order a copy. You will be glad you did. Oh - and have the tissues ready.

 

From Amazon:

 

"This brief literary fairy tale of the dark, reclusive hunchback with a gift for love and healing; the timid country girl; and the wounded snow goose that brings them together is undeniably sentimental."

 

On the Kindle TBR

 

 

Well, I have to admit it. I never read The Red Badge of Courage in school. I promise I still got a decent education. Pinky swear. With that said, I thought I would "educate" myself and snatched up quite a few free classic books when I first went paperless. Needless to say I kept putting off reading a book about war ... and I read it too fast. I was eager to get on to something else that was enticing me. I didn't really enjoy it - despite the fact that the main characters name is Henry I didn't fall him or any of the characters. Truth be told, I don't think I gave the book a decent chance. After giving it some thought I realized I probably would have done the same thing in high school; some things never change.

 

From Amazon:

 

"Henry Fleming, a private in the Union Army, runs away from the field of war. Afterwards, the shame he feels at this act of cowardice ignites his desire to receive an injury in combat a red badge of courage that will redeem him. Stephen Crane s novel about a young soldier s experiences during the American Civil War is well known for its understated naturalism and its realistic depiction of battle."

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Book vs Movie

 

 

So after reading The Red Badge of Courage I was dreading watching the movie. I put it off until the last minute possible despite the fact that is only just over an hour long. The trailer I've linked to from YouTube is the actual movie I watched (I'm not sure if there are other versions). I am so glad I took the time and didn't just cave and give you all a bunch of excuses as to why I didn't have time to meet my challenge this month. The movie (for me) made all the characters so much clearer. They did such a good job of casting the roles. I felt so much more connected to the story seeing the soldiers and hearing them; definitely brought the story to life for me. I would highly recommend (re)reading the book and then watch this movie. If I had known this movie was so good I think I would have enjoyed the book a bit more.

Bonus Book

 

Oh how I wish The Last Block in Harlem was different. I finished this book only because I kept hoping that the promise of how the book began would find it's way back in the end. It didn't. It begins with such hope and determination and then spirals into dysfunctional relationships and down right strange and bizarre. I was so glad when this book was done.

 

From Amazon:

 

"All fire escapes lead back to the same block in Sugar Hill, Harlem- where kids run through hydrants and music blares from stereos plugged into lampposts. When a new resident (the story's unnamed narrator) notices the trash polluting the picturesque streets and tainting the block's beauty, he is spurred to action. However, his best intentions go awry when the clean-up brings media coverage that in turn, sets off a rash of evictions and ushers in an influx of new and affluent tenants. In an attempt to preserve his neighborhood, the tenant mobilizes a grassroots effort to improve the neighborhood from the inside out.

Realizing he has yet again polluted his reality with unintended consequences, his fight to clean up the block evolves into a quest to cleanse his soul. The choices he makes cannot change the past and the secrets that haunt him, but will alter the future for himself, his family...and the last block in Harlem."

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Having two boys I really was interested in What a Difference a Mom Makes. I've read other Kevin Lehman books and usually end up laughing out loud while filing away a tid bit or two. This book proved no different. For those of you with young men under your care I would recommend this book. It is faith based but not one of those bang you over the head - just good sound writing and advise for those of us raising future men/husbands/fathers.

 

From Amazon:

 

"Every mom wants the best for her son. She wants him to succeed in life, to be a man of character, to find a good woman, to be a great dad. But sometimes boys are hard for moms to understand. Sometimes they're strange, annoying, and downright disgusting! Yet always they need a mother who is engaged and interested in them, because a mom is the most important person in a boy's life.

In What a Difference a Mom Makes, New York Times bestselling author Dr. Kevin Leman uses his wit and wisdom to show Mom how to lay the groundwork that will allow her son to grow into a good man. Armed with Dr. Leman's expert advice and insight, Mom will gain an understanding of her boy at every stage, from that very first diaper change to the moment he leaves for college. Dr. Leman shows how to discipline a boy, how to command respect, how to let him fight his own battles, how to understand his sexuality, and how to weather the changes in the mother-son relationship as he grows up. Most of all, Leman shows Mom how to lighten up and have some fun along the way with that boy who will always have her heart."

 



For the Kiddos

The Cul-de-sac Kids  is another series of books that I have really enjoyed reading to my boys. They are written for kids ages 7-10 but I began reading these to them when John was only 5. There are over 20 book in the series so it has been fun working our way through them. These are faith based and it has been rewarding to see how my children react to the characters behavior - both good and bad - and their realization of their wrong doing and how to redeem their actions. A great series to also help reinforce our values here in our home. I would highly recommend.

 

From the authors web page:

 

"This is an exciting and lighthearted chapter book series for young readers that centers on the often humorous escapades of a group of endearing neighborhood friends. Nicknamed the "Cul-de-Sac Kids," they learn important lessons about friendship, teamwork, and faith through their adventures and mysteries."

 

I would look forward to seeing what you have been reading - always adding to my never ending list of wants to read! I am giving up on Mister Linky. Despite my best attempts my code is not working again. Please leave your link in the comments so others can get to your page quickly. I will also add you to this post with your link. I welcome any suggestions on another service to use for links. In the meantime ... happy reading!

 

Other TTPT posts:

 

Paula

Debi

Stacey

JoAnn

Sara