What I’m Reading This Week #13

Each week I share the books I am reading as a part of my Read 100 Challenge, as well as links I love from around the blogosphere.

Books I Am Reading

French Kids Eat Everything by Karen Le Billon

I absolutely love this book so far!  Karen Le Billon is married to a Frenchman, and they decided to spend a year in France near his family.  While there, she realized that the way her children approached food was completely different than French children.  Her daughters (5 and 3) were picky eaters, snacked frequently, and didn’t like to try new foods.  French children, however, happily ate strong cheeses and a variety of vegetables.  How did they do it?  Le Billon shares 10 “rules” of the French approach to eating that helped her daughters.  I would recommend this book even to people without children!

Twerp by Mark M. Goldblatt

Julian Twerski isn’t a bully, but he did participate in an act of cruelty toward another child that got him suspended.  Now his English teacher is making him keep a journal to write about the incident.  Twerp writes about anything and everything else instead.  Over the course of the next few months he learns to love writing, examines his friendships, goes on his first date, and finally accepts responsibility for his actions.  A very funny, quick-paced, and touching book that appeals to middle school boys and girls alike.

The President Has Been Shot by James L. Swanson

I will confess that I do not have a good grasp on modern American history.  For some reason my history teachers always seemed to stop around World War II.  Therefore, I really found Swanson’s account of the Kennedy presidency and assassination to be interesting and informative.  Though it was written with young adult readers in mind, I think that adults will also enjoy the fast-paced narrative, photographs, and diagrams in the book.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Some have called Neil Gaiman the Stephen King for young readers.  He certainly knows how to write a suspenseful story with many plot twists.  Coraline Jones and her family moved into a new flat where she discovers a door that leads to a brick wall.  One day the brick wall has mysteriously disappeared and leads to another flat with Coraline’s “Other Mother.”  Coraline begins to suspect that her Other Mother has evil intentions, and she must face her fears to rescue her parents and other children.

Links I Love

Faith

Why Do We Need to Go to Church?   Charming the Birds from the Trees has a great quote from Metropolitan Hilarion about the reasons church attendance is so important.

I Am What I Consume  Molly at Close to Home writes in a similar vein about how we are what we eat–including our time in Liturgy.

Family

Put Yourself on the Clock  Moms always seem to be busy.  Anne at Modern Mrs. Darcy writes about the benefits to keeping a time log to see how you actually spend your time.  Interesting results!

34 Fabulous Staycation Ideas for Families  Do you want to have some family fun this summer but a big vacation is just not in the budget?  Carissa Shaw has some great ideas!

Frugal Living

9 Advantages of Starting Your Own Business  Living Like You are Rich (On Any Income) has an interesting post sharing the advantages of becoming an entrepreneur.

Why I’m Going From Fashionista to Frugal Mom  Do you want to reduce your spending?  Or, would you like to stay at home with your children but aren’t sure how?  Fun Money Mom has some tips for cutting expenses when going to a single-income family.

What are you reading this week?

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