Book Review (September 2013 - December 2013)

A few months ago I decided to keep a list of the books I read and that I especially liked over an amount of time and then report it on my blog. I LOVE to read and don't ever want to give up reading. As an ALMOST Elementary Education teacher I want to make sure that the children around me also see that I love to read and the joy that it can bring.
Recently I read a blog that listed 8 benefits of reading that I really liked and agreed with.

1. Enhanced Smarts
2. Reduces Stress
3. Greater Tranquility 
4. Increased Vocabulary
6. Improved Memory
7. Improved Writing Skills
8. Helps Prioritize Goals  

Like the blogger in the post I am also a fidgety person. My legs never stop moving ever! Reading helps me escape to a calmer mind from my highly stimulated habits. Reading does help me reduce stress and feel peace, as well as prioritize my goals. When I remove myself and mind from my school and family stresses, I am able to see what I really want for myselfand the goals I want to achieve.

 As a future mother and teacher I feel that it is important to be aware of the books that your children and students are reading and be familiar with at least all the books in your personal library. This past semester I had a Children's and Young Adult Literature class that I took. For the homework for this class we were required to read a number of books and familiarize ourselves with the available books around us. This being said, the list for this third of a year could be a lot longer then upcoming lists.

Books I Read: 9/13 - 12/13
Timeline: Michael Crichton* 
The Giver: Lois Lowry*
Book of 1,000 Days: Shannon Hale
Waiting For Normal: Leslie  Conner                                                  
The Breadwinner: Deborah Ellis*
With a Name Like Love: Tess Hilmo
Mazerunner: James Dashner*
Bridge to Terabithia: Katherine Paterson *
The Boy on the Porch: Sharon Creech*
Dead End in Norvelt: Jack Gantos
MLK: Journey of a King: Tonya Bolden
Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: Jennifer Armstrong *
Between Shades of Grey: Ruta Sepetys *
Hope and Tears: Ellis Island Voice: Gwenyth Swain 
American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic: Jim Murphy*
 * Books I would recommend

       Books to Read    

       Divergent

       Book Thief

      Messenger

      My Name is Parvana

      Scorch Trials

      Catch 22
      Cinder

Look what I found!!! I pinned an awesome little reading nook that I would like Jordan to make for me in a playroom or a child's room! I love it! READ READ READ!!

Cute Cute Cute!!

I love that this is simple, yet so adorable. It would be easy to create! 

                            
       

On to 2014

2014 is here! However, I do not feel ready. My new apartment is still a wreck and we are hoping our car lasts a few months later so we can have some time to search for a new one. I am also behind on a couple of Etsy orders due to being away from my yarn collection during Christmas break. However, as hectic as I feel getting back to Provo, I am excited for school to start and even more excited to start teaching in an older grade classroom in a couple of months!
 I love to set goals, but I am not into setting long term goals. To often I find myself forgetting or starting not to care as much as I did about the goal as when I set it. However, for the sake of tradition I have made a list of a few. They were carefully thought out so that I can make sure that come April, I will still feel the desire to work on them.

2014 Goals

1. Be able to sprint again!  - A little over a year ago I injured a muscle. Even after a substantial amount of time and physical therapy I still have a glitch in my run and jog that I am anxious to leave behind.
2. Finish a quilt and an afghan - These quilts are close, but are going to require a little more TLC to finish and be ready to display on my quilt rack.
3. Practice the Piano - I want to keep my skills up, but because of a lack of a nice piano the motivation is hard, but I want to get a nice flashy song polished and memorized to play on the spot.
4. Be more compassionate to those around me, most importantly my HUSBAND.
5. Be aware of those around me and be confident enough to give sincere compliments.
6. Read Books