Read A Book

What is the advantage to me being back here on the letter R, while others are preparing their U posts to debut in a few short hours?  I get to write a post about reading books... on World Book Day!

 

In celebration of World Book Day and my love for reading, I thought I would share a few of my favorite books from over the years. I am intentionally being a bit vague with plots and descriptions, so that you will be able to go and enjoy the books if you choose.  I would love to hear about your favorite books in the comments as well! 

 

For Little Ones

When it comes to books for kids (and no I don't have any) I love books with great illustrations!  They make such fun read aloud options. Here are a couple favorites -

 

 

Strega Nona was one of my childhood favorites. I love Tomie de Paola's illustrations! They are detailed, yet somehow simple and classic. 

I absolutely LOVE the illustrations in Jan Brett's books. I first fell in love with her books back in kindergarten when my teacher read The Mitten to our class, and then we colored in our own mittens and animals to reenact the story.  I still remember the activity some twenty years out of kindergarten, and actually found the printables online so I could do it at the after school program I ran!


For Not Quite So Little Ones

I received a copy of A Little Princess when I was about nine or so from my library's summer reading book.  I devoured it.  It was (and still is) my favorite book! I loved the interesting names of characters like Ermengarde and Melchisedic, I learned about history as Sara's imagination transformed her attic garret into the Bastille, and I simply got enveloped in the life of this little-girl-who-was-not-a-beggar.

 

For Grown Ones
Of course, the kids shouldn't be the only ones busy reading.  Most of my fiction reads are historical fiction and things I find free on Amazon.  Here are some of the other books I recommend:

When I attended the Los Angeles Religious Ed Congress several years ago I was told by the teachers I was staying with that I had to go to Greg Boyle, SJ's talk.  When I went to the talk I had to buy his book.  Greg started his parish ministry in Dolores Mission in LA, and went on to find Homeboy Industries, a (remarkably successful) ministry to gang members.  This is their story.  A story of heartbreak, compassion, love and lots of grace.

I figured I would throw in a fiction book as well, just in case someone is looking for a good read.  Plain Truth is actually the only Jodi Picoult book I've ever read start to finish.  Something about trying to solve a murder in Amish Country is just so surreal it drew me in!