Tag Archives: books

2023 book list

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2023 book list:

the porcupine year

we all want impossible things

these precious days, essays

edie richter is not alone

witch of blackbird pond

the color purple

magic hour (kristen hannah)

mixed up files of mrs basil frank

healer & witch

main street

tomorrow and tomorrow… (half)

ben and me

this time tomorrow

temple alley summer

cloud cuckoo land

circe (part)

really good actually, a novel (part)

little fires everywhere (part)

tuesday (-> sat) with the castle

the vanderbeekers of 141st st &
vanderbeekers and the hidden garden

eleanor oliphant is fine

the seven year slip

talking at night

trumpet of the swan

makoons

Looking at this list I can see that I began and ended with a book from the Birchbark series by Louise Erdrich. Emma and I have really treasured every one.

Also I noticed that I was starting books that did not resonate with me at the time and did not finish. I had heard so many good things about Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow and yet only read half of it. I am certain I will pick up that and Circe again in the future.

I actually read a couple books with time travel and really enjoyed them. So happy to have read both This Time Tomorrow and The Seven Year Slip. They were filled with so much tenderness and love.

book list 2022

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read with Emma:
Little Princess
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Blue Willow
Treasure in the Stream
By The Great Horn Spoon
The Ballad of Lucy Whipple
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Totto Chan, the Little Girl at the Window
The Birchbark House
The Game of Silence

read alone:
Crying in H Mart
The Elegance of the Hedgehog
1/2 Great Expectations
Collective Wisdom
The Hours
The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Nora Roberts (double book)
The Little Book of Hygge
Braiding Sweetgrass
Kitchen Witch
Raising Good Humans
Little Beach Street Bakery
We All Want Impossible Things

This year I was sick for half of it but couldn’t really read. I kept up reading to Emma of course but alone I could give in to sleep. Also this was the year I discovered the magic of vacation reads. I would grab a book off the shelf of the many bookcases at my Dad’s senior apartment. Then I would retreat to the bedroom and read for a spell. In September I had use of the air conditioner, in December soft blankets. Emma is old enough for me to check out and would watch movies with Grandpa and not interrupt me. That was the best.

back to school

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School started this past Monday and we met with our advisor on Wednesday. We started out with a new method that I read about at the end of the last school year. The parent/teacher writes out everything expected of the student for the day in the morning and the child/student can choose the order to do the tasks and can check them off when completed. Since Emma begins her day with assistance from maiki for math that subject begins after breakfast. Then she has choice as how to proceed.

Sometimes we go to the gardens, sometimes we have an errand or activity and I will try to include those on the list. If she finishes before six p.m. she has free time and afterwards we are settling down with more unplugged activities for the evening.

Started off slow this week with three subjects each day. I was glad that the bulk of my decision making about the days events happened in ten minutes in the morning and I was able to pass on more responsiblity to Emma. I felt more organized and she was happier to know what was going to happen. I had read that this method was wildly successful when homeschooling more than one child but it was just as effective for one too. Decision fatigue can be the hardest part of my days.

This year we are incorporating piano instruction with Hoffman Academy and studying U.S. History. I am looking forward to reading a lot of great historical fiction together. I decided we would study cursive more frequently for a bit since she her finger skills are more developed. We will also continue with knitting club. We are all looking forward to the new school year!

Christmas books

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We have great luck checking out holiday books from the library. I reserved them online and we have been picking up a book every few days for a while now. We really enjoy the Moomin comics after reading through all the books. Reading “The Family Under the Bridge” to Emma for the first time this year. We haven’t begun “The Christmas Carol” mouse book but last year she watched the “Muppets Christmas Carol” so she is a bit familiar with the story. The “Lighthouse Christmas” has a sweet story with a real flying santa and the Chirri and Chirra books are our new favorite picture books. The “Lost Christmas” book (picture below) was so pretty but easier to enjoy outside in good lighting. “Christmas in Noisy Village” is also a favorite (last photo) and we read chapters from our books at home each year to hear about their traditions.

early November

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Emma joined the clean up in the bonsai garden a couple afernoons this week. She loves to sweep up the many fallen leaves with their rustic style brooms.

I bought this adorable pinnafore on Thred Up and I was so glad that the size ten fit so well. I love buying second hand whenever possible and this Crewcuts apron style dress really caught my eye.

We played a new game called Lost Woods and it was super fun.

Been listening to maiki read great night time books like Children of Noisy Village, the stories of Betsy and Tacy and Moomin Valley. During the day Emma reads Pippi Longstocking aloud.

We have made the most of the warm weather and are ready for cooler temps to come. Emma told me she prefers to walk around the lake once it cools off and I could not agree more. We like to get bundled and go bird watching around the lake, taking in all the trees and calming open space.