October is almost over, that means that Summer is just around the corner here. It also means that it is exam season. Speaking of which I have just spent the morning sitting one of mine, 2 to go and I am finished. Yes finished for ever! No more exams! Can you tell how happy I am about that.
Anyway, to my Booktuber of the month. This month I am highlighting:
Jesse the reader
I like his style. His enthusiasm is catching. I find myself sitting with my kindle and goodreads link at hand as I catalogue new TBR for myself. I particularly enjoy his bloopers at the end. I would like to see more tubers highlighting the bloopers, they are so much fun to watch and you get a glimpse at the reality of filming. I have been watching Jesse's reviews and TBR's for a while now. Take a look in and see what he is reading, especially if you enjoy young adult books.
Racheal has done it again! She has written a sequel to Spark that was just as gripping as the first in the series. I hate it when I start reading a trilogy only to find that I should have stopped with the first book. Stray only left me wanting to turn page after page. I am eagerly waiting for next year when Rachael Craw plans to produce the third book in this series, Shield.
What made this book so readable? The characters were intense. It was as if I was in the room with them. There was plenty of action to keep the suspense of the next chapter leading me to read just one more page, before I went to sleep. Problem being, it was never enough and one page lead to another hour of reading. The plot was very interesting. How on earth do writers come up with such ideas? I can only wish I had just a little of such an ability.
Now in my opinion this series would make a fabulous movie. I enjoyed the Insurgent series. I enjoyed the Insurgent movies (I was a little disappointed in the Divergent movie). Now this series I am enjoying by far more. I would be the first in line for movie tickets if this ever made its way into the theatres.
Here is a peak at the book through its blurb:
Evie is a shield: designed to kill in order to protect, and the Affinity Project have finally come for her. But Evie isn't ready for the sinister organisation to take control of her life, her body, her mind. She isn't ready to follow their rules about who can live and who must die - not when it condemns the innocent. She has one option: risk losing everything and everyone - including Jamie - and run.
I love this quote. It has the weirdest of wording but it says it so extremely well. Will it ever out date... I think there will always be a place for Dr. Seuss and there will always be a place for this quote.
A Casualty of Grace
Author: Lisa Brown
Pages: 235
Publication date: 30 September 2015
Hi Everyone,
Want curl up with a book and a box of tissues... Here's the book for you. Want a book you will struggle to put down... Here's your book.
I have never read a book that I cried so much! Maybe I am a bit too sentimental. But this boy went through more then physical abuse. He went through unlimited emotional abuse from every angle. I felt the boys grief, pain, anger and disbelief. The grace he had was amazing. The adults, on the other hand, needed to have their brains examined. How can people treat children in such a way, yet it happens. Even in today's world, it happens. Now that is an issue in itself that you should not get me talking about! Lisa Brown touched the very core of an issue that effected many orphans. She wrote a novel that transported me into the very inner being of the young boy as he had his mother die and set out to protect his brother and maintain their need to remained together. As they faced the grips of adults in a world that couldn't and didn't protect them... I read, grieved and cried, through each chapter.
I got up each morning and got my family ready for the day, got my breakfast and opened this book. From there I kept checking the clock and reading just a little more. Then a little more. The clock ticked by and I had to put it down. Come lunch time I usually take the liberty to get in some exercise. Well, not able to help myself the book was opened instead. Now ask anyone and they all know how much I like my exercise time, I always have. But no, I sat with flavoured coffee and went back into a life of a boy who needed someone to gather him up and give him a home that contained some love and security.
Grab a copy and some tissues. I doubt very much that you will be disappointed.
Happy reading.
Here's the burb:
Oliver and Simon are young brothers who are unexpectedly orphaned, and they suddenly find themselves alone in the world with nobody to care for them. Now, all they have is each other, and the threat of being torn apart becomes painfully real. The promise of a good home together in distant Canada eases their fears, but it is a promise that is destined to be broken.
After being separated from Simon, fate delivers Oliver to the Pritchard farm, where Liza Pritchard, a woman struggling with her own fractured and afflicted life, sees in Oliver the family she so desperately wants. But Oliver has to contend with her husband, an angry and violent man, and he can’t see past the terrible life he has been thrust into. Both Oliver and Liza have much to learn about faith and forgiveness, and together they embark on an emotional journey that will change each of them forever.
Read the best books first, or you may not have a chance to read them at all.
–Henry David Thoreau
I have the pleasure of knowing a beautiful lady named Joan who is in her 90's. She has inspired me for many years now. She has a smile that lights up the room and I have enjoyed every moment spent with her. This quote reminds me of Joan. She once told me to make sure I kept reading while I was able. She enjoyed reading but now she finds her eyes get too dry. This is something that at my age I think little of. I pick up a book and read. No problems. As a child I didn't enjoy reading and missed far to many good books. Now I read to make up for lost time. But how much time do we have? Well, Joan knows not to take it all for granted. Joan tells me to read while I can. She misses a good read but her eyes wont let her.
This is what I read into this quote as I think of Joan... A very special lady.
Mindset how you can fulfil your potential
Author: Dr Carol S. Dweck
ISBN: 9781780332000
Before I venture into telling you what I think of this book, I would like to repeat what the blurb contains. To get a full idea of what a treasure this piece of writing is, it's the only way I can completely give Carol Dweck's book its full justice.
World-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck, in decades of research, achievement and success, has discovered a truly ground breaking idea-the power of our mindset. Deweck explains why it's not just our abilities and talent that bring us success-but whether we approach them with a fixed or growth mindset. She makes clear why praising intelligence and ability doesn't foster self-esteem and lead to accomplishment, but may actually jeopardize success. With the right mindset, we can motivate our kids and help them to raise their grades, as well as reach our own goals-personal and professional. Dweck reveals what all great parents, teachers CEOs, and athletes already know: how a simple idea about the brain can create a love of learning and a resilience that is the basis of great accomplishment in every area.
Now with that said, to my review. This book is a must read for all teaching students. As for teachers and parents, I highly recommend taking a look within the pages of this book. It is a treasure trove to the power of our brain. I have taken quite an interest in the brain and the capabilities we as humans have, to adjust our thoughts. Once, we were thought of as being fully developed and unmalleable by adulthood. Now science knows better. Thanks to technology, we can now take a look inside our brain and see the workings of our mind, as we scan every detail. I find this just amazing. Dr Carol S. Dweck has taken mindsets into the classroom and beyond. She takes a look at praise, and how we are setting young minds to become locked into particular beliefs of their capabilities. I praise my children and encourage them, every parent should. Now I look deeper and encourage growth in other areas rather than just the visible strengths they have at that time. Everyone grows and changes, As adults we are capable of change if we so desire. Are we locking our children into systems that mould them to be one thing rather than changeable? We live in a fast moving, quickly changing world. Our children need to be able to grow and adapt. A growth mindset is what I want for my children and every child that I teach. The ability be able to dream and make happen. To question how can I make this happen?
Now I am fully aware that there are limitations beyond our self. Limitations and barriers that are not always ours. These can hinder were life directs us. But without the ability to think and envision what do we have and what limits do we place on ourselves? To not be believe in growth leaves one stagnant and broken. A growth mindset is a necessity in todays world, where technology is changing all possibilities right before our eyes.
I love the capacities of the human brain. I love the capabilities and dreams of a young child. One who sees others walking and tries to stand; then steps but falls; yet stands again against all barriers as their mind knows little of failure. Where does that child in all of us disappear to as we struggle with the world and its words of limitation placed upon us each day?
So with that deep thinking... Pick up her book and step into the world of mindset. Take a look at the mass of youtube clips arising on the net. Then think, dream and make possible. Your changeable and very capable, Your a human not a machine :)
Here is a youtube clip of Carol S Dweck speaking. I have taken it from youtube to give you an idea of her message. It was posted by happyandwell.com.au so cant take any credit for it. While you are there you might find some of their other clips interesting too.
This book was available from: Fishpond, Book depository and Amazon
I love quotes! I especially like a good book quote. Here is one I enjoyed this week from over at goodreads.com
I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll go to it laughing.
It was written by Herman Melville on October 3, 1860. Herman Melville was the author of the classic Moby Dick. Wouldn't it be great to still be re-quoted over 150 years after writing/speaking something.Now there's something worth thinking about! I wonder if my words are thought of even five minutes after thinking them :)
The secret of Sinbad's cave
Author: Brydie Walker Bain
This story started with excitement as one of the kids falls through the roof into a secret room. I thought was a brilliant start to what continued to be a great read. When the kids discover a map they set off to find Sinbad's cave and hopefully the promise treasure. Nat becomes part of a mystery to locate treasure left to her in a past determined inheritance. The story is full of action, mystery and magic.
The dimension of Maori heritage is well intertwined within the pages. Now for those of you who live beyond the dynamics of New Zealand, there may be little knowledge of Maori people. New Zealand is a wonderful multi-cultural country. The first nationality to New Zealand was the Maori people. Then followed the British of which the Maori's formed a treaty. Throughout the years the country has transformed and grown, now being the home of many cultures. Maori forms a large part of the New Zealand culture, and along with that remains many of their legends. This is the first story that I have read which intertwines Maori language and heritage into the pages of a chapter book. Brydie Walker Bain has done a fabulous job in doing this, creating a story of magic and mystery. At the back of the book, is a Glossary of Maori Words to make reading easily understandable. There isn't a huge amount of Maori words presented, so don't be scared of reading it. If you read this on a Kindle many of the words should be in the kindle vocabulary system.
Brydie gave me a copy of this book and I am pleased to have been given an opportunity to read it. There was a bit of everything in the pages. A fantail bird that becomes Nats protection; hidden lands that only Nat can experience; caves that hold secrets... and treasure; adventure, mystery and suspense in every chapter. Family and friends that endure everything together to make the impossible happen. I am looking forward to opening the pages of the next book in the series, The ship of sight.
