My Reading-Journey Story

When I was a child, I loved books. I remember my mom reading Berenstain Bears books to me as well as many others. I still remember the voice she used for Mama. 

I remember enjoying the elementary school library where I had my first introduction to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl and of course many others.

I didn't have much access to my small town's public library as we lived outside of town so I only remember going to it a few times. I did, however, devour school library books throughout elementary school and middle school and part of high school.

My mom introduced me to Agatha Christie books and I would always take them to read when we went on vacation. I loved Agatha Christie.

As happens with some people, books became less fun for me when certain ones were assigned in high school. No offense to the those Charles Dickens fans out there but I did not like A Tale of Two Cities and it's possible I didn't even finish it.

So in high school and college, I was less of a book worm.

After I got married and started having children, I discovered my love of books again. My husband and I read to our children when they were young and since he also loves reading, it's no surprise that all of our children developed a love of books.

For many years I loved mysteries with a hint of romance or other genres with a hint of romance. I was wary of anything in the "romance" genre because I was worried about content. My high school friends understood if I asked if something was "Kristin appropriate." I didn't like being exposed to foul language or crude/inappropriate jokes.

Then years ago I was introduced to a new genre of "clean romance" books. I read Julianne Donaldson's book, Edenbrooke, and loved how the main characters became friends before realizing their love for each other, probably because it echoed my own love story with my husband. 

I read some other books from time to time like that, including Seeking Persephone by Sarah M. Eden, so many years later when they announced they wanted to make a movie of it, I jumped at the chance to support the project and I was not disappointed with the result.

In the last few years, I've grown to love clean romances more than I did those many years ago. There are so many books out there that are "Kristin appropriate." I'm grateful for the authors who write them.

I've become more of a book worm again and have enjoyed getting into lot of different types, not just clean romances. I even have some cookbooks based on books.

I've gotten involved with book clubs, library programs, author events.

Sometimes I do them on my own, sometimes I drag family members with me. We all get involved in Summer Reading programs with local libraries.

I've learned how great it is to interact with authors and learned to value supporting them in different ways, whether that's taking a look at a Timmy Termite book for Stephanie Goodman to give my opinion before it's published or posting on social media over and over about how much I love A Lady's Guide to Love and Pirates by Jennifer Moore.

It's been quite a reading journey getting to where I am but it has been good for me and I can genuinely say I LOVE BOOKS!   

Timmy Termite Days

Jet and I were on a Timmy Termite kick for a few days. Timmy Termite books are written and illustrated by our good friend, Stephanie Goodman. You know we love her so much.

She asked me to take a look at the text for a new Timmy Termite book she's working on so I was doing that while waiting to pick up high schoolers. 

One day I had the other two Timmy Termite books with me in the van so I could look through the three and compare them. I was mentioning some things to Jr. Jr. when his friend got in the van and noticed what I was holding. He hadn't read them and he got excited about them so I handed them back for the drive.

Fun. Even high schoolers read Timmy Termite. 

 

We used Timmy Termite for some daily literacy activities for National Literacy Month with Shadow Mountain Publishing. We also did other things those days. 

Here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to let you know what the literacy activities were for those days (from the adult and children's calendars), then I'm going to just explain how those days went in general. See if you can keep up.

 

September 16 Leave a review for a favorite book

Create a bookmark 

 

September 17 Create a cozy reading space

Read with a grandparent or friend 

 

September 18 Discuss a book with a friend

Read your child's favorite book again 

 

September 16 was Cinnamon Raisin Bread Day. I was going to put raisins on cinnamon toast then realized we were out of raisins. Ha Ha Ha Ha. We always have raisins. It's like BBQ sauce. We always have BBQ sauce then all of a sudden one time I'm expecting to use some, we're out.

After school, Jet and I made a worm bracelet bookmark like the older kids and we made many many years ago (I blogged about it March 3, 2011).

I cut it out and put slits in it to put the bracelet together and Jet made the face. Teamwork!

 

He can wear the bracelet as we read then use it to keep the place when we need to stop.

Of course we used it for the book, Timmy Termite Job Shadow.  

 

September 17 was Monte Cristo Day. It was a busy day.

In the morning I helped the humanitarian center tie quilts. 

In the afternoon, Jet and I FaceTimed my grandparents and introduced them to Timmy Termite.

Afterward, I tried to quickly make Monte Cristo sandwiches, 

Jr.: Mom, that's unsanitary. You put your tong on it.

 

then ran out the door as Jr. finished them for me so I could make it to a bird walk with Utah County Birders. We walked along the river from Provo Delta Gateway Park.

There was thunder and rain during the walk and lightning at the end. 

 

When I got back, Jet and I made a cozy reading space to read a dinosaur alphabet book.

September 18 began with a huge storm.

After school, Joseph picked his current favorite book for me to read to him: Timmy Termite Job Shadow.

That evening I went over to Stephanie's house to pick up my signed copy of Dallon Dolphin Makes a Friend and discussed her in progress Timmy Termite book. 

Parents Day Off? Ha!

September 14 was Parents Day Off. Ha! Too much to do. I even made dinner even though the menu plan said FFY (Fend For Yourself). And Jeremy had to go to work.

I did go for a walk that morning, though.

 

We needed some necessities so among my other errands that day, I went to Costco and bought flour tortillas. I spent a lot less than I normally would at Costco. #shelftember

With the flour tortillas I bought at Costco, I made fajitas with...

green bell peppers and yellow banana peppers from our garden, onions from the shelf, chicken from the freezer, fajita seasoning from the pantry, and sour cream from the fridge for those who wanted sour cream. 

Another errand I went on was to the library to check out a bunch of Terry Pratchett books that all reference a certain card game that some family members wanted to play. It helped for our literacy activity that night. Still going strong following Shadow Mountain Publishing adult and children's calendars for National Literacy Month.

 

September 14 Ready poetry or essays

Have a family reading night

 

Jeremy read us a passage from one of the books that talks about the game, Cripple Mr. Onion, then we played it.  

That was our Family Home Evening activity. Our treat was ice cream. Jet is so independent... sometimes (sometimes when I don't want him to be). He wanted to dish out the ice cream. Cute.

School Begins

School begins. Reading during pick up and drop off times begins.

It's that time of year. You better believe I was quoting Nemo. "First day of school! First day of school!"

I remembered to get first day of school pictures (oldest to youngest because they started on different days). 

Jeremy got in on the action. 

 

Before that, I got some going to the schools to pick up things or talk to teachers (and eat hot dogs) pictures. 

We have another string player this year. We joked for years about how the oldest played violin, the next oldest the cello, and the next oldest the viola in orchestra, so the next should play bass. 

He took it to heart. Ha Ha Ha Ha. This is NOT a full sized bass (it might be 1/4 size) and it's taller than him. Ha Ha Ha Ha. I love this family.