Monday Mini-Reviews: Reading About Running

 

I have read a lot of running books over the past several years.  I've never considered myself a runner, although I do run (not very fast) on the treadmill. My daughters, however, are runners.  And after watching a decade of high school cross country meets, and then college cross country meets for five years and counting, I feel like I've got a pretty good understanding of how the sport works.  

We Loved To Run by Stephanie Reents is set in 1992 featuring a womens Division III cross country team.  I went to a small liberal arts college that was DIII and had a lot of XC running friends.  So I'll just say that this one rang all the bells.  

This is told from the perspectives of the six varsity runners, and each has their own struggles to contend with.  But they also want to win the New England Division Three College Championship. So despite the fact that they compete against each other in every meet, they also are a team that needs to work together. 

This book captures the mental aspect of running - the skipped meals, the brutal training, the disregard for pain or injury, the need to be the best that runners face. 

I loved this one.

And then, I happened to pick up a middle grade book that's also about running.

R. L. Toalson's The Unforgettable Leta "Lightning" Laurel covers a lot of ground about being a middle school girl: changing friendships and a changing body.  But Leta is also dealing with her dad's abrupt departure and trying to figure out what she can do to make him come back to their family.  Leta's a talented runner and she's decided that if she can win a big race, her dad will want to be in their lives again.

Leta has put a lot of pressure on herself, and despite being told to take recovery days, she can't.  So when her foot starts to hurt, Leta ignores the pain until she can't ignore it any more.

Toalson gives good information on running - and how it is different for girls.  She has her character experience injury and rehab (unfortunately I know this scenario from my youngest daughter), and she covers the mental aspect of running as well.  

This book is so well done.  There's plenty in there for non-runners to enjoy, but I wish this one had been published when my girls were in junior high so they would have had it to read.

Friday Five: Countdown to Christmas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around these parts.  Last week we ended up with 14" of snow, and we are scheduled for more this weekend.  We've been spoiled the last few years with more mild winters, and I'm already sick of the cold and the snow mess that winter brings.  

I am finding so many great deals on things I am loving.  I love thick winter sweaters and cozy clothes and right now there is plenty of that to choose from.  We're heading to Barcelona over Christmas since Middle Sister is wrapping up a semester abroad and will be returning home with us.  I'm excited for the trip which is quickly approaching, and have beent starting to think about how I can bring a minimal amount of clothing with me in case I might purchase a few things while I'm there.

Here's what has caught my eye this week:

 

1.  Maria Fair Isle Cardigan

2.  Weekend Collection Mixed Stitch Sweater

3.  Ollie Varsity Vest

4.  Crew Shimmer Huggies

5.  Short Sleeve Jacquard Knit Sweater

6.  Quilted Popover

8.   Advent Calendar Christmas Sweater

9.  Sequin Bow Back Mini Dress

10.  The Wales' at Christmas

That's it for me this week. What's caught your eye?

Read Alouds on Repeat

 This year I'm back at the elementary level for my job (a district "restructuring" eleminated 11 of 15 librarians, and the four of us remaining now each have four buildings with only partial para coverage. I'll try to keep by negative thoughts to a minimum). I've been in the middle school for nearly a decade, and while it was time for a change then, there are some things I still miss about the elementary kids.  

One of them is read alouds.  There is nothing like getting a group of kids engaged in a read aloud. I love that a read aloud is abe to calm the class down, the discussions you can have while reading, and the way you can see an entire class rapt with attention as they sit on the carpet while you share a good book.

This fall I've been reading a lot of picture books as book orders arrive at school, and there are a several books that I've had on repeat.

This isn't really a Halloween book, but Aggie and the Ghost by Matthew Forsythe is the book I read to classes from Kindergarten through fifth grade as I introduced myself to new groups of students.  Spare text makes this a quick read, but students quickly became engaged because they realized they needed to pay attention to the illustrations.  Aggie's ghost doesn't follow the rules, and she'd like him to leave her alone.  This isn't as easy as it may seem as the ghost has ideas of his own.  Older students could discuss "reverse psychology" when the ghost seemed to do the opposite of what it was supposed to, and also the idea of "frenemies."  

Typically I would teach/recite nursery rhymes with kindergarteners in the fall.  I was initially surprised that they rarely knew any nursery rhymes.  And, now nine years later, they still know almost none.  (There is research out there that shows that knowing nursery rhymes is a pre-reading skill and helps kids learn to read). I have read this book to upper elementary students after we do a quick review/introduction to a few nursery rhymes (Jack and Jill, Humpty Dumpty, Hickory Dickory Dock, etc) and they are able to participate in the read aloud by happily shouting, "Pop! Goes the nursery rhyme!" repeatedly.  I love a good rhyming book and this one is a delight.

If you're looking for something a little more serious, The Library In the Woods by Calvin Alexander Ramsey is a historical fiction picture book.  Calvin recalls his childhood when his family moved from their farm to town.  Although Calvin knew about libraries, he knew as a black boy he was not allowed to check out books.  However, his friend introduced him to a library in the woods close to where they lived. This building housed more books than Calvin had ever seen and was open to the black community.  There Calvin was able to check out books; I love how this story shows how important reading and books were to him.  And although kids don't often read the notes at a book's end, we did make sure to look at the photograph of the actual library in the woods.

I have several other stacks on my desk waiting for me to read them.  I am already anticipating what other enjoyable stories I can share with my students. 

Waiting on Wednesday: Meet The Newmans

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature where I highlight a soon to be released novel I can't wait to read.

This week's selection is Meet The Newmans by Jennifer Niven

Due out January 6, 2026

Synopsis taken from Amazon:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Niven, a novel about America’s favorite TV family, whose perfect façade cracks, for fans of Lessons in Chemistry and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

For two decades, Del and Dinah Newman and their sons, Guy and Shep, have ruled television as America’s Favorite Family. Millions of viewers tune in every week to watch them play flawless, black-and-white versions of themselves. But now it’s 1964, and the Newmans’ idealized apple-pie perfection suddenly feels woefully out of touch. Ratings are in free fall, as are the Newmans themselves. Del is keeping an explosive secret from his wife, and Dinah is slowly going numb―literally. Steady, stable Guy is hiding the truth about his love life, and the charmed luck of rock ‘n roll idol Shep may have finally run out.

When Del―the creative motor behind the show―is in a mysterious car accident, Dinah decides to take matters into her own hands. She hires Juliet Dunne, an outspoken, impassioned young reporter, to help her write the final episode. But Dinah and Juliet have wildly different perspectives about what it means to be a woman, and a family, in 1964. Can the Newmans hold it together to change television history? Or will they be canceled before they ever have the chance?

Funny, big-hearted, and deeply moving, Meet the Newmans is a rich family story about the dual lives we lead. Because even when our lives aren’t televised weekly, we all have a behind-the-scenes.

Non Fiction Tuesday: Family of Spies

I love nonfiction November, and yet, I failed miserably at participating this year.  I'm still reading a lot of nonfiction, but the TBR piles just keep growing. There are really great books being written and published and I am curious about so many things.  

 

I ordered Family of Spies: A World War II Story of Nazi Espionage, Betrayal and the Secret History Behind Pearl Harbor has been on my radar for a while.  This is a totally different WWII story than any other I've ever read.

In the mid-90s Christine Kuehn receives a letter in the mail from a man wanting to write about Kuehn's grandfather and his role as a Nazi spy during WWII, assisting in the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  Kuehn's father had revealed very little about his childhood or family, always changing the subject or deflecting questions that might be asked.  But when she tells her husband about the letter, he reassures her by pointing out that there are other people who also share the same last name with her family.

However, when Christine and her husband visit Borders bookstore and begin to look through the index in WWII books, they see Christine's grandfather's name listed repeatedly. Her dad's family worked for the Nazis, providing information critical the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Thirty years have passed since Kuehn was first made aware of her family history.  This book is part memoir as she deals with this revelation, and part history of what unfolded that led Otto Kuehn, his wife, and children to make the decisions they did.  

I loved this book. I could barely put it down once I began reading, and have told anyone who will listen that they should add it to their TBR.  Anyone interested in WWII or history in general will enjoy this one.

Monday Mini-Reviews: The End of 2005 Is Rapidly Approaching

 When 2025 began I was reading up a storm. Not just average books, either, but really good books.  I felt like I could have my best reading year ever - and then school/job stuff started to happen.  And I could barely pay attention to reading. Summer reading was good again, but once school started in the fall, things went downhill.  The workload has increased and the frustrations have increased as well. At this point I'm just grateful I've been able to read at all. This won't be a record breaking year of reading.  

But I plan on spending the last month of 2025 reading as much as I can of whatever I want.  

Julia Spencer Fleming's Clare Ferguson/Russ Van Alstyne series may be my favorite mystery series of all time.  I have loved the collection of characters who live in Millers Kill since the very first book.  After a few years off since the last book, I have been anxiously waiting to get my hands on this installment.  Number ten in this series didn't disappoint as a white supremacist group has plans for an attack during the holiday season and Kevin Flynn has disappeared causing everyone who knows him to become concerned about what might have happened to him.  My only regret is that I am now waiting once again for a new book by Fleming.  

Grace and Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon is everywhere on Instagram right now.  I picked this one up last weekend and absolutely loved it.  Grace and Henry have both lost their spouses: Grace's husband died of cancer, while Henry's wife died in a plane crash.  Both are grieving their losses, and when their mothers set them up, they aren't interested in anything romantic, but realize they might be able to help each other through the grieving process.  Henry helps catch mice in Grace's house and gives her son pointers for an art contest he is entering.  The two find themselves spending time together watching a variety of holiday themed movies, and as time passes, a solid friendship (maybe more?) develops.  This is a totally clean rom-com that hit all the right notes for me.  Although it is perfect for this holiday season, I'm a firm believer that you can read a Christmas themed book any time of the year. 

Friday Five: Black Friday Shopping

 I do love the cold weather clothing so much.  And yet, we've had ten inches of snow overnight and I can't wait for spring.  There are so many good sales going on, and so many things I love.  I'm trying my best to purchase only one or two things for myself.  We've got a big family trip planned for Christmas, so gifts will be just a few small things this year, which means I shouldn't be spending as much time online looking at things and tempting myself.

Here's what I found this week to share with you all:

1.  Tina Plaid Jacket

2.  Restoration Yarn Dye Stripe Layer

3.  Leah Argyle Sweater

4.  Herringbone Jacquard Sailor Sweater

5.  Sunday Mockneck Crew

6.  Dad Fair Isle Crew

7.  Ashytn Ankle Bootie

8. Chilly Sweatshirt

9.  Fair Isle Wide Mockneck Sweater

10.  Alexia Wide Leg Jeans in Dark Wash

That's it for me this week.  What's caught your eye?

Waiting on Wednesday: Mad Mabel

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature where I highlight a soon to be released title I can't wait to read.

This week's pick: Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth 

Due out: April 26, 2026

Synopsis taken from Amazon:

There are two kinds of people no one ever expects to be murderers: little girls and old ladies. Meet Mad Mabel.

Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick is eighty-one years old. She's lived on her idyllic street, Kenny Lane, for sixty years--longer than anyone else. Aside from being a curmudgeon who minds everyone else's business, few would suspect that Elsie has a past that she has worked exceedingly hard at concealing. Because when it comes to murder, no one ever suspects little girls or old ladies. And Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick, once a little girl and now an old lady, has a strange history of people in her life coming to a foul end.

When a new little girl (talkative, curious, nosy) moves into the neighborhood and stops at nothing to befriend Elsie, her carefully-constructed life threatens to come crashing down as the secrets in Elsie's past start coming to light. Who was "Mad Mabel" fifty years ago? Who is Elsie Fitzpatrick today? And if the past has a habit of repeating itself, who has the most to lose?

Told with Sally Hepworth's twists, humor, charm, and heart, MAD MABEL is novel that weaves past and present together--through the power of justice and redemption, and all the way to its stunning conclusion.

Monday Mini-Reviews: Some Bright Nowhere

 

When Ann Packer's first book, The Dive From Clausen's Pier, was published a couple decades ago, I devoured it, and instantly Packer became an auto-read author for me.  Her latest book has been selected by Oprah as her most recent book club pick, and I am glad that this author is getting the attention I have long thougth she deserved.

This book is a tearjerker.  Claire and Eliot have been married for decades, raised two children, and have dealt with Claire's cancer diagnosis and treatment for the past nine years.  Now as Claire has exhausted her treatment options she and Eliot prepare for what is to come.  

When Claire tells Eliot she wants her two closest female friends to be there for her for her final days, and for Eliot to leave their home, it creates a whole new set of rules for their marriage. Eliot is blindsided by this request and has to grapple with what his wife is asking of him.  

This would be a great book club selection. I've already talked this one over with a friend, but can think of more questions I have since then.  

And if you haven't read Ann Packer before, check out her backlist.

Friday Five: The Week Before Thanksgiving

Somehow it's already the week before Thanksgiving.  I have barely even thought about what I'll be serving, so that's the first thing I need to take care of this weekend.  Cleaning is also on the agenda, but I will be home on Monday with Little Sister who is having her wisdom teeth taken out that morning.  

Little Sister is having quite the fall. She had a great beginning to her first college XC season, but has a stress fracture in the neck of her femur and a partially torn labrum (in the opposite leg from last year). She's been on crutches for a few weeks already, but she has several more before we go to the doctor again.  That means she has to crutch around campus and will be crutching in Barcelona for our Christmas trip.  I'm hoping we can find a few things to do that don't involve miles of walking for her.  

There are tons of sales right now and I'm loving so many things.  I have far too many things in my closet already, but so many of these are tempting.

Here is what I found this week:

 

1.  By Together Amerie Striped Top

2.  We The Free Graphic Camden Pullover

3.  Betty Plaid Bow Sweater

4.  Reverse Sleeve Shrunken Crew Neck Sweatshirt

5.  Houndstooth Wool Jumper

5.  Ruffle Collar Button Blouse

6.  Pilcro Long Sleeved Smock Top

7.  Stretch Metallic Long Sleeve Tee

8. Camila Half Zip Sweater

9.  Tuesday Tassel Mules

10.  Ken Burns new documentary on the American Revolution

That's it for me this week.  What's caught your eye?