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I started a #bookstagram because I simply love books and have been looking for more bookish people to talk to. Since joining my #TBR has gotten a little out of control. ?⠀
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I’m a mom to a two year old and I live in Southern California with my partner, two dogs, bearded dragon, and one fish. We also harvest Monarch Butterflies to help regrow their population. I’ve been teaching fourth grade for five years, going on six.
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Reflections and Resilience: A Teacher’s Journey
Well, I made it. I'm ready for this summer to heal and collect my thoughts. I am ready to reflect...
Brotherless Night
A beloved here and the winner of the Women's Prize for fiction, it is a standout in the...
This book is 650 or so pages and I absolutely savored each one
This book is 650 or so pages and I absolutely savored each one. Told through multiple point of...
Took a girls trip to Pismo Beach this past weekend
Took a #girlstrip to Pismo Beach this past weekend to celebrate the start of summer with my two...
And just like that year nine in the classroom is done
And just like that year nine in the classroom is done. I can’t believe I’ve been at this job...
Just me getting ready for summer reading
Just me getting ready for summer reading. Broke my book buying ban for Mother’s Day. Tried to get...
A beloved here and the winner of the Women’s Prize for fiction, it is a standout in the historical fiction genre and one I highly recommend to readers everywhere.
Following Sashi, a sister with four brothers, as she embarks on becoming a doctor during the beginning of the Sri Lankan Civil War, this novel blurs the line between nonfiction and fiction. Told in sharp and matter of fact prose, I was completely invested in this one. I read page after page on the internet about the Civil War in Sri Lanka. The author told this story so well. In war there are no winners, no saints, no “good guys.” There are just people doing everything they can to survive. Everyone loses. It asks the reader to bear witness because really what else can I do as the reader. There is so much more I can say about this but really just go read it. A sharp book I am so glad I got around to reading. And I hope you get to it soon too.
#brotherlessnight #historicalfictionbooks #historicalfiction #knowhistory #bearingwitness #prizewinners #greatbooks #recommendedreading #teacherswhoread #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks
This book is 650 or so pages and I absolutely savored each one. Told through multiple point of views of a four person family, I bow down to Paul Murray and his writing abilities. From the get go you have this creeping sensation that something awful is going to happen. Not a page felt wasted. This is a heavy read. A sad book about finding yourself but doing everything you can to battle what is inside you because you are so afraid no one will love you if they really see what is buried inside. It’s about so much more than just that though and I really really loved it.
And holy moly. That ending. I haven’t read an ending so creative in a long time. I personally love endings like this one but I’ll let you experience it for yourself.
I recommend this book if you enjoy family sagas and multiple point of views.
#thebeesting #prizewinners #summerreading #familysagabooks #multiplepointsofview #multiplePOV #teacheronbreak #readmorebooks #fiction #goodbooks #bookstagram
Took a #girlstrip to Pismo Beach this past weekend to celebrate the start of summer with my two favs. We probably took one picture together because are notoriously bad at taking pics together because we’re too busy having a good time.
Of course we stopped at a local indie Monarch Books. I got Fire Exit and some choice items for my two kids.
I also finished A Tale For the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki last night and wow, I absolutely loved it. I know it’s a #backlist favorite here and I can see why. I adored the way the story unfolded. I thought Ozeki did a great job writing two characters that each had unique voices and stories and then overlapping their fates. It was beautifully done. It does require patience but thankfully I cracked it open when school got out so I have time and energy to spare. I highly recommend it to those who may have it sitting on their shelves too.
In one week we make our annual trip to France to hang out with family and recharge. Thankful for every second.
#summer #bookstagram #teacheronbreak #booksbooksbooks #alwaysreading
And just like that year nine in the classroom is done. I can’t believe I’ve been at this job almost ten years. There must be something seriously unhinged about me. Haha. But jokes aside. It’s been a wild one. I came back from maternity leave and juggled being a mom of two while teaching a new grade. Next year I will loop with these kids to fourth and I could not be more excited to get back to the grade I’m most comfortable AND be with students I already know! For those who do not know looping is when the same class follows you to the next grade. I already know next year will be special. Who knows. Maybe it’s my swan song. One last mic drop. Maybe I’ll finally call it a day. Pull the plug. The final curtain call. Only time will tell. I just know that doing this job makes it really hard to raise two little kids and I wish to be around more and get something more flexible. But for now. That’s a wrap. Till next year. [pictured is Viv looking tired and in an empty classroom] #teacherlife #workingparent #teachersofinstagram #teacheronsummerbreak #summer #bookstagram #nonbookishpost #alwaysreading
Just me getting ready for summer reading. Broke my book buying ban for Mother’s Day. Tried to get a mix of backlist and new titles. Feeling very lucky to be alive with two healthy boys and a fantastic partner. #summerreading #teacheronsummerbreak #countingdownthedays #lovereading #readersofinstagram #bookstagrammer #filipinobookstagrammer #happywithbooks
Shades of April. Broke my book buying ban for two beauties. I got There’s Always This Year from the library but it’s dense and I need to take my time with it. I’m so curious about James and seeing all the rave reviews. Other things made me happy only one made me mad. If you’re a teacher I don’t have to tell which slide makes my blood boil. But as @sona.rukmani said so well “it’s a canon event”. Every year a child must break the sharpener by putting into a way too small pencil. I gotta say this years culprit really takes the cake. Like hoooowwww did your brain tell you this would work?! Haha. Also went on a moonlight hike. Highly recommend. Onwards to May. For my educator friends we’re almost there. Everyone else I hope you’re hanging on to something to get you through it. #teacher #teachersofinstagram #reader #moonlighthikes #books #bookstagram #losangeles #almostsummer #summerreads #bestofapril
Just some favorites I’ve read so far this year. I can’t believe we’re already almost done with April? The Neapolitan Quartet is so outstanding and I still think about When Crack Was King. Just counting the days till sweet sweet summer break.
#whencrackwasking #theneapolitannovels #poetry #whatwefedtothemanticore #favoritebooks #bestsofar2024 #readersofinstagram #readoutside #teacheronsummerbreaksoon #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #teacherswhoread
#lastnownext for you this rainy April morning.
I’ve been trying to read more poetry. I like that it’s bite sized and easy to pick up. I try not to overthink the “meaning” and stuff blah blah blah. Finna but Nate Marshall is so good. He is precise and purposeful with the way he plays with language. It is powerful and I think it’s a great one for those looking to dip their toes into poetry.
I am #currentlyreading The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante. It is the fourth and final book in the Neapolitan Quartet. And wow it is so so good. I’m sad to say goodbye to this series soon but I know I’ll return to it as I get older. I think part of Ferrante’s genius is her ability to weave in the political turmoil of the time into the story of Elena Greco and her community. It feels so visceral and urgent.
And finally due to my book buying ban I got There’s Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib, from my local library. He’s a favorite around here and for good reason. He has a way of comforting his readers. Making us all feel connected and less alone. I absolutely LOVE basketball so I know I’ll probably buy a hard copy one day. I am so excited to crack this one open.
#currentlyreading #alwaysreading #poetry #fiction #nonfiction #essaycollection #greatwriting #bookstagram #booksbooksandmorebooks #readersofinstagram #readmorebooks
#Springbreak you are immaculate. Belize you have my heart.
Have you ever waited for the right time to read a book? I read books one and two of the Neapolitan quartet when they first came out and had to take a break because of how intense they are. I knew book three was about motherhood and growing older. I’m so glad I waited to read this one because I feel I’m in a much better place to understand it. Elena Ferrante writes with such ferocity and rage. She just hits the nail on the head when writing about living with contradictions and how hypocritical we can all be. Her writing on motherhood is especially sharp. I am flying through book 3. This is definitely a series I want to revisit again one day.
Has there ever been a book like that for you? Tell me about it!
#elenaferrantebooks📚 #neapolitanquartet #book #bookstagram #springbreakreading #readersofinstagram #booksbooksbooks #alwaysreading #lovereading #readmorebooks #greatfiction
Here is what I read in March:
For adults: I actually listened to Homie by Danes Smith on @read_tmc suggestion and it is THE way to enjoy it. Read by Smith, I laughed and I cried. I’ll return to this one often.
The Heat Will Kill You First scares the crap out of me. But I learned a lot. It took a minute for me to get into it bc the first few chapters are just laying background knowledge which I’m familiar with, but I thought the later chapters about mosquitoes and the blob to be the most illuminating. Now as LA gets another historically wet winter I sort of grimace because I understand now it’s happening because the ocean is too hot.
The Forest Brims Over was a weird little novel about a woman turning into a forest because of her husbands infidelity and stifling her career. An interesting metaphor but one I didn’t think really stuck the landing.
I picked up Nothing to See Here because it was on that great American novel list by the Atlantic and I’ve been wanting to read it forever. I thought it was adorable. Worthy to be on the list? I don’t know.
I listened to How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water and I LOVED IT. I forget who narrates it but wow, they did an outstanding job. A touching portrayal of an older Dominican woman combatting her traumas. I thought this was refreshing and innovative. She’s talking to a head hunter throughout the novel and each chapter is a different interview. Highly recommend.
And Babylons Ashes is book six? Five? In a series I’ve been reading forever. It was fine?
The YA and Middle Grade was great. Dragons in a Bag is PERFECT for third grade. My students LOVED it. I think the Mona Lisa Vanishes is better for the older set but I learned a ton and I’m hoping to see/read more narrative nonfiction like it. I love the authors portrayal of Leonardo de Vinci! I thought Squire was okay. Again didn’t go deep enough for me but it’s hard in a graphic novel and I still appreciated it.
That’s it! Also I have not bought a single book since January first. PLEASE CLAP. lol
#marchwrapup #books #bookstagram #readmiddlegrade #readmorebooks #bookstagrammer #alwaysreading #teachersofinstagram #teachandread #booksbooksbooks
Let the record show I got Martyr! from the library and have not bought a single book since December. It’s as if not being on bookstagram has helped my spending habits. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT. But honestly more because of lack of time. The only way I’m writing this now is because the 8 month old is sick and napping on my chest and I have a moment of stillness.
While I was charmed by Martyr! my feelings about it didn’t reach beyond that point. I thought it really precious and Akbar writes beautifully. It was cute. I don’t mean that in a disrespectful way at all but it was like a Wes Anderson movie. Everything was pretty and cute and of course really sad. I really want to read his poetry. And Cyrus Shams is definitely someone to root for.
My favorites though are When Crack Was King and What We Fed to the Manticore. The first taught me a lot I sort of knew about but it laid it out in a way that really brought it all home. Stellar nonfiction I recommend to everyone. What We Fed to the Manticore was devastating. I love the folktale vibe of some of the stories since it’s told through the eyes of animals. It was gorgeous and gut wrenching. My favorite kind of writing. The first story about the donkey in the Gaza zoo is one that haunts me.
When You Were Everything is definitely a book to file under “book I wish existed when I was a teenager” because wow. We don’t see books about friend break ups often but this one nailed it. The main character and her ex-friend were both dynamic. I’m so glad this one exists.
Salvage the Bones is a classic and I can see why. So glad I finally got around to that one. I was underwhelmed by both Legends and Lattes and The Matrjx. But I’m in the minority there. The slower pace of both books did not fit my mood but I finished them so they were enjoyable nonetheless.
Thank you everyone for the kind words about my Lola. I wanted to respond to everyone but alas life. I could go on about how I hope you’re all taking care of yourself but it feels hollow to say when the world is like :this: nevertheless I hope you are well and the world’s razor sharp edges haven’t made you mean.