We are the daring captains of wonder and nearness in this time.
Where does a story begin? That’s the question at the heart of The Fact of a Body by Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich. Does each of us begin at the moment of our own birth? Is that negating the contributions of the lives of our parents? If the story stops there, aren’t we in danger of leaving out … Read more
I grew up with an insatiable love of reading. I would re-read books until the pages were grimy and the covers fell off. I never wanted fancy gifts, the key to my heart were boxes of used books my mom would usually find at yard sales for a dollar. I’m still that way to this … Read more
So in my mind, the thought of school lunches still evokes the classic metal lunch box with matching thermos. If you were lucky, your favorite cartoon character or heartthrob t.v. star would be emblazoned on the front. If you were less monetarily blessed, you probably had a hand-me-down or bargain bin version starring whatever your … Read more
As I mentioned in my recent post on finding the best family car, back to school time is when many of us become most concerned with car safety. Whether you’re dropping young ones off at school each morning, chauffeuring them to after-school activities, or handing the keys to a new teen driver, you want to … Read more
Game night is a hallowed tradition in our family. I know it seems weirdly old fashioned in a world full of screen mania, but we prefer an evening of unplugged board games with an ever-evolving cast of family and friends, plus a decadent spread of fun foods and drinks. Utter Nonsense: Family Edition is one … Read more
The Space Between the Stars by Anne Corlett is an apocalyptic novel writ large. Imagine humanity spread throughout the galaxy. Now imagine on the day an apocalyptic event happens, you wake up having survived- not just one of the few people on earth, but one of the few people left on any inhabited planet. The … Read more
I’m addicted to shiny things, glitter and bling. These self-adhesive rhinestone jewel stickers fit the bill nicely. They’re like a Lisa Frank fantasy come to 3D life. They’re perfect for decorating all of your back to school supplies- from locker mirrors to notebooks to laptop lids. This pack from NIANPU is a good deal, including … Read more
I live in valley nestled in the woods among tree-covered hills. Which is beautiful and idyllic and serene, with the shade keeping our house a good ten degrees cooler than the city. One thing I’m lacking? Good indoor natural light. Thus I’m always on the lookout for lamps to brighten every corner of our home. … Read more
This well-crafted book had me pretty much screeching with indignation by the end. I’m not sure most people would mean that as a recommendation, but I do. The Breakdown by B.A. Paris is the story of Cass who takes a shortcut home one story night and sees a woman stopped by the side of the … Read more
If you’re a chocolate fanatic, this is the ultimate perfume for you. And let’s face it, I’m slightly suspicious of anyone who doesn’t swoon over cocoa and fudge. Serendipitous- which is also fun to say! – is a delectably sweet chocolate scent with added hints of Tahitian vanilla and blood orange. I’ve been obsessed with … Read more
