What We're Reading

I always thought that most of my reading happened during the summer months when I have a more relaxed schedule and spend weekends at the beach or by the pool. But this winter has proven me wrong. This month alone I've read five books and am already 12% of the way to my goal of 40 books this year. Maybe it's that I've gotten more in tune with what I like to read or maybe it's that my tastes in books is not as singular as it used to be (chick lit). Either way, I've been plowing through the books and genuinely enjoying them all. I just finished The Tattooist of Auschwitz, and if you haven't read it, it is a must. Definitely one of the best books I've read in a long time.

Here are the books we are currently reading:

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What We're Reading

Greetings from Rehoboth Beach, my home until Saturday. We are here with my sisters and their families for a week of rest, relaxation, recharging, and family bonding. This is our 13th consecutive August doing this trip, and each year is better than the last. There is so much I look forward to on this trip from the food to the beach to fun, family times, but one of my favorites is just relaxing with a GREAT beach read. I spend a lot of time laboring over choosing a book (or two) for this trip. Part of what makes this trip memorable is the books that I read during our time here.

Here are the books we'll be reading this week:

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What We're Reading

I am almost half way to my my 2019 Goodreads reading challenge goal of 35 books. I am finishing up book number 17 this week and am deciding on book 18. I like to move right to the next book without missing a beat so I keep my momentum going. I'll be choosing a book from my summer reading list. If there's a book on here that you'd recommend, please leave a comment to let me know which one. Thanks! xx

Here are the books we are currently enjoying:

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What We're Reading

This is the last week of school before summer break. We've been creating summer reading lists and bucket lists like crazy. Although the weather lately hasn't felt at all summer-like, I know we are on the cusp of warm days that beg for reading by the pool or beach. When it finally happens, we'll be ready for it!

Here are the books we are currently enjoying:

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What We're Reading

Tomorrow we leave for a spring break trip to San Diego, and since it's a long flight, we've stocked up on books for the flights there and back. I plan to spend most of the flights reading, but I'm sure the girls will end up watching movies most of the time. But in either case, they've downloaded books in the event that they have the desire to read.

Here's what we'll be reading while we spring break in sunny southern California.

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What We're Reading

My 2019 Goodreads reading challenge is moving right along. This week I'm started my 7th of 35 books. I already have my 8th book chosen and downloaded so I'll be ready to roll once I finish my current read. The book I am currently reading is an advance copy that was sent to me for a sponsored review on behalf of SheSpeaks and St. Martin's Press.

Here are the books we are currently enjoying:

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What We're Reading

My 2019 Goodreads reading challenge is off to a great start. This week I'm set to finish the 4th of 35 books. I already have my 5th book chosen and downloaded so I'll be ready to roll once I finish my current read. I've been reading at night before I fall asleep (but that never lasts long!) and I've been dedicating my last mile on the treadmill to strictly walking so that I can read while I walk as it's impossible for me to read while I run.

Here are the books we are currently enjoying:

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What We're Reading

It's Christmas break and what better way to spend it than by reading? And by binge watching Dawson's Creek on Prime Video. Yes, so there's that too, and I have to admit, I am living my best life right now. I'm in the middle of a good psychological thriller that's moving fast, so Dawson and friends are on the back burner, but not for long!

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3 Books That Aren't Just For Kids

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Many people have read a number of books that have been deemed children's books in a variety of different genres. But, as adults get enjoyment out of them, why should they be marketed solely as books for kids? You know those ones that you loved but sometimes might feel a little embarrassed to admit it? I've read several series of books that would be considered children's books but are just as enjoyable and stimulating for adults.

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What We're Reading

We are currently enjoying a much needed vacation in Captiva, Florida. And when you're on vacation, lots of reading happens. Shortly after boarding the plane last Wednesday, I finished reading this book which was downloaded on my Kindle. At the last minute I threw a book in my carry on bag since I didn't have one downloaded. I started it on the plane, and finished it 2 days later. It was so good.

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What We're Reading

I've been on a sort of reading streak lately. I've been averaging a book per week, and I see no sign of slowing down. I've always had a love for reading, but in recent years, I've found it difficult to get into a reading groove or find ample time to do it. Don't ask me what changed, but something clicked over the summer, and I've been reading voraciously. And now that school is back in session, the girls are back in the reading groove as well.

Here's what we are currently reading.

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What We're Reading

With the unofficial start of summer a mere two weeks away, I am making every effort to finish the book I am currently reading so that I can start fresh on my summer reading list (more to come on that topic!). Here's what we are currently reading.

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What We're Reading

A few weeks ago, I finally subscribed to the Sunday New York Times. It is definitely a commitment to read the entire paper, but I spread it out over the week with the goal of finishing it before the next paper arrives. One of my favorite sections is the Book Review. I read it from cover to cover, and often more than once. I have a running list of book recs from the review, but here are the three books we are currently reading:

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What We're Reading

The cold, snowy weather we've been having here on the east coast hasn't exactly gotten me excited. It has, however, been conducive to reading. Staying in, throwing on my comfiest clothes, and hunkering down with a good book has been one of the things I look forward to most on the weekends.

Here's what we are currently reading as we try to stay warm and dry:

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What We're Reading

What I'm Reading: The Woman Next Door by Cass Green
This was a bargain book I found in Kindle's under $2.99 section, so I downloaded it. It sounded interesting enough, and I've been obsessed with psychological thrillers for a few years now. It started out a bit slow, but I've found that all these types of books always do. They reach a point where they pick up pace, and then you absolutely cannot put the book down. I'm not quite there yet, but I can feel it coming. It's about two neighbors who have grown apart over time, but one is determined to bring them back together. Both women have dark secrets, some you see coming, and others hit you out of nowhere.

What Emma's Reading: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
This is the first literary classic that Emma has read, and surprisingly she likes it. It's required reading for her English class, but she says she genuinely likes the book. It's one of my all-time favorites and is so exquisitely written that you feel as if you are living in the Jazz Age. You'll become so entangled in the life of Jay Gatsby and his deep love for Daisy Buchanan that you'll never want the book to end. Bonus: follow up the book with the Leo DiCaprio movie!

What Harper's Reading: Freak The Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
Harper is reading this book for her 6th grade language arts class. It's not a book she'd choose for her own leisure reading, but she doesn't necessarily dislike it. It's an inspiring story of two boys, one is a slow learner stuck in the body of a teenage giant and the other is a tiny Einstein in leg braces. Together they forge an unlikely and unique friendship when they pair up to create one formidable human force.


What are you currently reading? Leave a comment to let me know your recommendations.

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Kiddie Academy Hosts Storytime LIVE!

This is a sponsored post written on behalf of Kiddie Academy. All opinions are my own. 

It's the time of year when the weather can be slightly unpredictable and unseasonably cool to try to plan an outdoor activity for your children. Whether it's rainy or chilly, it's a good idea to have an indoor activity that the kids will love.

When my daughters were younger, one of our favorite activities was story time. Whether we had our own at home or ventured out to attend one at a local library or book store, we always looked forward to the chance to get lost in a few books. My own love of reading started early, and it was always my goal to foster a love of reading in my children.

Reading aloud to your child has proven lifelong literacy benefits. However, while reading a story, it’s also important to stop to talk about the story to further engage your child in the process.  You can ask questions about the story, talk about the emotions related to the story, or even create an alternate ending. You’ll elevate story time from a passive to an active pursuit, making for a richer, more valuable experience.

Kiddie Academy®  has taken story time one step further by bringing a book to life right before your child's eyes. Kiddie Academy offers a unique story time for children and their parents with its Storytime LIVE!, a free community event where the beloved literary character, Curious George, jumps off the page and visits the classroom in person!

Kiddie Academy, a nationally recognized provider of educational child care programs, has been teaching children and helping them discover more about the world around them for 35 years. Kiddie Academy offers full-time care, before- and after-school care, STEM programs, and a summer camp program for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years.

Storytime LIVE is open to the public not just currently enrolled students at Kiddie Academy. So grab a friend and visit Storytime LIVE this Saturday, September 30th at any of these locations:

• Jackson
• Marlboro
• North Brunswick
• Secaucus
• Watchung Square
• West Caldwell
• Springfield

Do your children love storytime? If so, will you be attending Kiddie Academy's Storytime LIVE! to see Curious George? Find the location nearest you and register here: http://www.kastorytime.com/

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The Best Books For Helping Children Cope With Moving

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The last time we moved was 11 years ago. Emma was 4 years old, and Harper was only 3 months old. At four, Emma was very aware of what was happening. She had never moved before, and she didn't know what to expect from the moving process and from own new home. Moving is difficult for children.

Anything that threatens the status quo is a potential threat to their survival and needs to be addressed. The problem was I had no idea how to address the situation since we had never been through a move with our family. Adults are able to use the mental tools they’ve built up over the course of their lives to cope with a move. But children don’t have this level of understanding or forethought: they just see the fact that they’re moving and assume it’s going to be for the worse.

The challenge for parents is to try to help kids cope with what’s happening and to accept it. Most children will be vocal in their opposition, but parents need to remember that many will internalize their feelings and keep them to themselves. That’s why it’s important, even if your child seems okay, to broach the subject regardless.

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What We're Reading

We are currently in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware enjoying time with family and relaxing on the beach. Of course, any good beach vacation deserves a good beach read. Here's what we are currently reading as we sink our toes in the sand.

What I'm Reading: Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong
After her husband leaves her, thirty-year old Ruth leaves town moves back in with her parents and starts her new life all over. But once she arrives home, she finds that life is a little more complicated than what she had originally bargained for.

What Emma's Reading: The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen
When Jessica loses a leg in a car accident, she is told she'll never walk again without the help of a prosthetic leg. As Jessica struggles to cope with her own situation, she's also trying to help a peer with cerebral palsy be triumphant in her struggle.

What Harper's Reading: Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella
I have long been a fan of Sophie Kinsella's novels. So when I discovered that she wrote a YA novel, I strongly encouraged Harper to read it. Kinsella has such a way with bringing dynamic characters to life, and I knew that Harper would love her style of writing. When 14 year old, anxiety-ridden Audrey meets a young boy with whom she connects on a strong personal level, she goes beyond her boundaries and starts to recover and rebound in a way that not only Audrey but also her family never thought possible.

What are you currently reading? Leave a comment to let me know your recommendations.

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What We're Reading

We are half way through summer break, and I'm making a nice dent in my summer reading list (and getting slightly distracted by books that aren't on my reading list as well). There are so many good books out right now that it seems to take me as long to make a decision on what to read next as it does to read the actual book!

Here's what's currently in our beach bags each day:

What I'm Reading: Miss You by Kate Eberlen
After seeing this book on a list of recommended reads, I downloaded it immediately. It was less than $2 to download on to my Nook (although the Kindle edition is significantly more expensive). This is the fateful love story that follows two people over a 16+ year time period. Chance meetings keep bringing them together, and life keeps tearing them apart. Until...

What Emma's Reading: Life & Style magazine
Keeping it real and honest here. Just about the only thing Emma's been reading since school ended are celebrity gossip magazines.

What Harper's Reading: The It Girl by Katy Birchall
This book tells the story of a painfully shy girl who is thrust into the spotlight when her father becomes engaged to one of the world's most beautiful and recognizable actresses. Anna must figure out how to navigate the paparazzi and how to weed out real friends from the fake ones who only want her for her fame. Kindle edition (linked above) is $0.99!!!

What are you currently reading? Leave a comment to let me know your recommendations.

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What We're Reading

This weekend is the unofficial kick off to summer 2017. For me that means I have an excuse to kick back and read all weekend long. There are so many good books out right now, and I'll be sharing my summer reading list in a few weeks. But for now, here's what we are currently reading as we celebrate Memorial Day.

What I'm Reading: The One & Only by Emily Giffin
I've longed been a fan of Emily Giffin's writing. I especially loved Something Borrowed and Something Blue. When I came across The One & Only last week on BookBub.com, I immediately downloaded it. One of the things I love most about Giffin's novels is the in depth character development. By the end of her books, you really feel as if the characters are your best friends.

What Emma's Reading: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
It's the show every teen is talking about. So, naturally, it's the book everyone is reading.

What Harper's Reading: Hidden Treasure at The Cat-Nip Hotel by Luna Snow.
Not all is as it appears in this mystery full of intrigue and cats. When a famous author dies, she leaves her mansion and her five cats to her great-niece who turns the mansion a cat lovers hotel. An eccentric man rents a room, and the adventure begins.

What are you currently reading? Leave a comment to let me know your recommendations.

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