One thing that is great about having to commute to take JustaBXgirl to school is that I can get some reading done. While she’s with me we read children’s books to occupy our almost hour-long train ride. On my solo trips, I can catch up on some reading of my own. I wanted to share with you what’s on my current reading list. Some of these I have begun, some finished and some are patiently waiting for me to pick them up.
Just Breathe by Radhika Vachani
Yoga used to be a way of life for me. Now, I’m hoping to find my way back and Radhika has done a wonderful job of showing me how it is much more than the act of yoga to truly live the yoga lifestyle. We go through so many challenges daily that can be defeated if we used these techniques as more than exercise. She helps us begin learning how our life can truly be more balanced.
Holding The Net – Caring For My Mother On The Tightrope Of Aging by Melanie P. Merriman
I’m my mommy’s only child and my daddy’s oldest. In other words, as they get older my responsibility to each increases. Since my mother had a stroke a little more than two years ago I have had to step in and take over many day to day responsibilities for her. This memoir reminds me that I am not alone. There are many adult children finding themselves in similar positions and this book offers solace and advice!
Sonya Sahni And The First Grade – It’s International Day by Soma Mandal
JustaBXgirl and I read this book before she started school and I think it was a great way to prepare her for the many cultures she might meet. We really enjoyed it and it made JustaBXgirl ask to try new foods once the book was over. It was a great reminder of the many cultures that make this country great.
Benji And The 24 Pound Banana Squash by Alan C. Fox
We live in a world of instant gratification. This is a great reminder to littles and parents that some (most) time the best things are worth waiting and working for.
Loose Pages – Thoughts Through Action by Papi Picasso
I love supporting talented people. Papi Picasso is a wordsmith. He paints a picture with his words that will take you from the ghetto to boardrooms and back. His words can be understood by the common man and the upper echelon. Even if you don’t get around to picking up his book you should follow him on social media because listening to him speak is almost better than having his words on paper.
Manage Your Financial Life by Nancy Doyle
Growing up very poor made me decide that as an adult I would always have a handle on my money. It doesn’t mean that I always make the best financial decisions but it means that I am always working at being better with my money. Nancy’s book is a really good resource to help you keep on the path to financial freedom. And if you’re not on that path yet then it will be a great tool to get you started.
The Drive to Learn: What the East Asian Experience Tells Us about Raising Students Who Excel by Dr. Cornelius Grove
I’m all about finding ways to help enhance JustaBXgirl’s educational experience. Sadly, many books on education are written from an air of superiority and dryness that basically turns the average person off. Not this one. You will be turning pages and really understand where Dr. Grove is coming from. Two of the things that we are reminded early on in the book are that for our children to excel in school they must know that it is their responsibility and they must put the effort into succeeding.
The Address by Fiona Davis
I’m a huge fan of historical fiction. Fiona Davis does a great job of weaving between two centuries, the 1880s and the 1980s. It has been a while since I’ve really had time to sit and enjoy a novel. This is a perfect transition back into reading daily. The picture created of NYC in both eras is so clear I truly can see the story coming to life in my mind. I won’t give away the end but all I can say is WHOA!
Rice & Rocks by Sandra L. Richards
We were blessed to meet Sandra at an event last year. This book has been in rotation since then. I figured it was time to share it with all of you! Don’t read this book hungry because you will be mad you don’t have your own Rice & Rocks!!! This is a wonderful book for children to learn about different cultures too. While Sonya Sahni celebrates differences Rice & Rocks reminds us how much we really are alike!
Veronica and The The Volcano by Geoffrey Cook
We’ve recently begun learning about volcanoes at home so I knew this would be a hit by the title alone. Can you imagine the adventures you would get into living on a volcano? Well, Veronica lives on one and you bet she finds adventure. JustaBXgirl enjoys listening to chapter books so this is a win on multiple accounts.
Penny Dreadful Is A Magnet For Disaster by Joanna Naden
I loved being an Usborne consultant because I just love the quality of their products. Penny Dreadful does not disappoint. She is a fun little girl that gets into trouble that of course is not her fault. Happy now that I’m no longer a rep for the company I can still enjoy their books through other reps.
La Borinquena #1 by Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez
I’ll never forget when as a child someone told me that Wonder Woman was Latina. Now, truth be told they simply meant that Linda Carter was a Latina but in my mind, it meant Wonder Woman because I didn’t know the difference at the time. It also meant that she was Puerto Rican (Linda isn’t Puerto Rican) but at my age of innocence, I only knew that Latinas were Puerto Rican like me. Toda, I don’t have to stretch the truth so far because Edgardo has created a true Puerto Rican superhero. I look forward to reading this comic for a very long time!
As you see there’s a lot on this month’s list. Some are spillover’s from previous lists but I’m a firm believer that no book shall go unread. One thing I love about all of these books is in some way they all make me feel like I can be a better person. They all allow me in some way to strive to be better and many of them give me tools to get there. In life, we should always be working on becoming a better version of the person we see in the mirror. I’m happy to add these author’s words to my resources.
I’m also excited that JustaBXgirl’s school has a little free library in the lobby so when we finish reading some of our books we now have a new place to share them!
What’s on your current reading list? Which of these would you be the most interested in? Be excited because we do have a few of these titles to giveaway to one lucky reader!!!
One lucky reader will receive their own copy of: Rice & Rocks by Sandra L. Richards, Benji And The 24 Pound Banana Squash by Alan C. Fox, Sonya Sahni And The First Grade – It’s International Day by Soma Mandal, Veronica and the Volcano by Geoffrey Cook, The Address by Fiona Davis, and Just Breathe by Radhika Vachani.
