Let me tell you the truth. I have not been doing a lot of reading, and obviously, have not been writing. However, I did get to experience a lot of things. This month have been very interesting.
During this month I got to experience severe back pain from stress. The pain was so severe, I could barely move or function. For about two weeks, I was just trying to manage my back pain. I did not get a lot of reading in since there was not a comfortable position for me. I am doing better now, but I do feel the tension in my neck and shoulders once in a while. I just try to continue my stretches and to keep my neck straight.
The other exciting moment was being a part of a book signing and book talk. On the 10th I got to see Bill Nye the Science Guy. That was the highlight of my month. I got his book signed and I am trying to finish it. His book, Everything All At Once, is really good. I love the idea of applying the nerd mentality to everything and by using this mentality we can improve the world (“Or dare I say it… Save the World”). I am halfway through the book, and I can tell you that it is an easy read. It is not as technical as I thought it would be. There are a few moments where he does get technical, but you can just feel his passion throughout his writing.
The other highlight that has happened is that I got to rescue a kitten and keep him. He is very cute and loveable. All he cares about is people and love. I would like to introduce you to Thor, my loveable orange tabby kitten.
The other exciting thing that I got to experience was getting a new glasses prescription. This summer was very interesting. I was due for new glasses at the beginning of summer since Covered California does not cover vision, I had to get vision through the district (my main job). I tried this new doctor and my new prescription kept getting me sick. The best way for me to describe it was a low-grade migraine. I was dizzy, nauseous, light sensitive and tired. In addition to the first prescription, I experienced two distances of the same object. Almost like a funhouse effect, but it wasn’t fun. The second prescription that I got from him also got me sick, similar to the first prescription, but without the funhouse effect. I still could not judge distance very well, but I was not happy that I kept getting sick. I ended up switching doctors and I am very happy that this prescription does not get me sick and that I can see.
In addition, to everything, I also started getting a lot more hours. So I have been very busy with work. I am just learning to adjust to the ebb and flow of working several jobs.
So are you ready to see how much I have read this month?… Be impressed since I only finished one book and read two.
The book that I finished this month was The Star Theif by Becky Lindsey. This book is about a clever girl who is whisked away on this adventure and a fight between people and constellations. I gave this book three out of five stars. The book started really well and I was really hooked into it. I was enjoying the adventure and the excitement that was happening. About halfway through the book, I was just not feeling the book. I wanted to finish the book because I was invested in the characters and their decision. However, I was not invested in the plot, or with two of the characters that were the catalyst for the plot. The other issue that I had with this book was timing issues. It is not timing with the plot, but it is timing as in the ages of the characters. There is one character whose age does not match with the story. There is one character that when they tell the story it sounds like he vanished when he was about 40 to 50 years of age, but when you see him he is in his 80’s. The problem is, the man was only gone for 10 years. That is the main reason why I gave the book three out of five stars. Once the story of how the problem was created, I was not able to see beyond the impossible math and time travel that had happened. Other than that, I really do think that kids would really love this book. And it is a fun read if you look beyond that age issue.
One of the books that I was able to read this month was Unschooled by Allen Woodrow. This book is really fun and looks into a crazy week full of shenanigans during spirit week for the fifth-grade class. I gave this book three out of five stars. This book was a lot of fun and I did enjoy it. However, the lack of special needs students in this school was the main reason why I gave this book the rating that I did. You did have some people who were injured and were wearing casts, however, there was no one that was in a wheelchair or no one who is different from the normal education population participating in any of the spirit week competitions. Working in special education highlight this, and it was interesting while I was looking at my student who would have loved to participate in some of those activities. Beyond that, it is a fun and crazy read that I do believe people would enjoy.
The last book that I read this month was Is it Night or Day? by Fern Schumer Chapman. This is a fiction work based on the true story of her mother being a part of the 1,000 children’s project during WWII. There is not a lot I can say about this book. This book was amazing. I felt very connected to her mother and her experience during WWII, and what it must have been like to be a German Jew in American during that time. I do recommend you get the book with the bonus materials because it does tell you more information about her mother and her story. I do recommend this book and I would love to see this book in classrooms.
That is my month. Hopefully, I will be able to post another post up soon with my intentions for October. I am not sure if I want to make this month a theme, but I am excited for some of the books that are coming out this month, and I cannot wait to read them.
How was your month of September? Did it go smoothly for you? What books are you looking forward to?
Until next time. Happy reading!
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