Blast From the Past: July 2009

Usually I feel like once the calendar turns over to July, the start of the next school year is just around the corner.  This year, because of having so many snow days to make up and taking a vacation in June, it feels like summer is just beginning.  

I love the first Monday of each month and the chance to look back on what I read a decade ago.  Here are some highlights from back in July of 2009.

1. Peace, Love and Baby Ducks by Lauryn Miracle- up until this book, I had pretty much ignored Miracle.  I loved this book - a look at sisters, growing up and relationships.

2.  Methland: The Death of Life in an American Small Town by Nick Reding- this non-fiction book is set in a small town near where I live, which always makes things interesting. Unfortunately, the topic of this book is not a happy one, but deals with the use of meth, something I dealt with as a teacher who had students with parents using this drug.

3.  Happens Every Day by Isabel Gillies- Gillies had a handsome husband, great career, and two perfect young sons.  When her husband takes a job teaching at Oberlin, she throws herself into their new life, to be told just a few months later that her husband was leaving her.  A close friend of Gillies told her, "happens every day." This is her story.

4.  Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews- this is possibly my favorite of Andrews' books. Southern setting, a little suspense, a little romance... Andrews has the recipe for a great book. I loved the home renovation aspect to this book as well.

5.  Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin - Baskin's middle grade novel provides a good look at a character with autism. Jason struggles with everyday life, yet is hopeful that there is someone out there who understands him as he posts daily to an online website.  When he has a chance to meet up with a girl from online, Jason is worried that she might not accept him for who he is.

I loved all of these books and still recall bits and pieces of them from time to time.  How about you? What were you reading back in 2009? How about last year?