Karen’s Book Shelf
April (2017) Books – The following materials can be found in your local library!
As many of you know, I try to alternate fiction and non-fiction books. I am always looking for new ways to stimulate my mind and not get caught up in the fiction world. Not that a really good fiction book can’t be stimulating, but if I didn’t restrict myself- that would be all I would read!
Damaged by Lisa Scottoline I have never read anything by this author but have come across her books often at the public library. I thought I would give her a try. I was not disappointed, although she goes on and on in her explanation of people and settings- giving too much detail at times. I found myself skipping a few paragraphs at time just to get to the point she was trying to make. With that said, I believe she is a good story teller and she did keep my interest, or at least enough to finish the novel. This story takes place in modern day and is told through Mary DiNunzio, a young lawyer who is crazy busy with clients and planning her upcoming marriage to Anthony, the love of her life. Mary is given a new case that involves a 10-year old special education boy that has been abused by a teacher’s aide. I love the way Scottoline intertwines special ed law into the story- it feels like she did some pretty lengthy research to make the story believable. Anyway, the young lawyer, Mary, has a soft spot for the young boy, Patrick, and feels she needs to become his guardian after the only living relative, his grandfather, dies. The story becomes a mad race for Mary to fight the courts for guardianship and keep Patrick out of the foster care system while trying to convince her fiance’ that adopting Patrick is in Patrick’s best interest, even though Anthony feels differently. Damaged is a good story and one that as an educator seems plausible. GOOP Clean Beauty by the editors of GOOP. I LOVE Gwyneth Paltrow. I would love to meet her and ask her tons of questions about clean living and detoxing. This book is so good; I might just buy a copy for myself. If you haven’t been to the lifestyle GOOP blog that Gwyneth began in 2008, then I suggest you spend time there first. You will get a feel for her beliefs on looking and feeling your best. This book encompasses discussions on eating clean, sleeping habits, exercise and presenting the best you you can present. There are lots of great recipes, tutorials on applying makeup, on yoga, deep breathing, vitamins and clean hair and skin. I particularly enjoyed the information on detox since I just finished my own detox and feel really good about it. On page 108 Paltrow offers a wonderful Asian Salmon and Avocado Salad that I know Dave will just love. Actually, so would Olivia and Zach- maybe I can bribe them to visit soon :). On page 113, the Spinach and Lemon Hummus sounds really good too! I’m not a big fan of hummus but this one looks palatable. Toward the end of the book there are wonderful instructions for a natural makeup regime and a smoky eye that I want to try.
I watched Still Alice for the second time. I really enjoy this movie- the acting is superb. But the subject is difficult. I sometimes wonder about my own mental health and what will happen if I were to get dementia and lose my memory. I would hate for Dave and the girls to have to deal with that.
I am still reviewing my German words and phrases.
What have you been reading or watching?