Max and Marla Are Flying Together (Alexandra Boiger)

 

We laughed that the owl was afraid to fly....then had a great discussion about facing our fears.

Goodreads says:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of She Persisted comes a book about friendship, flying, and facing your fears together.

Max and Marla do everything together. So when Max makes a kite and wants to go fly it, he can't understand why Marla doesn't want to join! And when an autumn wind makes a mess in their yard, Marla finds a perfect pile of leaves to hide away in. Little does she know that she can't avoid the kite forever! All she needs is the courage to believe in herself.

In this heartwarming tale of flying and fun, Max and Marla learn that the best way to face your fears is to have a best friend at your side. 

Head Strong (Dave Asprey)

 

Improving the way my brain works is a big interest of mine. I liked many of the tips this author had but overall I found it overwhelming. I don't think it would be even possible to do all these things. I'm always leery of programs that suggest cutting out entire categories of food (i.e. grains, milk and a lot of meat) and that suggests you buy HIS products because they're superior to everything else out there. I finished it because I'm a finisher and I figured maybe something would come up that would change my mind. It didn't.  

I will continue to do some things: daily exercise, meditation, watching out for junk light, avoiding sugar, eating healthy fats, etc. I am not into his bulletproof coffee, microdosing nicotine and the looooong list of supplements. As I was reading, I found myself wondering what a biologist would say about all this. He goes to great pains to explain the science - which just ended up being a lot of confusing vocabulary for me. 

I will give it a 2/5. Moving on.

Goodreads says:

From the creator of Bulletproof Coffee and author of the bestselling The Bulletproof Diet comes a revolutionary plan to upgrade your brainpower—in two weeks or less.

For the last decade, Silicon Valley entrepreneur Dave Asprey has worked with world-renowned doctors and scientists to uncover the latest, most innovative methods for making humans perform better—a process known as "biohacking." In his first book, The Bulletproof Diet, he shared his biohacking tips for taking control of your own biology. Now, in Head Strong, Asprey shows readers how to biohack their way to a sharper, smarter, faster, more resilient brain.

Imagine feeling like your mind is operating at its clearest and sharpest, and being able—possibly for the first time in your life—to do more in less time? What it suddenly became easier to do the very hardest things you do? Or if you could feel 100% confident about your intellect, and never again fear being the person in the room who just isn’t smart enough, or can’t remember something important? How would you treat people if the mood swings, short temper, and food cravings that disrupt your day could simply disappear?

In Head Strong, Asprey shows us that all of this is possible—and more. Using his simple lifestyle modifications (or "hacks") to take advantage of how the structure of your brain works, readers will learn how to take their mental performance to the next level. Combining the latest findings in neuroscience and neurobiology with a hacker-inspired "get it done now" perspective, Asprey offers a program structured around key areas of brain performance that will help you:


Power the brain with exactly what it needs to perform at its best all day long
Eliminate the sources of "kryptonite," both nutritional and environmental, that make the brain slower.
Supercharge the cellular powerhouses of our brains, the mitochondria, to eliminate cravings and turn up mental focus.
Reverse inflammation to perform better right now, then stay sharp and energized well into your golden years.
Promote neuron growth to enhance processing speed and reinforce new learning—hotwiring your brain for success.
Asprey’s easy to follow, two-week program offers a detailed plan to supercharge brain performance, including: which foods to eat and which ones to avoid, how to incorporate the right kinds of physical activity into your day, a detox protocol for your home and body; meditation and breathing for performance, recommended brain-boosting supplements; and how to adjust the lighting in your home and work space to give your brain the quality light it thrives on.

A better brain—and a happier, easier, more productive life—is within reach. You just need to get Head Strong.

The Patron Saint of Liars (Ann Patchett)

 

I was reading a different book in preparation for my book club meeting when I realized I was reading the wrong book and so I quickly switched to this one. LOL I still didn't get this one read before book club, which I really regret because this would have been a great one to discuss. I feel like there was some kind of symbolism between the healing water spring where the hotel/home for pregnant girls was built and the main character's inability to make connections and give/feel love and connection....but I struggle to put that together succinctly.

The ending was quite surprising and quite unresolved. Call me weird, but I kind of like a book that leaves you sitting there stunned, in the middle of the road, like I did with Cecilia. 

I read a lot of reviews that said they did not like the main character, Rose. I found myself really sympathizing with her and feeling bad for her. I wanted her to find happiness....but she never did. (I added disabilities as a tag because I felt like Rose had a disability when it came to making healthy connections with other people).

Goodreads says:

In 1992, celebrated novelist Ann Patchett launched her remarkable career with the publication of her debut novel, The Patron Saint of Liars. On this 25th anniversary, read the best-selling book that is “beautifully written . . . a first novel that second- and third-time novelists would envy for its grace, insight, and compassion” (Boston Herald).

St. Elizabeth's, a home for unwed mothers in Habit, Kentucky, usually harbors its residents for only a little while. Not so Rose Clinton, a beautiful, mysterious woman who comes to the home pregnant but not unwed, and stays. She plans to give up her child, thinking she cannot be the mother it needs. But when Cecilia is born, Rose makes a place for herself and her daughter amid St. Elizabeth's extended family of nuns and an ever-changing collection of pregnant teenage girls. Rose's past won't be kept away, though, even by St. Elizabeth's; she cannot remain untouched by what she has left behind, even as she cannot change who she has become in the leaving

Lines of Courage (Jennifer A Nielsen)

 

I'm not good at war stories. I can't keep track of the battles, the locations and why each countries hates another. However, World War I did become a little clearer for me with this book. I became attached to each of the characters. One was from Austria-Hungary (Austrian-Hungarian?), one was British, one was French, one was German and one was Russian. The author's note at the end to explain some main aspects of WWI made things a little more clear for me. Of course, all the characters lives intersect and in the end they all come together....which was a little too convenient....but maybe that's okay when it comes to J fiction. 

I really enjoy Jennifer Nielsen's books and I also enjoyed this one. She does a great job of creating characters that are in difficult situations  all while making them relatable and inspiring.

I  really liked her note at the end. She said she wrote this during the covid-19 pandemic.  "...a time of heightened anxieties, worries about the future, frightening news headlines, and isolation. The First World War could be described in the very same way.....which is why lies of courage matter; those lines we extend from ourselves to offer strength and encouragement to others. And those that flow toward us, boosting our courage for whatever the future may bring."....World War I was called the "War to End All Wars." That didn't last long, of course, but may you be the generation that ends the conflict, whether on a global scale or in your community, or with your closest relationships. May you do so because nature wants to heal. And with a little courage, we will too." (from the author's note at the end of the book)

I'm all for anything that encourages people to end conflict. 

....which brings me to the Russian invasion in Ukraine....maybe she could write a book about that to help me make sense of it.

Goodreads says:

The stories of five kids living through World War I, each of whom holds the key to the others' futures... if they are lucky - and brave - enough to find each other.

World War I stretches its cruel fingers across Europe, where five young people, each from different backgrounds and nations, face the terror of battle, the deprivations of hunger, and all the awful challenges of war.

Felix, from Austria-Hungary, longs for the bravery to resist Jewish deportations before his own family can be taken.

Kara, from Britain, dreams of someday earning her Red Cross pin and working as a nurse - or even a doctor.

Juliette, of France, hopes her family can remain knitted together, despite her father's imprisonment, as the war's longest battle stretches on and on.

Elsa, from Germany, hopes her homing pigeon might one day bring her a friend from out of the chaos.

And Dimitri, of Russia, wants only to survive the front, where he's been sent with no weapon.

None of them will find exactly what they want. But the winds of fate may cross their paths to give each of them just what they need. 

The Upside of Stress (Kelly McGonigal)

 

This is a great book! It is definitely one to read again and read it regularly.

NOTES

- People who thrive under stress have a different sort of hardiness (courage to grow from stress):

    - they think about stress differently. They see it as a normal aspect of life
    - they see it as an opportunity to grow
    - they believed that difficult times require staying engaged with life rather than giving up or isolating oneself
    - no matter what happens, you can continue to make choices and change the situation

People who are good at stress allow themselves to be changed by the experience of stress. They find ways to make meaning out of suffering.

The book is divided into three important ways to deal with stress:

Engage
Connect
Grow

p. 102: Mindset interventions don't just stick; they also snowball. Every time these students perform well despite - or perhaps because of - their nerves, they learn to trust themselves under pressure. 

p. 103 Do you see stress as helpful and giving you motivation? Or do you see it as harmful?

    "If you experience stress of anxiety, try to channel or use the energy those feelings may arouse in order to do your best" and "You are the kind of person who performs better under pressure."  
vs 
 "If you experience stress or anxiety, try to focus on the task and do your best."
vs 
 " Please try to do your best."

Students who learn to channel and use the energy stress arouses outperform others.

Beautiful Hands (Kathryn Otoshi and Bret Baumgarten)

 

Beautiful and simple. 

Goodreads says:

This colorful concept book reveals an illustrative surprise and reading delight with every turn of the page. Little hands can do so many wonderful things: plant ideas; stretch imaginations; and reach for dreams. Parents and educators will enjoy sharing the word play with young readers. Children will revel in the spectacular art created using thumb- and hand-prints. The book's uplifting message will rouse and motivate, leaving no heart untouched.

Based on co-author Bret Baumgarten’s experience of holding his daughter’s hands every morning and asking her, "What will your beautiful hands do today?," this book was created to inspire children everywhere to use their power to help themselves and others achieve their dreams. Co-authored and illustrated by Kathryn Otoshi (One, Zero, Two), it is sure to charm. 

Love is (Diane Adams)

 

I chose this book for our last day of school. The main character has a little duckling that she loves. As I read the words about how much she loved the little duckling and then read about how he grew and learned and was ready for a new pond, I couldn't quite read the words. I had to get the kids to read the different pages. They were a little confused about why I was teary and I explained how it reminded me that they are like my little ducklings and now they're ready for a new pond. We went back and read it again to grasp the emotion of it all. It was beautiful and I felt good about expressing my love to my students this way. 

Goodreads says:
Perfect for Valentine's Day—or any tender moment—this story of a girl and a duckling who share a touching year together will melt hearts old and young. In this tenderly funny book, girl and duckling grow in their understanding of what it is to care for each other, discovering that love is as much about letting go as it is about holding tight. Children and parents together will adore this fond exploration of growing up while learning about the joys of love offered and love returned.