The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly (Margareta Magnusson)

 

This book is a hilarious group of random hilarious personal experiences of the author. She has some fun tips on aging and is a great example of just not stopping. She wrote this book in her 80's! It's a quick read and she has a great sense of humor.

Some of her tips:

• Eat chocolate
• Wear stripes
• The world is always ending....relax
• Look after your hair
• Don't leave empty handed (ie when you're going from one room to another...what needs to be taken to where you're going)
• If you bring something new into the house, take one thing out
• Get rid of your junk so your loved ones don't have to deal with it

I hope I'm as ambtious and wise in my 80s!

Goodreads says:

From New York Times bestselling author of The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning— now a TV series developed by Amy Poehler and Scout Productions—a book of humorous and charming advice for embracing life and aging joyfully .

In her international bestseller The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning Margareta Magnusson introduced the world to the Swedish tradition of döstädning , or “death cleaning”—clearing out your unnecessary belongings so others don’t have to do it for you. Now, unburdened by (literal and emotional) baggage, Magnusson is able to focus on what makes each day worth living. In her new book she reveals her discoveries about aging—some difficult to accept, many rather wondrous. She reflects on her idyllic childhood on the west coast of Sweden, the fullness of her life with her husband and five children, and learning how to live alone. Throughout, she offers advice on how to age gracefully, such wear stripes, don’t resist new technology, let go of what doesn’t matter, and more.

As with death cleaning, it’s never too early to begin. The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly shows all readers how to prepare for and understand the process of growing older and the joys and sorrows it can bring. While Magnusson still recommends decluttering (your loved ones will thank you!), her ultimate message is that we should not live in fear of death but rather focus on appreciating beauty, connecting with our loved ones, and enjoying our time together.

Wise, funny, and eminently practical, The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly is a gentle and welcome reminder that, no matter your age, there are always fresh discoveries ahead, and pleasures both new and familiar to be encountered every day.

The Sour Grape (Jory John and Pete Oswald)

 

Another act of brilliance by Jory John and Pete Oswald! This one has a ton of things that could be used for Notice and Note Signposts too. 

Goodreads says:

The Sour Grape holds grudges for every reason under the sun. Lime never returned a scarf they borrowed? Grudge! Orange never called back? Grudge! But when a friend holds a grudge against the Sour Grape without listening to an explanation, the Sour Grape realizes how unfair grudges can be. Could a bunch of forgiveness and compassion be enough to turn a sour grape sweet?

Jory John and Pete Oswald serve up another heaping plate of laughs and lessons with this empowering, witty, and charming addition to their #1 New York Times bestselling series!

Mr Wayne's Masterpiece (Patricia Polacco)

 

Patricia Polacco is a story telling master. 

Notice and Note signposts: Good for words of the wiser! 

Goodreads says:

In this inspiring true story, beloved artist Patricia Polacco conquers her fear of public speaking, allowing her to discover her remarkable voice. A wonderful companion to Thank You, Mr. Falker and The Art of Miss Chew, it celebrates the lifelong impact of a great teacher.
 
Speaking in front of an audience terrifies Trisha. Ending up in Mr. Wayne’s drama class is the last thing she wants! But Mr. Wayne gives her a backstage role painting scenery for the winter play. As she paints, she listens to the cast rehearse, memorizing their lines without even realizing it. Then, days before opening night, the lead actress suddenly moves away, and Trisha is the only other person who knows her part. Will the play have to be canceled? It won’t be an easy road—when Trisha tries to recite the lines in front of the cast, nothing comes out! But Mr. Wayne won’t let her give up, and with his coaching, Trisha is able to become one of his true masterpieces.

A Mouse Called Miika (Matt Haig)

 

In the Christmas series, this one is my second favorite! This book is listed as 1.5 in the series. You really can't read it without reading A Boy Called Christmas....but this one is not to be missed. I read it aloud to my class. Whenever someone was away, there was no getting away with just moving on. They always had to have a discussion about what they missed. It was a great way to review and summarize. 

Great words of wisdom:

The Truth Pixie: Happiness has nothing to do with good things or bad things. (p. 129)

Miika: All you need to be brave is love. His older sister had been wrong all that time ago. You couldn't live life just looking after yourself. You had to live with yourself too. And he wanted to live not as who he had become. But as who he could be. 

Miika: I'm sorry about all this. I didn't mean to steal the cheese.' He saw the Truth Pixie's doubting eyes. "Well, I did actually. I did mean to steal it. And it was really tasty cheese. And there was enough to live on forever. But I realized that some things are more important than cheese...even excellent cheese." (p. 166)

Miika: 'A me kind of mouse," Miika said. "That is the kind of mouse I am. And I don't need you to like me any more, Bridget the Brave. You can think whatever you want. And to be honest, I didn't like the feeling of being a thief. Even a cheese thief. Yes, Urga-burga is delicious. But no cheese tastes as good as being kind feels. And that's what I want to be. I want to be a kind creature. And sometimes the very bravest thing is to be who you want to be." (p. 173)

"Well, yes," said Nikolas, who was sitting cross-legged on the floor, with his red hat in his hands and his head touching the ceiling. "That's true. You were a cheese thief. But you did the right thing in the end. And it's how things end that matters." Nikolas had tears in his eyes. "And there's nothing more important in the whole world than a good friend." (p. 176)

Truth Pixie: "....the truth is, not everyone will like us. Not everyone we meet will always want the best for us. And not everyone will know our truth. If people want to hate us, it's easier to let them. You see, it is better to be disliked for bei9ng who you are than to be liked for who you are not. Being who you are not is exhausting." (pp. 183-184)

"Be you," the Truth Pixie continued. "Be the full you. Don't try to make yourself small to match someone else. And, sure, fitting in is fine. But it's not as great as standing out. Standing out is..." she searched for the word, "...outstanding!" (p. 184)

Goodreads says:

From the world of A Boy Called Christmas, now a major motion picture, comes the epic adventure of a tiny hero

This is a tale of mice and magic.

It is also a tale of great love (of cheese) and great danger. And of learning the lesson that what matters most--when it comes to cheese and life--is not how strongly you smell but how strong you are on the inside.

The Girl Who Saved Christmas (Matt Haig)

 

This is a book adults AND kids will love. There are lots of 'words of the wiser' sign posts to keep you feeling good. Characters continue from A Boy Called Christmas. Charles Dickens makes an appearance. There are hopeless situations where hope is not lost....and that's where the magic of Christmas comes from. 

I'd definitely read A Boy Called Christmas first, but this is a great follow up. There are lots of great twists and surprising turns that will keep everyone entertained. I wouldn't be surprised if this one was made into a movie as well.

"Life is like a chimney - you sometimes have to get through the dark before you see the light" (p. 53)

Goodreads says:

JOURNEY TO THE EDGE OF MAGIC

If magic has a beginning, can it also have an end?

When Amelia wants a wish to come true she knows just the man to ask - Father Christmas.

But the magic she wants to believe in is starting to fade, and Father Christmas has more than impossible wishes to worry about. Upset elves, reindeers dropping out of the sky, angry trolls and the chance that Christmas might be cancelled.

But Amelia isn't just any ordinary girl. And - as Father Christmas is going to find out - if Christmas is going to be saved, he might not be able to do it alone . . .

The Dragon Thief (Zetta Elliott)

 

I reluctantly did this as a read aloud. We did the first book as a read aloud and it ended with such a cliff hanger that I gave in to reading the second one aloud. It ended up going over winter break though so it felt like it took us forever to finish it. Coincidentally, the 3rd book comes out on this very day! It's only in hard-cover though so we're going to have to wait...if only for the reason that I don't want to have the first two books in soft cover and then the third in hard cover! LOL I might take it out from the public library though and read it on my own. 

Dragons and magic are all really fun. In addition to that, I think this author does a good job of incorporating lessons and big topics without making it too pedantic or preachy. I will be able to find lots of reasons to refer back to it  for elaborative detail and stretching out a main event. It's a great book!

Notice and Note Signposts:

Theme: Belonging (p. 22)  Fitting in (p. 24)

Memory Moment: 

• Dad's death pp. 40-41

Again and Again

• Kenny/Jax - dads are absent

Words of the wiser

• p. 22 When you lose your home you lose part of yourself
• p. 24 Mumy says you can lose yourself if you try too hard to fit in
• p. 146
• p. 148

Contrasts and Contradictions

• p. 30

Ah ha Moment

Tough Questions

• p. 108 How To Handle Blue

Goodreads says:

Stealing a baby dragon was easy! Hiding it is a little more complicated.

Jaxon had just one job--to return three baby dragons to the realm of magic. But when he got there, only two dragons were left in the bag. His best friend's sister, Kavita, is a dragon thief!

Kavita only wanted what was best for the baby dragon. But now every time she feeds it, the dragon grows and grows! How can she possibly keep it secret? Even worse, stealing it has upset the balance between the worlds. The gates to the other realm have shut tight! Jaxon needs all the help he can get to find Kavita, outsmart a trickster named Blue, and return the baby dragon to its true home.

Tuesdays With Morrie (Mitch Albom)

I read this about 8 years ago. I re-read it when my book club was reading it. We had a wonderful discussion from it. Still, I could only rate it a 3. I feel a little guilty about that because Mitch Albom has done some wonderful things and Morrie was a great man and it is about life and death and really living. However, I still found it a little cheesy. I tend to think it is a little bit of memory bias. People tend to

Maybe it just isn't the right time in my life. Maybe I'll have to read it again.

Goodreads says:

Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher or a colleague. Someone older, patient and wise, who understood you when you were young and searching, and gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it. For Mitch Albom, that person was Morrie Schwartz, his college professor from nearly twenty years ago.

Maybe, like Mitch, you lost track of this mentor as you made your way, and the insights faded. Wouldn't you like to see that person again, ask the bigger questions that still haunt you?

Mitch Albom had that second chance. He rediscovered Morrie in the last months of the older man's life. Knowing he was dying of ALS - or motor neurone disease - Mitch visited Morrie in his study every Tuesday, just as they used to back in college. Their rekindled relationship turned into one final 'class': lessons in how to live.

The Dark (Lemony Snicket)

I got this book out if the library because the illustrator is Jon Klassen, the author and illustrator of I Want My Hat Back.  I loved that book!

When I took this book out of the library the librarian saw it and flipped through it. We talked about how crazy Lemony Snicket is, and then the librarian said, "Do you mind if I just quickly read it?" I had time, so she perused it quickly. There were a number of times she raised her eyebrows. At the end she closed it and said, "That's weird." From her description, I kind of agreed.

Then I read it in my classroom. My students had a totally different take on it. They loved it! They said, "Yes, that is what The Dark feels like!" They agreed that The Dark is real. They loved the illustrations and felt like the author totally nailed it.

That is why I love reading with kids. They get things adults just never get on their own :)

If you're afraid of the dark, you should read this book.

And if you've been afraid of the dark in the past, you should read this book.

March 2023: I love the teaching of opposites in this. Without a creaky roof, the rain would fall on your bed, and without a smooth, cold window, you could never see outside, and without a set of stairs, you could never go in the basement, where the dark spends its time. Without a closet, you would have nowhere to put your shoes, and without a shower curtain, you would splash water all over the bathroom, and without the dark, everything would be light, and you would never know if you needed a lightbulb. (Words of the Wiser)